Construction Workers Mesothelioma Lawyer

Mesothelioma is a terminal cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Throughout the US, workers in many industries were exposed to asbestos before the health risks were known, including many in the construction industry. If you worked in construction and were recently diagnosed with mesothelioma, it’s vital that you consult a construction workers’ mesothelioma lawyer at your first opportunity.

Representing Construction Workers’ Mesothelioma Cases Nationwide

The attorneys at Kelley Ferraro, LLC have almost 30 years of experience representing clients nationwide in mesothelioma cases. We have successfully represented more than 40,000 clients across the US and have recovered more than $1 billion in damages. We take mesothelioma cases that many other firms do not because of the volume of work they typically require. We are confident we can provide unmatched representation for your case.

Construction is an inherently dangerous industry in many ways. Each year in the US, construction has one of the highest work injury rates and some of the highest workplace fatalities of all industries. Not only do workers face various physical risks on construction sites, but they can also be exposed to asbestos that will eventually cause mesothelioma. Construction workers can encounter asbestos in many ways:

• Demolition of older structures could mean damaging asbestos-containing materials and releasing asbestos particles into the surrounding area.
• Construction work involving insulation and fireproofing often requires the use of asbestos-containing materials. While asbestos use in the US has declined dramatically in recent years, many necessary construction materials still contain asbestos.
• Renovations of older buildings often require asbestos inspections and abatement. It’s also possible that incorrectly performed abatement or incomplete inspections could expose renovators to asbestos.

These are just a few examples of the asbestos exposure risks construction workers can face. If you or a family member currently works in construction or formerly worked in this field, you should hire a mesothelioma lawyer after your diagnosis to help you determine the most likely source of your exposure.

These cases are inherently complex, but the team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC is ready to provide comprehensive support through all your proceedings. Our firm takes a client-focused approach to legal counsel in mesothelioma cases. We will listen to your story, help you determine the most likely sources of asbestos exposure that caused your illness, and explain your legal options for claiming compensation.

Understanding Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma for Construction Workers

Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma. Whenever any asbestos-containing material is damaged, it can release asbestos particles into the surrounding area. These particles can also attach to workers’ clothing. This means they could not only adversely affect the workers’ health, but also their family members if the workers carry these particles into their homes.

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form of this disease, and it develops when asbestos particles enter the lungs. Asbestos particles are very thin, sharp, and light enough to remain suspended in the air where they could be inhaled. Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the abdomen, usually due to unintentional ingestion of asbestos.

Mesothelioma is not one of the most common forms of cancer. Only about 3,000 new cases are diagnosed in the US each year. However, new cases continue appearing despite the well-known health risks of asbestos exposure because of the very long latency period of this disease. It often takes several decades for mesothelioma symptoms to appear, and by this time, the disease will have already progressed to an advanced stage.

Once mesothelioma is diagnosed, the average five-year life expectancy depends on the stage of the disease at diagnosis. For localized mesothelioma that has not spread, the five-year survival rate is about 23%. This drops significantly to just 11% if the disease has spread to distant parts of the body.

After diagnosis, treatment will focus on managing symptoms, maintaining quality of life, and slowing the disease’s progression as much as possible. Cancer treatment has well-known side effects, many of which are debilitating and uncomfortable. Patients not only require expensive care, but also ongoing therapy to help them manage symptoms and the side effects of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments.

Unfortunately, mesothelioma is both incurable and terminal. The disease will inevitably spread, and symptoms will continue to worsen until the victim needs palliative care. This can be extremely difficult for anyone to accept. If you believe another party is responsible for the asbestos exposure that led to this situation, it’s vital to consult a construction workers’ mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your case.

Legal Options for Construction Workers’ Mesothelioma

After you or a family member is diagnosed with mesothelioma, it’s vital that you hire a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible to determine your legal options. You may have multiple options available to you and will need skilled legal counsel on your side to achieve a favorable outcome.

Many US companies were forced to establish mesothelioma injury trusts to compensate future victims of their asbestos-containing products. If your attorney helps you trace the source of your exposure to such a company, you may be eligible to file a claim with their trust. A successful claim may not fully compensate your damages, but it is still a valuable avenue of recovery worth exploring.

You may discover that you were exposed to asbestos while working your current construction job. If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, this would qualify as a work-related illness, and you may be able to claim workers’ compensation benefits through your employer. However, workers’ compensation insurance is limited in what it provides, and you may only be able to receive medical expense coverage and a portion of your lost income.

Most construction companies nationwide are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, and most regular workers are covered. This insurance applies to work-related illnesses and injuries, meaning diseases caused by asbestos exposure qualify for benefits as long as your exposure happened on the job. This can be difficult to prove, as can negotiating with insurance companies, so it’s vital to have an attorney’s help with this claim.

When a specific party is directly responsible for your asbestos exposure, an experienced attorney can help you file a personal injury case for toxic exposure. Success with a personal injury case could help you recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Many of these cases involve substantial losses, so it’s important that you hire a mesothelioma lawyer with proven experience to increase your chances of reaching a favorable outcome.

Claiming Compensation in a Mesothelioma Personal Injury Case

If you are eligible to file a mesothelioma personal injury case, the economic damages you can claim will likely include medical expenses and lost income. Mesothelioma treatment is expensive, and the victim will eventually require palliative care. Additionally, while most mesothelioma cases are diagnosed later in life, often after retirement, a plaintiff forced to quit working sooner than expected may be eligible to claim compensation for lost earning capacity.

Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis often comes with tremendous psychological stress. This is a terminal diagnosis, and many people who receive this news experience depression, anxiety, and other forms of emotional distress. Treatment can also be difficult and painful, so it’s important to hire an attorney who can help you claim as much compensation as possible for your pain and suffering.

In some cases, defendants are forced to pay punitive damages. This could come into play in your case if the defendant knowingly concealed an asbestos exposure risk, failed to comply with safety regulations, or was egregiously negligent in any way that directly contributed to your diagnosis. Your attorney can explain whether this will factor into your case and, if so, how it could influence your recovery.

What to Expect From Your Construction Workers’ Mesothelioma Lawyer

When you hire a mesothelioma lawyer at Kelley Ferraro, LLC to represent you, you will have a dedicated legal advocate ready to address the unique details of your case, guide you through every step of your proceedings, and help you claim as much compensation as possible for your damages.

We are trial attorneys, and we prepare every mesothelioma personal injury case we accept for litigation. While we are often able to resolve our clients’ cases in settlement, this is not always possible. Our approach strengthens our client’s negotiating position and prepares for the possibility of litigation. We have successfully resolved thousands of mesothelioma cases nationwide using this strategy.

If you are concerned about paying for an attorney, we accept most mesothelioma cases on a contingency fee basis. Under this policy, we charge our client a fee only if we succeed with their case. There is no upfront cost to hire our team, and there is no cost to you if we are unable to obtain compensation for you. Our contingency fee policy aims to make legal representation accessible to those who need it most.

You have a short time to build and file your mesothelioma case. An experienced construction workers’ mesothelioma attorney at Kelley Ferraro, LLC will be an invaluable asset who can assist with every step of these difficult proceedings, but it’s vital to get started as soon as possible. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our team and learn how an experienced team of attorneys can help with your case.