Detroit Mesothelioma Lawyer

Mesothelioma may not be a very common form of cancer, but this is a terminal diagnosis, and thousands of new cases are diagnosed nationwide every year. In Detroit, those who worked in the historical automotive industry in the area, in construction, and in the manufacturing of asbestos products may be diagnosed with mesothelioma. If you or a loved one receives this diagnosis, it’s important that you speak with a Detroit mesothelioma lawyer at your first opportunity.

Experienced Legal Counsel for Mesothelioma Cases in Detroit, MI

The team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC has almost 30 years of experience representing clients in mesothelioma cases nationwide. Many other attorneys do not accept these cases due to the extensive research they require and their other inherent complexities, so we are confident we can provide unmatched representation for your mesothelioma case in Detroit. You have a short time to build your case, so it’s important to hire a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible.

In every case we accept, we take time to thoroughly investigate the details of our client’s diagnosis, determine the most likely sources of the asbestos exposure that caused their mesothelioma, and explain their legal options. Our team of trial attorneys has successfully recovered more than $1 billion in compensation, and we are ready to leverage our skills, resources, and experience in your mesothelioma case.

The first steps you take after a mesothelioma diagnosis in Detroit are crucial. This is a terminal form of cancer, and once it is detected, it will have already likely reached a critical stage. When you hire a mesothelioma lawyer at Kelley Ferraro, LLC, you will have a dedicated legal representative who can address your concerns and explain what to expect as your case unfolds.

Understanding Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma

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 to appear due to the very long latency period of this disease. The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure, and it can sometimes take decades for it to appear in a noticeable way. Unfortunately, the first noticeable signs appear once the disease has progressed significantly.

Asbestos was widely used in the US in many applications for many years until the health risks became apparent. It was commonly used for construction materials due to its fireproofing and insulating properties, and many types of work in manufacturing environments posed the risk of asbestos exposure. In Detroit, many workers in construction, steel work, manufacturing, and other industries were exposed to asbestos for years, unaware of the risks.

Whenever asbestos-containing materials are damaged or begin to deteriorate, asbestos fibers are released into the surrounding area. These fibers are very thin, sharp, and light enough to remain suspended in still air for long periods. If they are inhaled, they can cause pleural mesothelioma to develop in the lungs. When they are ingested, this can cause peritoneal mesothelioma to develop in the abdominal region.

According to Asbestos Nation, there were 10,188 asbestos-related deaths in Michigan between 1999 and 2017. Of these, 1,342 happened in Wayne County. One of the most challenging aspects of this disease is the fact that it takes so long to cause noticeable symptoms. Additionally, the earliest noticeable symptoms of mesothelioma are often mistaken for other, less serious conditions, such as respiratory infection or pneumonia.

The five-year survival rate for mesothelioma largely depends on the stage of the cancer when it is accurately diagnosed. For localized mesothelioma, the average five-year survival rate is only 23%, and this drops to 11% for mesothelioma that has spread to distant parts of the body. Once mesothelioma is diagnosed, treatment focuses on slowing the spread of the cancer, managing symptoms, and preserving the patient’s quality of life as much as possible.

Building Your Mesothelioma Case in Detroit

You are likely to have many complex legal questions about your situation after receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis, and only an experienced Detroit mesothelioma lawyer can answer them. You could have multiple options for claiming compensation depending on how, where, and why you were exposed to asbestos, but you must first determine the most likely source of your exposure. This will dictate your legal options in this difficult situation.

Many US companies that previously manufactured asbestos products or operated facilities with asbestos-containing materials were required to establish mesothelioma injury trusts. The purpose of these trusts is to provide compensation to those diagnosed with mesothelioma because of asbestos exposure caused by these companies. A Detroit mesothelioma attorney can determine whether you are eligible to file a claim to such a trust.

If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma and believe you were exposed to asbestos at your current job, you may have grounds to file a workers’ compensation claim through your employer. This insurance can cover work-related illnesses and injuries, so you must prove that your condition resulted from you performing your job duties. Workers’ compensation is limited in what it can provide, but this is still worth investigating if applicable to your situation.

You may have grounds to file a personal injury claim for toxic exposure if a specific party is responsible for your diagnosis. Kelley Ferraro, LLC has years of proven experience filing personal injury cases against product manufacturers, distributors, employers, property owners, and many other defendants in mesothelioma cases. We are confident we can identify the defendant responsible for your asbestos exposure and build an effective case.

Claiming Compensation for Mesothelioma in Detroit

If you have grounds to file a toxic exposure personal injury claim for mesothelioma, you may recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages related to your condition. A plaintiff in a mesothelioma personal injury case can claim economic damages, including their medical expenses and lost income. This includes the cost of necessary future treatments, including palliative care, as well as lost future earning capacity if they can no longer work.

Receiving a terminal diagnosis is also psychologically harmful for the victim, and their treatment will be difficult and uncomfortable. A personal injury plaintiff can also claim compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological suffering. Your Detroit mesothelioma lawyer can help you determine an appropriate amount that reflects the severity of your situation.

In some cases, plaintiffs are awarded punitive damages at the court’s discretion. As the name implies, punitive damages are not meant to compensate a specific loss, but rather to punish the defendant for egregious negligence or intentional misconduct. For example, if you were exposed to asbestos because of a former employer’s negligence or concealment of a known health risk, the court may require the defendant to pay punitive damages along with your other damages.

Ultimately, many factors can influence the total compensation you can secure from a mesothelioma personal injury case. Time is a crucial factor for these cases, as it can take quite a while to accurately determine the most likely cause of your condition, and you will also need time to accurately assess the full extent of your claimable damages. It’s vital to hire a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible to start building your case.

What to Expect From Your Detroit Mesothelioma Lawyer

When you hire a mesothelioma lawyer at Kelley Ferraro, LLC, you have a responsive, dedicated, and results-driven legal advocate ready to help you with every step of your proceedings. As soon as you hire our firm to represent you, we will begin investigating your situation to determine the most likely source of your asbestos exposure. This informs us of your legal options, and we will then develop an individualized strategy for securing compensation for your damages.

We have successfully represented clients nationwide in mesothelioma cases. We know the volume of work these cases demand and how to uncover every avenue of recovery available to our client. Once we determine the most likely sources of your asbestos exposure, we can cross-reference our findings with known asbestos exposure risks in the Detroit area, narrowing the list of potential defendants.

If you have grounds to file a mesothelioma personal injury case, you can rely on our team to gather all the evidence required to firmly establish liability for your condition. We will prove liability for your asbestos exposure and calculate all related damages. Our team consists of trial attorneys, and while many of these cases are resolved through settlement, we are fully prepared to represent you in litigation if settlement is not a viable option for any reason.

You may have concerns about the cost of hiring a mesothelioma lawyer, especially when facing expensive cancer treatment and the inability to work. Our team accepts most cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no cost to you if we are unable to recover compensation on your behalf. This policy allows you to approach your case with confidence, and if we succeed, the contingency fee is only a percentage of the total recovered from the defendant.

The team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC is ready to provide the compassionate, results-driven legal representation you need for your mesothelioma case in Detroit. Whether you are eligible to file a claim to a mesothelioma injury trust, claim workers’ compensation benefits, or file a personal injury claim for asbestos exposure, we can help. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with a Detroit mesothelioma lawyer you can trust.