Firefighters Mesothelioma Lawyer

Mesothelioma is an incurable and terminal form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was widely used across the US for many years before the health risks were known, and firefighters have historically faced some of the greatest occupational risks of asbestos exposure. If you or a family member were a firefighter and has received a mesothelioma diagnosis, it’s important to consult a firefighters’ mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible.

Representing Firefighters in Mesothelioma Cases

The attorneys at Kelley Ferraro, LLC have nearly 30 years of experience representing clients nationwide in mesothelioma cases. Many attorneys do not take these cases because of their inherent complexity and the volume of work required, but we have successfully helped more than 40,000 clients across the US secure more than $1 billion in damages during our firm’s operation. You can expect our team to provide personalized legal counsel for your case.

We have an extensive record of successful legal representation for clients in many industries, and we are fully aware of the substantial asbestos exposure risks firefighters consistently face. After you or a family member is diagnosed with mesothelioma, we can help you understand your legal options, assess the full scope of your claimable damages, and determine the optimal way for you and your family to claim compensation for this life-changing diagnosis.

Asbestos Exposure Risks for Firefighters

The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. This material was used in many applications throughout the US until the health risks became apparent. Today, asbestos use in the US is minimal and very strictly regulated, but firefighters rely on many types of protective equipment containing asbestos. The fireproofing and insulating properties of asbestos were the main reasons for its widespread use.

Firefighters may be exposed to asbestos while wearing damaged fireproof gear and also from fighting fires in buildings containing asbestos. Many buildings across the US built before 1990 still contain asbestos, despite widespread removal and abatement efforts made over the years. When these buildings are damaged, asbestos particles can be released into the surrounding area. These particles can also stick to clothing and be carried to firefighters’ homes.

Asbestos causes mesothelioma when it enters the body, usually the lungs. These particles are very small, sharp, and light enough to remain suspended in the air for long periods of time. Pleural mesothelioma forms in the lungs, and peritoneal mesothelioma can form in the abdomen. There is no “safe” level of exposure; just once is enough to eventually cause mesothelioma. The disease can progress more rapidly, however, with repeated exposures.

One of the most challenging aspects of any mesothelioma case is accurately determining the most likely source of exposure. Mesothelioma has a very long latency period, sometimes taking decades to cause noticeable symptoms. Only about 3,000 new cases are diagnosed in the US each year, so this is not a very common form of cancer. However, new cases consistently appear because of asbestos exposure that happened many years ago.

It’s vital to hire a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible after your diagnosis. They can help you pinpoint the most likely source of the asbestos exposure that caused your mesothelioma, and this informs you of your legal options. Depending on how, where, and when you were exposed, you could have multiple options for claiming compensation, and a skilled firefighters’ mesothelioma attorney will be an invaluable asset for every step of your case.

Legal Options for Firefighter Mesothelioma

Many US companies that previously manufactured asbestos products have been compelled to establish mesothelioma injury trusts. These trusts exist to compensate those adversely affected by their products, and you may be eligible to file a claim against one of these trusts. The compensation you receive from such a claim may not fully compensate all of your damages, but this is still a worthwhile avenue to explore with your attorney’s help.

When you develop a work-related illness or suffer an injury on the job, you may be eligible to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. Most employers are required to have this insurance, and most firefighters in the US are eligible to file these claims. Workers’ compensation benefits could include medical expense coverage and some compensation for lost income, but you will need an attorney’s help to file this claim.

Some employers may contest liability for these claims, but most facilitate workers’ compensation claims in good faith. However, insurance companies almost always attempt to settle for as little as possible. If you believe you qualify to file a workers’ compensation claim, it’s important to hire a mesothelioma lawyer before negotiating a settlement with an insurance company.

If a specific party is directly responsible for your asbestos exposure, your firefighters’ mesothelioma attorney at Kelley Ferraro, LLC can assist you with building a mesothelioma personal injury case. You will need to prove that a specific party’s negligence, misconduct, or regulatory noncompliance directly caused your diagnosis. If you succeed with this, it’s possible to claim compensation for economic and non-economic damages.

Recovering Compensation for Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a life-changing diagnosis. Cancer treatment often causes challenging side effects, and symptoms will continue worsening as the disease progresses. Many of these diagnoses occur later in life, often after retirement, but those diagnosed sooner may be forced to quit working earlier than expected. Hiring an experienced firefighters’ mesothelioma attorney greatly improves your chances of securing appropriate compensation for this diagnosis.

The average five-year survival rate for mesothelioma extends from about 23% for localized mesothelioma to just 11% when it has spread to distant parts of the body. The stage of the disease at diagnosis determines treatment options, and treatment varies on a case-by-case basis. In most cases, treatment focuses on managing symptoms, maintaining quality of life, and slowing the spread of the cancer as much as possible.

If you or a family member is diagnosed with mesothelioma, treatment will be expensive and difficult. Symptoms of mesothelioma are painful and debilitating, and most people with this disease struggle with everyday tasks. Your firefighters’ mesothelioma attorney at Kelley Ferraro, LLC can accurately calculate all of the economic and non-economic damages you are eligible to claim and determine the most efficient way for you to recover this compensation.

Economic damages in these cases usually include medical expenses and lost income. The plaintiff can seek repayment of their cancer treatment costs as well as the cost of the palliative care they will need in the future. They also have the right to seek compensation for lost earning capacity if they were forced to quit working earlier than expected because of their diagnosis.

Non-economic damages in this case can include physical pain caused by mesothelioma symptoms and side effects of cancer treatment, and the emotional distress caused by receiving a terminal diagnosis. Pain and suffering compensation in these cases can vary based on multiple factors, so it’s important to have an attorney’s help to calculate these damages for your case.

Kelley Ferraro, LLC can also provide compassionate legal counsel for a wrongful death claim if a family member has died from mesothelioma they developed while working as a firefighter. Each state has different wrongful death statutes, but we have successfully represented clients in these cases nationwide and are confident we can guide you to a favorable outcome.

What to Expect From Your Firefighters Mesothelioma Attorney

Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis will be life-changing for you and your family. The team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC can provide guidance and support in this difficult time, helping you to understand your legal options and how you can recover as much compensation as possible as efficiently as possible.

Once you hire a mesothelioma lawyer at Kelley Ferraro, LLC, we will investigate your case to help you determine the most likely source of the asbestos exposure that caused your mesothelioma. We have successfully handled cases against employers, property owners, product manufacturers, distributors, and many other defendants for clients across the US.

We will assist you with a mesothelioma injury trust claim if you are eligible to file one, guide you through a workers’ compensation claim if applicable to your situation, and help you build a mesothelioma personal injury case against the defendant responsible for your toxic exposure. In some of these cases, defendants are compelled to pay punitive damages for intentional misconduct, regulatory noncompliance, or intentional concealment of known asbestos risks.

We are a team of trial attorneys, and we prepare every case we accept for litigation, even if we believe we can settle for our client. This approach strengthens our client’s negotiating position, and we will be ready to represent you in litigation if necessary. We adapt our strategy to suit each client’s unique situation and have the skills and experience to respond to unexpected challenges that may arise. Ultimately, you could have multiple legal options available to you, but you will need an attorney’s help to navigate your case successfully. The first steps you take after a mesothelioma diagnosis are crucial, so you should connect with legal counsel you can trust right away. Contact Kelley Ferraro, LLC today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced firefighters’ mesothelioma attorney. We look forward to representing you.