Pittsburgh Mesothelioma Lawyer

Pittsburgh has historically been a major hub for America’s Steel Belt, and steel work is just one of many industries that have posed the risk of asbestos exposure in the US for many years. If you or a family member were recently diagnosed with mesothelioma in Pittsburgh, you need to consult an attorney who can help you make sense of your legal options in this difficult situation. A Pittsburgh mesothelioma lawyer at Kelley Ferraro, LLC is an invaluable asset to your case.

Representing Mesothelioma Cases in Pittsburgh, PA

The team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC has nearly 30 years of experience representing clients in mesothelioma cases nationwide. We understand the challenges these cases pose and know that you likely have many difficult questions about your situation. Many attorneys do not accept mesothelioma cases due to the volume of work required, but we have an extensive record of success and have recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for our clients.

When you hire a mesothelioma lawyer at Kelley Ferraro, LLC, you have a dedicated legal advocate ready to address your individual needs and concerns about your case. We will listen to your story, explain your potential options for recovering compensation, and develop an individualized legal strategy to secure a favorable outcome.

You may have multiple legal options available to you, and we are confident we can address them effectively. Some individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma are eligible to claim compensation from mesothelioma injury trusts established across the country. Others have grounds to pursue personal injury cases for toxic exposure. Whatever your situation, it’s important to hire a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible.

Time is a crucial factor for any mesothelioma case in Pittsburgh. This is a terminal form of cancer, and most patients diagnosed with mesothelioma have a relatively short life expectancy, especially when the disease is found at an advanced stage. It’s important to consult an experienced Pittsburgh mesothelioma lawyer at your first opportunity after your diagnosis so they can begin building your case immediately.

Understanding Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure in Pittsburgh

The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. For many years across the US, asbestos was widely used for its fireproofing and insulating properties, and thousands of people handled asbestos-containing materials and worked in buildings containing dangerous levels of asbestos, completely unaware of the health risks. Once these risks became apparent, widespread efforts to remove asbestos were made across the US.

Mesothelioma is not a very common form of cancer; only about 3,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the US. However, despite the efforts made to remove asbestos from as many locations as possible, new cases continue to appear every year because of the very long latency period of this disease. It can sometimes take decades for noticeable symptoms of asbestos exposure to appear, and by this time, the disease has likely reached a critical stage.

According to Asbestos Nation, there were 17,717 deaths from asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma recorded in Pennsylvania between 1999 and 2017. Of these, 1,969 were recorded in Allegheny County. Some of the highest-risk areas for asbestos exposure in Pittsburgh have included local factories, steel refineries, railyards, and power plants.

Asbestos fibers are very small, sharp, and light. When any asbestos-containing material is damaged or deteriorates, it can release these fibers into the surrounding area. They could be inhaled, embedding in the lungs and causing pleural mesothelioma, or ingested, embedding in the abdomen and causing peritoneal mesothelioma. In either case, it can take a very long time for the disease to cause noticeable symptoms.

Once mesothelioma symptoms appear, they are often mistaken for less serious conditions. This can, unfortunately, delay treatment and allow the disease to spread. Once mesothelioma is accurately identified, the patient’s life expectancy depends on how far it has spread. The five-year survival rate for localized mesothelioma is 23%, but it drops to just 11% when the disease has spread to distant parts of the body.

After someone is positively diagnosed with mesothelioma, treatment typically focuses on managing their symptoms, preventing the spread of the disease as much as possible, and preserving their quality of life. Mesothelioma treatment can be complex and expensive. While many people are diagnosed later in life, it is possible that some will need to quit working due to their symptoms and the challenges posed by cancer treatment.

Building Your Mesothelioma Case in Pittsburgh

Your Pittsburgh mesothelioma lawyer at Kelley Ferraro, LLC, will help you determine your most viable legal options for recovering compensation for your mesothelioma diagnosis. Many US companies over the years have been compelled to establish mesothelioma injury trusts that compensate the victims of their products and operations. You may be eligible to file a claim to one of these trusts, and your attorney can guide you through the process.

If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma and believe you were exposed to asbestos at your current job, you may be able to claim workers’ compensation benefits through your employer. A successful claim could cover medical expenses and provide some compensation for income you are no longer able to earn, but workers’ compensation benefits are relatively limited. Your attorney can explain what to expect with this type of claim.

When a specific party is directly responsible for your mesothelioma diagnosis because of negligence or any form of intentional misconduct, this can form grounds for a personal injury claim for toxic exposure. You need to prove that the defendant’s negligence or misconduct directly caused your asbestos exposure, and your Pittsburgh mesothelioma lawyer at Kelley Ferraro, LLC can gather the evidence you need to accomplish this.

If you succeed with proving fault in your mesothelioma personal injury case, you can recover compensation for all economic and non-economic damages related to your condition. Economic damages can include direct financial losses, such as immediate and future medical expenses, the cost of eventual palliative care, lost wages, and lost future earning capacity if you could have continued working if you hadn’t been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Non-economic damages you can claim include physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological suffering. Receiving a terminal diagnosis is a tragic experience for anyone, and it is vital to work with an experienced attorney you can trust to pursue as much compensation as possible on your behalf. In some cases, plaintiffs receive more compensation for pain and suffering than they receive for their economic losses.

In some cases, plaintiffs can also receive punitive damages that account for a defendant’s egregious negligence or intentional misconduct. For example, if a previous employer concealed a known asbestos risk, failed to comply with applicable safety regulations, or otherwise exceeded the scope of typical negligence or broke the law, the court may order them to pay punitive damages to the plaintiff. Your attorney can explain whether this could factor into your case.

What to Expect From Your Pittsburgh Mesothelioma Lawyer

Working with the right attorney can make a tremendous positive difference in a mesothelioma case in Pittsburgh. When you choose Kelley Ferraro, LLC, you will have an experienced team with a proven track record of success with cases similar to yours. You can rely on us to thoroughly investigate every detail of your case, from gathering proof of liability to uncovering the full scope of the damages you are eligible to claim.

Our team has successfully represented clients in mesothelioma personal injury claims against employers, asbestos product manufacturers, distributors, property owners, and many other entities. You can trust us to determine your eligibility to file a claim with a mesothelioma injury trust, pursue workers’ compensation benefits if applicable to your situation, and build a cohesive mesothelioma personal injury claim if a specific party is liable for your diagnosis.

We are a team of trial attorneys, meaning we will always prepare a case for litigation, even if we can expect to settle it outside of court. Many mesothelioma cases are resolved through private settlement negotiations, as most defendants are eager to resolve them as quickly and as quietly as possible. However, this is not always a viable option, and litigation may be unavoidable.

Our strategy strengthens our client’s negotiating position during settlement attempts while preparing as fully as possible in case litigation is necessary. The team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC has successfully resolved tens of thousands of cases nationwide, and we can explain the Pennsylvania mesothelioma laws that apply to your case in Pittsburgh.

If you are concerned about attorneys’ fees, our firm accepts most mesothelioma cases on a contingency fee basis. This means no upfront costs for our representation, and no cost at all if we are unable to recover compensation for you. When we succeed in securing a recovery, the contingency fee is only a percentage of the total recovered from the defendant. This policy makes legal counsel affordable and accessible when you need it most. Ultimately, facing a mesothelioma diagnosis is an extremely difficult experience for the patient and for their family. We know you likely have many complex questions in this situation, and we’re confident we can provide the guidance and support you need. You have a limited time to build and file your mesothelioma case, so contact us today and schedule a free consultation with an experienced Pittsburgh mesothelioma lawyer.