Plumbers Pipefitters Mesothelioma Lawyer

Mesothelioma is an incurable and terminal cancer with only one known cause: exposure to asbestos. Plumbers and pipefitters are some of the highest-risk occupations for asbestos exposure. If you or a family member worked in such a capacity and developed mesothelioma, a plumbers’ and pipefitters’ mesothelioma attorney is an ideal resource to consult. The team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC can provide comprehensive legal support for your case.

Representing Plumbers and Pipefitters in Mesothelioma Cases Nationwide

The attorneys at Kelley Ferraro, LLC have nearly 30 years of experience representing clients in mesothelioma cases across the US. We have successfully represented more than 40,000 clients who developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure in various ways, including while working as plumbers and pipefitters. Our firm has recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for our clients, and we are ready to apply our skills and experience to your mesothelioma case.

When you hire a mesothelioma lawyer at Kelley Ferraro, LLC, you have a dedicated legal advocate ready to address the unique aspects of your case, explain each of your recovery options in detail, and pursue accountability on your behalf. Our team takes time to learn as much as possible about each client. We will listen to your story, explain your legal options, and provide unwavering support through every stage of your case.

Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Risks for Plumbers and Pipefitters

Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos was widely used across the US for decades in many applications, mostly for its fireproofing and insulating properties. Many companies produced asbestos-containing materials and products, and other companies used them for various applications. Plumbers and pipefitters have historically faced significant occupational risk of asbestos exposure in many ways:

• Plumbers and pipefitters regularly encounter many high-risk materials while working, such as insulation, pipe coverings, gaskets, asbestos-cement pipes, packing, valves, pump components, and boiler components.
  
• Many of the common tasks plumbers and pipefitters must perform entail a risk of releasing asbestos particles, such as cutting and grinding pipes, removal and replacement of components that contain asbestos, and working in very small and poorly ventilated spaces, some of which may contain asbestos insulation.
  
• Plumbers and pipefitters must often work on older buildings. Throughout the US, buildings constructed before 1990 often contain asbestos. Even if a building has undergone asbestos removal or abatement, these processes may not have been thorough enough to completely eliminate the risk of asbestos exposure.

These are just a few of the risks facing plumbers and pipefitters. Mesothelioma does not appear overnight. It can take years for the earliest symptoms to appear, and the rate of progression varies from case to case. You may have worked as a plumber or pipefitter decades ago and only recently received a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Mesothelioma takes a very long time to develop, and it is not a very common form of cancer. Only about 3,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the US. Despite the fact that the health risks of asbestos are better understood today, new cases consistently appear because of asbestos exposure that happened many years ago. One of the most challenging aspects of any mesothelioma case is identifying the most likely source of asbestos exposure.

Whenever any asbestos-containing material is damaged or when older asbestos-containing materials are disturbed or deteriorate, this can release asbestos particles into the surrounding area. These particles are usually very small, very sharp, and light enough to remain suspended in the air. They can also attach to clothing.

When asbestos particles enter the body, they can become embedded in tissues and eventually develop into mesothelioma. The most common form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs. Peritoneal mesothelioma can develop in the abdomen if asbestos particles are ingested.

It can take a very long time for symptoms to appear, and the earliest symptoms of mesothelioma are often mistaken for other, less serious conditions such as pneumonia. However, once symptoms appear, the disease will already be in a critical stage. Mesothelioma is incurable and terminal. Once diagnosed, the patient’s treatment will focus on mitigating symptoms, slowing the spread of the cancer, and maintaining their quality of life as much as possible.

The average five-year survival rate for localized mesothelioma is only 23%, and it drops to 11% when the disease has spread to distant parts of the body. There is no “safe” level of asbestos exposure; just one exposure is enough to cause mesothelioma. However, the disease can develop more rapidly with repeated exposures as well as due to genetic predisposition to developing cancer.

Building Your Mesothelioma Case

You could have multiple legal options available after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Your plumbers’ and pipefitters’ mesothelioma attorney can review employment records and other evidence, cross-referencing them with companies known to have produced asbestos-containing products, buildings identified as asbestos risks, and other data to help you narrow down the most likely source of your asbestos exposure.

Many US companies have been compelled to establish mesothelioma injury trusts to compensate those affected by their products and operations. You may have worked as a plumber or pipefitter years ago and discovered that a product manufacturer is responsible for your diagnosis. If they have created a mesothelioma injury trust, your attorney can help you file a claim against the trust. This may not fully compensate you for your damages, but it is still worth exploring.

If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma while currently working as a plumber or pipefitter, this can qualify as a work-related illness. Most employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance, and you may be eligible to claim workers’ compensation benefits through your employer.

A successful workers’ compensation claim may provide medical expense coverage along with disability benefits that compensate for the inability to work. Many insurance companies will attempt to settle these claims for as little as possible, so it’s important to have an attorney’s help. Again, this may not fully compensate all of your damages, but it is a worthwhile avenue of recovery that could yield coverage for medical expenses and some lost income.

When a specific party is directly responsible for your diagnosis, this can form the basis of a mesothelioma personal injury case. The plaintiff in a personal injury case has the right to pursue compensation for any economic and non-economic damages they suffered because of the defendant’s negligence or misconduct. A skilled plumbers’ and pipefitters’ mesothelioma attorney can help you pursue as much compensation as possible for these damages.

Claiming Compensation in a Mesothelioma Personal Injury Case

If you are eligible to file a mesothelioma personal injury case, the economic damages you are eligible to claim will likely include all medical expenses related to your condition and the income you are unable to earn following diagnosis. Many mesothelioma diagnoses happen later in life, often after retirement, but if you had planned to continue working, you can seek compensation for lost earning potential.

A personal injury plaintiff may also claim compensation for non-economic damages. Receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis comes as a psychological shock to most people and to their loved ones. Additionally, mesothelioma causes painful, debilitating symptoms. Treatment is often difficult and entails harsh side effects. Your plumbers’ and pipefitters’ mesothelioma attorney can help you claim as much compensation as possible for your pain and suffering.

Some defendants in these cases are required to pay punitive damages to plaintiffs. A court may order punitive damages when a defendant’s behavior has exceeded the scope of typical negligence. For example, if they knowingly concealed an asbestos exposure risk or failed to comply with applicable regulations in any way that contributed to the plaintiff’s diagnosis, the court may order punitive damages.

What to Expect From Your Plumbers’ and Pipefitters’ Mesothelioma Attorney

Your attorney can advise you of these and other details that can influence the final outcome of your case. Many of these cases are resolved in private settlement, especially when the defendant is a major company. Most of these defendants prefer to settle these cases as quickly and as quietly as possible, but settlement is not always a viable option.

The team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC is a group of trial attorneys who prepare every case for litigation. Even if we are confident we can help you secure a settlement, this approach strengthens your negotiating position, and we will be prepared to represent you in the courtroom if your case requires it.

You may be worried about the cost of hiring legal representation, but this is no cause for concern when you hire a mesothelioma lawyer at Kelley Ferraro, LLC. We accept most of these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no upfront cost to hire our team, and no cost to you if we are unable to recover compensation. If we succeed with your case, the contingency fee is a percentage of the total amount recovered. You have limited time to build and file a mesothelioma personal injury case. Every state has different laws for asbestos-related claims, and you may have multiple options available to you. The team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC has successfully handled these cases nationwide, and we are confident we can help you achieve a favorable outcome. Contact us today and schedule your free consultation with an experienced plumbers’ and pipefitters’ mesothelioma attorney.