Steel Mill Workers Mesothelioma Lawyer

Mesothelioma is a terminal form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was widely used in the US for decades before this health risk was known, and steel mill workers have historically faced some of the greatest risks of asbestos exposure. If you or a family member works or formerly worked in a steel mill and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, an experienced steel mill workers’ mesothelioma lawyer is the ideal resource to consult.

Representing Steel Mill Worker Mesothelioma Cases Nationwide

The attorneys at Kelley Ferraro, LLC have nearly 30 years of experience representing clients in mesothelioma cases nationwide. Many attorneys do not accept these cases due to their inherent complexity and the volume of work they require, but we have a strong record of successful representation and have secured more than $1 billion in compensation for our clients. We are confident we can provide unmatched representation for your mesothelioma case.

When you hire a mesothelioma lawyer at Kelley Ferraro, LLC, you have a dedicated legal advocate who provides individualized counsel for every step of your case. We have successfully represented clients against employers, property owners, asbestos product manufacturers, distributors, and other defendants, and secured many substantial case awards. Our goal in every case is to help our client approach these proceedings with confidence.

Time is a crucial factor for any steel mill worker’s mesothelioma case. This is a terminal diagnosis, and life expectancy depends on the stage of the disease at the time it’s identified. It can also take time to accurately pinpoint the most likely source of asbestos exposure that caused the condition, so it’s crucial to start working with an experienced attorney as soon as possible to achieve the optimal outcome.

Understanding Asbestos Exposure in Steel Mills and Mesothelioma

Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma. In steel mills across the US, workers not only faced the risk of exposure from performing their job duties and handling asbestos-containing materials, but also from safety equipment and even the buildings themselves. Asbestos was widely used for its fireproofing and insulating properties, and steelwork requires a wide range of different types of fire protection across the entire operation.

When any asbestos-containing material is damaged or deteriorates, it can release asbestos fibers into the surrounding area. These fibers are incredibly small, sharp, and light enough to stay suspended in the air in interior spaces for long periods. Many workplaces, including steel mills, are required to have air filtration systems and provide appropriate safety gear to their workers to minimize the risk of asbestos exposure.

When asbestos fibers enter the body, they can become embedded in tissues and, over time, cause mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma forms in the lungs after fibers are inhaled, and peritoneal mesothelioma can form in the abdomen if fibers are ingested. Mesothelioma has a very long latency period, sometimes decades before symptoms become noticeable. This can make it very challenging to accurately determine the most likely source of exposure.

Mesothelioma is not a very common form of cancer. Only about 3,000 new cases are diagnosed in the US each year. However, despite the fact that the health risks of asbestos are now widely known, new cases continue to appear every year because of asbestos exposure that happened many years ago. The first challenge in a mesothelioma case is accurately determining the most likely source of your asbestos exposure.

Building Your Mesothelioma Case as a Steel Mill Worker

An experienced steel mill mesothelioma attorney can help you determine when, where, and how you were exposed to asbestos. If you spent many years working in steel mills, your attorney can cross-reference your employment records with known high-risk worksites, narrowing down a list of potential sources. Once you have identified the cause of your exposure, this will inform your legal options.

Many US companies over the years have been required to establish mesothelioma injury trusts to compensate those adversely affected by their products and services. Many mesothelioma cases are diagnosed later in life, sometimes after retirement. If you believe you were exposed at a previous job, it’s possible that the employer is no longer operating. It is also possible you were exposed to asbestos-containing products from a manufacturer that’s no longer in business.

Your steel mill mesothelioma attorney can determine your eligibility to file a claim to a mesothelioma injury trust. If you’re eligible, you may be able to recover compensation, and your attorney can guide you through the claim-filing process. If you believe you have been exposed to asbestos at your current job in a steel mill, you may qualify to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits through your employer.

Workers’ compensation insurance applies to work-related illnesses and injuries. Many states require private employers to carry this insurance, and a skilled attorney can help you file your claim. However, you might encounter unexpected issues with an insurance company, and workers’ compensation benefits are relatively limited, even for successful claims. Your attorney can advise you of what to expect and what other legal options may be available to you.

If a specific party is directly responsible for the asbestos exposure that caused your mesothelioma, such as a product manufacturer, distributor, property owner, or employer, then you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim for toxic exposure. In any personal injury case, the plaintiff must identify the defendant who caused their damages and then show the full extent of those damages.

Claiming Compensation for Mesothelioma

A mesothelioma injury trust claim could provide valuable compensation, and it’s possible to receive workers’ compensation benefits for medical expenses and a portion of lost income if applicable to your situation. If you have grounds to file a personal injury case for mesothelioma, this offers a better chance of securing as much compensation as possible for all related damages.

In a personal injury case, the plaintiff has the right to claim compensation for all of the economic damages they suffered because of the defendant’s negligence or misconduct. In a mesothelioma case, these are likely to include medical expenses and lost income. The plaintiff can claim all costs for immediate and future medical treatment as well as compensation for the income they are no longer able to earn because of their diagnosis.

Once someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma, their life expectancy depends on the stage of the disease. The average five-year survival rate for localized mesothelioma is just 23%, and this drops to 11% when the disease has spread to distant parts of the body. Treatment will typically focus on symptom management, slowing the spread of the disease as much as possible, and maintaining quality of life. These medical expenses can add up very quickly.

In addition to these economic damages, a plaintiff may also claim compensation for pain and suffering. Receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis is understandably traumatic and life-changing for the victim and their family. Additionally, mesothelioma causes painful symptoms, and treatment poses its own challenges and discomforts. Your steel mill mesothelioma attorney can determine an appropriate amount of pain and suffering compensation to seek with your claim.

Some of these cases will reveal intentional misconduct, egregious negligence, or regulatory noncompliance that may encourage the court to award the plaintiff punitive damages. Companies across the US have not only faced liability for civil damages, but also punitive damages and other penalties when found to have knowingly exposed people to asbestos. Your attorney can explain whether this could be a factor in your mesothelioma case.

What to Expect From Your Steel Mill Mesothelioma Attorney

When you hire a mesothelioma lawyer at Kelley Ferraro, LLC, our team will carefully review the details of your situation and investigate the most likely source of the asbestos exposure that led to your diagnosis. There is no “safe” level of asbestos exposure; it’s possible that a single incident many years ago has caused your diagnosis, or you may have been repeatedly exposed during your time working in a steel mill over many years.

Once we determine the source of the exposure, we will know your most viable legal options. You can rely on us to help you with a mesothelioma injury trust claim, a workers’ compensation claim, or build a personal injury case for asbestos exposure. Our firm also has extensive experience representing families who have lost loved ones to mesothelioma in wrongful death cases.

We are trial attorneys, and we prepare every case for litigation. While many mesothelioma cases are settled outside of court, this is not always a viable option. Preparing for trial strengthens our negotiating position for our client, and we will be ready to represent them in the courtroom if necessary.

It is vital that you start building your case as soon as possible. It can take time to review all relevant records and evidence to determine your legal options, and mesothelioma is an incurable and terminal cancer. If you are concerned about the cost of hiring legal counsel, our firm accepts most mesothelioma cases on a contingency fee basis. Under this agreement, there is no cost to you unless we can recover compensation for you. The team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC has resolved thousands of mesothelioma cases nationwide, including many on behalf of steel mill workers in many states. We have the skills, resources, and experience necessary to handle the most complex mesothelioma cases, and we’re ready to apply them on your behalf. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a steel mill workers’ mesothelioma lawyer and learn how we can assist you.