Mesothelioma Lawyers in New York City

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a natural mineral of tiny fibers commonly found in construction sites and factories throughout the United States. “Asbestos” refers to six different fibrous minerals comprising magnesium, calcium, sodium, iron, or other trace elements. There are two forms of asbestos: serpentine and amphiboles.

Asbestos is present in more than 5,000 products, including:

• Interior and exterior roofing materials
• Flooring tiles
• Vehicle clutch and brake pads
• Ceiling crawl spaces
• Roofing felt and shingles
• Insulation
• Decorative or acoustic plasters
• Asphalt and vinyl tiles
• Cement siding
• Pipes
• Wall-boards
• Texture coatings and paints
• Caulking
• Spackling
• Construction glues
• Fireproofing materials
• Heating and electrical ducts

What is Mesothelioma & How is it Related to Asbestos?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer affecting the chest and abdominal cavity. Up to 80% of mesothelioma cases are directly caused by asbestos, making asbestos exposure the primary risk factor for mesothelioma.

However, not everyone exposed to asbestos will develop mesothelioma. And for those who do develop mesothelioma, the cancer will not typically appear until decades after asbestos exposure. Many victims won’t connect their asbestos exposure to their mesothelioma, potentially missing out on the opportunity for compensation.

NYC Workers Are at Risk for Mesothelioma

Although anyone exposed to asbestos can develop cancer, some occupations that are most at-risk for mesothelioma include:

• Construction workers
• Electricians
• Plumbers
• S. Navy personnel
• Firefighters
• Auto mechanics
• Power plant workers

Construction workers are at high risk for asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that 1.3 million construction workers come into contact with asbestos annually. Employers in the construction industry should take precautions in the workplace to ensure their workers are safe from serious harm.

Different kinds of asbestos cause different illnesses and can affect the body differently. Most often, construction workers are exposed to serpentine asbestos. This type of asbestos is made of tiny fibers that can be inhaled during work. Once inhaled, serpentine asbestos fibers can affect the lungs and abdomen, eventually leading to mesothelioma.

If you believe that you have been exposed to asbestos on a construction site and it led to mesothelioma, talk to a representative at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. today for help seeking compensation.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma From Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma can be a harrowing and dangerous illness. Those who are diagnosed with this type of cancer can experience symptoms such as:

• Chest pain on the left or right side
• Chronic, dry cough
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss
• Nausea
• Fever
• Difficulty swallowing
• High blood pressure
• Neck or facial swelling

Mesothelioma is commonly misdiagnosed because it has symptoms similar to many other cancer forms. Unfortunately, a delayed or missed diagnosis can have drastic consequences, reducing the odds of remission and survival. If you were wrongfully diagnosed by a negligent medical professional, contact our medical malpractice attorneys as soon as possible.

Types of Mesothelioma

If mesothelioma occurs in the chest cavity, it is called pleural mesothelioma. With pleural mesothelioma, the lung’s membrane will thicken, making breathing difficult. This specific type of cancer can eventually cause death if left untreated.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is where the cancer manifests in the abdomen. In this form, the membrane around the gut thickens, causing fluids to accumulate in the abdomen.

How to Recover Compensation for Mesothelioma

Researchers predict that New York City will become a mesothelioma hotspot in the coming years. People living in lower Manhattan immediately after the 9/11 tragedy have a risk of developing mesothelioma. The heroic police officers, firefighters, paramedics, rescue workers, and cleanup crews who worked on “the Pile” had direct asbestos exposure.

Given mesothelioma’s exceptional latency period of 20-40 years, it is virtually assured that mesothelioma diagnoses and lawsuits in New York City will increase as time goes on. Victims of this type of cancer deserve to recover compensation to afford treatment costs and the immense impact on their quality and way of life.

Seek Help From an NYC Mesothelioma Attorney

Being diagnosed with mesothelioma is a heartbreaking experience. No one deserves to have their lives ruined due to the negligence of another, even if the exposure was years in the past. At Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., we understand that nothing can undo the loss you are experiencing. We do feel strongly about helping you to get through this with as much help as possible.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, we will do all we can to help you be well cared for as possible. Don’t hesitate to contact a New York City injury lawyer from our office today.

Gather Evidence to Prove Causation

You will need to prove your asbestos exposure directly caused your mesothelioma and that the party is liable for your damages. We will work with medical professionals and other experts to gather vital information about your future costs and suffering. Doing so will ensure we present a strong case regarding the damage caused and the compensation required for you to continue receiving treatment.

Establish Liability

Mesothelioma lawsuits commonly fall under product liability cases. Proving which products are ultimately responsible for paying your mesothelioma-related damages can be challenging. However, an attorney can help you trace your disease and damages to a manufacturer, company, employer, or any negligent parties.

There may be multiple entities liable for your asbestos-related mesothelioma case. A seasoned attorney can evaluate your individual case to determine every potential angle to attack from. We can help secure the maximum settlement you need after products in the workplace exposed you to asbestos.

Calculate Your Damages

An NYC mesothelioma attorney at Hecht, Kleeger, & Damashek, P.C. can help evaluate your case to determine the extent of your damages and ensure you fight for full compensation.

Damages involved in a mesothelioma case can include:

• Past, present, and future medical bills
• Lost wages and future income opportunities
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Punitive damages

File a Lawsuit

In order to recover compensation for your mesothelioma-related damages, you can pursue a lawsuit against the liable party. Our mesothelioma trial attorneys will represent you in court so you can focus on your health and avoid the stress of a trial. A dedicated lawyer can present compelling evidence of your damages and causation to help you secure a substantial settlement.

You can recover financially and emotionally after a mesothelioma diagnosis with a successful lawsuit. Bring justice to the negligent party and fight for stricter asbestos regulations in the United States, so others do not have to suffer after you.

If you have lost a loved one to mesothelioma due to workplace exposure to asbestos, you may be entitled to recover compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.

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