West Virginia Mesothelioma Lawyer
Representation for Mesothelioma Claims in West Virginia
Mesothelioma has only one known cause, exposure to asbestos. The legal
team at Hartley Law Group, PLLC has earned a national reputation for representing
clients with Mesothelioma or who developed occupational illnesses through
working in an industry with a high risk of exposure to other toxic substances such as
benzene.
Call (888) 510-6547 – Free Legal Consultation
If you have been
diagnosed with Mesothelioma, you probably already know how vital it is that you
waste no time in speaking with a West Virginia personal injury attorney.
These complex cases take experience, knowledge and an aggressive approach
to obtain the maximum in financial compensation.
Click the links below for more information about mesothelioma:
Causes of Mesothelioma: Exposure to Asbestos
Manufacturers and other companies knew the dangers of exposing workers
to asbestos fibers, and failed to ensure workers were made aware of the
hazards and were protected. It can take as long as 40 years after being
exposed to asbestos for
symptoms of the disease to develop.
Asbestos was used in thousands of products for both commercial use and
in consumer products and was a very popular fire retardant. Most of our
clients come to us as a result of an occupational exposure such as:
- Roofing
- Construction
- Mechanics
- Pipefitters
- Firefighters
Other workers have a less obvious exposure. Persons who are ill or have
lost a loved one through exposure to asbestos may be entitled to recover:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Final expenses
- Other costs directly related to the illness
Have you been diagnosed with mesothelioma? Do you believe that it's
directly related to your occupation? Consult a lawyer at our firm to discuss
your case and your legal options.
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Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed 20-50 years after someone is exposed
to large quantities of asbestos. Symptoms of mesothelioma are not as intense
as other types of cancer symptoms, so they are hardly recognizable. Most
people do not know that they have mesothelioma until the later stages.
There are various forms of mesothelioma and these can lead to different
symptoms. Act now and see your doctor if you are experiencing any of the
following symptoms:
-
Pleural mesothelioma – Influences the tissue that is surrounding the lungs. It can lead to:
- Chest pain
- Weight loss
- Shortness of breath
- Unusual lumps under the skin in the chest area
- Painful coughing
-
Peritoneal mesothelioma – Takes place in the tissue around the abdominal region and can
be recognized through:
- Weight loss that seems unusual
- Swelling of the abdomen
- Pain in the abdomen
- Lumps of tissue in the abdomen
-
Pericardial mesothelioma – Effects tissue in the heart region and can lead to:
- Trouble breathing
- Chest pain
Since there are many forms of this cancer and different ways that it can
be recognized, the best option is to turn to a medical professional immediately
after noticing any symptoms or to get checkups so that it can be caught early on.
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Mesothelioma Treatment Options
Mesothelioma treatment can vary, depending on the situation. Current health,
location and the progress of the cancer will all be important factors
that are taken into consideration when deciding how to approach it.
-
Curative Surgery - A major operation that may increase one's chances of survival, but
it also poses major risks for others. Patients must be in outstanding
health to qualify for this surgery. This type is recommended for those
in the early stages of mesothelioma. Those who are in stage 4 or 5 do
not have as high of a survival rate.
-
Palliative Surgery - Cancerous tissue is removed, or excess fluid is drained to lessen the
pain and suffering mesothelioma victims may feel. It is not a cure, but
it does improve the quality of life.
-
Diagnostic Surgery - Used to determine where the cancer is, if any. This type of surgery
usually occurs in the form of a biopsy.
-
Radiation Therapy is common and uses a high energy beam to target specific areas. It can
be used along with other treatment to improve the overall success.
-
Chemotherapy can also be used to kill the cancerous cells. "Chemo" involves
the use of certain drugs to kill cancer cells and is often combined with
surgery or
radiation. The goal is to destroy malignant cells, shrink mesothelioma tumors, prevent
reoccurrence, and relieve symptoms.
-
Clinical Trials are also an option for those willing to try it. Since medicine is always
advancing, there are studies continuously being done to determine a better
solution. There are a number of targeted drug therapies that are currently
being researched. Some patients try
experimental therapy, like
immunotherapy for mesothelioma relief.
It is important to try to catch mesothelioma early on since it can advance
rapidly and be difficult to turn back. The cost of treating and living
with this form of cancer is high and if it has been caused by another
person then it is important for compensation to be sought. Medical bills
can be extensive, including surgical procedures, checkups and ongoing
treatment to try to reverse the damage. Those affected may be put out
of work while they are dealing with it and this can leave them with no
source of income.
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30+ Years of Experience Working For You
Our legal team understands what is at stake. You need legal counsel that
is intimately familiar with the laws concerning asbestos claims and thoroughly
experienced in proving
liability in a personal injury claim. Attorney Leslie Ann James is one of a small group of lawyers who helped
to design the West Virginia court system for handling asbestos litigation.
While most personal injury cases are settled out of court, we are prepared
to use our experience to litigate every case if that is what it takes
to gain a fair settlement. If you have additional questions you can visit our
Asbestos & Mesothelioma FAQ page.
Contact us today for a FREE consultation with a mesothelioma lawyer in Wheeling, WV.