Being diagnosed with mesothelioma is devastating for everyone involved. At Bailey & Glasser, LLP, our team of experienced mesothelioma and asbestos attorneys can help you understand your rights after being exposed to asbestos. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, we can connect you to vital legal resources.
We are passionate about helping mesothelioma victims pursue justice. You may be entitled to financial compensation that can help your family pay for medical treatments and plan for the future. Call us at (866) 871-7971 today for more information about a potential case in Ohio.
Why Choose Us?
- We are a law firm with multiple offices throughout the country. We can handle even the most challenging Ohio mesothelioma cases by collaborating with attorneys inside and outside of our firm.
- Our mesothelioma attorneys have gone up against many different defendants, including powerful organizations and insurance companies, and achieved positive settlements and case outcomes for our clients.
- First and foremost, we will be your advocates and support system during the legal process. We are passionate about helping people who have been diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses. Our lawyers will learn your story and help you through this difficult time.
What Is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a deadly and aggressive type of cancer that sadly has no known cure. It is caused by asbestos – a group of six minerals that are found naturally in deposits around the world. In 1987, the International Agency for Research on Cancer confirmed that all six types of asbestos were carcinogenic, or cancer-causing. Up until this point, asbestos was relied upon heavily in many industries for the manufacture of products due to its heat-resistant properties.
Unfortunately, this means that today, asbestos is still present in millions of buildings and consumer products in Ohio and throughout the country. Mesothelioma can be caused when microscopic asbestos fibers or particles get inhaled or ingested. The particles can get lodged in the membrane that lines many of the internal organs, including the pleura (the tissues surrounding the lungs) when asbestos is inhaled. Over many years, these asbestos particles can irritate the surrounding area, create scar tissue and eventually cause cancerous tumors.
The latency period (the time from the date of asbestos exposure to the development of the illness) for mesothelioma is typically 20-60+ years. There are four different types of mesothelioma, based on where the asbestos gets lodged: pleural (lungs), peritoneal (abdomen), pericardial (heart) and testicular (testes). Common symptoms that are associated with asbestos include shortness of breath, trouble breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, coughing up blood, lumps under the skin of the chest, fever, fatigue, night sweats, abdominal pain, and sudden weight loss.
Ohio Mesothelioma Statistics
Data collected from 1999 to 2018 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that there are an average of 3,128 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the United States each year. Ohio is near the top of the list in terms of the number of new cases. The CDC reports that from 2015 to 2019, Ohio had the sixth-highest count of new mesothelioma cases in the country. Within this study period, Ohio reported 650 new cases, putting it behind only Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, Florida and California. A total of 573 people were reported to have died of mesothelioma in Ohio over these years.
Below is a chart of the top counties in Ohio in terms of new mesothelioma diagnoses from 2015 to 2019:
| County> | Age-Adjusted Rate | New Cases | Deaths | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cuyahoga County | 0.7 | 62 | 58 | 6,238,603 |
| Franklin County | 0.9 | 55 | 43 | 6,456,842 |
| Summit County | 1.0 | 38 | 30 | 2,707,126 |
| Hamilton County | 0.7 | 32 | 30 | 4,070,867 |
| Lorain County | 1.5 | 31 | 26 | 1,539,029 |
| Stark County | 0.8 | 21 | 20 | 1,862,604 |
| Lucas County | 0.8 | 21 | 21 | 2,157,129 |
| Lake County | 1.0 | 18 | 17 | 1,149,051 |
| Trumbull County | 1.0 | 16 | Data Suppressed | 1,002,363 |
| Montgomery County | 0.4 | 16 | Data Suppressed | 2,660,390 |
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Who Is Most at Risk of Mesothelioma in Ohio?
Asbestos exposure can occur in many places and environments in Ohio. However, some industries rely on asbestos-containing products and materials more than others. Any product that needs to be resistant to friction or heat, for example, may contain asbestos.
Common examples of asbestos exposure risks are:
- Product exposure: vinyl floor tiles, drywall, insulation materials, roofing shingles, cement products, adhesives, friction products, brake pads, gaskets, heat-resistant fabrics, plaster, and oil and coal furnaces.
- Occupational exposure: firefighters, first responders, HVAC workers, military servicemembers, construction workers, drywall and insulation installers, power plant workers, auto mechanics, manufacturers, and asbestos abatement technicians.
- Environmental exposure: buildings constructed prior to 1980, residential and commercial structures, demolition sites, daycare centers, schools, military bases, shipyards, factories, auto shops, and myriad workplaces.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma after working in a high-risk industry or living in an older structure in Ohio, you may be entitled to financial compensation from an employer, product manufacturer, landlord, property owner or another party for failing to adequately protect you from the risks posed by asbestos.
How to Seek Financial Compensation for Mesothelioma in Ohio
Mesothelioma is a preventable illness. If you were negligently exposed to asbestos on the job, at home or elsewhere, you may have the right to seek financial compensation through one or multiple sources.
Other options for making a financial recovery include:
- Asbestos trust funds
- A personal injury lawsuit
- A wrongful death claim
- A workers’ compensation claim
- A veterans claim
At Bailey & Glasser, LLP, our attorneys will analyze your case. Then, we will help you seek maximum financial compensation from all available sources. You may be entitled to compensation for your past and future medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, a loved one’s funeral and burial costs, and other losses.
Experienced Asbestos and Mesothelioma Attorneys in Ohio | Call (866) 871-7971 Today
Mesothelioma claims in Ohio can be complicated and emotional, but you don’t have to go through this alone. Working with an experienced mesothelioma attorney can give you the resources, information, guidance, and representation that you need to move forward with a claim.
When results matter, you need a team of asbestos attorneys by your side. Contact Bailey & Glasser, LLP to speak to an intake specialist about a potential mesothelioma case. Our Ohio mesothelioma attorneys are here to help victims of preventable asbestos exposure with legal services.
