Discovering that you have mesothelioma will change your life forever. At Bailey & Glasser, LLP, our mesothelioma attorneys in Alaska can help you plan for the future by pursuing the financial compensation that you deserve for your illness. Our lawyers can assist you in holding someone accountable for exposing you to asbestos, such as a negligent employer or the manufacturer of a product that contained this toxic mineral.
At our law firm, we will treat your claim as if it were our own, providing the guidance and support that you need through every phase of the legal process. We are dedicated to helping mesothelioma victims and their families nationwide. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Why Clients Choose Bailey & Glasser, LLP
- Our courtroom strength and history of past case results give us an edge during negotiations with insurance corporations.
- Our team of asbestos attorneys has handled over 3,000 of these cases and obtained more than $2 billion in settlements and verdicts.
- Your lawyer will work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will only pay attorney’s fees if your case results in financial compensation for your losses.
About Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. If you come into contact with asbestos at any time, you may inhale or ingest microscopic asbestos particles. These particles can become lodged in the inner tissues of your body. The most common location is the mesothelium, which is the thin layer of tissue that surrounds and protects many of the organs. For example, if you breathe in asbestos particles, they could get embedded in the lining that surrounds your lungs (the pleura). This could lead to pleural mesothelioma.
Exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma when asbestos fibers alter the DNA in the mesothelial cells. Asbestos can get stuck inside the body for many years; the average latency period from the date of asbestos exposure to the development of mesothelioma is 20-60+ years. During this time, the asbestos particles in the body can rub surrounding tissues and cause enough damage, irritation, inflammation and scar tissue to result in cancer.
Asbestos exposure can also increase the risk of other types of cancer besides mesothelioma, including lung cancer and ovarian cancer. Asbestos can cause these illnesses by getting lodged in the organs themselves rather than the mesothelial tissues that surround the organs. Additionally, exposure to asbestos can cause a chronic lung disease known as asbestosis, with symptoms such as difficulty breathing. Asbestosis can eventually result in mesothelioma.
Who Is Most at Risk of Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma?
After the health risks associated with asbestos were confirmed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 1987, the federal government passed regulations to try to prevent workers and consumers from being exposed to this toxic mineral. The Environmental Protection Agency passed standards for the amount of asbestos that can be in the air and environment, for example, while the Occupational Safety and Health Administration enacted asbestos rules for at-risk employees.
Federal laws aim to protect those who are most at risk of developing mesothelioma. High-risk individuals include:
- Asbestos abatement and removal professionals
- Automobile repair workers
- Carpenters, masons and contractors
- Contractors, builders and construction workers
- HVAC workers and electricians
- Members of the Navy and other military branches
- Pipefitters and ductwork insulators
- Renovators and demolition workers
- Residents living in older homes and buildings
- Shipbuilders and shipyard workers
- Teachers and students in older schools and universities
Family members of people with high-risk occupations are also at risk of mesothelioma due to secondhand asbestos exposure. They could develop illnesses from being exposed to asbestos on a worker’s clothing, skin, hair or work gear that gets carried home. For this reason, anyone who works with or around asbestos should shower and change clothes before returning home. Unfortunately, despite federal asbestos regulations, thousands of people are still diagnosed with mesothelioma in the U.S. each year.
Mesothelioma by the Numbers
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports an annual average of 3,127 new cases of malignant mesothelioma each year in the U.S., according to data collected from 1999 to 2018. A total of 15,485 new cases of mesothelioma were reported by the CDC from 2015 to 2019 alone. To put the rate of mesothelioma in perspective, the two most common types of cancers (female breast cancer and lung/bronchus cancer) reported 1,269,223 and 1,116,081 new cases in the same five years, respectively.
Mesothelioma is also relatively uncommon in Alaska compared to other states. According to the CDC, Alaska reported 41 new cases of mesothelioma and 28 mesothelioma deaths from 2015 to 2019. This placed Alaska at number 44 in the country in terms of mesothelioma case counts. The numbers were low enough to be suppressed by the CDC in all counties in Alaska except the Anchorage Municipality, which reported 18 new cases from 2015 to 2019. The majority of people who were diagnosed with mesothelioma in Alaska were White, non-Hispanic males (31).
Compensation Available for Mesothelioma Victims
Victims of exposure to asbestos may have grounds to file one or multiple types of claims in pursuit of financial compensation for their related losses. A successful claim could result in payment for the victim’s medical bills, mesothelioma treatment costs, palliative care, lost wages, pain and suffering, funeral and burial costs, and more. The potential value of a mesothelioma claim is based on its unique factors.
Choosing the appropriate type of claim for your circumstances may require assistance from an attorney. Common options include a mesothelioma lawsuit, an asbestos trust fund claim, a workers’ compensation claim or a veterans claim. Each type has pros and cons; the best legal route for you or your family is something that you should discuss with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Diagnosed With Mesothelioma? We Can Help
At Bailey & Glasser, LLP, we understand the challenges that come with a mesothelioma diagnosis. We are dedicated to helping mesothelioma victims and their families move forward with the justice and financial compensation that they deserve. We will work tirelessly to guide you through the process of filing a claim against one or more parties for exposing you or a loved one to asbestos. Start with a free case consultation with one of our mesothelioma attorneys. Call (866) 871-7971 today.
