If you or someone you love has recently been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you likely have many unanswered questions about your situation. Contacting an attorney at Bailey & Glasser, LLP can give you answers. We work tirelessly to help victims of mesothelioma protect and exercise their legal rights.
Our Connecticut mesothelioma attorneys can stand with you during this difficult time. We can go up against one or more defendants in pursuit of justice and fair financial compensation on your behalf. Call (866) 871-7971 today for a free consultation.
Why Mesothelioma Clients Choose Bailey & Glasser, LLP
- Our past case results show an ongoing commitment to securing the best possible outcomes for our clients. We use a trial-focused approach to litigation.
- We can overcome any challenge that arises during your mesothelioma case. Our attorneys have years of experience with mesothelioma and asbestos cases.
- You will be your mesothelioma attorney’s number one priority. We dedicate individual time and attention to each client.
Mesothelioma Facts and Information
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), based on data collected from 1999 to 2018, an average of 3,127 new cases of mesothelioma were diagnosed per year in the U.S. Unfortunately, mesothelioma is terminal and has no known cure. With treatment, the average life expectancy is currently 12 to 21 months (source: the National Library of Medicine).
Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring minerals. They are thin, fibrous and needle-like in appearance. They are microscopic and typically cannot be seen with the naked eye. In 1987, the International Agency for Research on Cancer confirmed that all six types of asbestos are carcinogenic, meaning they can cause cancer in humans. Asbestos can cause mesothelioma, or cancer of the thin layer of tissue that lines most organs, as well as lung cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer and other types of cancers.
Asbestos takes an average of 20-60+ years to turn into mesothelioma. This is known as the latency period. It is longer than most other diseases. Once asbestos is inhaled or ingested, it can get trapped in the inner tissues of the body, such as the pleura (lining of the lungs). Over the years, asbestos fibers can irritate nearby tissues and cause scarring and inflammation. This can lead to the development of cancer cells.
Where Is Asbestos Found in Connecticut?
According to the National Cancer Institute, coming into contact with asbestos just once could be enough to cause mesothelioma. However, the chances of getting mesothelioma directly correspond to an individual’s amount of asbestos exposure. People who are consistently or frequently exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk, such as people who work with or near asbestos-containing products.
Products and materials in Connecticut that may contain asbestos include:
- Building products
- Pipe insulation
- Furnaces and boilers
- Drywall
- Gaskets
- Automobile parts and brakes
- Cement products
- Glues and adhesives
- Vinyl floor tiles
- Ceiling tiles
- HVAC equipment
- Electrical panels
Sites in Connecticut that may contain asbestos include schools, residential buildings, power plants, factories, businesses, shipyards, construction sites and any building constructed prior to the 1980s. The greatest risk comes from asbestos being disturbed, such as by demolitions or renovations. Anyone who lives or works near asbestos could be at risk of developing mesothelioma.
How Common Is Mesothelioma in Connecticut?
From 2015 to 2019, Connecticut had 210 new cases of mesothelioma and 174 mesothelioma deaths, according to data collected by the CDC. Most patients who were diagnosed with mesothelioma in Connecticut in this time span were men (168). Connecticut was number 26 in the country for the number of mesothelioma cases from 2015 to 2019.
Four counties in Connecticut had high enough mesothelioma rates from 2015 to 2019 to appear in the CDC’s study:
| County | Age-Adjusted Rate | New Cases | Deaths | Population |
| Hartford County | 0.9 | 54 | 46 | 4,468,102 |
| Fairfield County | 0.7 | 42 | 29 | 4,724,425 |
| New London County | 2.1 | 38 | 40 | 1,339,159 |
| New Haven County | 0.6 | 35 | 23 | 4,287,223 |
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Is Asbestos Regulated in Connecticut?
Connecticut has a statewide Asbestos Program that is used to make sure asbestos is properly removed as required by law. It works together with the Environmental Practitioner Licensing Program to license professionals who are trained and qualified to remove and dispose of asbestos-containing materials. It is also used to ensure the proper control and removal of asbestos in Connecticut’s schools. In addition, federal laws under the Environmental Protection Agency apply to the use of asbestos in Connecticut, including national standards for workplace asbestos safety.
Do I Have a Case?
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another disease associated with exposure to asbestos, you may be eligible for financial compensation. A financial recovery could be made available through multiple sources, including an individual lawsuit, a workers’ compensation claim or an asbestos trust fund claim. Asbestos trust funds are set up by companies to compensate victims of asbestos even after the company goes bankrupt.
You may have grounds for a mesothelioma claim if you can prove negligence. Negligence has four elements:
- Duty of care: an obligation to exercise a reasonable level of care.
- Breach of duty: any act or omission that falls below the duty of care.
- Causation: a link between the negligent act and the victim’s illness.
- Damages: compensable losses suffered by the victim due to mesothelioma.
Negligence is the failure to act with reasonable or ordinary care. If someone else’s negligence caused or greatly contributed to your illness, that individual or entity may be financially responsible for your diagnosis. Examples include a negligent employer, property owner, landlord or product manufacturer. Discuss your situation with an attorney to find out if you have grounds to sue one or more parties for mesothelioma.
Contact a Mesothelioma Attorney in Connecticut
The attorneys at Bailey & Glasser, LLP can help you with each step of the legal process as a victim of mesothelioma. We will investigate your case, collect evidence of negligence, hire mesothelioma experts, answer your questions, give you sound legal advice and negotiate with an insurance company on your behalf. If necessary, we can take your mesothelioma claim to trial. Learn more during a free case consultation. Contact one of our intake specialists today at (866) 871-7971.
