No one anticipates being diagnosed with mesothelioma. Unfortunately, millions of people have suffered harmful asbestos exposure events in their lifetimes, putting them at risk of mesothelioma and other serious illnesses. If you or a loved one has mesothelioma, your family may be eligible for financial compensation from one or more parties.
The Georgia mesothelioma attorneys at Bailey & Glasser, LLP can help you understand and protect your rights during this difficult time. As your lawyers, we will relentlessly pursue justice and maximum financial compensation on your behalf. Call (866) 871-7971 today to speak to an intake specialist about a potential claim to learn more.
Our Mesothelioma Case Experience
When results matter most, clients trust Bailey & Glasser, LLP. We have a team of highly experienced and knowledgeable asbestos attorneys who understand the nuances of these cases. Insurance companies recognize our ability to deliver real results from our years of outstanding settlements and verdicts for mesothelioma victims.
Our past case results include:
- $50 million verdict for a steel mill worker who died from mesothelioma.
- $22 million in settlements for workers who died of lung cancer after being exposed to asbestos.
- $20.8 million in settlements for workers who died from mesothelioma.
- $1 million in settlements for workers who developed asbestosis.
Our mesothelioma attorneys are willing to do what it takes to obtain the results that each client deserves, even if this means taking powerful defendants to trial in Georgia. We rely on our aggressive negotiation strategies and litigation experience to pursue maximum financial compensation for each case and client.
What Is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare and terminal type of cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a group of six naturally occurring minerals that were all confirmed as carcinogenic, or cancer-causing, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 1987. If an individual inhales or ingests asbestos, minuscule asbestos fibers and particles can become lodged in the tissues that line many of the internal organs.
The four types of mesothelioma cancer are:
- Pleural mesothelioma – affects the lining of the lungs (the pleura)
- Peritoneal – affects the lining of the abdomen (the peritoneum)
- Pericardial – affects the protective sac around the heart (the pericardium)
- Testicular – affects the sac around the testes (the tunica vaginalis)
Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type, accounting for 82.1 percent of all new mesothelioma cases from 1999 to 2018 (according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)). The CDC also reports that the life expectancy for mesothelioma victims is an average of 12 to 21 months, with treatment. However, each patient is unique. A patient’s prognosis after being diagnosed with mesothelioma depends on the type of cancer, its stage, treatment options and many other variables.
How Often Is Mesothelioma Diagnosed in Georgia?
Georgia is number 19 in the country in terms of the number of new mesothelioma cases diagnosed between 2015 to 2019, based on data collected by the CDC. During this time period, 298 people in Georgia were diagnosed with mesothelioma and 226 died from this type of cancer.
Only four counties in Georgia had high enough numbers to register on the study:
- Cobb County: 23 cases
- Gwinnett County: 20 cases
- Fulton County: 18 cases
- Chatham County: 16 cases
The majority of patients who were diagnosed with mesothelioma in Georgia over these five years were male (219), as opposed to female (79). White, non-Hispanic individuals (245 cases) were diagnosed more often than Black individuals (31 cases) and Hispanic individuals (16 cases).
Who Is Most at Risk of Mesothelioma in Georgia?
An individual could potentially develop mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos just once. However, while the National Cancer Institute states that there is no safe level of asbestos, people who are consistently exposed to asbestos are more likely to suffer related effects. This includes workers in industries that rely on asbestos-containing products and materials. Asbestos was widely used in products that needed to be resistant to heat and corrosion, such as construction materials, shingles, insulation, cements, adhesives, paper products, auto parts and clothing.
The occupations that come with the highest risk of developing mesothelioma in Georgia include:
- Construction workers
- Demolition and renovation workers
- Carpenters
- Electricians
- HVAC technicians
- Firefighters
- First responders
- Industrial and power plant workers
- Paper mill workers
- Auto mechanics
- Shipbuilders
- Members of the military
In addition, anyone who resides in a building constructed prior to the 1980s, such as teachers in schools or occupants of older residential buildings, is at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma in Georgia. Mesothelioma has a long latency period (the time from the date of asbestos exposure to the date of diagnosis) of 20-60+ years. This can make it difficult for patients who are diagnosed with mesothelioma to trace the source of their exposure without assistance from an asbestos attorney.
How Do You Seek Compensation for a Mesothelioma Diagnosis?
If you or someone you love was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma, your family may be eligible for financial compensation from one or more legal outlets. You could file an asbestos trust fund claim, for example, if a now-bankrupt company manufactured the product that exposed you to asbestos. You could also qualify for a personal injury or wrongful death claim if a negligent employer, property owner, landlord or product manufacturer is responsible for your illness.
Take the following steps to pursue compensation for mesothelioma in Georgia:
- Collect evidence and information. Collect any records and documentation that are relevant to your diagnosis, including medical documents and employment records.
- File your claim by Georgia’s deadline. File the paperwork required to initiate your claim or lawsuit by Georgia’s statute of limitations – two years from the date of the mesothelioma diagnosis or a related death.
- Consult with a Georgia mesothelioma attorney. Contact a mesothelioma attorney near you to discuss your rights before signing anything. Once you accept a settlement, you cannot reopen your case – even if you discover that you settled for less than your case is worth.
A successful lawsuit, workers’ compensation claim, veterans’ claim or asbestos trust fund claim could result in payment for many of your expenses and losses connected to a mesothelioma diagnosis. Settlements and judgment awards can reimburse victims for past and future hospital bills, medical care, physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost quality of life, and out-of-pocket costs.
Contact Bailey & Glasser, LLP if You’ve Been Diagnosed With Mesothelioma in Georgia
The compassionate mesothelioma attorneys at Bailey & Glasser, LLP are here to help if you or someone you love was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma or another devastating asbestos-related illness. We have decades of experience handling mesothelioma claims and lawsuits throughout the country. To speak to an intake specialist in Georgia today, call us at (866) 871-7971 or contact us using our online intake form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
