A mesothelioma diagnosis can lead to great uncertainty about your future. It is natural to experience fear, frustration and confusion after being diagnosed with this rare and aggressive type of cancer. At Bailey & Glasser, LLP, we understand what you’re going through. Our lawyers are committed to helping victims of mesothelioma learn more about their diseases, understand their legal rights and options, and pursue justice against negligent parties.
As a mesothelioma victim or surviving loved one, you may be entitled to financial compensation from the person or party that exposed you to asbestos. Learn more during a free case consultation with one of our asbestos attorneys.
Our Asbestos and Lung Disease Team Gets Real Results
Bailey & Glasser, LLP’s Asbestos and Lung Disease Team has a reputation for fighting for victims of mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related illnesses and winning.
Our attorneys have handled over 3000 cases and recovered over $2 billion in settlements and verdicts for asbestos related cases, including:
- A settlement valued at over $1 million for workers who were diagnosed with asbestosis after being exposed to asbestos on the job.
- A settlement of more than $20.8 million for multiple workers who died from mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos in the workplace.
- A claim settlement for more than $22 million for workers who were exposed to asbestos and subsequently passed away from lung cancer.
- A verdict of $50 million for a steel mill worker who lost his life after being exposed to asbestos on the job.
Our attorneys will work relentlessly to secure the best possible outcome for your mesothelioma case, even if this means going to trial.
About Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a naturally occurring group of minerals that were used widely for manufacturing purposes in the late 1800s and most of the 1900s. Asbestos was a preferred manufacturing ingredient due to its durability, natural resistance to heat and corrosion, and abundance. Unfortunately, researchers discovered its connection to serious health problems – including multiple types of cancer – in the 1970s.
In 1987, the International Agency for Research on Cancer officially confirmed that all six types of asbestos were human carcinogens, meaning they can cause cancer. From this point on, asbestos use became regulated in most countries. This discovery came too late for millions of people who had already been exposed to asbestos in consumer products and buildings, however. The National Cancer Institute states that no amount of asbestos exposure – even a single incident – is safe.
Asbestos can cause mesothelioma by becoming lodged in the mesothelial tissues, which are the thin tissues that surround most of the internal organs. Inhaling asbestos, for example, can cause particles to get lodged in the pleura (the thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and walls of the chest cavity). Over the course of many years (the average latency period is 20-60+ years), these asbestos particles can cause enough damage and scar tissue to create cancer cells. Sadly, there is no cure for asbestos-related cancers and illnesses.
Indiana Mesothelioma Facts and Statistics
Cancer statistics collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from 2015 to 2019 show that Indiana is 18th in the country for the number of new mesothelioma cases. Its age-adjusted rate of mesothelioma diagnoses was 0.8 per 100,000 population. In the study period, 325 new cases of mesothelioma were diagnosed and 285 related deaths occurred in Indiana.
Four counties had high enough mesothelioma counts to be included in the data report:
| County | Age-Adjusted Rate | New Cases | Deaths | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake County | 1.4 | 43 | 34 | 2,430,572 |
| Porter County | 1.8 | 20 | Data Suppressed | 843,869 |
| Marion County | 0.4 | 19 | 17 | 4,760,648 |
| Hamilton County | 1.2 | 17 | Data Suppressed | 1,616,659 |
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Nationally, an average of 3,127 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. This number is based on data collected by the CDC from 1999 to 2018. The most commonly diagnosed type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs. During the study period, there were 51,338 cases of pleural mesothelioma diagnosed, representing 82.1 percent of all mesothelioma cases.
Where Is Asbestos Located?
Asbestos can be found in thousands of places, products and buildings today. Some of the highest-risk areas in Indiana include power plants, factories, manufacturing facilities, shipyards and various work sites. These are places where asbestos products were used the most often, such as to insulate walls and equipment. Any building constructed prior to the 1990s could contain asbestos.
Common products that contain asbestos as an ingredient include:
- Boilers and furnaces
- Ceiling tiles
- Cements and plasters
- Drywall
- Electrical panels
- Glues and adhesives
- Heat shields
- Insulation
- Paints
- Roofing shingles
- Spackle
- Spray-on textures
- Vinyl floor tiles
Older residential buildings, offices, commercial properties, and schools and universities may all contain asbestos. Living or working in these buildings can come with a risk of harmful exposure. This risk is enhanced if asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed, sending asbestos dust into the air to potentially be inhaled. For this reason, property owners, landlords and employers must take proper steps to protect others from foreseeable asbestos exposure during construction or renovation projects.
What Are Your Rights as a Victim of Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is largely a preventable disease. Preventing asbestos exposure incidents can prevent this terminal type of cancer. Yet historically, product manufacturing companies, building owners, landlords and employers have done less than they should to protect the public from asbestos exposure risks. This negligence could give the victim grounds to file a mesothelioma lawsuit against one or multiple at-fault parties.
Filing a lawsuit against someone for negligently exposing you or a loved one to asbestos could result in financial compensation to help you pay for medical bills, the costs of treating mesothelioma, lost wages and future earnings, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more. While no amount of money will ever be sufficient for a devastating diagnosis such as mesothelioma, a settlement or judgment award could help your family move forward with greater peace of mind.
Learn More About Your Mesothelioma Legal Options – Contact Us Today
The law firm of Bailey & Glasser, LLP can help if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another serious illness associated with asbestos. We care about our clients and will be there for you every step of the way. Call (866) 871-7971 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.
