Mesothelioma is a diagnosis that can come out of nowhere. This is a rare disease that no one anticipates getting. Unfortunately, asbestos exposure occurs frequently in Kansas and throughout the country. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, learn your legal rights with help from a mesothelioma attorney at Bailey & Glasser, LLP. You may be eligible for financial compensation from one or more parties.
Why Choose Us?
- We have extensive mesothelioma and asbestos case experience. We understand the nuances of these cases and have years of positive case results in our law firm’s history.
- Our attorneys have what it takes to handle even the most challenging mesothelioma cases. We are prepared to go to trial on your behalf, if necessary.
- We work with attorneys both inside and outside of our law firm to achieve the best possible case results. Your lawyer will give you the help that you need.
About Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos refers to a group of six minerals. When someone is exposed to asbestos, the tiny fibrous particles can become permanently lodged inside the body. Over time – the average latency period for mesothelioma is 20-60+ years from the date of asbestos exposure – these particles can cause enough irritation to result in cancerous tumors. This cancer is known as mesothelioma, as it affects the mesothelium, or the protective lining around most internal organs.
The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma often include shortness of breath, trouble breathing, a cough that won’t go away, pain in the chest, chronic fatigue, fever and night sweats. Sadly, mesothelioma is a terminal type of cancer. According to the National Library of Medicine, the average life expectancy at the time of a mesothelioma diagnosis is currently 12 to 21 months with treatment.
How Frequent Are Cases of Mesothelioma in Kansas?
Mesothelioma is a relatively rare type of cancer. An average of 3,127 new cases are diagnosed in the United States each year, according to data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from 1999 to 2018. Although the National Cancer Institute states that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure, mesothelioma is more common among people who are regularly exposed to it, such as workers in high-risk industries.
Kansas has fewer mesothelioma cases than many other states. Data from the CDC states that from 2015 to 2019, there were 106 new cases of mesothelioma and 103 related deaths in Kansas. Kansas was ranked number 37 on the list of states in terms of mesothelioma cases. The majority of new cancer cases were diagnosed in male patients (71), compared to 35 females. People who are frequently around asbestos-containing materials are most at risk of developing mesothelioma.
What Products Contain Asbestos?
Hundreds of different products and materials were manufactured using asbestos in the 1800s and 1900s. Any of these items that are still around today could potentially contain asbestos. Asbestos was especially vital in the manufacture of building and construction materials, as it is naturally resistant to heat and corrosion.
Products that tend to contain asbestos include:
- Automotive parts
- Insulation
- Heat-resistant fabrics
- Fire safety gear
- Furnaces and boilers
- Spray-on coatings
- Adhesives
- Floor and ceiling tiles
- Shingles
- Cements
- Filters
The popularity of asbestos boomed between the 1930s and 1980s, before the International Agency for Research on Cancer confirmed that all six types of asbestos were carcinogenic in 1987. Any homes, businesses, structures or buildings constructed in these years in Kansas may contain asbestos. Anyone who lives and works in these locations could end up with mesothelioma. Construction workers, firefighters, manufacturers, auto mechanics and many other types of workers are at risk of mesothelioma from consistent exposure to asbestos.
Can Mesothelioma Be Prevented?
Mesothelioma is a preventable disease. It can be prevented by avoiding exposure to asbestos. This requires knowing the products and places in Kansas that might contain asbestos and taking precautions to avoid exposure. Certain people have a legal obligation to protect others from being exposed to asbestos. Employers, for example, must obey federal asbestos laws to protect their workers from asbestos. The failure to do so is negligence.
Property owners in Kansas also have a responsibility to protect tenants and visitors. If a building was constructed prior to the 1990s, the owner may need to have a licensed asbestos professional inspect for the presence of this toxic mineral. Prior to any renovation projects that may disturb asbestos in the building, the property owner should warn visitors and have systems in place to prevent exposure. Ignoring these responsibilities could lead to a lawsuit.
Sources of Compensation for Mesothelioma Victims in Kansas
If you or your mesothelioma attorney can prove that one or more parties were negligent and this resulted in your asbestos exposure, you may be eligible for financial compensation. In Kansas, a patient who is diagnosed with mesothelioma may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, an individual lawsuit settlement or jury verdict, veterans benefits, or compensation from an asbestos trust fund, depending on the circumstances.
Workers’ comp benefits may be available if you were exposed to asbestos on the job in Kansas. Veterans benefits are a possibility if you were exposed while serving in the military. You could file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against one or more parties for negligence. Finally, you may recover through an asbestos trust fund if the company that exposed you to asbestos has gone bankrupt.
An attorney can guide you through your financial recovery options to choose the right one for you. Our lawyers will search for any way to maximize your financial recovery. While we know that no amount of money will be sufficient for a mesothelioma diagnosis, we hope that fair financial compensation from one or more defendants can help your treatment process.
Contact Us Today
At Bailey & Glasser, LLP, we understand how devastating a mesothelioma diagnosis is for patients and their families. Our mesothelioma attorneys in Kansas can help connect you to vital resources and pursue just financial compensation for your life-changing disease. We will help you and your family move forward during this difficult time.
Start with a free case consultation. One of our intake specialists will listen to your story and point you in the right direction. Contact us online or call (866) 971-7971 today.
