A mesothelioma diagnosis is devastating for both the patient and his or her family. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with this type of cancer, a legal claim could help you move forward with justice and greater peace of mind. At Bailey & Glasser, LLP, we can connect you to important mesothelioma resources during this difficult time. Our mesothelioma attorneys in Louisiana can answer your questions and help you pursue maximum financial compensation for your illness.
Why Choose Us?
- Our team of mesothelioma and asbestos attorneys have years of experience in this practice area. We use both inside and outside lawyers and experts to help strengthen cases.
- We have achieved more than $90 million for our clients in successful settlements and verdicts for mesothelioma and asbestos cases over the years.
- Our lawyers accept cases nationwide. We take a trial-focused approach to litigation to maximize results, no matter what it takes.
What Is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a group of six minerals that are thin and needle-like in appearance. They are microscopic, meaning people often do not know when they have been exposed to asbestos. Many years later (on average, the latency period is 20-60+ years), the victim could be diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases, such as asbestosis or lung cancer.
Asbestos causes health problems by getting lodged in the inner tissues of the body when particles are inhaled or swallowed. Most commonly, asbestos fibers get stuck in the mesothelium, or the thin membrane that lines the outside of most organs. Pleural mesothelioma is cancer of the lining of the lungs. It is the most common type of mesothelioma, responsible for 82.1 percent of all mesothelioma diagnoses in the United States from 1999 to 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Other types of mesothelioma are peritoneal (lining of the abdomen), pericardial (protective sac around the heart) and testicular (lining of the testes). The symptoms associated with mesothelioma change according to the location of the cancer. They can include shortness of breath, dry cough, chronic fatigue, coughing up blood, unexplained weight loss, stomach pain, chest pain, clubbing of the fingers or toes, and bumps forming beneath the skin of the chest.
How Does Asbestos Exposure Occur? Who Is Most at Risk?
Asbestos was used in the manufacture of a variety of products throughout the 1800s and most of the 1900s. This includes building materials, fabrics and consumer goods. Examples include insulation, glues, vinyl tiles, shingles, siding, ductwork, HVAC and electrical materials, cements, drywall, spray-on coatings, heat-resistant cloth and automotive parts. Many buildings and properties in Louisiana today contain asbestos, as they were constructed prior to this mineral becoming regulated by the federal government.
Not everyone who is exposed to asbestos will develop mesothelioma. However, the chances of getting this disease increase exponentially with the amount of asbestos exposure. This puts people who are in frequent contact with asbestos-containing materials at the highest risk of being diagnosed with mesothelioma or other related illnesses. Examples of high-risk workers include firefighters, first responders, construction workers, builders, contractors, manufacturing facility workers, teachers, auto mechanics and asbestos abatement professionals.
Negligence is often involved in an individual’s exposure to asbestos in Louisiana. Negligence is the failure to exercise reasonable care. Mesothelioma is typically a preventable disease. Recognizing potential sources of asbestos exposure and implementing protective measures can avoid related illnesses. For example, an employer should provide personal protective equipment to workers who could potentially come into contact with asbestos on the job. If an employer, property owner, product manufacturer or another party is negligent and this causes a victim’s mesothelioma, the at-fault party could be held responsible.
Louisiana Mesothelioma Statistics
Nationally, there was an annual average of 3,127 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the U.S. from 1999 to 2018. Based on data collected by the CDC, Louisiana ranked 16th in the country for the number of mesothelioma cases. There were 330 new cases of mesothelioma reported in the state from 2015 to 2019, along with 252 mesothelioma deaths.
Here are the top five counties in Louisiana for mesothelioma:
| County | Age-Adjusted Rate | New Cases | Deaths | Population |
| Jefferson Parish | 2.6 | 72 | 58 | 2,177,527 |
| East Baton Rouge Parish | 1.2 | 26 | 27 | 2,221,835 |
| St. Tammany Parish | 1.5 | 24 | 17 | 1,277,905 |
| Orleans Parish | 0.9 | 18 | 16 | 1,956,856 |
| Calcasieu Parish | 1.4 | 17 | Data Suppressed | 1,009,520 |
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Compensation Available for Mesothelioma Victims in Louisiana
Victims who are diagnosed with mesothelioma in Louisiana may qualify for financial compensation from one or more sources. Possibilities include individual lawsuits, insurance settlements, jury verdicts, workers’ compensation claims, veterans claims and asbestos trust funds. Some of these claims require proof of negligence, while others do not.
An attorney can help you choose the best legal option for your circumstances, as well as seek maximum financial compensation for all of your related losses:
- Past and future health care expenses
- Ongoing medical costs and palliative care
- Losses of income and future wages
- Out-of-pocket costs, such as travel
- Attorney’s fees
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional anguish
- Lost enjoyment or quality of life
- Grief and loss of consortium
- Wrongful death damages, if applicable
- Punitive damages
A personal injury or wrongful death claim requires evidence that someone was negligent and that this resulted in your asbestos exposure. A workers’ comp claim or veterans claim in Louisiana, however, could compensate you for an illness connected to your time at work or in the military regardless of the question of negligence.
Contact a Louisiana Mesothelioma Attorney | Free Case Consultation
Help is available for victims of mesothelioma in Louisiana. Contacting the attorneys at Bailey & Glasser, LLP can help you understand your rights and how to preserve them. We will answer your questions and give you information about your legal options moving forward. If we believe you have grounds for a case, we may offer to represent you during negotiations or an injury trial. Our attorneys have what it takes to handle your claim from start to finish.
Speak to an intake specialist today. Call us at (866) 871-7971 or contact us online about your potential mesothelioma claim.
