A mesothelioma diagnosis can lead to many changes in your life, including expensive medical treatments and uncertainty about your future.
At Bailey & Glasser, LLP, we know what you’re going through as a victim of mesothelioma. We are dedicated to helping those who have been injured by asbestos exposure learn their rights and take legal action.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma in Minnesota, our attorneys can connect you to vital resources and provide legal advice during this difficult time. Contact us today for a free case consultation.
Why Clients Choose Bailey & Glasser, LLP
- We are knowledgeable in all types of asbestos exposures and diseases. We have years of experience in this practice area and in-depth knowledge of mesothelioma.
- Our litigators are prepared to go to trial, if necessary. Our asbestos attorneys can help you and your family pursue the best possible results for a mesothelioma case.
- Our past case results showcase our ability to achieve positive settlements and verdicts for our clients. We have secured over $2 billion in verdicts and settlements for asbestos-related cases.
What Is Mesothelioma? What Are the Symptoms?
Mesothelioma is an aggressive type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a group of minerals that have been confirmed as carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, meaning they cause cancer. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelium, which is the thin protective layer of tissue that surrounds most organs.
Asbestos exposure can cause minuscule particles and fibers of asbestos to get stuck in the mesothelial tissues and cause inflammation and scarring. Over time, this can cause enough damage to result in the development of cancer cells. Mesothelioma is terminal, with no known cure. The average life expectancy for a patient with mesothelioma is 12 to 21 months with treatment, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Common symptoms experienced by mesothelioma patients are a persistent cough, bloody sputum, pain or tightness in the chest, chronic fatigue, fever, night sweats, unexpected weight loss, and – in advanced stages – clubbing of the fingers and toes (widening toward the tips). The symptoms of mesothelioma do not appear immediately. Instead, there is a lengthy latency period of 20-60+ years from the date of asbestos exposure to the development of most related illnesses.
Mesothelioma by the Numbers in Minnesota
Minnesota is high on the list of states in terms of the number of new mesothelioma cases, according to data collected between 2015 and 2019 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Minnesota came in 15th place in the country, with 373 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in these five years. The report shows that 317 people died of mesothelioma in Minnesota, as well. This equated to around 1 mesothelioma death for every 100,000 people in the state.
Who Is Most at Risk of Mesothelioma in Minnesota?
According to the National Cancer Institute, while no amount of asbestos is “safe,” people who have frequent or continuing contact with asbestos are more likely to become ill. Those who live or work in buildings that contain asbestos, for example, are at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma. Sites, where asbestos is often found, are structures built before the 1990s, including homes, office buildings, factories, power plants, manufacturing facilities, shipyards, and schools and universities.
Buildings in Minnesota can contain asbestos due to the use of this substance in thousands of common consumer products before it became regulated by the federal government. Asbestos was especially popular for use in building materials due to its resistance to heat and flame. An individual may encounter asbestos in roofing shingles, drywall, insulation, floor tiles, paints, cement, other construction materials, HVAC and electrical systems, and friction products such as brakes and gaskets. If one of these products is damaged or disturbed, it could release asbestos dust into the air.
Do I Have a Claim?
Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses can often be prevented. For example, employers have a legal obligation to protect their employees from foreseeable asbestos risks. In high-risk jobs for asbestos exposure, such as construction or firefighting, employers must provide employees with adequate protective gear. Similarly, property owners and landlords have a responsibility to protect lawful visitors and tenants from potential exposure during demolition and renovation projects.
You might have grounds to file a mesothelioma lawsuit if one or more parties negligently failed to protect you from asbestos exposure. Negligence is the failure to use the required amount of care, resulting in harm to another person or party. The four elements that must be proven for a successful negligence claim are that the defendant owed a duty of care, breached this duty, caused the illness and the victim suffered damages as a result. A successful lawsuit could result in a settlement or judgment award given to the victim.
It may also be possible to bring a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer of the asbestos product or material that caused your illness. A strict product liability claim does not require the plaintiff to prove negligence, for the most part. Note that a history of smoking tobacco or cigarettes does not preclude you from filing a mesothelioma lawsuit. Many of our clients who successfully recovered financial compensation for asbestos exposure were also cigarette smokers.
What Is the Average Mesothelioma Settlement?
The value of a mesothelioma claim or lawsuit is something that must be discussed in detail with an attorney to receive an accurate answer. There is no one-size-fits-all settlement amount for mesothelioma victims. Instead, values are determined according to the unique facts of the case, such as the severity of the victim’s harm and the amount of insurance coverage available. Since mesothelioma is a terminal illness, settlement values, and judgment awards are often around $1 million or more. Hiring an attorney can give you the ability to fight for maximum financial compensation for your claim, even if this means going to trial.
Contact a Mesothelioma Attorney in Minnesota | Free Consultations
To learn more about your legal rights and the laws pertaining to mesothelioma cases as a whole, request a free case consultation at Bailey & Glasser, LLP. Clients have trusted our asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys with their most complicated cases for years. We have the experience, knowledge, and resources to help you and your family get through this difficult time with the results that you need.
Our mesothelioma attorneys will begin by listening to your story and providing legal advice for what to do next. Schedule a free case evaluation at (866) 971-7971 or contact us online today to get started. We look forward to hearing from you.
