Mesothelioma is a preventable type of cancer that may entitle a victim to financial compensation from one or multiple parties. At Bailey & Glasser, LLP, our mesothelioma attorneys are passionate about helping victims seek justice and accountability for harmful exposure to asbestos in Las Vegas and all around the state of Nevada. We can explain your rights, explore your legal options and connect you to helpful mesothelioma resources. We know how drastically a mesothelioma diagnosis will change your life. Our Nevada mesothelioma attorneys are here to help.
Proven Mesothelioma Attorneys
Mesothelioma victims around the country count on Bailey & Glasser, LLP for high-quality legal services and real case results. Our law firm was founded in 1999, and we have been dedicated to achieving justice for victims of asbestos exposure ever since. We have the compassion, experience, and knowledge to achieve the best possible case results for each client.
We have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our mesothelioma clients, including:
- $50 million verdict in a mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit for a deceased steel mill worker.
- Over $22 million in settlements in lung cancer actions for multiple deceased workers.
- Over $20.8 million in settlements in mesothelioma wrongful death actions for deceased workers.
- Over $1 million in settlements for asbestosis claims regarding workers who were exposed to asbestos.
Our client testimonials demonstrate our willingness to go the extra mile. We are aggressive litigators who can go to trial with mesothelioma cases, when necessary. Our lawyers do not fear any defendant, big or small. You can trust our attorneys to do what it takes to pursue justice.
Pursuing Financial Compensation for Mesothelioma
If you or someone you love has mesothelioma, you may be eligible for financial compensation. One or more parties could be held financially responsible for causing your illness due to negligence. Negligence is the failure to use reasonable or ordinary care, also known as a breach of the duty of care. Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit could lead to financial reimbursement for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
An example of negligence is an employer violating its responsibility to reasonably protect workers from known or foreseeable asbestos exposure risks. Employers should equip workers with respirators that use HEPA filters, for example, to prevent asbestos inhalation at work. If an employer falls short of the duty of care and a worker is diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result, it can be held liable for negligence.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is an aggressive and fatal cancer of the mesothelial tissues, or the layer of tissue that surrounds the organs of the chest, abdominal cavity, and pelvis. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a group of silicate minerals that have been confirmed as carcinogenic, meaning they cause cancer. Before the dangers and health risks of asbestos were confirmed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 1987, however, asbestos was relied upon by manufacturers to create a range of consumer products.
When someone is exposed to asbestos – especially asbestos dust or asbestos that has become airborne – the microscopic particles can get lodged inside the body, including the mesothelial tissues. They can remain stuck there for many years. Over time, the presence of the particles can cause irritation, inflammation, and a buildup of scar tissue. This scar tissue can cause problems such as pleural plaques or pleural thickening, as well as a chronic lung disease known as asbestosis. It can also turn into malignant mesothelioma. Our asbestos lawyers can help guide you through the legal process and help you recover compensation through a mesothelioma claim or other methods.
Are There Treatments for Mesothelioma?
Sadly, there is no known cure for mesothelioma. It is a terminal illness with a current average life expectancy of 12 to 21 months, with treatment (source: the National Library of Medicine). However, it may be possible to improve a patient’s quality of life and survival rate with a multimodal treatment plan. Treating mesothelioma focuses on palliative care or extending life expectancy rather than curing the cancer. The available treatment options depend on the specific circumstances, such as the stage of the mesothelioma at the time of diagnosis.
Potential mesothelioma treatments include:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Clinical trials
The latency period, or date from when a victim was exposed to asbestos to when he or she gets diagnosed with mesothelioma, is 20-60+ years, on average. According to recent data from Penn Medicine, the five-year survival rate for a patient with mesothelioma is around 10 percent. However, each case and patient is unique. Some patients have achieved long-term mesothelioma remission, where the cancer is dormant, though not cured.
Where Is Asbestos Often Found in Nevada?
It is possible to develop mesothelioma from coming into contact with asbestos just once; there is no “safe” amount of asbestos exposure, according to the National Cancer Institute. However, mesothelioma is most common among people who encounter asbestos regularly in their lives, such as those who work with or around it daily. This can include construction workers, firefighters, manufacturers, power plant workers, members of the military and shipbuilders.
Below are common products that contain asbestos if they were manufactured prior to the 1990s:
- Adhesives and glues
- Boiler coverings
- Cement and mortar
- Compounds
- Insulating materials
- Paints
- Pipe wraps
- Roofing materials
- Siding
- Spray-on textures (“popcorn ceiling”)
- Vinyl floor tiles
Living or working in a building that contains any of these products or materials could put you at risk of asbestos exposure. Common settings where victims are exposed to asbestos are older buildings, schools and universities, factories, power plants, manufacturing facilities, shipyards, and military bases. In addition, any consumer product that contains talc could be contaminated with asbestos. Talc and asbestos often share mines, leading to a high risk of cross-contamination.
Mesothelioma by the Numbers in Nevada
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that from 1999 to 2018, the United States had an annual average of 3,127 new cases of mesothelioma per year. A total of 62,550 cases were diagnosed in this time span. The most common type of mesothelioma diagnosed (82.1 percent) was pleural mesothelioma.
The CDC also collected cancer data from all states from 2015 to 2019, including mesothelioma statistics. It found that in these five years, a total of 96 people were reported to have died from mesothelioma in the State of Nevada. In 2019 alone, 21 Nevada citizens died of mesothelioma. Although this type of cancer is rare, it still affects thousands of people every year.
Request a Free Mesothelioma Case Review at Bailey & Glasser, LLP
Help is available for victims of mesothelioma. The attorneys at Bailey & Glasser, LLP can pursue the compensation that you need to move forward. We can help you rebuild your life as much as possible and plan for the future after a devastating mesothelioma diagnosis. Our Nevada mesothelioma lawyers will give your case its best odds of success, with attention to detail and proven legal strategies. Request a free case consultation today. Call (866) 871-7971 or contact us online.
