Mesothelioma Lawyers in Fort Wayne
People develop mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos. So, you owe it to yourself to discover how your asbestos exposure occurred if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with this highly aggressive cancer.
You could be eligible to seek compensation from the party or parties responsible for your asbestos exposure.
At Truitt Law Offices, we know this compensation could play an important role for you by covering the many costs associated with mesothelioma treatment.
For nearly four decades, Truitt Law Offices has protected the rights of injury victims and their families in Fort Wayne and communities throughout Northeastern Indiana.
Our legal team always takes the time to find out what is important to our clients and proudly provides the caring, compassionate, and highly professional legal services that our clients deserve.
We will offer the support you need and help you to tackle the many challenges that a mesothelioma diagnosis can bring into your life.
How Can A Fort Wayne Mesothelioma Asbestos Lawyer Help Me?
Mesothelioma develops from tiny asbestos fibers getting lodged in the mesothelium, or the thin layer of tissue that protects the lungs, heart, abdomen and other organs and cavities.
A person may swallow or inhale the fibers at work or bring the fibers home on their skin and clothes, exposing family members to asbestos.
However, many years may pass before you notice mesothelioma symptoms. This delay can create a major challenge for mesothelioma victims and their families in Northeastern Indiana.
- Go back several decades, identifying every place the person and his or her family members lived and worked, including during service in a military branch such as the U.S. Navy or Coast Guard.
- Examine whether the person came into contact with asbestos-containing products at those sites.
If you face this obstacle, Truitt Law Offices can help. We will offer the experience and resources it takes to conduct a thorough mesothelioma lawsuit investigation.
- Review your residential, employment, military and medical records
- Identify all asbestos-containing products that you encountered
- Examine asbestos contamination and removal records, including those prepared by state and federal agencies
- Determine the companies behind those products
- Consult with medical professionals and other experts.
Once we identify the source of your asbestos exposure, we can take additional action. We will help you to pursue all compensation that you and your family are eligible to receive.
What Are Common Causes of Mesothelioma from Asbestos Exposure?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. It comes from soil and rocks. Because asbestos fibers are flexible and heat-resistant, many companies used the mineral in their products for several decades before the link between asbestos and cancer became widely publicized.
As WebMD notes, those products include:
- Insulation
- Fireproofing materials
- Construction materials, including shingles, siding and floor tiles
- Caulk and other spackling products
- Valves, pumps, boilers and turbines
- Car brakes and clutches
- Packings and gaskets
- Lab equipment.
The American Cancer Society states that most people are exposed to products with asbestos during military service – especially if they served on ships – or in the workplace.
Workers at a high risk of asbestos exposure include people employed in Northeastern Indiana’s many factories as well as:
- Power plant workers
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Mechanics
- Construction workers
- Railroad workers.
However, people may also inhale or swallow asbestos found in homes, apartments, or schools, especially if the buildings were constructed or insulated before the mid-1970s.
The type of mesothelioma that a person suffers from typically depends on where asbestos fibers entered the body and formed tumors.
- Pleural mesothelioma – Lungs and chest cavity
- Peritoneal mesothelioma – Abdomen
- Pericardial mesothelioma – Heart
- Testicular mesothelioma – Testicles
Symptoms of mesothelioma will depend on where the disease occurs within the body. However, general symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chronic, heavy coughing
- A buildup of fluid in the lungs
- Chest and abdominal pains
- Loss of appetite (and resulting weight loss)
In addition to mesothelioma, a person exposed to asbestos also faces an increased risk of developing lung cancer or asbestosis (scarring of lung tissue).
Can I Recover Damages If I Have An Indiana Mesothelioma Claim?
If you suffer from mesothelioma or lost a loved one to the disease, you can count on Truitt Law Offices to identify and pursue all options available to you in order to maximize the funds you recover.
Past and future medical expenses
Lost income and diminished future earning ability
Pain and suffering
Loss of consortium
Punitive damages (if appropriate)
Wrongful death damages (including funeral and burial expenses and the loss of loved one’s services and financial support).
In many cases, a company that manufactured asbestos products may have declared bankruptcy or otherwise gone out of business.
However, federal law required many companies to establish asbestos trust funds. Those funds pay mesothelioma claims filed by individuals and families. Truitt Law Offices can determine if you are eligible to file a trust fund claim. If so, we will guide you through the entire claims process.
Under Indiana law, you typically cannot sue an employer for a work-related illness such as asbestos-related cancer. However, you may still be eligible to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits or a claim under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
What Should I Do If I Believe I May Be A Victim of Asbestos Exposure?
If you believe that you or a loved one suffers from mesothelioma or another disease associated with asbestos exposure, make sure to see a doctor for a thorough examination. Your primary care physician may refer you to an oncologist who specializes in mesothelioma treatment.
Additionally, contact our personal injury attorneys at Truitt Law Offices as soon as you are ready to act. Two laws – the Statute of Limitations and Statute of Repose – place a limit on the amount of time after exposure or diagnosis in which you can bring a lawsuit. So, you should not delay seeking legal help.
In addition to providing you with a free consultation, a Fort Wayne mesothelioma lawyer from Truitt Law Offices will not charge you upfront costs or legal fees unless we secure a settlement or judgment on your behalf. The bottom line: We know how devastating a mesothelioma diagnosis can be for people and their families. We don’t want concerns about legal costs to keep you from seeking help.
