Jackson Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Lawyer

Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Attorney in Jackson, MS

Jackson, MS, and many other cities along the Gulf Coast have been major hubs for shipbuilding and oil refining operations for decades. Unfortunately, many people working in these industries were exposed to asbestos, and the Jackson area of Mississippi has historically reported relatively high levels of asbestos exposure. If you were diagnosed with a medical condition from asbestos, you need to speak with a Jackson, MS mesothelioma lawyer.

Representing Mesothelioma Cases in Jackson, MS

The attorneys at Wallace & Graham provide compassionate legal counsel to those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. This cancer is incurable and terminal, and it takes a very long time for symptoms to appear. The only known cause is exposure to asbestos, and you may struggle to determine when and where you were exposed so you can begin building your case. Our team can help, and we are confident we can deliver positive results.

Throughout the years of our firm’s operation, we have successfully secured many substantial case awards for clients across multiple states. After a diagnosis of mesothelioma, the victim and their family are likely to have many complex legal questions about who is to blame, how they can recover their losses, and what they should do next. We can provide guidance and support in this difficult situation.

About 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed throughout the country each year. This translates to less than one case per 100,000 people, so mesothelioma isn’t a common form of cancer. While asbestos has largely been removed from use throughout the United States, new cases continue to appear because of the long latency period of this disease, with many new cases arising from exposure that happened years previously.

Understanding Mesothelioma Cases in Jackson

Many people working throughout the Jackson area over the past several decades have been exposed to asbestos, especially if they worked in buildings constructed prior to 1980. Asbestos was used for many years due to its insulating and fireproofing capabilities, especially in workplaces like refineries, manufacturing centers, power plants, and shipyards. Today, asbestos is only used in very specific and tightly regulated applications.

When asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed, they can shed particles into the air. These particles are very small, sharp, and light, and if the air is still enough, they can remain suspended in interior spaces for hours or even days at a time. Once they enter the body through inhalation or ingestion, they cannot be removed through any type of detoxification process and will cause mesothelioma to develop.

Mesothelioma has a very long latency period, and it can take decades for noticeable symptoms to appear. Genetic predisposition to cancer, as well as repeated exposure to asbestos particles, can increase the rate at which mesothelioma develops. Once symptoms have appeared, however, the disease will have reached an advanced stage. At this point, treatment must focus on managing symptoms and preserving the remaining life expectancy.

The most commonly diagnosed form of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs. If asbestos is ingested, it can cause peritoneal mesothelioma in the abdomen. About 27 million Americans were exposed to asbestos between 1940 and 1980 before strict regulations began, and about 1.3 million workers are still exposed in their workplaces today.

Building Your Mesothelioma Case in Jackson

Many of the companies that formerly produced asbestos-containing products throughout the United States were compelled to create mesothelioma injury trusts. These trusts pay compensation to victims of these companies’ products, and each year, various mesothelioma injury trusts in the United States pay thousands of claims. You may qualify to file such a claim, and an experienced Jackson, MS, mesothelioma lawyer can help.

It is also possible to qualify for workers’ compensation benefits if you become sick from asbestos exposure at your current workplace. Most employers in Mississippi have this insurance, and it can cover work-related illnesses like mesothelioma. However, workers’ compensation insurance only provides medical expense coverage and limited compensation for lost wages. Your attorney can help you file this claim and maximize your benefits.

Your optimal chance to maximize your compensation is with a toxic exposure personal injury case. If you can prove the exact source of your asbestos exposure and a specific party is liable, such as a company, employer, or property owner, your Jackson, MS, mesothelioma lawyer at Wallace & Graham can help you build your personal injury case and seek compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.

It’s possible for the plaintiff in a personal injury case to seek compensation for their medical expenses, lost income, lost future earning capacity, and for their physical pain and emotional suffering. Many mesothelioma cases yield substantial compensation. Your attorney can assist you with calculating all of the economic damages you are eligible to claim, and they can also help you maximize the physical pain and emotional suffering compensation you obtain from the defendant.

How Your Jackson, MS, Mesothelioma Lawyer Can Help

Ultimately, you may have several legal options available to you following your mesothelioma diagnosis, but you have limited time to pursue your case. The right attorney can be an invaluable asset for maximizing your recovery, and the team at Wallace & Graham is confident we can provide the compassionate legal counsel you need in this difficult situation.

These cases are inherently demanding. You will need to review extensive records to accurately determine the most likely source of your asbestos exposure. Your damages can compound very quickly following diagnosis, as medical treatment for any cancer is costly, and you may be unable to work, or a family member may need to leave their job to provide care. This news is also traumatic, leaving a heavy psychological toll.

A skilled attorney is an invaluable asset to have on your side, no matter what your case entails. The team at Wallace & Graham can take time to listen to your story and address your greatest concerns for your impending case. Our goal is to help you approach this difficult situation with confidence and to have the greatest chance of success with your recovery. Reach out to our team as quickly as possible to learn more about the legal services we provide in Jackson, MS.

FAQs

Q: How Do You Prove Liability for Mesothelioma in Jackson, MS?

A: To prove liability for mesothelioma in Jackson, MS, you need to determine the exact source of your asbestos exposure. This can be difficult as mesothelioma has a very long latency period, so you may have been exposed decades ago and only just recently began showing symptoms. It’s possible for a company, property owner, or employer to bear liability for your condition, and a skilled Jackson, MS, mesothelioma lawyer can help you build your case.

Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for Mesothelioma?

A: The amount of compensation you can claim for mesothelioma depends on multiple factors. You may qualify for a claim to a mesothelioma injury trust, or you could seek workers’ compensation benefits if you developed mesothelioma because of asbestos exposure at work. You may also have grounds to file a toxic exposure personal injury case, which is likely to yield more compensation than an injury trust claim or workers’ compensation claim.

Q: Is Mesothelioma Curable?

A: No, mesothelioma is an incurable and terminal form of cancer. Once it is diagnosed, the optimal course of treatment is to manage symptoms and preserve life expectancy. The American Cancer Society reports an average 12% five-year survival rate for all stages of mesothelioma. The rate is about 24% for local mesothelioma and only 7% for mesothelioma that has spread to distant areas of the body. Early detection is crucial for optimal medical outcomes.

Q: Why Should I Hire a Jackson, MS, Mesothelioma Lawyer?

A: You should hire a Jackson, MS, mesothelioma lawyer to have the greatest chance of success with the recovery efforts you attempt following your diagnosis. Your attorney can help you prove the source of the asbestos exposure that caused your condition and identify the party or parties responsible. They can then determine your legal options, and you are most likely to maximize your compensation with a skilled attorney representing you.

Q: What Does It Cost to Hire a Jackson, MS, Mesothelioma Lawyer?

A: The cost to hire a Jackson, MS, mesothelioma lawyer will be a percentage of your total case award if you choose Wallace & Graham as your legal counsel. We take these cases on a contingency fee basis, so there is no fee unless and until we secure compensation for you, in which case we only charge a percentage of the total amount we recover for you. If there is no recovery, you pay no fee.

The team at Wallace & Graham has decades of proven experience handling a wide range of complex mesothelioma cases for clients in the Jackson area and throughout many other states. We are confident that we can provide an unmatched level of legal representation in your situation, and you can trust us to do everything we can to maximize your compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Jackson, MS, mesothelioma lawyer.