New Orleans Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Lawyer

Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Attorney in New Orleans, LA

New Orleans is a major shipping hub, and there are various older shipyards in the area, along with industrial centers and notable buildings like Plaza Tower that posed an asbestos exposure risk for many years. While asbestos is no longer used as widely as it once was, thousands of people are diagnosed with asbestos-related medical conditions each year. If you received such a diagnosis, you need to speak with a New Orleans, LA mesothelioma lawyer right away.

You Need Experienced Legal Representation for a Mesothelioma Case in New Orleans, LA

The attorneys at Wallace & Graham excel at resolving difficult mesothelioma cases. We have years of experience helping clients in New Orleans and throughout Louisiana with these cases, and we know the various challenges you might encounter in your legal proceedings and how to overcome them. Throughout our years of operation, we have successfully obtained many substantial case awards for past clients.

Our firm takes time to listen to each client’s story and help them develop a truly individualized legal strategy for recovering their losses. A mesothelioma diagnosis is life-changing and often traumatic, and the victim and their family are likely to have many pressing legal questions that they cannot answer for themselves. Trust our team to provide individualized legal counsel through all stages of your case.

Understanding Your Legal Options for Mesothelioma

For many years in this country, asbestos was the go-to product due to its insulating and fireproofing capabilities in all types of construction projects and various other applications. However, the long-term effects of asbestos exposure were largely unknown, and it took many years for these risks to be understood. Asbestos use in buildings has declined significantly in the United States since that time, but new cases continue to be diagnosed each year.

Almost 3,500 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States. This disease has a very long latency period, sometimes taking several decades to cause noticeable symptoms. Once the disease has progressed to the point of causing these symptoms, it is already at the critical stage, and the optimal course of treatment is usually to manage symptoms and preserve the remaining life expectancy as much as possible.

The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. When asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed, or when naturally occurring asbestos is encountered in the workplace, these fibers can enter the body, where they will embed in tissue and cause mesothelioma to start developing. Mesothelioma commonly develops inside the pleura of the lungs, but peritoneal mesothelioma can also grow in the abdomen.

Asbestos fibers are very sharp and light, capable of remaining suspended in still air inside interior spaces for hours or even days at a time. When they are inhaled or ingested, there is no way to detoxify them, and there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Repeated exposure can significantly increase the risk of a person developing mesothelioma, and some people are genetically predisposed to developing this condition.

Building a case for mesothelioma can be exceptionally challenging because of the very long time it usually takes for the disease to be diagnosed. If someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma today, it is possible that the cause was asbestos exposure that happened decades ago. Working with an experienced New Orleans, LA, mesothelioma lawyer is crucial for building an effective case. They will know what records and documentation you need to trace the source of exposure.

Recovering Compensation for Mesothelioma in New Orleans

Many of the companies in the United States that formerly produced asbestos-containing products or managed operations involving handling asbestos have since shut down or shifted to new processes, and many of them were required to create mesothelioma injury trusts to compensate the victims of their past operations and products. These trusts continue paying out claims every year in the United States, and you may qualify to file such a claim.

Your New Orleans, LA, mesothelioma lawyer can help determine whether you are eligible to file such a claim, gathering records and documentation to help you prove the exact source of your condition. If you were exposed while working for your current employer, you may be able to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, but this insurance can only provide limited compensation for medical expenses and lost wages.

Many people diagnosed with mesothelioma in Louisiana can build toxic exposure personal injury cases against the businesses, property owners, and other entities responsible for their asbestos exposure. Success with any personal injury case requires clearly establishing fault for the condition. You need to prove how you were exposed and identify the party responsible before you can recover compensation for your damages.

In a personal injury case for toxic exposure to asbestos, it is possible for the plaintiff to claim recompense for medical costs, lost wages, lost future earning capacity, and the physical pain and emotional suffering they experienced. Receiving a terminal diagnosis is a traumatic experience, and the symptoms of mesothelioma as it progresses can be tremendously painful. You need an experienced attorney on your side to help you maximize your compensation.

How Your New Orleans, LA, Mesothelioma Lawyer Can Help

The team at Wallace & Graham focuses on mesothelioma cases, and our team has successfully helped many past clients in multiple states with their legal efforts following mesothelioma diagnoses. We understand the gravity of your situation and wish to help you navigate your legal proceedings as efficiently as possible. During your initial consultation with our team, we can listen to your story and explain the ways we are able to help.

You can rely on our firm to guide you through the process of identifying where you were exposed to the asbestos and the party responsible. We can help you file your claim to a mesothelioma injury trust and/or build a toxic exposure lawsuit for you. In every case we accept, we explore every available avenue of legal recourse for our client and do everything we can to maximize their recovery.

Time is a crucial concern in any mesothelioma case. It is vital that you consult a skilled mesothelioma lawyer at your first opportunity so they can begin building your case and so that you have the greatest chance of securing compensation for your condition. The team at Wallace & Graham looks forward to assisting you, so reach out to us today and learn how we can help.

FAQs

Q: How Do I Prove Liability for Mesothelioma in New Orleans?

A: To prove liability for mesothelioma in New Orleans, you must identify the location where you were exposed to asbestos and identify the party responsible. It can take a very long time for mesothelioma to cause noticeable symptoms, so it is possible for you to have been exposed years or even decades previously. Once symptoms have appeared, the disease is already at the critical stage, so you have limited time to consult an attorney and start building your case.

Q: Is Mesothelioma Curable?

A: No, mesothelioma is an incurable form of cancer. However, with early detection and appropriate care, it is possible to manage symptoms and preserve the remaining lifespan. The American Cancer Society reports that the average five-year survival rate for all stages of mesothelioma is about 12%. Localized mesothelioma has a 24% five-year survival rate, and mesothelioma that has spread to distant parts of the body has only a 7% five-year survival rate.

Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for Mesothelioma?

A: You may have grounds to claim substantial compensation for your mesothelioma diagnosis. If you can prove a specific party is liable for your condition, it’s possible to claim recompense for medical costs, lost income, lost earning power, and your physical pain and emotional suffering. An experienced New Orleans, LA, mesothelioma lawyer can assess the full potential value of your case.

Q: Why Should I Hire a New Orleans, LA, Mesothelioma Lawyer?

A: You should hire a New Orleans, LA, mesothelioma lawyer because these cases are complex, time-sensitive, and demanding. It can be very difficult to ascertain the source of your condition and identify the party responsible. You need to have experienced legal counsel on your side to make sense of your legal options and to have the greatest chance of securing a positive outcome.

Q: What Does It Cost to Hire a New Orleans, LA, Mesothelioma Lawyer?

A: The cost to hire a New Orleans, LA, mesothelioma lawyer will cost you just a portion of your award when you hire Wallace & Graham to handle your case. Under our contingency fee policy, we only charge our client a fee if and when we win their case, and this fee is a percentage of the total amount recovered for them. If we are unable to secure compensation for our client for any reason, there is no fee at all.

The attorneys at Wallace & Graham have years of experience helping clients diagnosed with mesothelioma explore their legal options. Our goal for every client is maximum compensation as efficiently as possible, and trust us to help you navigate these difficult proceedings and reach a positive conclusion to your case. Contact us today and set up a no-cost consultation with a New Orleans, LA, mesothelioma lawyer to learn how we can help.