Savannah has seen a tremendous level of growth over the past several decades, and, like many other areas, there was prolific use of asbestos in many construction projects throughout the area. Industrial centers like the former Riverside Power Plant and other older local buildings presented an asbestos exposure risk for decades. If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma, you need to consult a Savannah, GA mesothelioma lawyer right away.
The attorneys at Wallace & Graham provide focused legal counsel for mesothelioma claims in Savannah and throughout multiple states. We have successfully assisted many clients in their efforts to prove liability for their diagnoses and have recovered many substantial case awards for our clients. We are confident we can guide you to a positive outcome in your case.
Mesothelioma cases can involve toxic exposure claims against specific businesses, property owners, or employers, and it is also possible for the victim to qualify for a claim to a mesothelioma injury trust. In some cases, current employers are liable for these diagnoses, and affected workers are able to claim workers’ compensation benefits.
You may have multiple legal options available to you after your diagnosis, so working with an experienced Savannah, GA, mesothelioma lawyer offers a tremendous advantage in your situation. The attorneys at Wallace & Graham are ready to help you make sense of your legal options and navigate the difficult proceedings ahead of you, and our goal is to help you resolve your case as efficiently as possible.
Mesothelioma is an incurable and terminal form of cancer with a single known cause: exposure to asbestos fibers. Asbestos was used throughout the United States for decades due to its fireproofing and insulating capabilities, but once the health risks became apparent, it was classified as a carcinogen and removed from almost all applications.
However, it was already too late for thousands of people across the United States, and many people are still exposed each year.
Roughly 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States. While asbestos is no longer used except in very specific and highly controlled applications, new diagnoses appear every year because of the very long latency period of the disease. Someone diagnosed today with mesothelioma may have been exposed to asbestos decades ago, but the disease takes a very long time to develop noticeable symptoms.
Asbestos fibers are very sharp, light, and capable of remaining suspended in the air for long periods of time. When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed or damaged, they can release these fibers into the air, where they can be inhaled. Once these fibers enter the body, there is no way to detoxify; they will embed and begin causing mesothelioma to develop, usually in the lungs, but this cancer can also form in the abdomen or around the heart.
It usually takes several years or even decades for noticeable symptoms to appear, and once symptoms do appear, they often mimic the appearance of other, less serious diseases. However, once symptoms have appeared, it indicates that the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. At this point, the optimal treatment plan for the victim is usually to manage their symptoms and preserve their quality of life as much as possible.
Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis is understandably traumatic and often confusing. The victim and their family are likely to wonder what they should do, whether they have any options for legal action, and whether they are eligible to claim compensation from any other party for this terminal diagnosis. You may have more options than you expect, so it’s important to consult a Savannah, GA, mesothelioma lawyer right away to discuss your case.
Many of the companies throughout the United States that formerly produced asbestos-containing products have since ceased these operations, and many have been compelled to create mesothelioma injury trusts to compensate victims of their products. While many of these companies have shut down, their trusts remain, and each year, these trusts pay out claims to individuals who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma following years of exposure.
If you discover that you were exposed to asbestos at your current workplace, you may have grounds to file a workers’ compensation claim that could provide valuable benefits to you and your family. However, there are limits to what a workers’ compensation policy can provide. A skilled attorney can help you file this claim and determine what other legal options may be available to you.
You could have grounds to file a toxic exposure lawsuit against a current or former employer, a property owner, or a specific company responsible for your asbestos exposure. In this type of personal injury case, the plaintiff must prove the exact source of their condition, identify the party or parties liable for their mesothelioma, and prove the full scope of the damages they have suffered.
It’s possible for a personal injury case for toxic exposure to yield recompense for medical costs, lost income, lost earning potential, and physical pain and emotional suffering. Mesothelioma is a terminal diagnosis, and receiving this news can be very psychologically distressing. Symptoms will also invariably worsen and cause great physical pain and discomfort. You need an attorney on your side who can help you maximize the compensation you receive.
You have limited time to file a case after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Early detection and proper treatment can help manage symptoms and preserve remaining life expectancy, but every patient will have different challenges when it comes to confronting this diagnosis. You need to consult an experienced Savannah, GA, mesothelioma lawyer at your first opportunity to have the greatest chance of success with any legal action you intend to pursue.
The attorneys at Wallace & Graham have years of proven experience resolving mesothelioma cases for clients in Savannah and throughout Georgia. We are confident we can guide you to a positive outcome in your case, and you can trust us to do everything in our power to maximize your compensation. During your initial consultation, we can explain the various legal services we provide, so reach out to us today and learn how we can help you with your case.
A: Mesothelioma takes a very long time to develop, sometimes several decades. Once asbestos fibers enter the body, they will begin causing mesothelioma to form over time. The speed at which the disease progresses can vary based on the frequency and intensity of exposure, as well as genetic predisposition to developing cancer.
A: The survival rate of mesothelioma varies based on how far the disease has spread once it has been diagnosed. The American Cancer Society estimates a 24% five-year survival rate for localized mesothelioma, but the five-year survival rate drops to 7% once the mesothelioma has spread to distant parts of the body. The average five-year survival rate for all stages of mesothelioma is 12%.
A: The amount of compensation you could receive for mesothelioma will depend on several factors. You may have grounds to claim compensation for all medical expenses related to the illness, and it is also possible to qualify to claim compensation for lost income and lost earning potential. In a personal injury case, the plaintiff also has the right to claim physical pain and emotional suffering compensation. Your attorney can help you determine the value of your case.
A: You should hire a Savannah, GA, mesothelioma lawyer because this type of case is inherently challenging in several ways. You need legal counsel you trust to help you determine the source of your condition and identify the party responsible. You could also have multiple legal options available to you, such as a claim to a mesothelioma injury trust or a personal injury suit. You are more likely to reach a positive outcome in your case with a lawyer’s help.
A: The cost to hire a Savannah, GA, mesothelioma lawyer will be a percentage of your case award under Wallace & Graham’s contingency fee policy. Under a contingency fee agreement, the client pays no upfront attorneys’ fees. Instead, the attorney charges a percentage of the case award or settlement, but only if they are able to secure a recovery for the client. If there is no recovery, there is no fee.
The team at Wallace & Graham has years of experience handling a wide range of mesothelioma cases for clients in Savannah, GA, and surrounding areas, and we are confident we can guide you to a positive outcome for your case. We develop an individualized case strategy for each client, and you can expect personalized, responsive, and compassionate legal counsel from our team. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Savannah, GA, mesothelioma lawyer.