Mesothelioma and the Law

Before panicking because asbestos was found in your house or workplace, people need to realize that mesothelioma is still a very rare type of cancer. However, it is difficult to guess how many people have dormant cases. It can take decades for the inflammation and scarring to result in cancer.

The US government has taken steps to protect people who contract asbestos related diseases.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved an amendment on June 14 2006 to the highly debated "Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act of 2005" which grants people diagnosed with mesothelioma "$1.1 million within 30 days of their claim's approval". This includes people from high risk industries and people exposed to asbestos during the 9/11 rescues and debris recollection from the World Trade Center and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.


What Can I Do?

Never hesitate to seek legal advice. It does not matter whether a patient can identify the source of contamination, or whether they haven't been exposed to asbestos for forty years. It is a mistake to believe that you do not qualify. There are many legal firms that can find patients compensations for obtaining mesothelioma by inhaling asbestos fibers.

You have to be diagnosed with the illness in order to file a case. The justice department must separate the lung cancer cases that are not asbestos related with the legitimate mesothelioma asbestos claims.

There are other ways to make a mesothelioma claim for only presenting symptoms. Do not wait until cancer is evident before seeking help. It may take a while, and a fight, before finding assistance - but it is your right, and you need to make sure that you, or family members, do not slip through the cracks.