KENTUCKY MESOTHELIOMA LAWYER
Satterley & Kelley PLLC has more than 20 years of experience helping local Kentucky residents with asbestos and mesothelioma cases. Exposure to asbestos can cause a variety of health concerns, with mesothelioma at the top of the list. This disease attacks the lining covering internal organs, making it difficult to treat and next to impossible to cure.
Talking to an attorney who understands the laws in Kentucky related to this complex legal issue is a great starting point for those reeling after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Call our office at 855-385-9532 to speak with one of Kentucky’s leading law firms for mesothelioma and other asbestos- related illnesses.
Can I Seek Compensation For Mesothelioma?
Many people diagnosed with mesothelioma come to find that it’s a result of asbestos exposure at their current or former place of employment in Kentucky. Even with federal and state laws in place to protect workers, it’s still possible to develop an asbestos-related illness.
Depending on the circumstances of your condition, you may be in position to file a lawsuit in an attempt to seek compensation from the negligent party. Since most people who suffer from mesothelioma were unaware of the health risks during exposure, a lawsuit doesn’t typically come into play right away.
In Kentucky, for example, you have one year from the date of diagnosis to file a lawsuit. In the event of a loved one’s death, you have one year from their passing to take legal action.
The key to a successful mesothelioma claim is the ability to prove that you were exposed to asbestos. If you’re able to do this, you’re in position to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic consequences. The amount of the recovery is typically dependent on the following factors:
- The seriousness of your illness
- The ability of the defendant to provide compensation
- The amount of time it takes to prepare the claim and reach a settlement
If you or a loved one receives a mesothelioma diagnosis, your immediate attention should turn to your health. Once time allows, learn more about your legal rights and consult with a qualified attorney. This will give you a clear idea of the steps you can take to seek compensation, which will put both you and your family in a better financial position.
Types Of Mesothelioma And Potential Symptoms
Below are some of the most common types of mesothelioma and their symptoms, though this is not an exhaustive list and should be not taken as medical advice. Always talk to your doctor if you think you may have mesothelioma. Proper medical treatment is critical.
1. Pleural Mesothelioma
This is the type of mesothelioma that you find in your lungs. It makes up about 75 percent of all cases and is certainly the most common.
When you get exposed to asbestos, you inhale microscopic particles. They become trapped in your lungs and your body cannot expel them. They’re very tough, and that durability is what makes them great building materials, but it also means they’re devastating for living tissue.
If you have pleural mesothelioma, it may become harder for you to breathe. You may start losing weight without trying. You could have serious chest pain, and it may get worse if you cough — which you may do more than normal. In some cases, you can also feel lumps on your chest, under your skin.
2. Peritoneal Mesothelioma
This type of mesothelioma happens in your abdomen. It is much less common, leading to anywhere from 15 to 20 percent of cases in the United States. Similar to inhaling the particles, you can also swallow them, leading to this disease.
Some of the symptoms include weight loss and lumps, as noted above for pleural mesothelioma. However, you may also have swelling in your abdominal region, and you could experience significant pain. This is sometimes misdiagnosed as an ulcer or a similar issue.
3. Pericardial Mesothelioma
The least common of all of the types listed here, with just around 1 percent of all cases, this type of mesothelioma happens in the tissue around your heart. It’s often referred to as mesothelioma in the heart, though that’s not technically correct. That sac of tissue around it is the pericardium, and that’s where this occurs.
If you have it, you may feel chest pain and have heart palpitations. Breathing can also grow difficult, and you may develop a painful cough.
How Long Does It Take For Asbestos Exposure To Cause Cancer?
Unfortunately for those with significant levels of environmental asbestos exposure at work, there really isn’t a deadline after which they can assume they are safe. Mesothelioma is a particularly slow-growing cancer, which means it takes many years to manifest symptoms.
In the majority of cases, mesothelioma can take between 20 to 50 years to develop after exposure. That could mean that you have held several other jobs or even decided to retire before you realize that you developed a cancer related to exposure at work.
It is possible that your employer is not even in business anymore by the time you develop symptoms for mesothelioma. The good news for those exposed to asbestos is that testing and diagnostic measures for mesothelioma have improved, as has the life expectancy for those with this serious, typically deadly cancer.
Mesothelioma funds and lawsuits can offer victims access to medical care
The best medical treatments cost a significant amount of money, especially when it comes to cutting-edge cancer treatments. Those who have already retired or who are too sick to work may not have the kind of insurance that will cover the treatments they require. They may also need to travel to get care from the best doctors.
If there is any good news in the situation, it is that those who develop mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure likely have grounds for a civil lawsuit or a workers’ compensation claim, depending on the circumstances. In other cases, these individuals may have the right to access money in special mesothelioma funds.
Identifying Asbestos: What Does It Look Like?
The actual asbestos fibers, on their own, are very small. These microscopic particles are dangerous to inhale, but you likely won’t see much in the air, as they mingle with the dust.
That said, products are made with millions of fibers. Together, they are often compared to modern attic insulation. You may find balls of it, and they’ll be thick and fuzzy. These fibers are often woven together.
These natural fibers had many different uses. In some cases, they were used in insulation. They were also utilized in flooring materials and roofing materials. They were a useful material when fireproofing older buildings. On cars, they were sometimes used in drum brakes and brake pads.
The key thing to remember about asbestos is that the threat doesn’t just come from proximity, but from breathing in those fibers. This means that the material typically needs to be crushed or otherwise disturbed so that individual fibers get into the air. That’s why asbestos is often left in some buildings, covering it up instead of removing it.
Additional Asbestos And Mesothelioma Resources:
Winning Verdicts For Asbestos and Mesothelioma Cases Nationwide
Mesothelioma Symptoms and Diagnosis
Mesothelioma Treatment Options
Selecting an Asbestos Lawyer in Kentucky
The diagnosis of mesothelioma is a time of crisis for the diagnosed patient and his or her family. Industry could have easily prevented mesothelioma, but chose profits over safety. Mesothelioma patients, seeking justice, are entitled to a mesothelioma attorney with the knowledge, skill and experience to attack the companies which so callously disregarded safety causing your or your loved one to suffer from mesothelioma. At Satterley & Kelley, our attorneys have nearly 20 years of experience helping mesothelioma patients and their families. Our firm will provided you with unique representation tailored to your individual needs and goals.
Mesothelioma Attorneys Who Will Fight For You
Satterley & Kelley understands the hardship you and your family face following diagnosis with an asbestos-related illness. Our goal is not only to obtain compensation for you and your family, but also to allow you to focus on what is truly important – – your medical treatment and spending time with your loved ones.
When mesothelioma is diagnosed, it usually means the disease is symptomatic and caused disability and pain. Because of the aggressiveness of the disease, it is critical to take action immediately. Lawsuits take time no matter to resolve. The sooner a claim is pursued and filed, the sooner the patient can obtain justice from those responsible for causing his or her disease. Satterley & Kelley will move as quickly as possible to advance your case to obtain the justice you deserve.
You Need Attorneys Who Regularly Handle Mesothelioma Cases In Kentucky
The attorneys at Satterley & Kelley have dedicated our practice almost exclusively to helping victims of asbestos exposure. There is no other Kentucky law firm which has handled the volume and complexity of asbestos cases as Satterley & Kelley has litigated. Over the last 20 years, attorneys at Satterley & Kelley have litigated hundreds of asbestos cases, taking dozens to trial, winning numerous jury verdicts, and settling many others. Asbestos litigation, in Kentucky, requires attorneys who are well versed in Kentucky asbestos law as well the legal and practical procedures in the courts in which cases will be handled. Satterley & Kelley has that experience and will be ready to pursue your claim immediately after our relationship with you begins. Our experience includes handling cases for:
1. Workers exposed to asbestos at powerhouses and manufacturing plants;
2. Brake mechanics exposed to asbestos containing brakes;
3. Spouses of workers, exposed in the home to asbestos materials brought home by the worker, who had occupational exposure to asbestos;
4. Children of workers, exposed in the home to asbestos materials brought home by the worker, who had occupational exposure to asbestos;
5. People exposed to asbestos products in the home, such as drywall or plaster;
6. Workers in the construction industry exposed to asbestos materials on the job.
If you, or a loved one, have been diagnosed with an asbestos disease in Kentucky and need an asbestos lawyer, you should contact Satterley & Kelley immediately for a consultation.