Asbestos exposure may cause serious illnesses later in life, resulting in conditions like mesothelioma and various types of cancer. If you believe your illness is related to asbestos exposure, contact the skilled workers’ compensation attorneys at Lightfoot Law, PLLC.
At Lightfoot Law, PLLC, our asbestos exposure attorneys may be able to help you and your family recover compensation for your illness. When you work with our experienced attorneys, you get a legal team that is:
- Passionate about holding negligent parties responsible for their actions;
- Successful in negotiating mesothelioma claims; and
- Available to answer your questions and answer your most pressing concerns.
Our asbestos exposure attorneys will provide you with the personal attention you need and deserve in these matters. To speak with a skilled legal professional, contact Lightfoot Law, PLLC, online or by calling (831) 708-0298. Your case review is complimentary and confidential. At Lightfoot Law, PLLC, we want to help you get the justice you are entitled to.
An Experienced Washington, D.C. Asbestos Exposure Attorney Can Help
There are different legal options for proceeding in any asbestos cases depending on the particular facts of the case. Some cases proceed to personal injury lawsuits while others go on to the following:
- Workplace death lawsuits;
- Asbestos trust fund claims; or
- VA claims.
At Lightfoot Law, PLLC, we understand the apprehension associated with filing an injury claim or going to court. However, our attorneys work tirelessly to build your asbestos exposure case while they guide you through each step of the legal process. We handle your legal claim from start to finish, including, but not limited to:
- Drafting and filing the legal complaint against the manufacturer(s) of the asbestos-containing products you were exposed to;
- Collecting the evidence necessary to try the case;
- Settling the case; or
- Taking your case to trial before a jury, who will decide the outcome of the case.
Contact our office in Washington, D.C., today to find out what kind of claim is right for your potential case. We look forward to speaking with you and addressing your asbestos claims questions and concerns.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber once used in various trades for its heat, electrical, and chemical resistant properties. Asbestos is composed of millions of microscopic fibers that can easily break apart, become airborne, and be inhaled. Inhaled asbestos fibers may become lodged in the lungs and lead to lung cancer, mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related diseases.
Asbestos exposure is strongly associated with several potentially fatal illnesses, the most serious of which is malignant mesothelioma. This is aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, heart, abdomen, and other organs. Malignant mesothelioma does not appear for years or even decades after the initial exposure.
Asbestos Exposure Compensation in Washington, D.C.
The amount of money awarded in a mesothelioma settlement or trial verdict is related to the nature and extent of the victim’s pain and suffering.
Mesothelioma compensation generally covers expenses such as:
- Medical expenses;
- Travel costs associated with medical treatment;
- Lost wages;
- Caregiver/facility fees;
- Physical therapy;
- Psychological counseling;
- Household expenses;
- Funeral costs; and
- Future illness-related costs and expenses.
Asbestosis and Pleural Disease
Asbestosis and pleural disease both affect an individual’s lungs. Asbestosis exposure causes the lungs to scar and is a result of breathing in asbestos fibers. In individuals with this disease, breathing becomes more difficult. It’s possible for symptoms to remain dormant for many years between exposure and the development of asbestosis.
Pleural disease is a dangerous lung condition that affects the membrane around the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). The membrane often becomes thicker in certain places or causes fluid buildup in the lungs. Some individuals with pleural disease develop problems breathing.
Asbestos Serious Risks: Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma, and Other Cancers
Some more serious health concerns that arise from asbestos exposure include lung cancer and mesothelioma. Lung cancer is a tumor that blocks passage of air in the lungs. Individuals who smoke tobacco and are exposed to asbestos have a greater likelihood of being diagnosed lung cancer.
Mesothelioma forms on the membrane of the lungs and pleura, the membrane surrounding the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), or membranes that are near other organs. While it is rare, Mesothelioma is a fatal disease, and most patients only survive for 12 months after diagnosis. Asbestos exposure of any kind should be taken very seriously.Â
It’s a Good Idea to Hire a Lawyer if You Believe You’ve Been Exposed
Many people wonder if it’s a requirement to hire a lawyer to recover compensation for injuries and illnesses that resulted from asbestos exposure. While you are never required to hire a lawyer, it’s always a good idea to seek competent legal representation for help. If you have to go after a company who is still in business, it’s going to be very difficult to do this without the help of a lawyer. The company will have their own lawyers who are well-versed in handling these types of lawsuits and will do almost anything in their power to ensure that they ether pay you nothing or pay you the least amount of money possible.Â
Without a lawyer, it’s almost guaranteed that they will try to take advantage of you. Even if you are collecting money from an asbestos or mesothelioma trust fund, it’s still wise to have a lawyer help you. There are a lot of complicated aspects of recovering compensation, whether it’s through a fund or a lawsuit. You may not even know if there is a trust fund set up for that particular company. A lawyer who is experienced in handling mesothelioma cases can help you every step of the way and make sure you don’t leave any money on the table. They can also make sure the process is as stress free as possible for you.Â
At-Risk Occupations to Asbestos Exposure
There are many occupations that put people at risk of asbestos exposure, even today. It’s important to know what they are so that you can either avoid them or at least take every precaution possible. Some of the most common occupations that put you at risk of exposure include construction workers, maintenance workers, and coal miners. In Washington D.C. particularly, there are occupations that are particularly dangerous regarding asbestos exposure.Â
Many of the buildings in Washington D.C. are historic, meaning there could still be a lot of asbestos present. Therefore, construction workers in that area should be especially careful. A significant number of the hotels, embassies, museums, and other buildings contain a lot of asbestos. Additionally, maintenance workers who work unground in the tunnels below Capitol Hill should be very careful, as there were significant levels of asbestos found in the tunnels. Often, the people working in these buildings aren’t informed of the presence of asbestos, so it’s important to do your own research and make sure you’re taking every precaution possible.Â
What Damages Can You Receive from a Washington D.C. Asbestos Lawsuit?
While some workers who were exposed to asbestos and developed health conditions other than mesothelioma may receive compensation, most who pursue a lawsuit are mesothelioma patients.
Most individuals file either a personal injury lawsuit or a wrongful death lawsuit against the company that has exposed the individual to asbestos. If an individual who has filed a personal injury lawsuit passes away before it is resolved, their estate may continue the claim as a wrongful death lawsuit.
Individuals or their estate may be able to receive compensation to cover financial hardships, such as medical bills, travel expenses, and pain and suffering related to mesothelioma. Individuals and their estate may be able to seek compensation to stabilize the future of their relatives or loved ones as well.
Alternatives to Lawsuits – Asbestos Trust Funds
While filing a lawsuit as a result of asbestos exposure is one option, it may not be an option in all circumstances. Many asbestos manufacturing companies who filed for bankruptcy were required to set up an asbestos trust fund to compensate victims as a condition of being permitted to file for bankruptcy. Once the companies filed for bankruptcy, they could no longer be sued. However, the trust funds that were set up offer another way for victims to obtain at least some amount of compensation for the horrific side effects that asbestos exposure caused them. The purpose of the trust funds was to allow past, present, and future victims to receive compensation without having to go through the trouble of filing a lawsuit, and to ensure that companies who did file for bankruptcy were still held accountable. If you aren’t sure if you have a valid claim for compensation from an asbestos trust fund, a lawyer can help you make this determination.Â
Contact an Experienced Washington, D.C. Asbestos Exposure Attorney Today
If your family has been impacted by a loved one’s mesothelioma diagnosis, Lightfoot Law, PLLC, will fight aggressively for you. Our Washington, D.C., asbestos exposure attorneys are ready to provide you with the information and resources you need to take the next step forward in your asbestos claim.
Contact us today online or at (831) 708-0298, and set up your claim evaluation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys. Your initial evaluation can occur by phone, in-office, or by FaceTime or Zoom, however you are most comfortable.