Individuals who work in the mining industry often encounter asbestos exposure. Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford is committed to seeking justice for mineworkers exposed to asbestos.
Coal miners and others who work underground are well aware of the hazards of their professions. Mine collapses, explosions and accidents involving heavy equipment are just some of the reasons that mining is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. Miners also face another danger: exposure to dangerous substances like asbestos.
Asbestos exposure, while engaged in mining, can lead to mesothelioma years or decades later. Although rare, mesothelioma is a dangerous and aggressive form of cancer that can metastasize quickly. A mesothelioma diagnosis can be devastating news and lead to a host of physical, emotional, and financial troubles.
At Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC, we are committed to helping the members of our community who worked in the mining industry. If you or a loved one worked in the mining profession in the past and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, call our office right away and request a free, no-obligation consultation about your legal rights.
Before researchers discovered its links to mesothelioma, asbestos found its way into a multitude of products.
You may know that asbestos is commonly found in ceiling tiles, shingles, and other building products. This is understandable, as asbestos’s strength and heat-resistant qualities made it popular in the construction industry. It was also found in a range of other products, from fabrics to fertilizers.
Asbestos is naturally occurring, however, and can be found in certain rock formations. When these rock formations are disturbed, such as through mining activities, microscopic fibers are released into the surrounding air. Without proper protection, these small particles can be inhaled and lodge into the protective lining of the lungs or other organs.
The harm that these tiny asbestos particles inflict may not be immediately apparent. It can take years before the first signs of mesothelioma may appear. By the time a physician diagnoses mesothelioma, few treatment options may be available.
Our legal team at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, LLC understands that you may have questions regarding mineworkers and asbestos exposure. Our knowledgeable and caring attorneys will take the time to answer all questions you may have. We want you to understand your or your loved one’s mesothelioma diagnosis and your legal options.
There are several different types of mesothelioma, depending on where cancerous asbestos fibers settle in the body. No matter the type, though, mesothelioma’s early signs may go unnoticed. It is easy to assume that the symptoms are indicative of some other condition.
For example, consider the initial signs of mesothelioma in the following areas:
These are all common symptoms of multiple disorders or conditions, so it is not always possible to diagnose mesothelioma early.
Asbestos exposure does not always lead to mesothelioma, and initial signs can appear decades after the exposure. It can be longer still before a diagnosis of mesothelioma is made. The American Cancer Society reports that the average age of diagnosis for those with pleural mesothelioma, the most common form, is 72.
When mesothelioma is detected, treatment will depend on how far the condition has progressed. If caught in its early stages, treatment may consist of surgery to remove cancerous tissue. Surgery after early detection of mesothelioma may help you prolong your life and have a higher quality of life.
If your mesothelioma has metastasized, surgery may not be a treatment option for you. Your oncologist may instead recommend radiation treatment or chemotherapy. These treatments may add months or even several years to your life.
The University of Pennsylvania’s Abramson Cancer Center claims that the five-year survival rate of mesothelioma is only ten percent. In other words, only one out of every ten mesothelioma patients is expected to survive five or more years beyond their diagnosis.
Mineworkers and asbestos exposure can cause hidden damage to a loved one that may not become apparent for years after they have ceased working.
Mineworkers who develop mesothelioma likely did so because they were exposed to asbestos while on the job. Employers have a legal duty to keep their employees safe. They must tell employees about dangers like asbestos that are present in the mine. Employers must also provide their workers with training and equipment to stay safe.
Mining companies cannot control where asbestos is located in the ground. But they can control the protection and information they provide to their workers. When mining companies fail to take these steps with their employees, mineworkers who subsequently develop mesothelioma may have a claim for compensation.
The New York Times recently reported on a mineworker employed in Libby, Montana. This worker was exposed to asbestos while working in a vermiculite mine and later developed mesothelioma. A jury awarded the worker $36.5 million in damages.
If you are a mineworker recently diagnosed with mesothelioma, a mesothelioma lawsuit can provide you and your family with financial compensation. This compensation could address your medical costs and expenses associated with treatment. If you cannot work because of your symptoms, you might be entitled to recover lost wages, too.
Beyond these damages, a mesothelioma lawsuit may provide you with compensation for your mental pain and anguish. If your employer deliberately concealed evidence of asbestos from you, or engaged in other similar behavior, punitive damages may be recoverable as well.
If your loved one recently passed from mesothelioma, you may have a cause of action to recover compensation as well. Such compensation may provide for your grief and pain at losing your loved one. If you depended on your loved one for financial support, compensation could be available to replace that lost income.
A mesothelioma lawsuit may also help you pay for funeral expenses and any medical bills your loved one incurred before their passing.
We understand and appreciate the pain, grief, and anguish that accompany a mesothelioma diagnosis. We have seen the heartache that families experience when they hear the news that their loved one has cancer. This drives the members of our legal team to provide the very best representation possible for our clients.
We will devote our knowledge and skills in and out of the courtroom to secure the most favorable outcome that we can for you and your loved ones. Speak with us about how we can help in situations involving mineworkers and asbestos exposure.
If you believe mineworkers and asbestos exposure played a role in the mesothelioma diagnosis of you or a loved one, give our firm a call right away. For those diagnosed with mesothelioma, time is of the essence to protect your legal rights.
We go the extra mile for our mineworkers and asbestos exposure clients. We offer free initial consultations for all new prospective clients, and we will travel to meet with you if you cannot come to us. Contact our office and let our New York mesothelioma team go to work for you.
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We hope that you will never be diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or suffer a catastrophic injury, but if you are, contact us at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford so we can begin the fight.
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