Is there currently a class-action mesothelioma lawsuit?
There is currently no class-action mesothelioma lawsuit because class-action lawsuits arise when numerous individuals are known to have been harmed by a single defendant in a similar way. Asbestos was used by the manufacturers of many different products, and those who would eventually develop mesothelioma after on-the-job exposure were employed by numerous different companies as well. We represent families in mesothelioma lawsuits nationally and file each case individually. The companies being sued will depend on what your work history says about how and when you were exposed to asbestos.
Based in Oklahoma, senior law partner Noble McIntyre and the legal team at McIntyre Law are always just a phone call away and ready to provide you with an update on your case. No matter where you’re located, we’ll get to know you and obtain the compensation you need to move forward with your life.
What to Know Before you File a Lawsuit
With the length of time that asbestos-mesothelioma lawsuits have been in the courts, you can be sure that the other side will have access to lawyers who work on nothing but asbestos and mesothelioma litigation. When going up against those responsible for asbestos exposure, you need experts on your side as well. If a Spanish-speaking lawyer is needed to help with your case, we have the resources necessary to help you get the compensation you deserve. McIntyre Law’s staff is here to help you gather important documentation such as medical and employment records, or death records if your case involves wrongful death.
This process is tedious, and any oversight or misstep can damage your case. When we handle the process, it simplifies things for you and enables us to build a legal strategy that will maximize the compensation that you ultimately receive.
The statute of limitations for asbestos lawsuits
In most personal injury cases, the injured party has two to three years to file a lawsuit, depending on the state. However, the rules are different for mesothelioma litigation and asbestos exposure because it can take 20 years or more to develop mesothelioma. Lawsuits can be filed within six years of diagnosis in some states, but a handful of states require mesothelioma suits to be filed within a year. For most states, the statute of limitations falls between one and six years from the time of diagnosis.
What is a contingency fee?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lawsuit expenses are the last thing you need. We take cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t have to pay us unless we successfully settle your case and you receive compensation.
What compensation can I get from an asbestos-mesothelioma lawsuit?
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you’re entitled to compensation for a number of profound changes to your life and the lives of your family members. The manufacturers of asbestos-based products profited for decades, and courts have found that they must compensate qualifying mesothelioma patients for things such as:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Punitive damages
- Wrongful death
Working with McIntyre Law
Since there’s currently no treatment for mesothelioma, lawsuits that obtain compensation for those exposed to asbestos are the most effective way to seek justice and protect families during a time of crisis. At McIntyre Law, we pride ourselves on doing all we can to help those diagnosed with mesothelioma by fiercely protecting their legal rights and tirelessly pursuing just compensation for them.
Do you have a case for an asbestos lawsuit?
Asbestos-mesothelioma lawsuits are different from other personal injury cases. The difference is that once a patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma, we know the most likely cause, and the liability on behalf of asbestos-based product manufacturers is well established. If you’re wondering whether you have grounds for an asbestos lawsuit, you likely do.
If a loved one has passed away because of mesothelioma, or if you have recently been diagnosed, it’s likely that you will have a strong case once our experts help you determine how, when, and where you were exposed to asbestos. Our team will help you determine who’s at fault, and work hard to obtain the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Meet Our Mesothelioma Attorneys
Our team of mesothelioma attorneys is ready to learn more about your diagnosis and work history. From there, we’ll begin putting together the best legal strategy for your unique situation.
Types of Mesothelioma
People who have worked with, or even just around, asbestos are at an increased risk to develop mesothelioma. Although many people who have been exposed to asbestos do not develop mesothelioma, 80% of those with mesothelioma have been exposed in some way. When exposure occurs, microscopic asbestos fibers are ingested or inhaled. These fibers work their way into the body, where they cause inflammation and damage cells. When the cells’ DNA is damaged, malignant tumors can begin to grow. Type of mesothelioma is determined by the location in the body where the disease first appears.
There are four main types of mesothelioma:
Tumors begin growing in the lining of the lungs.
2. Peritoneal mesothelioma
Tumors begin growing in the lining of the abdominal cavity.
3. Pericardial mesothelioma
Tumors appear in the lining of the heart muscle.
4. Testicular mesothelioma
Cancerous tumors begin in the scrotum.
What jobs were exposed to asbestos?
Before the dangers associated with asbestos were well known, the material appeared in a wide variety of products. Although not all people who have been around an asbestos-based product develop medical complications, there are a number of occupations and professions that regularly involved activities that increased the chances of exposure by causing the material to become unstable and airborne.
Some occupations with a history of direct exposure to asbestos include:
- Auto mechanics
- Bricklayers
- Building inspectors
- Carpenters
- Demolition workers
- Drywall installers
- Electricians
- Floor covering workers
- Furnace workers
- Insulators
- Ironworkers
- Longshoremen
- Maintenance workers
- Merchant marines
- Operating engineers
- Painters
- Pipe fitters
- Plasterers
- Plumbers
- Roofers
- Refinery workers
- Sheet metal workers
- Tile setters
- U.S. Navy personnel
- Welders
Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Symptoms that may indicate mesothelioma include chest pain, shortness of breath, appetite loss, fatigue, night sweats, bloating, nausea, excessive coughing, and weight loss. A doctor will diagnose mesothelioma by feeling for lumps and ordering imaging tests to confirm the location of tumors. A biopsy will most likely be needed to determine the specific type of cancer cells making up the tumors. Depending on where and how the tumor is attached to the body, the mesothelioma will be categorized into one of four stages.
There is no cure for mesothelioma, but there are treatments available to slow the disease’s progress. Depending on the type and stage of mesothelioma diagnosed, treatment options may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgical removal of the tumors during stages 1 and 2.
Stage 1: Mesothelioma is in the organ lining but hasn’t spread to lymph nodes or the organ itself.
Stage 2: Mesothelioma has spread to lymph nodes on one side of the body and may have spread to the organ itself.
Stage 3: Mesothelioma has spread to surrounding structures and the lungs or heart lining (pericardium).
Stage 4: Mesothelioma has spread to distant parts of the body and other organs such as bones or the liver.
Asbestos and the EPA
Asbestos was used in consumer and construction products for decades before the dangers it posed were fully recognized.
Asbestos timeline
Asbestos enters widespread industrial use in the U.S. and Europe
First asbestos-related death recorded
Discovery of asbestosis by physicians in the U.K.
First personal injury asbestos lawsuit filed in the U.S.
Spray-applied asbestos products banned in the U.S.
Asbestos ban issued by the EPA
How was asbestos approved as safe?
The unique qualities that make asbestos useful have been known and exploited for thousands of years. The product entered wide industrial use in the mid-19th century, a time not known for its focus on workplace safety. Those paying attention to public health issues in the early 20th century became aware of the correlation between asbestos exposure and pulmonary issues. They recommended safety guidelines for working with asbestos, but no regulations were put into place until the 1970s.