Columbus Mesothelioma Lawyers
Strong advocacy for Central Ohio mesothelioma victims and their families
Mesothelioma is a scary diagnosis. The sooner a doctor diagnoses this form of cancer, the better the treatment options are. Unfortunately, mesothelioma is often very difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can take decades to appear. Asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma. At Soroka & Associates, LLC, we work with lawyers who can help patients understand their legal options and fight for all the compensation available. Call us now for answers to your questions.
Our attorneys are known for excelling in and out of the courtroom. We have a strong record of verdicts and settlements that show our ability to help our clients get the medical care they need and the financial compensation they deserve so they can live their best lives possible.
How can our Columbus mesothelioma lawyers help?
- What is mesothelioma?
- How is asbestos exposure linked to mesothelioma?
- What are common sources of asbestos exposure in Ohio?
- Which Ohio industries and job sites have a history of asbestos use?
- How do I know if I was exposed to asbestos in Ohio?
- How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
- Can I file a lawsuit if I was exposed to asbestos decades ago?
- What is the statute of limitations for filing a mesothelioma claim in Ohio?
- What are the different types of mesothelioma claims?
- Do you have a Columbus mesothelioma lawyer near me?
What is mesothelioma?
According to the Mayo Clinic, mesothelioma is a cancer that starts as a growth of cells in the mesothelium. “The mesothelium is a thin layer of tissue that covers many internal organs.” While there are treatments, there is no cure.
The types and symptoms of mesothelioma
According to the Mesothelioma Cancer Community, it can be hard to diagnose mesothelioma because symptoms can take decades after exposure to asbestos to appear. The common symptoms appear in other diseases. Most patients who receive a mesothelioma diagnosis receive the diagnosis when the disease has advanced.
There are three common types of mesothelioma:
- Pleural Mesothelioma. This type of cancer affects the pleura, the protective lining of the lungs. About three in four cases of mesothelioma are pleural mesothelioma. The good news is that this type of mesothelioma has the most available treatment options. The Mayo Clinic identifies the following symptoms for pleural mesothelioma: chest pain, shortness of breath, painful coughing, lumps under the chest, weight loss, and fatigue.
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma. This type of cancer affects “the protective lining of the abdominal cavity, the area of your body containing several organs, including the stomach, intestines, kidneys, and liver.” About 20-24 percent of all mesotheliomas are of this type. The Mayo Clinic identifies the following symptoms for peritoneal mesothelioma: pain and/or swelling in the belly, nausea, fatigue, and weight loss.
- Pericardial Mesothelioma. This type of cancer affects the protective lining of the heart.
Less than one percent of all mesothelioma cases are testicular mesotheliomas. This rare cancer affects the “tunica vaginalis — the membrane that surrounds the testes.”
The stages of mesothelioma
Mesothelioma Cancer Community states that doctors generally divide all types of cancer, including mesothelioma, into four stages:
- Stage 1. The tumor is only in the mesothelium where it originated. The cancer hasn’t spread. Generally, patients respond well to treatment and have a better prognosis than patients who have more stages of cancer.
- Stage 2. The tumor has spread to organs outside the original area. The prognosis is similar to that of stage one Aggressive treatments are still an option.
- Stage 3. The tumor has spread “throughout one side of a patient's body and possibly other areas, including nearby lymph nodes, the esophagus, the chest wall, ribs, or heart.” While surgery may be an option, chemotherapy and other curative treatments may no longer work. The best treatment option is likely palliative care to minimize the pain and improve the quality of life of a patient.
- Stage 4. Here, “the tumor has spread to both sides of the body. It may have invaded the brain, bone cells, faraway lymph nodes, and other organ tissues.” The focus at this stage is on palliative treatments and, possibly, clinical trials that offer possible new treatments.
The treatment options include:
- Curative surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Multimodal therapy
- Emerging treatments
How is asbestos exposure linked to mesothelioma?
The Mayo Clinic states that the main risk factor for mesothelioma is asbestos. Asbestos is a strong, heat-resistant fiber. It’s a natural mineral. Common uses are insulation, roof shingles, flooring, brakes, and other products. Removing asbestos insulation or mining asbestos can create dust. Breathing or swallowing the dust allows the asbestos fibers to settle in the lungs or stomach, which can cause mesothelioma.
The risk of mesothelioma is not just to the people who work with asbestos. Family members who live with someone who carries the asbestos fibers on their skin or clothing may also develop mesothelioma.
Studies are being conducted to determine if there are causes of mesothelioma other than asbestos.
What are common sources of asbestos exposure in Ohio?
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, asbestos was in wide use in the U.S. until the 1970s, when concerns about its toxicity began. The mining of asbestos stopped in the U.S. in 2002, though there are still some imports of asbestos. Some asbestos insulation remains in U.S. homes and buildings.
Which Ohio industries and job sites have a history of asbestos use?
The workers most at risk for developing mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure include:
- Asbestos miners
- Plumbers
- Pipefitters
- Electricians
- Insulators
- Workers at shipyards
- Demolition workers
- Brake mechanics
- Home remodelers
- Power plant workers
- Construction site workers
- Chemical plant workers
- Some military personnel
How do I know if I was exposed to asbestos in Ohio?
We can review your work history (or the work history of a loved one) and arrange for a medical appointment with doctors who can diagnose your condition to confirm that you have mesothelioma, and that your disease was due to exposure to asbestos through work or through a family member.
How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma by first conducting a physical examination. Imaging tests include a chest X-ray or a CT scan of your chest or belly, and a PET (positron emission tomography) scan.
Doctors may conduct a biopsy procedure that removes some of your tissue so that mesothelioma can be confirmed or ruled out through laboratory results. A biopsy includes putting a needle through your skin or obtaining a tissue sample during surgery.
These tests help determine if you have mesothelioma and the stage of the disease.
Can I file a lawsuit if I was exposed to asbestos decades ago?
If you or a family member has a mesothelioma diagnosis, you may have a legal claim against the asbestos manufacturers responsible for your disease.
Nearly $30 billion has been set aside in asbestos trust funds to compensate mesothelioma patients. These bankruptcy trusts were funded because many asbestos manufacturers went out of business. You should be able to file a claim through the trust fund if the responsible asbestos manufacturer is no longer in business.
What is the statute of limitations for filing a mesothelioma claim in Ohio?
Ohio generally has a two-year statute of limitations. For asbestos personal injury claims, it runs from when a competent medical authority informs you that you have an asbestos-related injury (or when you should have known). For wrongful death, it runs from the date of death. We recommend that you contact us as soon as possible. Many mesothelioma claims settle without going to court.
What are the different types of mesothelioma claims?
There are four types of mesothelioma claims:
- Personal injury. You or a family member who was exposed to asbestos can file a personal injury claim against the asbestos manufacturer. The value of your claim depends on many factors, including the medical bills, loss of income, and your daily pain and suffering.
- Asbestos trust funds. The trust fund is a resource that was established to help victims when the manufacturer responsible for their disease or the death of a loved one is out of business.
- Wrongful death. Families can file this type of lawsuit (against the asbestos manufacturer or through the trust fund) if a family member died from mesothelioma caused by asbestos. The damages include outstanding medical bills, the pain and suffering of the deceased, the loss of financial support, and the loss of personal guidance and comfort your loved one would have provided.
- Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. Veterans of the U.S. military who developed mesothelioma due to their service may be eligible for VA health care benefits.
At Soroka & Associates, LLC, we can explain what type of claim you can file.
Do you have a Columbus mesothelioma lawyer near me?
Yes. We meet clients at our office located at 503 South Front Street, Suite 205, Columbus, OH 43215.
If your health prevents you from traveling to our office, we can make arrangements to see you at your home or a nearby health facility. We also conduct consultations by phone and through online video.
We’re here to answer your questions, explain your rights, and guide you through each step of the claims process.
Get help from our accomplished Columbus mesothelioma lawyers today
At Soroka & Associates, we understand how frightening a diagnosis of mesothelioma is. We’ve been fighting for personal injury victims and families since 2009. We have the experience and working relationships with asbestos experts and medical professionals to help victims fight for all the compensation they deserve. Call us today or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We handle personal injury and wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis.