Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis can turn your life upside-down. At Bailey & Glasser, LLP, our mesothelioma and asbestos attorneys are dedicated to helping mesothelioma victims understand their rights and take back control of their lives. We can connect you to important legal resources, represent your best interests, pursue justice, and help you hold someone accountable for your illness. Begin with a free consultation about your potential mesothelioma case by calling a case intake specialist at (866) 871-7971.
Why Choose Us?
- Our experience speaks for itself. Our mesothelioma attorneys have obtained over $90 million in settlements and jury verdicts for clients with asbestos-related diseases.
- We have spent decades representing clients who have suffered after being exposed to asbestos in Delaware and throughout the country. We know how to navigate even the most complex mesothelioma cases.
- You will be able to communicate with your attorney frequently about the status of your case. Our Delaware mesothelioma lawyers will always put you, your needs and your case goals first.
How a Delaware Mesothelioma Attorney Can Help
Hiring a mesothelioma attorney familiar with Delaware case laws can make it easier to comprehend and protect your rights. You can tell your story to an asbestos attorney and find out whether you have grounds to file one or more types of claims. Then, you can trust your lawyer with the legal process while you concentrate on what matters most, such as undergoing treatment procedures for mesothelioma and spending time with your loved ones.
Insurance corporations and other powerful defendants will take your case more seriously with an attorney by your side. Your lawyer can hire mesothelioma experts, collect and preserve evidence, file claims paperwork, meet Delaware’s filing deadlines, negotiate for maximum compensation, take your case to trial (if necessary), and take other steps to efficiently handle your case from start to finish.
What Is Mesothelioma? What Causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is an aggressive type of cancer with no known cure. It is caused by exposure to asbestos – a group of six naturally occurring minerals that were widely used for manufacturing purposes in the 1800s and 1900s, before they were recognized as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and regulated by the federal government. Despite subsequent measures to protect the public from asbestos, millions of buildings and products throughout the United States still contain asbestos today.
If an individual is exposed to asbestos, tiny fibers and particles can become lodged in the body’s internal tissues. The most common locations are the thin membranes that line certain organs, including the pleura (the lining of the lungs) and the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). Over time, asbestos particles can cause irritation, inflammation and scar tissue that may result in cancerous tumors. The latency period, or amount of time between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, is 20-60+ years.
The symptoms connected to mesothelioma often include respiratory and breathing problems, shortness of breath, wheezing, persistent coughing, fatigue, clubbed fingers or toes, lack of appetite, and lumps under the skin of the chest. Mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose due to the long latency period and the wide range of potential symptoms. Once a patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma, the average life expectancy is 12 to 21 months (with treatment), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, this can vary significantly from patient to patient.
Delaware Mesothelioma Statistics
According to data collected by the CDC, 72 new mesothelioma cases were diagnosed in Delaware from 2015 to 2019. In this time, 67 victims died of mesothelioma. These statistics place Delaware 41st on the list of states in terms of mesothelioma case frequency. The top three counties in Delaware for new mesothelioma diagnoses in this timeframe were New Castle County (39 cases), Sussex County (17 cases) and Kent County (16 cases).
Who Is Most at Risk of Asbestos Exposure in Delaware?
The National Cancer Institute states that there is no safe amount of asbestos exposure. Even a single exposure event could potentially cause mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses, such as asbestosis or lung cancer. People who are around or exposed to asbestos on a regular basis, however, are at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma.
In Delaware, asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of locations, including:
- Buildings constructed prior to the 1980s
- Workplaces
- Office buildings
- Residential buildings
- Commercial buildings
- Schools
- Shipyards
- Military bases
- Hospitals
- Power plants
- Industrial plants
- Manufacturing facilities
- Oil refinement factories
- Paper and textile mills
Any location or occupation that puts an individual in frequent or continuing contact with an asbestos-containing material increases the odds of mesothelioma. Common asbestos-containing products include construction and building materials, cement products, adhesives, plasters, drywall, vinyl ceiling and floor tiles, auto parts, friction products, and heat-resistant fabrics.
What Are Your Legal Rights as a Victim of Mesothelioma in Delaware?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma in Delaware, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your past and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, funeral and burial costs, attorney’s fees, and more. Many companies have set up asbestos trust funds to pay victims who were exposed to asbestos because of their products, even after the company has declared bankruptcy.
You may also be able to seek a monetary recovery through one of the following:
- Personal injury lawsuit
- Workers’ compensation claim
- Veterans’ benefits claim
A personal injury lawsuit may be available if someone negligently exposed you to asbestos. If your employer breached federal or state asbestos regulations, for instance, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against the company. Negligence means a level of care that falls short of acceptable standards. You may also be eligible for workers’ compensation or a veterans’ claim even without proof of negligence.
Learn More About a Mesothelioma Claim in Delaware Today | Contact Us
Bailey & Glasser, LLP has case intake specialists available to help if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma in Delaware. Attorneys in our Asbestos and Lung Disease Group can answer all of your legal questions and inform you of your rights as a victim of asbestos exposure. You do not have to go through this alone. Our mesothelioma attorneys will work relentlessly to pursue justice and maximum financial compensation on your behalf. Use our online contact form or call (866) 871-7971 today to learn more.
