If you are thinking about starting an asbestos lawsuit, please let me encourage you to stop thinking about it and act. An asbestos lawsuit can take a long time to wind its way through the court system.
Time is of the Essence in an Asbestos Lawsuit
Mesothelioma, a relentless cancer caused by asbestos exposure, is a swift and cruel disease. The companies, whose asbestos-containing products may be responsible for your mesothelioma, prefer to drag out an asbestos lawsuit. It is in their best interests to do so.
I recently read about the unfortunate case of a widow whose asbestos lawsuit was thrown out because her mesothelioma-stricken husband had died and she had no solid information about his exposure to asbestos to provide her with evidence. Get going on your asbestos lawsuit before it is too late.
Get a Doctor’s Diagnosis For Your Mesothelioma Symptoms
Mesothelioma symptoms may take decades to emerge after exposure to asbestos. Even if you are uncertain about your symptoms, see a doctor immediately to confirm or rule out mesothelioma. A mesothelioma diagnosis from a qualified doctor is necessary before you can initiate a lawsuit. An exam, including a chest x-ray and a lung function test, may be recommended.
Consult a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms of mesothelioma:
- Persistent shortness of breath.
- Persistent cough or a change in cough pattern.
- Blood in the fluid coughed up
- Pain in the chest or abdomen.
- Difficulty in swallowing or prolonged hoarseness.
- Significant weight loss.
Collect Details on Your Work History
To win an asbestos lawsuit, a mesothelioma diagnosis is not enough. Answers are needed to the following questions:
- Do you know where and when the asbestos exposure might have taken place? You will have to provide an official record of your employment history or the employment history of a family member who might have accidentally exposed you to asbestos dust on their clothes or hair. The Social Security Administration will be able to help you with the names and dates of a work history.
- Do you know whose asbestos fiber it was? Not just who made the products that were used at that time and place, but how they got get there? Anyone in the chain of production and distribution from the mining company who dug up the asbestos fiber to the product manufacturer to the wholesaler to the local hardware store has liability. We recently had success with an asbestos lawsuit because we were able to find an old product catalog which listed the products in question.
A good asbestos attorney should be able to help with all of these questions. It is of utmost importance to work with an experienced asbestos attorney who will do the investigation required for you to start an asbestos lawsuit.