Mesothelioma Compensation In Pittsburgh

Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in people exposed to asbestos. When the dangers of asbestos exposure came to light decades ago, the companies that made asbestos-containing products and the workplaces that exposed their employees to asbestos faced thousands of lawsuits.

Mesothelioma has a long latency period, so many people who were exposed many years ago may only now be diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition. Although some of the responsible companies and employers are no longer in business, it is still possible to obtain substantial mesothelioma compensation in Pittsburgh.

The Halpern Law Firm works exclusively for people with asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma. Dave Halpern and his team of compassionate mesothelioma attorneys and paralegals understand how challenging a diagnosis can be and we are ready to put our experience to work for you.

Compensation for Economic Damages

Someone who develops an exposure-related illness incurs expenses. They are entitled to receive compensation for these expenses, which are called economic damages.

A company or employer responsible for someone’s asbestos exposure must pay all medical and treatment-related expenses. These include:

• Lab tests
• Prescription and over-the-counter drugs
• The cost of travel to medical appointments
• Income lost because of an inability to work
• Psychological counseling to help them cope with the diagnosis

Economic damages vary widely from person to person, depending on where they live, how far they must travel for treatment and services, whether they were still in the workforce when they were diagnosed, and their income if they were still working. A qualified Pittsburgh attorney could help someone with mesothelioma calculate and document their expenses to prove their economic damages.

Compensation for Pain and Suffering

The negative effects of a mesothelioma diagnosis on someone’s quality of life can be even more significant than its financial impact. 231 Pennsylvania Code § 223.3 allows someone to claim compensation for their non-economic injuries. This compensation is often called pain and suffering damages.

Someone could claim compensation for:

• Physical pain
• Emotional suffering
• Disfigurement, which could include scars from surgeries
• Embarrassment and humiliation, such as someone might experience if they cannot manage their personal hygiene without a personal care aide
• Lost enjoyment of life, which could include an inability to participate in activities someone once enjoyed, such as missed family occasions and milestones

A dedicated lawyer could work with a Pittsburgh family to document their non-economic losses through pictures, video, reports from the patient’s doctor, and other evidence. Family calendars can be a source of proof for special occasions the ill person missed.

Pain and suffering damages are subjective, and it takes a skilled legal professional to make a compelling case. A legal advocate could use testimony or statements from the ill person and their loved ones to demonstrate the effect mesothelioma has had on the patient and their family.

Several Sources of Compensation for a Mesothelioma Case

A proactive legal professional could file a lawsuit against anyone whose actions or inaction exposed the mesothelioma patient to asbestos. In most cases, lawsuit claims are settled before they go to trial.

Many companies that once mined asbestos, manufactured asbestos products, or exposed their workers to the substance are now out of business, but they paid into an asbestos trust fund to compensate the people they harmed. A claim to the asbestos trust fund would not compensate an ill person for all their damages, but it could result in a significant payment.

Many veterans were exposed to asbestos during their time in the service. In Pittsburgh, when a veteran can prove they were exposed, they could be eligible for veteran’s disability benefits related to mesothelioma. Payments begin at $3,877 per month and go up based on several factors, including whether the veteran has dependents.

Talk to a Pittsburgh Lawyer About Compensation for a Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Anyone who develops an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma is entitled to compensation. However, proving a claim requires knowledge and skill.

Work with the committed attorneys at The Halpern Law Firm when you are seeking mesothelioma compensation in Pittsburgh. We have devoted our careers to helping people like you obtain appropriate compensation for their injuries.