Carlsbad Asbestos Lawyer

Asbestos refers to a group of naturally occurring mineral fibers that are resistant to heat and corrosion. Due to these properties, asbestos was once widely used in commercial products such as fireproofing materials, insulation, wallboard materials, and automotive brakes. When the asbestos fibers are disturbed, they are released into the air, and a person may inhale them. The fibers then become trapped in the lungs and, over time, can cause serious illnesses, including mesothelioma. California has the highest number of mesothelioma cases in the United States. In 2021, there were 284 new cases, and the following year, 208 fatalities due to mesothelioma. This illness is not the only one caused by asbestos exposure. If you or someone you love has become sick, our Carlsbad asbestos lawyer can help you claim any compensation you may deserve.

What Diseases Does Asbestos Exposure Cause?

Exposure to asbestos causes many different deadly diseases. Along with mesothelioma, these include:

• Asbestosis
• Lung cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Pharyngeal cancer
• Ovarian cancer

It is not always easy to determine how these diseases are contracted. For example, a person may be exposed to asbestos at work and not know it. Or, someone may launder their spouse’s clothing, not knowing there are asbestos fibers in it, inhaling it as they work with the material.

Damages Available in Asbestos Lawsuits

If you or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos due to another person’s negligence or while at work, you may be entitled to compensation, with the help of an asbestos attorney in Carlsbad. No one can determine the exact amount of damages you are entitled to without first fully reviewing the facts of your case. However, there are common types of damages available, and they are as follows:

• Medical expenses, including hospitalizations, medication, and other costs associated with treatment
• Lost income, including lost employment benefits, sick pay, and vacation pay
• Loss of earning capacity if you cannot return to the same line of work
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of quality of life
• Loss of society

Challenges in Asbestos Lawsuits

Like other personal injury lawsuits, those involving exposure to asbestos have some challenges. These are unique to other injury claims, however.

One of the biggest challenges in these cases is that many companies responsible for asbestos exposure are no longer solvent. Certain diseases, such as mesothelioma, can take between 20 to 60 years to develop. By the time a person realizes they are sick, the company may have already declared bankruptcy.

Another challenge is that some asbestos exposure claims must go through workers’ compensation. This is often the case if the liable company is still operating and the worker is still employed there. While the workers’ compensation system does provide some compensation, such as medical expenses and lost income, it does not provide other types of damages. For example, workers’ compensation will not provide benefits for your pain and suffering.

Our Asbestos Lawyer in Carlsbad Can Advise You of Your Legal Options

If you have become sick due to asbestos exposure, you do have legal options, including filing a personal injury claim and a claim with a mesothelioma compensation trust fund. At Brod Law Firm, our Carlsbad asbestos attorney can advise you of your options and help you through the appropriate process. Call us today at (800) 427-7020 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to get the legal advice you need.

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