Mesothelioma Lawyer in Clare, Michigan
Mesothelioma is an aggressive and rare form of cancer that has no known cure. As it can take decades to develop, many victims are already in the late stages of this disease by the time it is diagnosed. If you are suffering from mesothelioma and believe you may have been exposed to asbestos, you may be eligible to pursue compensation to help cover the costs of your medical expenses and other damages.
At Jay Trucks & Associates, PC, our trusted Clare mesothelioma lawyers have been representing mesothelioma victims in Michigan for decades. During that time, we have recovered millions in compensation for the thousands of clients we have represented throughout Clare and the rest of the state. The firm’s founder, Jay F. Trucks is an active member of the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association.
We offer a free consultation to discuss your potential for a claim and determine whether you may have a valid mesothelioma injury case. We have extensive knowledge of state law and are committed to helping our clients recover maximum compensation for their injuries.
Zero Upfront Fees; Free Initial Consultation
(989) 601-2554
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Jay Trucks & Associates, PC
Do I Have A Valid Mesothelioma Case?
Mesothelioma is a diagnosis that is caused by a very specific type of environmental exposure. If you are suffering from this disease, you may very likely have a valid case. However, we cannot provide a definitive answer without first understanding the unique circumstances of your potential claim.
In the free mesothelioma claim review we offer, a qualified member of our legal team can examine multiple factors that will help us to determine whether you may have a case, including:
- Medical records describing the date and details of your diagnosis
- Accurate work history documentation that you can provide
- Any additional work history information, such as prior jobs where you may have handled or been exposed to products containing asbestos
- Details about former co-workers who may also have been diagnosed and who are already pursuing a claim
- Additional knowledge or evidence you may have about a former employer who may have negligently exposed you to asbestos on the job
How Much Is My Mesothelioma Claim Worth?
Every mesothelioma case is different, and there may be multiple potential sources for recovering compensation. Additionally, there are different types of compensation you may be eligible to pursue, so it is difficult to assign a value without knowing all the details specific to your situation.
Contact our firm to schedule your free mesothelioma claim review. We are prepared to examine the factors that contributed to your asbestos exposure and mesothelioma diagnosis. If you have a valid case and we represent you, we have the resources to aggressively research all potential sources of compensation on your behalf.
Some of the types of damages you may be eligible for could include:
- Medical expenses, such as in-hospital stays, surgery or doctor’s appointments
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy
- Palliative care
- MRIs, CAT scans and other diagnostic tests
- Assistive medical equipment
- Loss of income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
We understand that compensation will not change what has happened to you, but we have seen how it can help injured victims to be able to focus on their health and family.
Zero Upfront Fees; Free Initial Consultation
(989) 601-2554
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Who May Be Liable for My Diagnosis?
Researching who may be liable for exposing you to asbestos can be challenging. Mesothelioma is a slow-developing disease, so you may have to investigate years or decades back in your employment history.
At Jay Trucks & Associates, PC, we know how to research former employers, even if they are no longer in business, and find out who may have been using materials or products that contained asbestos.
In addition to former employers, there are multiple other parties who could share responsibility for your asbestos exposure and resulting diagnosis of mesothelioma, including:
- Government agencies that owned asbestos-containing buildings
- Commercial or private property owners who owner property where you may have worked as a contractor
- Any of the Armed Forces
- Ship-building companies
- Manufacturers of products that contained asbestos, such as in the auto industry
- Mining companies
Are There Any Deadlines for Filing a Claim?
Michigan’s strict deadline for filing a claim, called a statute of limitations, is three years from the date of your diagnosis. For heirs who may consider bringing a wrongful death claim on behalf of their loved one, the statute of limitations is three years after death. If you miss the filing deadline, the court is likely to dismiss your case and you will no longer be able to file a damages lawsuit over your diagnosis.
At Jay Trucks & Associates, PC, we have extensive knowledge of the Michigan laws that may apply to these claims, and we are prepared to help. Three years sounds like a long time, but it goes by very quickly. Mesothelioma cases are especially complicated and your attorney needs time to investigate where your exposure may have occurred and gather other clear evidence to build a strong claim on your behalf.
Zero Upfront Fees; Free Initial Consultation
(989) 601-2554
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Common Types of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare type of tumor that begins to develop after someone inhales asbestos fibers into his or her lungs. These fibers become embedded in the mesothelium – or membrane lining – of the protective tissue that surrounds not only the lungs, but other internal organs, such as the heart, abdomen and testicles.
When a physician is finally able to diagnose it, a patient is often in the late stages of the disease with a 12-month or less life expectancy.
The different forms of mesothelioma include:
- Pleural Mesothelioma – Seventy percent of injured victims have this common type of mesothelioma where cancerous tumors form in the lining of the lungs. Unfortunately, because many of the symptoms mimic other medical conditions, it is typically not diagnosed until the late stages of development. Patients may suffer from unexplained fatigue, coughing or shortness of breath and chest pain.
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma – About 15 to 20 percent of reported cases affect the abdomen, or peritoneum, making it the second most frequent type of mesothelioma. With peritoneal mesothelioma, the tumors develop in the mesothelium of the abdomen and result in symptoms that may include swelling of the abdominal area, weight loss, atypical abdominal pain and fluid retention in the abdomen.
- Pericardial Mesothelioma – Annually, there are fewer than 50 cases of pericardial mesothelioma reported in the U.S. That is approximately one percent of all reported cases. In this type of mesothelioma, cancer tumors form in the pericardium lining of the heart. Commonly seen symptoms include severe chest pain and arrhythmia accompanied by a build-up of fluid around the heart sac.
- Testicular Mesothelioma – The rarest of all the known types of mesothelioma, with only 100 reported cases, develops in the lining of the testicles, causing pain and swelling in both the testicles and scrotum. Patients affected by this form of mesothelioma generally have a longer life expectancy. On average, these patients survive approximately two years after being diagnosed.
Jay Trucks & Associates, PC
What are the Signs or Symptoms of Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is often difficult to diagnose in the early stages because most patients were exposed to asbestos 10 years or more before they began to exhibit any signs.
Early warning signs of mesothelioma include:
- Unexplained weight loss
- A dry or wheezing cough
- Shortness of breath
- Severe pain in the rib cage, chest or abdomen
- Multiple unrelated respiratory complications
- Unrelated fever
- Sudden onset of muscle weakness
- Fluid buildup around the lungs (the most common symptom of pleural mesothelioma)
- Balance issues, such as vertigo
- Nausea or bloating
- Night sweats
Companies with High Asbestos Exposure Risk in Michigan
Michigan is one of the leading states nationwide for residents with mesothelioma. This is partly because of the many industries there that commonly used asbestos in products ranging from auto parts, pipes and insulation to protective clothing worn by employees in certain industries.
These are some of the more well-known companies that have been connected to asbestos exposure.
- Buick Plant: Flint
- Chevrolet Motor Plant: Detroit
- Consumers Power Company: Bay City, Erie and Essexville
- Defoe Shipbuilding Corporation: Bay City
- Detroit Edison Company: Monroe
- Dow Chemical Company: Midland
- Dow Chemical Bay Plant: Bay City
- DuPont Chemical: Flint
- Fisher Body Corporation: Flint
- General Motors Corporation – Detroit, Lansing
- Ford Motor Company: Dearborn
- GMC Buick Oldsmobile Pontiac – Detroit
- Great Lakes Steel Corporation: Ecorse
- Kalamazoo State Hospital: Kalamazoo
- Kent Castings Company – Grand Rapids
- McLouth Steel: Wyandotte
- Michigan State University: East Lansing
- Palisades Nuclear Power Plant: Muskegon
- Scott Paper Company: Delray
- Wyandotte Chemical Company: Wyandotte
Occupations that are linked to higher risks of exposure include:
- Asbestos processing plants
- Metalworks industry
- Steel mills
- Oil refineries
- Asbestos miners
- Auto mechanics
- Fire fighters
- Chemical plant employees
- Construction workers
- Demolition contractors
- Oil refinery laborers
- Paper mill employees
- Printing factory workers
- Roofers
- Ship builders
- Steel manufacturer laborers
- Military personnel
Zero Upfront Fees; Free Initial Consultation
(989) 601-2554
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Primary Methods of Asbestos Exposure
There are three primary ways that people are exposed to asbestos, including:
- On-the-job – By far, occupational exposure is the most common way that people are exposed to asbestos.
- Secondhand – Indirect or secondhand exposure occurs when a person makes contact with another individual carrying asbestos on his or her clothing or hair.
- Environmental – Natural settings, such as from a mine containing asbestos, may expose others to the fibers if not properly contained.
Are you experiencing symptoms? Have you worked in a high-risk area and are concerned you may have been exposed to asbestos? If so, we recommend being examined by a doctor who is familiar with mesothelioma as soon as possible.
If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, we recommend consulting with one of our lawyers at Jay Trucks & Associates, PC to discuss your potential legal options.
Zero Upfront Fees; Free Initial Consultation
(989) 601-2554
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How May an Attorney Benefit A Mesothelioma Claim?
Mesothelioma legal cases are very complicated. They involve a lot of research to determine where you may have been exposed and who may be liable for your diagnosis. Building a strong case for compensation takes time and extensive knowledge of state law and the mesothelioma legal process.
Most mesothelioma injury victims typically do not have the health, resources or time to gather the evidence needed to build a strong argument for compensation.
Our Clare mesothelioma lawyers are ready to fully manage the investigation of your potential claim, and we are prepared to aggressively fight for maximum compensation on your behalf. We have a history of recovering millions in compensation for injured victims, and if you have a case, we are prepared to do so on your behalf.
Contact our office for a free mesothelioma consultation today
(989) 601-2554
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Steps You Can Take Following a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
After receiving a life-ending diagnosis, such as mesothelioma, you may feel paralyzed with fear and wonder what you can do. However, there are steps you can take to help you, including:
- Getting a second opinion. Doctors can be wrong, and mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose.
- Learning as much as you can about your medical condition and treatment options
- Finding a qualified physician to help you plan a treatment plan that works for you
- Locating specialized medical centers to help meet other care needs and manage your symptoms
- Creating a support system of close friends and family members to help you as your condition progresses
- Contacting a trusted and knowledgeable mesothelioma injury attorney to learn whether you may be eligible for compensation for your damages.
In Clare, Michigan, there are many treatment centers that can provide treatment.
Contact a Clare Mesothelioma Lawyer today
If you or someone you care about has been recently diagnosed with mesothelioma, we encourage you to contact our office today. We are ready to review the specifics of your potential claim, even if you are unsure whether you may have a case. Our consultation is completely free, and we accept mesothelioma cases on contingency. This means that there are zero up-front costs to you, and we only get paid if we are successful.
Call Jay F. Trucks and Associates today to get started. We understand the uncertainty of a mesothelioma diagnosis and that nothing can change the damage that has been done. However, we are prepared to help you recover maximum compensation for your damages.
We are located less than a mile from the MidMichigan Medical Center in Clare.
(989) 601-2554
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