In the State of Louisiana, the statute of limitation provides that after having been diagnosed with mesothelioma, an individual has one year from the initial diagnosis of mesothelioma to file a lawsuit. In addition, if a mesothelioma victim has already died, his or her spouse and other heirs typically have one year from the date of death to file a wrongful death action, which can also result in the recovery of substantial money damages obtained by filing a lawsuit. After the expiration of the statutory period, unless a legal exception applies, the injured person loses the right to file a lawsuit seeking money damages or other relief. If you have questions about Mesothelioma, call the Gertler Law Firm at (504) 527-8767 for a free consultation.Read More
The likelihood of someone contracting mesothelioma while working on a construction site in Louisiana is proportional to the amount and intensity of the exposure. That includes the size, shape, and chemical makeup of the asbestos fibers; and the source of the exposure. However, this disease has been known to develop in people whose exposure has been minimal, but have a genetic predisposition to cancer. For those ultimately diagnosed with mesothelioma, it may be 20 to 50 or more years to the onset of symptoms, and risk does not appear to diminish with time. If you have questions about Mesothelioma, call The Gertler Law Firm at (504) 527-8767 for a free consultation.Read More
Exposure to asbestos is an unfortunate reality for many of New Orleans’ citizens. Asbestos was once used extensively in Louisiana chemical plants, shipyards and oil refineries. It also was used in the construction of many older homes. Mesothelioma may not develop until twenty years or more after exposure to asbestos. As a result, it often appears in individuals who no longer work in a workplace where asbestos was used. These individuals are allowed to file a claim, but they must be prepared to offer proof of where the exposure occurred. Because exposure to asbestos is virtually the only cause of mesothelioma, however, it is often possible to narrow down the source. If you have mesothelioma and wish to pursue a claim, you should consult with an attorney experienced in this field. Be prepared to provide him or her with a full work history, and a list of products used during…Read More
About 60{d37eae5b8410ed8fb22098597e6ecfa689963c7e8a6548fdf24949bed3e82123} of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma experience lower back pain or side chest pain and there are frequent reports of shortness of breath. Lower numbers of people may experience difficulty swallowing, or have a persistent cough, fever, weight loss or fatigue. Additional symptoms that some patients experience are muscle weakness, loss of sensory capability, coughing up blood, facial and arm swelling and hoarseness. Peritoneal mesothelioma originates in the abdomen and as a result, symptoms often include abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. In the event that there is a hernia present, fluid buildup may occur in the abdomen as well. Asbestos exposure is considered the primary risk factor for the development of the mesothelioma. If you have questions about Mesothelioma, call the Gertler Law Firm at (504) 527-8767 for a free consultation.Read More
In Louisiana, the most common types of jobs that lead to asbestos exposure are military veterans, shipyard workers, construction workers, factory laborers and rescue personnel. Up to 30 percent of all mesothelioma patients are military veterans. Asbestos has been widely used in every military branch, particularly the Navy. It has been used in everything from clothing to metal fixtures. Asbestos was widely used on commercial ships and in shipyards to stave off the risk of fire. On the ships, it was used in the boiler and engine rooms and sleeping quarters, among other places. More than 1.3 million construction workers are exposed to asbestos each year. This mineral has been used in all types of building construction materials including floor tiles, siding panels, pipes, insulation, theater curtains and duct tape. In addition to the industries that mill and refine asbestos, a large number of factories create asbestos-containing products. Those involved in…Read More
The surviving spouse and children of the decedent have the right to file a lawsuit for wrongful death of a mesothelioma victim. And depending on the work history, other lawsuits and claims may be filed. If there is no surviving spouse, children, parents and/or siblings can file a lawsuit on behalf of the estate. The lawsuit must be filed within one year of the decedent’s death. If you have questions about Mesothelioma, call The Gertler Law Firm at (504) 527-8767 for a free consultation.Read More
Because the latency period for mesothelioma can vary from patient to patient, so too does the age of onset of the disease vary. However, most adult mesothelioma cases are diagnosed in patients between the ages of 40 and into their 60s. Child mesothelioma, while rare, does occur in 2 to 5 percent of malignant mesothelioma diagnoses. A shorter latency period may occur if a patient has had a higher exposure to asbestos. Many of the people who have a short latency period were exposed to asbestos on the job. This is especially true of people with occupations in shipyards, as well as the asbestos and insulation industries. If you have questions about Mesothelioma, call the Gertler Law Firm at (504) 527-8767 for a free consultation.Read More
We’ve seen this many times where a member of a family was likely exposed to second-hand exposure to asbestos from a family member, typically someone who was exposed at work all day. Whether an employer owes a duty to a worker’s household member who develops mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos fibers carried home on work clothes has been a highly contested issue. However, Louisiana courts have extended the right to pursue damages to family members who contract this deadly disease. If you have questions about Mesothelioma, call the Gertler Law Firm at (504) 527-8767 for a free consultation.Read More
These types of cases are time sensitive, and only a lawyer highly skilled in asbestos litigation should assist you in determining if and/or when to pursue a lawsuit against a company who may be responsible for exposing your father to asbestos. Many people who are diagnosed with mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos are eligible to file a lawsuit to receive financial compensation. If you have questions about Mesothelioma, call the Gertler Law Firm at (504) 527-8767 for a free consultation.Read More
A latency period, for Louisiana workers who were exposed to asbestos through their occupations, is the length of time between the exposure and development of a disease related to that exposure. The concept of a latency period is not cut and dried – for most people with occupational exposure to asbestos, that exposure occurred over many years. For mesothelioma, which is a cancer caused by asbestos that is breathed in or inadvertently swallowed, the delay between asbestos exposure and diagnosis with the disease can be many decades. The vast majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma in Louisiana and nationwide are older men who were exposed to asbestos fibers during their careers. Keep in mind that the vast majority of people who worked with asbestos never develop mesothelioma, but there have also been many cases where someone who worked in an asbestos-intensive industry or worksite came home in contaminated clothing, and years…Read More
