MESOTHELIOMA LAWYER IN FRESNO

The only known cause of Mesothelioma is asbestos exposure, so those affected should be entitled to compensation. Understanding your legal rights is crucial in determining whether you have a valid claim in California. To pursue compensation, you must establish key legal elements that prove liability. Here’s what you need to demonstrate:

Exposure to Asbestos

A mesothelioma claim generally requires showing that you were exposed to asbestos. Exposure may have occurred at construction sites, shipyards, industrial facilities, or through contact with asbestos-containing products. Establishing where and when that exposure happened can be an important part of building your case.

Negligence or Liability

You must show that a company, employer, or product manufacturer was responsible for your asbestos exposure. Liability may arise from:

• Failing to warn about the dangers of asbestos
• Providing unsafe working conditions
• Manufacturing or selling asbestos-containing products
• Violating workplace safety regulations

Causation

Showing asbestos exposure alone may not be enough. A mesothelioma claim also generally requires connecting that exposure to the diagnosis. Medical records, employment history, and expert testimony may help establish that connection.

Damages

A successful mesothelioma claim must demonstrate that you have suffered damages due to the illness. These may include:

• Medical expenses (diagnostic tests, treatments, surgeries, medications)
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Funeral costs (for wrongful death claims filed by family members)

Given the complexity of mesothelioma cases, consulting with an experienced mesothelioma attorney is the best way to determine if you have a claim. Contact Morgan & Morgan in Fresno, California today for a free case evaluation.

Mesothelioma can develop many years after a person is exposed to asbestos. Occupations that have historically involved a greater risk of exposure include:

• Construction workers who handled insulation, roofing materials, flooring, or other products that contained asbestos
• Shipyard and shipbuilding workers who encountered asbestos used in insulation, piping, and other vessel components
• Automotive mechanics who worked with asbestos-containing brake pads, gaskets, and similar parts
• Military personnel, especially Navy veterans who served aboard ships where asbestos was commonly used
• Industrial workers employed in factories, power plants, and other facilities where asbestos was used for insulation and heat resistance

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, you may be entitled to compensation. The legal process typically includes:

• Case evaluation: A mesothelioma attorney reviews your medical records and work history.
• Filing a claim: A lawsuit is filed against responsible companies and/or asbestos trust funds.
• Discovery process: Both parties gather evidence, including medical records and employment history.
• Settlement negotiations: Many cases settle before trial, providing quicker compensation.
• Trial (if necessary): If a fair settlement is not reached, the case proceeds to court.

Some companies connected to asbestos exposure entered bankruptcy and created trust funds to compensate people harmed by asbestos-related diseases. Filing a trust fund claim is different from pursuing a traditional lawsuit and may involve:

• Showing that you were exposed to asbestos associated with the company, rather than proving negligence in the same way as a lawsuit
• A potentially shorter claims process than traditional litigation
• Compensation that varies based on the specific trust, its payment criteria, and the severity of the asbestos-related illness

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Diagnosing mesothelioma can be complex and typically involves a combination of medical tests, including:

• Imaging scans: Doctors may use X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to detect abnormalities in the lungs, abdomen, or heart.
• Biopsies: A tissue sample is extracted and analyzed to confirm the presence of mesothelioma.
• Blood tests: Although not definitive, certain biomarkers in the blood may indicate mesothelioma.

Detecting mesothelioma as early as possible can be important for treatment, especially because the disease may progress quickly after symptoms begin.

Mesothelioma is classified based on where the cancer develops in the body:

• Pleural Mesothelioma (Lungs): The most common type, affecting the lining of the lungs. Symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, and persistent coughing.
• Peritoneal Mesothelioma (Abdomen): Affects the abdominal lining, causing symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and digestive issues.
• Pericardial Mesothelioma (Heart): A rare form that impacts the lining around the heart, leading to chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and breathing difficulties.
• Testicular Mesothelioma: The rarest type, affecting the testicular lining, with symptoms such as swelling and lumps in the scrotum.

Yes, family members can file a mesothelioma lawsuit if the patient has passed away. In such cases, the family can file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the deceased. This lawsuit is typically pursued by a surviving spouse, children, or other close family members. The purpose is to seek compensation for the losses the family has suffered due to the loved one's death, including medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and funeral expenses.

The family may also be able to file a survival action, which seeks damages for the deceased person's pain and suffering prior to death.

Each state has its own laws and statutes of limitations for filing these types of lawsuits, so it's important to consult with a mesothelioma attorney to understand the specific rights and processes involved.

It varies because every case is unique and involves multiple complicated factors. For this reason, some cases settle in a few months, while others that go to trial may take longer.

For a clearer picture of what your case may involve and the time it may take to resolve, contact Morgan & Morgan for a free case evaluation.

In a mesothelioma claim, you may be able to recover various types of damages, depending on the circumstances of your case. The primary types of damages you can pursue include:

Compensatory Damages

Below are the most common types of damages in a mesothelioma case, and they are intended to compensate for the actual losses the victim or their family has experienced.

• Medical expenses: Compensation for past, current, and future medical treatment related to mesothelioma, such as hospital stays, surgeries, chemotherapy, and other necessary treatments.
• Lost wages: If the patient is unable to work due to their illness, you may be able to recover compensation for the lost income, both past and future.
• Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional distress the victim has endured as a result of the illness.
• Loss of consortium: If a spouse is involved, they may seek compensation for the loss of companionship, affection, and support caused by the illness.

Punitive Damages

These damages are awarded in cases where the defendant's actions were particularly egregious or reckless. Punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant and deter others from engaging in similar behavior. In mesothelioma cases, they are usually sought when the responsible party’s actions (such as knowingly exposing workers to asbestos) were particularly malicious.

Wrongful Death Damages

If the mesothelioma patient has passed away, the surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim. This can include:

• Funeral and burial expenses: Compensation for the cost of funeral and burial services.
• Loss of financial support: If the deceased provided financial support for the family, you may recover damages for the loss of that support.
• Emotional distress: Compensation for the emotional and psychological impact of losing a loved one.

Loss of Household Services

If the person who passed away handled caregiving responsibilities or a significant share of household tasks, surviving family members may be able to seek compensation for the value of those lost services.

The damages available will depend on factors such as the applicable laws, the circumstances surrounding the asbestos exposure, and the impact of the illness. Speaking with a mesothelioma attorney in California can help you understand which types of compensation may be available in your case.

Yes. An attorney may be able to help trace possible sources of asbestos exposure by reviewing your work history, military service records, and products you may have used or encountered.

For a clearer picture of your legal options, contact Morgan & Morgan for a free case evaluation.

Mesothelioma claims are generally filed against manufacturers, distributors, and/or sellers of asbestos products who knew or should have known the dangers of asbestos exposure, such as ship, turbine, or construction material manufacturers. We do not pursue claims against the government, military, or the VA.

Compensation typically comes from the companies responsible for manufacturing or supplying asbestos-containing products. These payments do not come from taxpayer funds.

Even when a manufacturing company has filed for bankruptcy, claims are paid out through a bankruptcy trust. This is money that comes from the asbestos companies’ insurance, purchased years ago to protect themselves against these claims.

After working with mesothelioma clients for more than 15 years, we understand the physical, mental, and emotional toll this disease can take. We try to keep the demands on our clients as minimal as possible so they can focus on treatment, rest, and their well-being.

A client may be asked to:

• Meet with their attorney initially. This can often be done by phone or Zoom, depending on what works best for the client.
• Discuss their work and exposure history. This may include where they worked, which asbestos-containing products they believe they were exposed to, and any other potential sources of asbestos exposure, including exposure through others.
• Give a deposition. Think of this as recorded testimony or a legal question-and-answer session. Depositions often do not require the client to appear in person and may be conducted electronically. Our team will help prepare the client and provide the materials they need.
• Be available to review and sign paperwork as the case moves forward.

Our goal is to make the process as manageable as possible while handling as much of the legal work as we can on the client’s behalf.

How frequently a client is contacted depends on the stage of the case. In the beginning stages, they may be contacted more frequently to allow the attorney and investigators to get more details about their exposure or ask new questions.

Further into the case, the client will be contacted if they are needed to sign necessary documents or leading up to any legal interviews.

Clients are always welcome to contact our legal team if they have questions or would like updates.

The timeline can vary from case to case. When we file a lawsuit, our goal is to move the case toward trial as efficiently as possible, with the trial date serving as an important milestone in the process.

Some cases may also involve bankruptcy trust claims, which can follow separate timelines and payment schedules. While those claims may continue independently, much of the litigation may be resolved by the time the case reaches trial or another resolution.

While we hope this is never the case, in the event that a client passes away before a claim is settled, the case will continue with the next of kin. If there are any questions or concerns regarding this, please reach out to our firm.

Mesothelioma cases often involve unique legal considerations, such as asbestos trust funds established for compensation and varying filing deadlines depending on state laws.

At Morgan & Morgan, we fight for mesothelioma victims and their families. Our experienced attorneys can help you navigate the legal process and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

No. Consultations at Morgan & Morgan are completely free. We believe everyone deserves access to legal advice, regardless of their financial situation.

Hiring one of our asbestos litigation lawyers in Fresno is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation on our site or by phone.

When you hire Morgan & Morgan, you gain the support of America’s Largest Injury Law Firm, with more than 1,100 lawyers and attorneys licensed in every state.

Your case will be supported by a dedicated team that may include mesothelioma attorneys, paralegals, and other legal professionals. You will also have a primary attorney overseeing your case and helping guide you through the process from start to finish.

After your initial consultation about your asbestos claim, your care team will schedule regular meetings to discuss your case, provide updates, and prepare you for any upcoming proceedings. We are committed to maintaining open lines of communication and keeping you informed every step of the way.

These meetings can be handled in person, virtually, and by phone, depending on your case’s requirements and your ability to do so.

Morgan & Morgan’s mesothelioma lawyers in Fresno work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that there are no upfront fees or expenses until your asbestos case comes to a successful conclusion, whether by a mesothelioma settlement or trial verdict. That’s right—The Fee Is Free™, and you only pay if we win.

Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict amount, ensuring we are motivated to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

At Morgan & Morgan in Fresno, California, our team of experienced mesothelioma attorneys has successfully represented countless clients in similar situations, securing millions in compensation. As the largest personal injury law firm in the country with over 1,100 lawyers nationwide, we have the resources, knowledge, and dedication to fight for your rights.

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t have to pay unless we win your case. Morgan & Morgan believes justice should be accessible to all, so our motto is The Fee Is Free™—you only pay if we win.

We fight for individuals and families affected by mesothelioma, holding negligent companies accountable for asbestos exposure. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed, you don’t have to face this battle alone. Contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free case evaluation and learn more about your legal options.