Mesothelioma Attorney in Grand Forks, North Dakota

Mesothelioma is a dangerous type of cancer that can develop as a result of exposure to asbestos. Companies may be held liable for mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately, many companies are aware of the dangers presented by asbestos but fail to warn about the hazards and continue to put their workers and other people at risk of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other diseases.

People diagnosed with mesothelioma and those who lost a loved one to this type of cancer may be eligible for financial compensation. It’s important to speak with a knowledgeable attorney to explore your legal options for compensation. As a personal injury attorney who serves victims of mesothelioma in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and throughout the state, David C Thompson is dedicated to helping clients sue negligent companies and fight for fair compensation.

What Is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a kind of cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs and affects the mesothelial cells. This type of cancer may also cover the heart and reproductive organs or form a cavity for the abdomen. Mesothelioma is usually linked to exposure to asbestos.

People diagnosed with mesothelioma may be entitled to financial compensation by pursuing a personal injury claim against individuals or entities that exposed them to asbestos. A plaintiff in a mesothelioma case may receive compensation for their medical expenses related to the treatment as well as the loss of income, among other damages and losses.

Surviving family members who lost a loved one may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit to seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, medical expenses incurred by the mesothelioma patient before the death, the loss of support, and more.

How Does Asbestos
Impact Mesothelioma?

When an individual inhales asbestos fibers in the air, the fibers can travel through the small airways in the lungs and enter the lining of the lung called pleura or pleural membranes. Over time, those asbestos fibers can damage mesothelial cells, resulting in mesothelioma. When fibers cause damage to lung cells, a patient may develop asbestosis or lung cancer.

Early diagnosis of mesothelioma can offer the best chance of long-term survival, which is why it is critical to watch out for the symptoms of mesothelioma. When a patient develops mesothelioma in the lining of the lungs, they may experience the following symptoms:

• Shortness of breath

• Coughing

• Chest pain

• Fatigue

• Fever

• Extreme sweating

• Weight loss

• Loss of appetite

Being diagnosed early on can give an individual a better chance of making a full recovery.

Filing a Personal Injury
Claim for Mesothelioma

When filing a personal injury claim for mesothelioma in North Dakota, it is vital to understand who can be held liable for exposing you to asbestos. Liability essentially means a party’s legal responsibility for other people’s injuries or death that was the result of the party’s negligence. If a company is found liable for causing someone else’s asbestos-related mesothelioma, the injured party may recover damages by filing a personal injury claim.

When filing a personal injury claim for mesothelioma, the injured party must prove the following elements:

1. The defendant (the party sued by the injured party) owed a duty of care to the injured party;

2. The defendant’s conduct can be described as “negligent”;

3. The defendant’s negligent conduct led to the plaintiff’s injury; and

4. The plaintiff’s injury resulted in financial losses and other damages.

The third element (causation) may be the most challenging element to prove when suing someone else for causing mesothelioma. In personal injury cases, the plaintiff has the burden to prove that their exposure to asbestos was a direct or proximate cause of their disease.

The Statute of Limitations

When filing a personal injury claim for mesothelioma, it is essential to keep the statute of limitations in mind. The statute of limitations limits the time during which the injured party can initiate legal proceedings against the defendant. The plaintiff loses their right to file a personal injury claim once the deadline expires.

In North Dakota, the statute of limitations for most types of personal injury cases is six years from the date of the plaintiff’s diagnosis. If a mesothelioma patient dies, surviving family members have two years to pursue a wrongful death claim against the negligent party. In that case, the statute of limitations begins to run on the date of the death.

How a Knowledgeable
Attorney Can Help

Pursuing a mesothelioma-related personal injury claim is never completely straightforward. However, it becomes easier when you have a skilled attorney on your side. If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma, reach out to legal counsel to build a strong case and fight for the compensation to which you are entitled. Your attorney will gather medical records proving your mesothelioma diagnosis and help you obtain the necessary evidence seeking to prove that the defendant is responsible for causing the disease. An attorney will help you get the documentation you need to establish your financial losses and damages.

Mesothelioma Attorney Serving
Grand Forks, North Dakota

David C Thompson is a knowledgeable mesothelioma attorney who represents clients in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and throughout the state. As a results-driven personal injury lawyer, David C Thompson will walk you through each stage of your case and represent your best interests. You deserve fair financial compensation to move forward with your life. Reach out to Mr. Thompson to set up a one-on-one consultation.