Each year 2500 to 3000 people in the United States are diagnosed with mesothelioma, a deadly cancer affecting the lining of the lungs and other organs. Since the early 1900s, corporations have known about the link between mesothelioma and asbestos, yet made a conscious decision to expose workers (and their families) to this hazard.
Researchers estimate more than a million people will die from mesothelioma in the next 10-15 years worldwide. One of the challenges faced by mesothelioma lawyers in prosecuting a mesothelioma lawsuit centers around the long latency period associated with the disease - typically 15 to 50 years. Because of the length of time between exposure to asbestos and the manifestation of the illness, and because of the high mortality rate associated with mesothelioma, many times vital information is lost.
Another unique challenge facing mesothelioma lawyers centers around the patients themselves. Patients struggling with a mesothelioma diagnosis and grieving families are often hesitant to add another fight to their careworn day.