Birmingham Mesothelioma Lawyer

As asbestos illness rates continue to grow, more and more people are fighting for justice with the help of experienced Birmingham mesothelioma lawyers. Many industries in Birmingham have used asbestos in products, buildings, and equipment for decades. The consequences of its use continue to surface.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis due to asbestos exposure, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on leading Birmingham mesothelioma attorneys, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more. 

Why Do I Need a Birmingham Mesothelioma Lawyer?

If you have mesothelioma, you were most likely exposed through workplace negligence. This means you can hold companies accountable. You can take legal action to seek compensation.

Compensation is so crucial for someone with this diagnosis. Mesothelioma is expensive to treat and causes disabilities. Your expenses likely include travel costs for treatment, home care, and lost wages.

A Birmingham mesothelioma lawyer is your best ally and chance for getting the compensation you need.

Mesothelioma, almost exclusively linked to asbestos exposure, is a devastating disease with a 5-year survival rate of only 10%. The financial burden of expensive medical treatments and the loss of income, coupled with significant pain and suffering, make exploring legal options crucial.

They can help you file a personal injury lawsuit, make a successful claim through an asbestos trust fund, or get the government benefits you are entitled to. Regardless of how you came into contact with asbestos, you have avenues for compensation.

Understanding these options can be overwhelming, but a seasoned attorney can demystify the process and guide you every step of the way. With expert legal guidance, navigating the complexities of your case becomes manageable, ensuring that you pursue the best possible outcome for your situation.

What Typically Happens During the Legal Process When Filing a Lawsuit for Mesothelioma?

Filing a lawsuit for mesothelioma can feel overwhelming, but understanding the usual steps can help demystify the process. Here’s a detailed look at what typically happens:

1. Consultation with an Attorney
   The journey begins with selecting a seasoned personal injury attorney specializing in mesothelioma cases. During the initial consultation, your lawyer will evaluate your case and discuss potential outcomes.
2. Case Preparation
   If you decide to proceed, your attorney will gather evidence, including medical records and employment history, to build a strong case. This phase is critical for establishing the connection between asbestos exposure and your illness.
3. Filing the Lawsuit
   Once preparation is complete, your attorney will formally file a lawsuit on your behalf. This legal document details your claim and the compensation you seek.
4. Negotiations and Settlements
   Before your case reaches the courtroom, your attorney will enter into negotiations with the defendant’s legal team. Settlements are common in mesothelioma cases, often allowing both parties to avoid a lengthy trial.
5. Going to Trial
   If a fair settlement cannot be reached, the case may go to trial. During the trial, both sides present evidence and arguments before a judge or jury. The verdict will determine the outcome and any compensation awarded.
6. Receiving Compensation
   Should you win your case or settle out of court, you will receive financial compensation. This settlement aims to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs.

The legal process can be intricate, but an expert attorney will guide you through each step, ensuring you’re informed and supported throughout.

How Do I Find a Mesothelioma Lawyer in Birmingham?

If you live in Birmingham or were exposed to asbestos here, a local lawyer with nationwide reach is your best option. They understand Alabama laws but also know if you need to try our case in another state.

Look for firms with proven experience handling and winning asbestos and mesothelioma cases. Asbestos lawsuits require specialized knowledge and resources that general or smaller personal injury firms don’t always have.

When hiring a mesothelioma lawyer, consider the following factors to ensure you choose the right representation:

• Specialized Expertise: Mesothelioma cases are unique and complex. Your lawyer should have a deep understanding of the disease, the laws surrounding it, and the specific defense tactics that might be used against you.
• Evidence Gathering: An experienced attorney will help you gather the necessary evidence to support your claim. This includes medical records, employment history, and any other relevant documentation.
• Case Assessment: A skilled lawyer will assess the details of your case thoroughly to determine the best course of action and what legal options are available to you.
• Representation: Your lawyer should be prepared to represent you not only in court but also in trust claims, ensuring that all avenues for compensation are explored.

The right lawyers will offer you a free initial consultation to review your case and will not take payment until they help you get compensation. This ensures that you have access to expert legal advice without upfront financial pressure.

Key Alabama Laws on Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Claims

Alabama has specific regulations regarding asbestos exposure and related personal injury claims. Understanding these laws is crucial for those seeking compensation for asbestos-related conditions like mesothelioma. Here are the most pertinent laws:

• Alabama Civil Code on Asbestos Claims: Alabama law includes provisions addressing claims tied to asbestos exposure. This includes guidelines on handling claims, especially when businesses undergo ownership changes. This ensures continuity and accountability, regardless of corporate transitions.
• Statute of Limitations: In Alabama, the timeframe for filing personal injury lawsuits, such as those for mesothelioma, is generally two years. However, for mesothelioma cases specifically, the clock starts with the diagnosis rather than the exposure date. This is crucial since symptoms often appear decades after initial exposure.
• Contributory Negligence: Alabama’s contributory negligence rule plays a significant role in determining liability. Under this rule, if it’s proven that a plaintiff has any fault in contributing to their illness, they may be barred from receiving compensation. Therefore, defendants in these cases often work to demonstrate partial responsibility on the part of the plaintiff to avoid or reduce payouts.

Understanding these laws can help victims and their families navigate the complex legal landscape and maximize their potential for receiving compensation.

How Was I Exposed to Asbestos in Birmingham?

Asbestos was once used throughout the U.S., including in Birmingham, Alabama. Industries that used it most heavily included construction, manufacturing, steel, insulation, shipbuilding, oil and power, and chemical manufacturing. These are some of the companies that put Birmingham residents at risk.

Birmingham Steel Corporation

Founded in the early 1980s, the Birmingham Steel Corporation was a large company that employed over 1,500 workers across the United States.

Workers produced massive amounts of steel materials and products at the Birmingham facility.

The machinery and equipment used to manufacture steel products were made with asbestos. This was typical for steel manufacturing, but it put workers at serious risk of exposure to harmful asbestos fibers.

As the company grew, more and more workers faced exposure. Eventually, asbestos was banned from use at the steel company’s factories, but it came much too late as many had already been exposed to the harmful effects of asbestos.

Alabama Drydock & Shipping Company

Alabama Drydock & Shipping Company (ADDSCO) was built in 1917 as a World War II emergency shipbuilding facility.

Although ADDSCO used massive amounts of asbestos, a 1944 Industrial Health Survey failed to alert employees of its dangers or even large amounts of asbestos at the job site.

As a result, a $1 million lawsuit was filed against ADDSCO several years later when workers started to develop asbestos-related illnesses.

Most plaintiffs worked for ADDSCO for anywhere from 20 to 40 years, leading to decades of harmful exposure.

Asbestos in Birmingham Buildings

Buildings constructed before 1980 often contain asbestos in multiple components and materials. Builders valued asbestos products for its ability to resist heat and fireproof.

This has proven a problem later as older buildings must be remediated or renovated without causing exposure. In Birmingham, Quinlan Castle is one of these buildings and is slated to be replaced by a state-of-the-art facility for Souther Research.

Schools are often full of asbestos and require remediation or safe demolition. Closed for years, the old Banks High School is riddled with asbestos and is now slated for demolition.

Understanding Mesothelioma Risk Factors

Mesothelioma poses a higher risk to certain groups of individuals based on their occupational and environmental exposure to asbestos. Here’s a breakdown of who is most at risk:

• Gender Disparity: Men face a significantly higher risk of developing mesothelioma compared to women. This is largely due to the fact that men more frequently work in industries where asbestos exposure is prevalent.
• Occupational Hazards:
  • Construction Workers: Many construction sites, especially those involving older buildings, have high levels of asbestos. Workers may inadvertently disturb asbestos materials, increasing their exposure.
  • Miners: Mining operations, particularly those involving asbestos and related minerals, expose workers to harmful fibers.
  • Automotive Mechanics: Those working on older vehicle systems may come into contact with asbestos in brake linings and other parts.
  • Firefighters: This group often encounters asbestos when responding to fires in older structures where asbestos insulation or materials are present.
• Environmental Exposure: Individuals working in outdated office buildings or structures with aging construction materials may also face increased exposure, even if they are not directly handling such materials.

Identifying these risk factors is crucial for implementing protective measures and minimizing exposure to potential asbestos sources. If you work in these environments, taking precautions and being aware of the risks can be vital to reducing your chances of developing mesothelioma.

Additional Job Sites Associated with Asbestos Use in Birmingham

Several companies and workplaces are known to have used asbestos and to have put workers at risk of exposure:

Steel Companies

• Alabama Steel and Shipbuilding
• Alabama Steel Drum
• Bristol Steel
• Conner Steel
• Crawford Boiler & Steel
• Southern Iron and Steel Company
• Sheffield Steel and Iron Company

Power Companies

• Alabama Power & Light
• Birmingham Power Company
• Gunns Power Plant (Avondale)

Chemical Companies

• Alliance Chemical
• Allied Chemical
• Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation

Other Businesses

• Birmingham Oil Mills, Inc.
• Birmingham Stove & Range Co.
• Birmingham Water Works Co.
• Daniel Construction Company
• East Thomas Shops
• Kilby Car & Foundry Company
• Moore Handley Hardware
• Republic Iron and Steel
• Southern Cotton Oil Company
• St. Margaret Hospital
• University of Alabama Medical Center
• Western Grain Company
• Wimberly and Thomas Hardware (1st Avenue location)
• Vulcan Materials
• Foremost Dairies Incorporated
• E.I Du Pont De Nemours and Company

Paul at Mesothelioma Lawyer Center provided outstanding support when my family faced a mesothelioma diagnosis. From the start, his professionalism and genuine care were evident. Paul explained every step of the legal process with patience and empathy.

His meticulous attention to detail and expertise ensured our case was handled swiftly and efficiently. What truly impressed us was Paul’s responsiveness—he was always quick to reply and kept us well-informed throughout.

I highly recommend Mesothelioma Lawyer Center.

–Patrick M

Getting Treatment for Asbestos Illnesses in Birmingham

It’s important to seek treatment from a comprehensive cancer care physician specializing in asbestos-related diseases.

The following are among a few of the physicians in Birmingham who provide specialized treatment for asbestos-related illnesses:

• Dr. Robert Cerfolio: Specialization: Pleural Mesothelioma; 1802 6th Avenue, Birmingham, Alabama, 35233, 205-934-4011
• Dr. Tina E. Wood, UAB Hospital Kirklin Clinic, 2000 6th Avenue, Birmingham, Alabama, 35223, 205-934-9591
• Dr. Francisco Robert-Vizcarrondo, UAB Hospital Kirklin Clinic, 2000 6th Avenue South Birmingham, Alabama, 35233, 205-934-9999
• Dr. Douglas J. Minnich, UAB Hospital Kirklin Clinic, 2000 6th Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama 35249, 205-934-9999

What Are the Different Types of Mesothelioma, and Which Is the Most Common?

Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer that primarily affects the lining of certain organs. There are four main types of mesothelioma, each associated with a different area of the body:

1. Pleural Mesothelioma: This is the most common form, impacting the lining of the lungs (pleura). It accounts for the majority of mesothelioma cases due to its prevalence from asbestos exposure.
2. Peritoneal Mesothelioma: This type affects the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum) and is the second most common form of the disease.
3. Pericardial Mesothelioma: Occurring in the lining around the heart (pericardium), this type is considerably rare.
4. Testicular Mesothelioma: The rarest form, it affects the lining of the testes (tunica vaginalis).

The Prevalence of Pleural Mesothelioma

Among these types, pleural mesothelioma stands out as the most prevalent. This is primarily due to the high incidence of asbestos exposure, which is a significant risk factor for this cancer. Asbestos fibers, when inhaled, can lodge in the lung lining, leading to cancerous changes over time. Understanding the various types and the nature of exposure risk is vital for prevention and early detection.

Getting Legal Help in Birmingham

If you or a loved one are suffering from mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, keep in mind that you may be eligible for a substantial amount of compensation. Don’t forget to fill out our form to get our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area. For additional assistance, contact us toll-free at 800-793-4540.