Portland, Maine Mesothelioma Lawyer

A Portland mesothelioma lawyer can help you recover damages if you have an asbestos-related illness. The economy in Portland, Maine, includes a long history of port activities and shipbuilding. Both of these are connected to asbestos exposure in workers.

If you or someone you love suffers from mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may qualify for substantial compensation. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on experienced mesothelioma attorneys in Portland, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more.

Portland Asbestos Facts

• Maine has the highest rates of new mesothelioma diagnoses and deaths from asbestos illnesses among all states.
• Portland’s long history of shipping and shipyards, asbestos exposure has been a risk for many residents.
• Between 1999 and 2017, over 2,400 people in Maine died from asbestos-related illnesses.
• Nearly 400 of those deaths were in Cumberland County and Portland.

When Do I Need a Portland, Maine, Mesothelioma Lawyer?

Contact a lawyer as soon as possible after receiving a diagnosis of an asbestos illness like mesothelioma. You could be eligible to make a claim or file a lawsuit for compensation to cover medical and other expenses.

Top Portland, ME, mesothelioma lawyers are available now to help you take the next steps. Don’t wait to contact them. Time is limited to make a claim or file a lawsuit. Reputable lawyers will not charge you for an initial consultation to discuss your case.

Understanding the Statute of Limitations for Mesothelioma Lawsuits in Maine

In Maine, the statute of limitations determines the timeframe within which you can file a mesothelioma lawsuit. This period ranges from 2 to 6 years and is influenced by specific circumstances. If you are the individual diagnosed with mesothelioma, the clock typically starts ticking from the date of diagnosis.

For family members of a deceased victim, the allowable time to file can also be determined by the date of the individual’s passing. It’s important to act within these limits because once the deadline expires, the opportunity to seek financial compensation is permanently lost.

Considering the nuances involved, consulting with experienced legal professionals is advisable to navigate this complex process effectively.

Mesothelioma Settlements in Maine: Past Examples

If you’re curious about mesothelioma settlement figures in Maine, here are some noteworthy examples from past cases:

• A laborer in Machias received $3.51 million.
• $2.77 million was awarded to a U.S. Navy veteran who also worked as a heavy equipment operator in York.
• A union sheet metal worker in Wiscasset secured $2.42 million.
• A small engine mechanic in Blaine was granted $2.13 million.
• Another U.S. Navy veteran in Portland obtained $2.12 million.

These settlements were influenced by various factors unique to each case. Remember, compensation is never a sure thing, as outcomes hinge on the individual details and complexities involved.

How to Choose a Portland Mesothelioma Lawyer

Mesothelioma and asbestos cases are complicated. They require a lot of evidence and often involve multiple defendants. Don’t settle for a lawyer without expertise and experience handling these types of cases.

When choosing a lawyer in Portland, Maine, to help you make a mesothelioma or asbestos claim, consider the following:

• They should offer a free initial consultation.
• A local lawyer is important, but they should be part of a larger law firm that operates nationwide.
• A firm should have enough resources, investigators, and medical experts to build a case and see it to a successful conclusion.
• The right lawyer should have proven experience winning cases for similar clients.
• You should not have to pay any fees until they win and you receive a settlement or other form of compensation.

Proven Track Record and Experience

Look for firms with a strong history of success. Ideally, they should have recovered substantial compensation for their clients. A high percentage of resolved cases resulting in compensation is a significant indicator of their capability.

Specialized and Comprehensive Legal Team

Choose a firm that offers a dedicated team of professionals. This should include experienced attorneys, medical experts, and investigators who work collaboratively to ensure the best possible outcome for your case.

Client Convenience and Accessibility

Consider whether the firm can accommodate your needs by meeting you at a convenient location, whether in person or through virtual consultations. This flexibility can make a significant difference in how comfortably you can engage with your legal team.

No Financial Burden

Ensure that the law firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t face upfront costs or hourly fees. This arrangement allows you to pursue justice without financial stress, as the firm only gets paid if you win your case.

By focusing on these key factors, you can select a mesothelioma law firm in Maine that aligns with your needs and increases the likelihood of a successful claim.

Can Family Members File a Lawsuit After a Loved One’s Death from Mesothelioma?

Absolutely, family members have the legal right to file a wrongful death lawsuit if a loved one passes away due to mesothelioma. This path allows families to seek justice and financial reparation from those responsible.

Eligible family members often include:

• Spouses who shared their lives and financial responsibilities with the deceased.
• Children who depended on their parent for support and guidance.
• Parents who have lost a child to this tragic illness.
• Estate representatives who manage the legal affairs tied to the deceased’s estate.

Filing such a lawsuit can lead to compensation, which may alleviate the financial burden by covering:

• Unpaid medical expenses incurred during treatment.
• Costs associated with the funeral and burial.
• Lost income that the family relies on.
• Additional expenses arising from the loss.

By seeking legal recourse, families not only aim to ease their financial strain but also hold those accountable for the suffering caused.

Navigating Mesothelioma Settlements: What You Need to Know

When facing a mesothelioma diagnosis, understanding the settlement process is crucial. An experienced asbestos attorney can play a pivotal role in negotiating a settlement with the manufacturers responsible for asbestos exposure. Here’s how these negotiations typically unfold and what to expect if they don’t lead to a settlement.

Settlement Negotiations

1. Gathering Evidence: The process begins with compiling comprehensive medical and occupational histories, supporting the link between asbestos exposure and your diagnosis.
2. Negotiation Process: Attorneys leverage this evidence to engage with the responsible companies, often aiming for a settlement to avoid a lengthy court process.
3. Resolution Timeline: Many cases are resolved within a few months, but timelines can vary based on the complexity of the case and the willingness of the manufacturers to settle.

What If a Settlement Isn’t Reached?

• Proceeding to Trial: If negotiations stall, the case may proceed to trial. Here, a judge and jury will deliberate based on the presented evidence.
• Courtroom Decision: The decision on compensation is then made by the jury, potentially leading to a larger award than a pre-trial settlement might have offered.
• Long-Term Compensation: Whether resolved by settlement or verdict, injured parties often receive compensation in stages over time.

Understanding these steps can empower individuals and families with the knowledge needed to seek justice and compensation effectively. With the right legal support, navigating these challenges can lead to the best possible outcome for affected individuals.

How a Law Firm Gathers Evidence for a Mesothelioma Case

Building a strong mesothelioma case involves meticulous evidence collection over a span of years, especially considering that exposure to asbestos could have occurred decades before symptoms manifest. Here’s how a law firm typically approaches this complex task:

1. Historical Research and Database Compilation
   Law firms often maintain extensive databases detailing known locations of asbestos exposure, lists of asbestos-containing products, and historical data on companies involved in the manufacture and distribution of such materials. By continuously updating these records, they can quickly identify potential sources of asbestos exposure relevant to each new client.
2. Investigations and Site Visits
   To build a compelling case, investigators may visit old job sites or residences where exposure might have occurred. They gather additional information and corroborate existing evidence by interviewing former coworkers, supervisors, or other knowledgeable individuals.
3. Document Retrieval
   Firms often sift through decades-old documents such as invoices, purchase orders, and internal company memos. This archival research can uncover evidence that links particular companies to the use or distribution of asbestos-containing products.
4. Expert Testimony
   Engaging experts who specialize in occupational and environmental health can be pivotal. These professionals provide insights into how and why asbestos was present in specific environments, strengthening the legal argument with scientific backing.
5. Leverage Past Cases
   With extensive experience in mesothelioma litigation, firms leverage precedents from past cases. This includes utilizing previously gathered depositions, testimonies, and outcomes to streamline evidence collection and build more persuasive arguments for current clients.

By utilizing these comprehensive strategies, law firms excel in collecting and assembling the evidence necessary to hold responsible parties accountable for asbestos exposure, ultimately striving to secure justice and compensation for affected individuals.

Understanding VA Claims for Mesothelioma

What Are VA Claims for Mesothelioma?

Veterans who have developed mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure during their military service can file for VA benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. These claims are pivotal in securing vital support and resources.

Mesothelioma is recognized by the VA with a 100% disability rating. This high rating signifies the condition’s severe impact on health and quality of life. As a result, eligible veterans may receive substantial compensation, often exceeding $3,800 per month, along with access to comprehensive health care at no cost.

Who Is Eligible for These Benefits?

To qualify, you must demonstrate a connection between your military service and asbestos exposure that led to mesothelioma. This includes:

• Veterans: Those who served in environments with potential asbestos exposure, such as shipyards or construction sites, are particularly at risk.
• Dependents and Survivors: Surviving spouses or dependents of veterans who succumbed to mesothelioma might also be eligible for certain benefits.

Assistance from VA-accredited representatives can smooth the claims process. They provide valuable guidance, ensuring that all necessary documentation is properly submitted, even in cases where previous claims were denied.

For veterans considering additional legal action, it’s important to note that pursuing a mesothelioma lawsuit does not interfere with VA claims. Both avenues can be explored concurrently to maximize support and compensation.

How Was I Exposed to Asbestos in Portland?

Asbestos exposure mainly occurs in the workplace. Maine has a high rate of mesothelioma and asbestos deaths for several reasons. One is that Maine’s economy has long relied on several industries that used asbestos heavily in the past:

• Ports and shipping
• Shipbuilding
• Ship repair
• Lumber
• Paper manufacturing

Additionally, the construction industry everywhere used asbestos in many materials. Maine has a lot of older buildings that still contain asbestos and that continue to put people at risk of exposure.

Shipyards and Asbestos in Portland

Maine has been a center for shipbuilding for hundreds of years. Pines and other trees that grew in its forests were used by the British Navy to build its warships during colonial times. Portland’s position on the coast made it ideal for ports and shipyards.

Asbestos became prized for shipbuilding because of its ability to protect from fire and heat without adding a lot of extra weight.

Asbestos was an integral part of shipbuilding, especially throughout most of the 20th Century. Every modern vessel, civilian or military, built from the early 1900s to the 1970s, contained asbestos in almost every component.

Steam pipes, gaskets, wall insulation, and even firefighting suits contained the fibrous minerals because a fire at sea was a major concern for ships’ owners, captains, and crews.

Asbestos use soared during World War II when the U.S. built thousands of warships and cargo vessels to conduct a two-ocean war. In South Portland, 30,000 men and women built 266 cargo ships for the U.S. and Britain between 1941 and 1945.

Todd-Bath Iron and South Portland Shipbuilding owned and operated the two main shipyards. These two companies, which later merged into the New England Shipbuilding Company, closed after the war ended.

The asbestos industry suppressed information about the material’s risks and dangers for years. Many unsuspecting shipyard workers inhaled or swallowed asbestos fibers while they worked. They were all put at risk of developing diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Other Portland Job Sites Affected by Asbestos

Shipbuilding wasn’t the only industry that used asbestos. Every major industry that relied on fire produced a lot of heat and needed sturdy insulation.

For decades paper mills, power stations, chemical plants, oil storage tanks, pipelines, public buildings, rail yards, airports, and dockyards used asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in their construction and operation.

Although asbestos use is now significantly reduced and abatement programs help keep new exposures down, there are many job sites in the Portland area where workers may have been exposed in the past: 

• New England Shipbuilding Company (Todd Iron) East Yard
• New England Shipbuilding Company (South Portland) West Yard
• Wyman Power Station in Yarmouth
• Cape Station Power Generator in South Portland
• Boston & Maine (B&M) Railroad Yard in Portland
• Portland Transportation Center
• Randall and McAllister Coal Company
• Maine Central Railroad Yard in South Portland

Understanding the Symptoms of Mesothelioma and Its Diagnostic Challenges

Diagnosing mesothelioma presents unique challenges due to the nature of its symptoms. This rare form of cancer primarily affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart, and its symptoms can closely mirror those of more common conditions.

Common Symptoms:

• Respiratory Issues: Shortness of breath and persistent cough.
• Chest or Abdominal Pain: Often in the affected area.
• Unexplained Weight Loss: Significant drop in weight without a clear reason.
• Fatigue: Constant tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest.
• Fever and Sweating: Particularly night sweats.

Diagnostic Challenges:

1. Delayed Symptom Onset: Symptoms might take decades—anywhere from 20 to 50 years—to appear after initial asbestos exposure, making it hard to link symptoms to the true cause.
2. Symptom Overlap with Other Ailments: Many symptoms mimic those of more common illnesses like pneumonia or lung cancer, often leading to misdiagnosis in the early stages.
3. Non-specific Symptoms: General symptoms such as fatigue or weight loss do not immediately suggest mesothelioma to healthcare professionals, delaying further investigation.

Given these factors, individuals experiencing persistent or unusual symptoms, especially with a history of asbestos exposure, should prompt their healthcare provider to consider mesothelioma as a potential diagnosis for timely intervention.

Mesothelioma Treatment in Portland

The MaineHealth Medical Center in Portland is home to the Maine Medical Cancer Institute, the largest cancer treatment facility in the state. Its doctors, surgeons, and oncologists provide cancer treatments of all types that meet national guidelines.

The Cancer Institute is also an accredited teaching cancer hospital vetted by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.

It is crucial to receive care for mesothelioma from specialists. This is a deadly and rare type of cancer that not all physicians or oncologists can treat.

When my husband was diagnosed we had no idea what to do. Our doctor said we should reach out to an attorney to talk about compensation. After talking to several firms we found the mesothelioma lawyer center and were grateful we did. They helped with every step of the way. If you need a meso attorney then I would recommend contacting them

– Isabelle D.

Legal Assistance in Portland

As previously mentioned, if you’ve been exposed to asbestos and suffer from mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be entitled to compensatory damages. Remember to fill out our form to get your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers in your area. For questions and assistance, feel free to contact us at 800-793-4540.