Though the harmful effects of asbestos were originally discovered in the 1930s, U.S. legislation did not limit exposure to the product until the 1970s. In the meantime, of course, a tremendous number of people developed mesothelioma (or other asbestos-related diseases) and died. Since then, unfortunately, even with federal laws in place and a huge trust fund having been created to assist mesothelioma patients and their families, a large number of individuals continue to be diagnosed with this terrible disease. According to the American Thoracic Society, malignant mesothelioma is fatal with a median survival time of less than 12 months from the first signs of illness.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma in or around Nashville, Tennessee, in addition to seeking the best medical treatments available, you should contact the excellent personal injury law firm of Cummings Law. Brian Cummings, the lead attorney of our practice, well-schooled in all aspects of mesothelioma as well as in state and federal personal injury law, and is talented in both negotiation and litigation. He is also a caring person and a great communicator. When you become a Cummings Law client, you will receive clarification of your options and aggressive legal and moral support.
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer named for its physiological location — the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of our internal organs (the mesothelium). Although treatments are available for mesothelioma, the disease is aggressive and deadly. Depending upon where on the body it occurs, the illness is designated as pleural or peritoneal mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma, which occurs in the tissue surrounding the lungs, causes some or all of the following symptoms:
- Chest pain
- Painful coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Unusual lumps of tissue under the chest skin
- Unexplained weight loss
Peritoneal mesothelioma, which occurs around abdominal tissue may cause:
- Abdominal pain and swelling
- Nausea
- Unexplained weight loss
No one can argue that mesothelioma is an awful disease. Cummings Law subscribes firmly to the principle that anyone who has contributed to cause you to develop mesotheloma by negligence, recklessness, or greed should be held fully accountable.
Heightened Danger of Mesothelioma in Tennessee
Unfortunately, if you have lived in Tennessee for a long time, there is a high likelihood that you have been exposed to asbestos in your home or workplace. You may have been exposed to asbestos in a number of industries for which Tennessee is well-known, including:
- Paper and pulp (lumberjacks, pulpers, mill workers)
- Power plants (operators of hydroelectric, coal and gas and nuclear power plants, also those working with combustion and wind turbines)
- Automobile production
- Military installations, especially where radioactive materials are in use
- Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) sites and plants
A particularly well-documented source of asbestos contamination was the Wrigley Charcoal Plant in Wrigley, TN, which spread significant amounts of asbestos when it was partially destroyed by fire in 2013.
Tennessee cities that rank high on the asbestos exposure list include Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, Clarksville, and Nashville. If you have lived in a city with high levels of exposure and/or worked in one of the industries noted, you should be alert to early symptoms of mesothelioma so you can have the earliest possible medical intervention.
Sadly, Tennessee ranks high among all 50 states in deaths from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related deaths. Those of us who work or reside in older structures, including homes, schools, libraries, military facilities and public buildings of all sorts, may still be exposed to asbestos fibers day after day.
Exacerbating Factors
As most of us are aware, natural disasters, like the tornadoes and floods Tennessee is prone to, make contamination situations worse. During periods of turbulent, destructive weather, asbestos is disseminated into our soil, groundwater, and air. Cleanups, though they need to be performed as quickly as possible, also have to be thorough and carefully completed to keep everyone, including cleanup personnel, as safe as possible.
Statute of Limitations on Asbestos Lawsuits
If you believe you have a viable mesothelioma case, you should contact Cummings Law as soon as possible since the statute of limitations for seeking justice for your claim is only one year. Moreover, if you are pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit for a member of your family, there is only a one-year window (from the time of death) to file for that as well.
Cummings Law Will Work Hard to Get You the Compensation You Deserve
Mesothelioma fits into the category of personal injury because it involves harm caused by another party, in this case typically a business or government agency. If you or someone close to you develop the disease, remember that a $30 billion trust fund has been created to assist people like you who, through no fault of their own, are suffering — physically, emotionally, and financially. Brian Cummings will fight vigorously to tap into that trust fund by filing a claim to help you and your family receive well-deserved compensation for:
- Lost income (present and future)
- Physical pain
- Emotional suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Medical/ nursing/hospice costs
- Housework assistance
- Funeral costs (in cases of wrongful death)
Contact Our Nashville Mesothelioma Lawyer
Cummings Law has an outstanding track record of successful outcomes in personal injury cases. You can depend on us to give all of our energy to keeping you and your family comfortable while you concentrate on resting, recuperating, and spending time with those you love most. If you have lost a loved one to mesothelioma, we will pursue maximum compensation for you and your family so that you can grieve and recover from your awful ordeal without also experiencing financial stress. Contact us by phone or through our website. We are genuinely eager to help.
