Las Vegas Mesothelioma Lawyer

The word mesothelioma feels so far away until your doctor says it to you. And even still, the implications of this terrible disease on your life may not feel real in the days and weeks following your diagnosis.

It seems impossible that an unsafe work environment of 40 years ago could be the cause of the cancer you’re facing today. But that is the tragic reality for thousands of people—roughly 3,000 individuals are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society.

While “I’m sorry” or “I’m thinking of you” may be the response of most friends who learn of your diagnosis, we at the Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp are here to offer more than words.

We are highly trained advocates who devote our careers to standing up for people just like you.

We are currently accepting new clients in Clark County and throughout Nevada. Please contact a Las Vegas mesothelioma lawyer from the Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp for a no-cost meeting to discuss options for moving forward with your case.

How To File a Mesothelioma Claim in Las Vegas

Mesothelioma patients in Las Vegas, Nevada may be able to recover compensation and hold at-fault parties accountable through a legal claim or lawsuit. This is the recovery process state and federal laws provide to those injured through the negligence of others. In mesothelioma cases, diagnosed patients may also be entitled to government benefits or financial aid secured through an asbestos trust fund.

The mesothelioma attorneys at our law firm represent clients with asbestos cases in finding the best ways to afford medical expenses, secure their financial futures, help their families, and obtain justice, whether this is through:

  • A mesothelioma claim filed with an insurance company
  • A mesothelioma lawsuit taken before a judge
  • An application for Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits
  • Tapping into an existent or bankrupt company’s asbestos trust fund set aside for those diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses

The Role of a Mesothelioma Lawyer

The role of mesothelioma lawyers is to guide clients through the complex process of securing benefits, answering questions, offering support in all matters, and ensuring a fair case outcome.

Most mesothelioma victims have enough to deal with. No one who was diagnosed with a serious illness should be expected to negotiate with insurance companies, hunt down decades-old evidence, analyze complex federal laws, or attend court hearings. That’s the job of your Las Vegas mesothelioma attorney.

As your advocates, we will represent you and your family in:

  • Investigating the case to determine liability
  • Securing ample evidence against liable parties
  • Calculating and negotiating a full and fair settlement
  • Filing all paperwork and documentation within the legal deadlines
  • Representing you in court if needed
  • Offering dedicated emotional support at every step of the process

We base our attorney-client relationship on respect, understanding, and compassion. Learn how we can help by scheduling a 100% free consultation.

We at the Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp demonstrate our commitment to victims’ rights by providing free legal advice and taking most cases on a contingency fee basis—so you pay nothing unless we win your case for you.

What You Need To Know About Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma

The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos refers to a category of naturally-occurring minerals that were used heavily for many years in building, construction, manufacturing, automotive, airplane, naval, and other industries.

Although it was once praised for its strength and heat-resistant properties, we now know asbestos to be a substance that is highly toxic to the human body. Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma and a number of other asbestos-related diseases.

At the height of asbestos use, there was little protection against or education about the dangers of the mineral, even as companies became aware of the risks their workers were facing on the job.

Many people who were exposed to asbestos did not know how to prevent exposure—or even that they were being exposed to a cancer-causing substance. And because fibers can easily attach to clothing, many workers employed in manufacturing, construction, or mining roles also unknowingly carried it home and exposed family members.

Asbestos in Nevada

Our location in the greater Mojave Desert positions Las Vegas squarely in the heart of natural asbestos production. A 2018 report titled Naturally-Occurring Asbestos in Southern Nevada showed that Southern Nevada houses over one million acres of natural asbestos. That equates to more than 20% of the surface area of Clark County.

Combine that fact with Las Vegas’ history—an explosion of manufacturing and construction following the 1931 legalization of gambling in Nevada. At the time most hotels and casinos in Las Vegas were built, asbestos use was rampant. And with the construction of the Hoover Dam, Las Vegas Army Airfield (now Nellis Air Force Base), and multiple power plants just a short drive outside Las Vegas, there was much mid-century human activity in our southern corner of Nevada.

These conditions put thousands of unsuspecting workers, civilians, and military personnel alike in contact with a very dangerous material.

Although federal asbestos laws now ban most uses in the United States, in recent years, we still suffer about 55 asbestos-related deaths every year in Clark County.

Who Is Liable for Asbestos-Related Illnesses?

The Nevada personal injury legal system allows those diagnosed with mesothelioma in Clark County and throughout the state to hold parties responsible for asbestos exposure liable for resulting illnesses.

Determining liability can be challenging in mesothelioma lawsuits. There are often multiple liable parties, including entities that failed to prevent exposure, failed to contain asbestos fibers, knowingly subjected workers to hazardous conditions, or negligently produced asbestos-containing products and materials.

The specific details of your individual case will largely determine the parties against which you are entitled to take legal action for your or a loved one’s mesothelioma diagnosis and resulting damages.

The Las Vegas asbestos exposure attorneys from the Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp have strong investigative abilities and resources to aid clients in filing comprehensive claims that identify all at-fault parties.

After a free consultation with a member of our legal team, we’ll help you determine which of the following entities (or another party) and their insurance company you should hold accountable for the asbestos exposure that led to your mesothelioma diagnosis.

Employers

Employers may hold liability if they:

  • Failed to provide personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Did not notify of the presence of asbestos fibers
  • Neglected to educate on safety measures
  • Did not contain or mark off asbestos sites
  • Violated asbestos safety standards
  • Were otherwise negligent in protecting employees from asbestos exposure

Manufacturing and Construction Companies

The use of asbestos in industrial workplaces is now tightly controlled by federal government regulations. However, most of these restrictions are a product of the last few decades. Prior to enacted legislation, asbestos was much more widely used in the industrial sector. Even today, there are companies that use asbestos for certain purposes, and these companies can be held accountable for any failure to comply with mandatory safety standards.

Whether a company broke a law, hid information from the public, or failed to disclose the presence of carcinogens in products, our mesothelioma lawyers hold negligent corporations liable for causing asbestos-related diseases.

Mining Companies

Careless practices by a mining company can cause asbestos to be disturbed and enter the air, leading to its ingestion by workers and others in the surrounding area.

Due to the prevalence of natural asbestos and asbestos-like material sites in the areas surrounding Las Vegas, NV, multiple studies have been performed on rates of mesothelioma development in the region. This has led many researchers to believe that southern Nevada has higher rates of non-occupational mesothelioma cancer diagnoses than other areas of the country.

Property Owners

We live in a nation in which a large percentage of our schools, offices, homes, and other buildings still contain significant quantities of asbestos. A property owner who does not take measures to protect tenants, customers, students, employees, and others from asbestos exposure can be named as a defendant in a mesothelioma lawsuit.

How Many Types of Mesothelioma Are There?

If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma, you will have received a diagnosis based on where the mesothelioma cells were found in the body. This form of cancer is always found in the lining of an organ. Mesothelioma can be:

  • Pleural (lungs)
  • Peritoneal (abdomen)
  • Pericardial (heart)
  • Testicular (testes)

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form, followed by peritoneal. Testicular mesothelioma accounts for the smallest percentage of cases and is a highly rare form of this cancer.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Because most diagnosed mesothelioma cases are pleural, it is most common for patients to experience lung-related symptoms that may include:

  • Coughing (with or without blood)
  • Labored breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath

These symptoms will usually present along with general mesothelioma symptoms like:

  • Weakness
  • Weight loss
  • Excessive sweating
  • Fever
  • Blood clots
  • Jaundice

And patients suffering from peritoneal mesothelioma will exhibit symptoms indicative of the disease’s presence in the abdomen, such as:

  • Abdominal or belly pain
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Digestive issues
  • Swelling in the abdomen

Recover Compensation After Being Diagnosed With Mesothelioma

If you were exposed to asbestos and developed mesothelioma in Nevada, a Las Vegas mesothelioma attorney can help you recover financial compensation to address both financial and non-financial losses. In a personal injury lawsuit, these are referred to as economic and noneconomic damages.

Mesothelioma lawsuits and claims may be able to help victims recover compensation for:

  • Lost wages and earning potential if unable to continue your employment
  • Medical expenses related to care and treatment of the disease
  • Transportation costs to visit mesothelioma specialists
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Emotional anguish
  • Caregiving and domestic service costs
  • Other costs incurred due to your disease

Wrongful death lawsuits can also help surviving family members of those lost to mesothelioma continue a life without financial insecurity. If your loved one lost their life to an asbestos-related disease, you may be able to recover damages for:

  • Medical bills acquired prior to death
  • Compensation for end-of-life services, funeral, cremation, or burial
  • Lost financial support and benefits
  • Loss of consortium, guidance, care, and companionship

How Long Do I Have To File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Nevada?

Mesothelioma is a unique disease in that it can affect victims decades after asbestos exposure. Asbestos-related illnesses can take 10–50 years after initial contact to manifest symptoms.

This distinctive fact of mesothelioma cases can make it difficult to know exactly how long you have to file a lawsuit in Nevada. State civil statutes generally set the statute of limitations (the time frame for legal action) at two years for personal injury or wrongful death claims, although some cases may be subject to a one-year or three-year statute of limitations or another legal deadline. The involvement of a government entity can also abbreviate the timeline.

Because there are so many complicating factors in a personal injury claim involving mesothelioma, we strongly advise that you meet with a Las Vegas mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case.

Asbestos litigation is an intricate legal matter. The sooner you can begin your mesothelioma lawsuit or wrongful death claim, the more time your asbestos attorneys will have to help you build a strong claim. Missing an important statute of limitations will prevent you from recovering the compensation you need to afford medical care and protect your family’s financial future.

Team Up With a Las Vegas Mesothelioma Lawyer Who Puts You First

Those who live in the Las Vegas area and were diagnosed with an asbestos-related cancer are invited to schedule a free consultation with a mesothelioma attorney from the Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp.

Our lawyers can help explain your legal rights, the litigation process, and how much you deserve to receive in a settlement claim. Our legal practice was founded on the principles of doing what’s right and standing up for those who were taken advantage of by a corporate system fueled by greed and irresponsibility.

The mesothelioma lawyers on our team have a deep understanding of asbestos laws and the rights afforded to illness victims by our legal system. Contact our law firm today to set up your no-obligation case consultation with a skilled and passionate advocate.