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What Is the Value of My Mesothelioma Claim?
Posted on behalf of Peter T. Nicholl in Mesothelioma & Asbestos Published on December 10, 2018 and updated on March 3, 2022.
Mesothelioma not only affects you physically, there are financial and emotional effects as well, from the cost of treatment to the stress and anxiety you experience after learning of your diagnosis. This is why the law allows you to pursue compensation by filing a lawsuit or a claim with an asbestos trust fund.
Below, learn more about the value of a mesothelioma claim, including more details about the types of compensation you can pursue by taking legal action. For assistance with your claim, request a free, no obligation consultation with our legal team today.
Medical Expenses
Mesothelioma requires extensive and ongoing medical treatment. Medical care is costly, but a mesothelioma claim can help you recover the compensation you need to cover your medical care.
Medical expenses associated with mesothelioma treatment can include:
- Hospital stays
- Surgery
- Diagnostic testing, including imaging and lab work
- Specialist visits
- Prescription medications
- Over-the-counter medications
- Travel to and from medical appointments
- Parking costs for medical appointments
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
Mesothelioma can impact your ability to earn a living, requiring time off work for medical treatment and recovery. Your diagnosis may also impact your ability to work in the future because you are disabled. Fortunately, you may be able to recover compensation for lost wages and earning capacity.
When seeking compensation for lost wages, documentation is needed as evidence of your loss. To prove the amount of wages lost, your employer can provide a letter detailing your rate of pay and regular hours, as well as the time you missed from work, including any vacation time or sick days used.
If you are self-employed, tax returns and customer invoices may be used to document the wages lost due to mesothelioma.
Pain and Suffering
Mesothelioma and its treatment can cause tremendous pain and emotional distress. This disease can limit your activities and cause ongoing pain, psychological issues and even shorten your lifespan. A mesothelioma claim can provide compensation for the pain and suffering you experience because of the disease.
Damages for pain and suffering are considered non-economic, making them more difficult to prove versus economic damages with specific prices, such as medical expenses and lost wages.
Your attorney will review several factors when determining the value of compensation for pain and suffering, including:
- Severity of your mesothelioma diagnosis
- Type of medical treatment you are receiving or have undergone in the past
- Length of recovery
- Possible long-term side effects of treatment
- Chronic pain
- Depression and mental health issues
When determining the value of damages for pain and suffering, the following evidence is reviewed:
- Clinical notes from a treating psychologist or psychiatrist
- Statements from family members, friends or other close parties who have observed your limitations
- Personal journal detailing the daily effects and limitations due to mesothelioma
Contact Our Mesothelioma Attorneys for Assistance
The Virginia mesothelioma lawyers of the Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl have years of experience helping mesothelioma patients recover the compensation they deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Request a free, no obligation consultation today. Our attorneys will review your claim and inform you of any legal options that may be available to pursue compensation. We charge no upfront fees and payment is only due if we recover compensation for you.
Call 410-244-7005 or fill out our Free Case Review form now.
