What do I do after being diagnosed with mesothelioma in Illinois?

Your doctor recently gave you some life-changing news. You’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related cancer known as mesothelioma. With more than 3,000 new cases being diagnosed each year, asbestos litigation is considered the largest mass tort in American history.

Numerous Illinois employers have been named in lawsuits throughout the years, including steel mills, oil refineries, power stations, railroads and other sites such as the Great Lakes Naval Base and PepsiCo. As such, Illinois comes in seventh in the U.S. for asbestos-related deaths. The following article details what you or your family can do after being diagnosed with mesothelioma-related injuries.

Mesothelioma: What Is it?

Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that affects the protective tissue covering the lungs and abdomen. Although still considered a rare disease, mesothelioma is linked with long-term exposure to asbestos fibers that are inhaled and become trapped in a person’s lungs. Symptoms can take years to appear, sometimes up to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. As with any personal injury lawsuit, there are several steps you can take once you are diagnosed with mesothelioma to help your case move along more smoothly.

Meet With A Lawyer: Deadline To File

If you have worked or lived around asbestos or asbestos-containing materials in Illinois and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you can file a lawsuit against the asbestos manufacturers and possibly against your employer. 

However, you should act quickly. Known as the statute of limitations, there is a time limit on how long you have to initiate a lawsuit. If you miss the deadline, your asbestos-related lawsuit may not be able to go forward.  In Illinois, the statute of limitations is set at two years from the date when the asbestos-related illness was detected.

Keep Good Notes

Your attorney will want to obtain your complete medical history. Also, consider keeping a detailed journal of your pain and suffering and how your daily activities have been impacted as a result of the disease. Did you have to stop working or reduce your hours? A good summary and timeline of your illness will assist your lawyer in preparing your case. In addition, you should keep accurate financial records concerning income and other forms of revenue you have lost due to mesothelioma. Finally, take photographs of your deteriorated condition, if possible.

Stay In Contact With Your Attorney

Be sure to keep in contact with your attorney throughout the litigation process. While your case may not go to trial, depositions and other discovery-related processes are vitally important to your case. Furthermore, always be open and honest with your attorney so that he or she will be able to provide you with the best possible representation. Finally, consider contacting the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Asbestos Unit for more information.

Call An Illinois Personal Injury Lawyer Now

The time limit on mesothelioma lawsuits in Illinois is short. A person diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease should immediately contact an experienced Illinois personal injury lawyer.