Areas of Practice

Maryland Mesothelioma Lawyer

Being diagnosed with mesothelioma is an overwhelming experience that will change your life forever. Unfortunately, thousands of people suffer from this deadly disease because of asbestos exposure from direct, bystander or secondary contact with the toxic mineral.

The Maryland mesothelioma lawyers at The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl have been involved in mesothelioma litigation for decades. During this time, we have helped countless individuals and families recover the compensation they deserved after being diagnosed with this devastating asbestos cancer. We are committed to helping those who have needlessly suffered from this deadly disease. Contact our trusted lawyers today for a free, no obligation consultation to find out if you have a case and are entitled to compensation. There are laws that restrict the amount of time you have to file a mesothelioma lawsuit. Do not wait to contact our mesothelioma lawyers in Maryland. We do not charge any fees or costs unless we recover compensation for you.

Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now.

Decades of Experience Handling Mesothelioma Cases

As a leading mesothelioma law firm in Maryland, The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl is dedicated to utilizing our vast resources and legal knowledge to help asbestos victims and hold accountable the companies that knowingly exposed workers and others to this deadly disease.

We are passionate Maryland personal injury lawyers with more than 30 years of experience fighting for the rights of the injured. During that time, we have fought against large corporations and their insurance companies to help our clients recover compensation after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Combined, we have recovered billions in compensation as we sought justice for our clients.

Navigating a mesothelioma lawsuit takes experience and knowhow. As active members of the Maryland Association for Justice and the Maryland State Bar Association, we are well-versed in Maryland law and the many regulations regarding the use of asbestos and the handling of mesothelioma lawsuits. We will guide you through every step of the process as we fight to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

Even if you are unsure about where you were exposed to the asbestos that caused your mesothelioma, our attorneys have the resources and connections to thoroughly investigate your claim to determine who is responsible for your illness. We will then work to hold them accountable for the harm they have caused you.

Call 410-244-7005 to learn more about how we can help you.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive and deadly form of cancer that occurs in the thin layer of tissue that covers most of the body’s internal organs, known as mesothelium.

Although mesothelioma most commonly occurs in the lungs, it can also occur in several other areas of the body. According to the American Cancer Society, mesothelioma can start in four main areas:

  • Pleural mesothelioma – This is the most common form of mesothelioma, accounting for about three out of four mesothelioma cases. This form of cancer begins in the chest cavity and lungs.
  • Peritoneal mesothelioma – Making up about 10 to 20 percent of all mesothelioma cases, peritoneal mesothelioma begins in the abdomen and can affect the liver or spleen.
  • Pericardial mesothelioma – A very rare type of mesothelioma, pericardial mesothelioma begins in the membrane covering the heart.
  • Testicular mesothelioma – Even rarer, testicular mesothelioma, also known as tunica vaginalis mesothelioma, begins in the lining of the testicles.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

Symptoms of mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose, as they are often associated with other common illnesses. The most common symptoms of mesothelioma include:

  • Chest pain under the rib cage
  • Painful coughing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Abdominal pain
  • Abdominal swelling
  • Lumps of tissue in the abdomen
  • Back pain
  • Recurrent build-up of fluid in the lungs

Signs of mesothelioma may not appear for 30 to 40 years after asbestos exposure, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Although there are some treatment options for mesothelioma, there is no cure.

Mesothelioma Causes

One of the main causes of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring, fibrous mineral that was once used in a variety of products because of its strength, resistance to heat and ability to insulate.

When asbestos fibers are breathed in, they can cause inflammation and scarring in the lining of the lungs. Similarly, when swallowed, they can damage the abdominal lining. Damage to these linings, or mesothelium, harms the lining’s cells, which can lead to asbestos cancers like mesothelioma.

There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos. Even brief exposure can lead to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, such as lung cancer and asbestosis.

Because of the cancer-causing characteristics of the mineral, asbestos has been classified as a known human carcinogen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Although the dangerous effects of asbestos were formally documented in the 1930s, that information was not common knowledge until the 1970s. As a result, asbestos was widely used across industries in the United States.

The first federal regulation on the use of asbestos was not issued until 1989 when the EPA established a ban on new uses of asbestos. Since then, several additional and further-reaching regulations have been put in place. However, the use of asbestos is not banned in the U.S. Many states, including Maryland, also have statewide laws regarding asbestos use.

Contact us for a free consultation if you have mesothelioma.

Asbestos Exposure in the Workplace

Because asbestos was commonly used in a variety of industries, most individuals with mesothelioma were exposed to the material through their work environment. Depending on the industry and type of job, the individual may have worked directly with the material, may have worked in an area where the material was mined or manufactured, or may have come across products containing it.

According to a 2017 mesothelioma study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the industries that most frequently result in a mesothelioma diagnosis include:

  • Ship and boat building
  • Petroleum refining
  • Mineral manufacturing
  • Work with chemicals
  • Water transportation
  • Electric power plants
  • U.S. Navy
  • Architectural, engineering and related services
  • Construction

The professions of workers who most frequently develop mesothelioma include:

  • Insulation workers
  • Chemical technicians
  • Pipe layers, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters
  • Chemical engineers
  • Sheet metal workers
  • Sailors
  • Marine oilers
  • Iron and steel workers
  • Machinists
  • Shipyard workers
  • Millwrights
  • Stationary engineers and boiler operators
  • Electricians
  • Welding, soldering and brazing workers
  • Construction workers
  • Mechanical engineers
  • Mechanics, installers and repairers

The study also showed that Maryland is among the states with the highest mesothelioma death rate. As a result, several Maryland companies have been sued for asbestos exposure:

  • W.R. Grace & Co.
  • Certainteed Corp.
  • MCIC, Inc.
  • Hampshire Industries, Inc.
  • Lloyd E. Mitchell, Inc.
  • Wallace Insulation, Inc.
  • Wallace & Gale Co.
  • A.H. Forman Co., Inc.
  • Porter-Hayden Co.
  • Armstrong World Industries
  • National Gypsum Company
  • Quigley Company
  • United States Gypsum
  • AC & S Inc.
  • GAF Corporation
  • Keene Corporation
  • Pittsburgh Corning Corporation
  • Porter-Hayden Company

Individuals in these professions may have legal options for obtaining compensation and holding their employer accountable for using such a dangerous product. Contact our Maryland mesothelioma lawyers today to learn more.

Do You Need to Work with Asbestos to be at Risk?

Although working directly with asbestos is a common form of exposure, others are also at risk.

If you work in a building where asbestos-containing materials are handled, poor containment could expose everyone in the building to asbestos fibers, which can get into the air or travel on clothing or other materials.

Many people, including women and children, often develop mesothelioma through secondhand asbestos exposure. Although they may not interact with the material themselves, they are exposed to asbestos fibers that are in the air they breathe or on the clothes of someone who works with the mineral.

Because of this, anyone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma should contact a mesothelioma lawyer in Maryland. You may have legal options for obtaining compensation. Although you may not immediately know where you were exposed to asbestos, our attorneys can conduct a thorough investigation to determine where you were exposed and who should be held liable.

Products Containing Asbestos

Similarly, if you worked with or were exposed to any of the products below, you may have been exposed to asbestos and may have legal options if you developed mesothelioma.

  • Cement
  • Cloth
  • Ceiling tiles
  • Drywall
  • Electrical cable/wire
  • Electrical controls/meters
  • Felt
  • Fireproofing
  • Floor tiles
  • Insulation
  • Pipe insulation/covering
  • Raw fiber
  • Roofing cement/felt/tar/sealant
  • Shingles
  • Siding
  • Welding rods
  • Yarn

Click to contact our Maryland mesothelioma attorneys today.

Your Legal Right to Compensation

Because corporations for decades continued to work with and produce products containing asbestos despite published studies showing the dangerous effects of asbestos exposure, these corporations can be held liable for the damages individuals have suffered as a result.

Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit will not only hold those corporations liable for the harm they caused, but will also help individuals who were exposed to asbestos cover the many costs associated with a mesothelioma diagnosis, such as medical expenses and lost wages.

For this reason, our mesothelioma lawyers in Maryland are committed to helping individuals with mesothelioma and their families seek the justice and compensation they deserve. Contact The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl for a free, no obligation consultation to learn more about your right to compensation.

How to Get Compensation for Mesothelioma

After a thorough investigation of your diagnosis, work history, previous employers and other opportunities for exposure, our attorneys will be able to identify the corporation that is responsible for your asbestos exposure and your mesothelioma diagnosis.

Depending on the source of your asbestos exposure and other details of your claim, it may be possible to seek compensation through a variety of different avenues. Our Maryland mesothelioma lawyers can advise you of the option that is best for you.

Mesothelioma Lawsuit

By filing a mesothelioma lawsuit, you are asking that the company responsible for your asbestos exposure pay for your medical bills, lost wages and other damages you have experienced because of your diagnosis. You may be able to file a lawsuit against a:

  • Product manufacturer
  • Parts manufacturer
  • Wholesaler or distributor of the product
  • Company that hired workers to use asbestos-containing products

Our attorneys will work with you to gather the evidence necessary for building your case and filing your lawsuit. We will also handle all of the details of your case for you, including communicating and negotiating with the company’s insurance company or lawyers.

As experienced negotiators, our attorneys have negotiated many mesothelioma settlements on behalf of our clients. We are committed to helping you get the maximum compensation you are entitled and will not settle for anything less than you deserve.

If we are unable to reach a settlement, our Maryland mesothelioma lawyers will take your case to trial to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Every decision we make regarding your case will be made with your best interests in mind. We will also keep you informed about the progress of your case.

Because mesothelioma lawsuits can be complicated, it is best to work with a reputable Maryland mesothelioma attorney who has experience taking these types of cases to trial.  Our lawyers are well-respected within the legal community and have decades of experience successfully handling these types of lawsuits.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Due to the significant number of individuals who filed mesothelioma lawsuits in the late 1900s, asbestos trust funds were created to ensure corporations set aside enough money to compensate the individuals they exposed to asbestos.

Many companies also filed for bankruptcy protection and reorganization. In the bankruptcy process, companies were required to create mesothelioma trust funds with sufficient funds for those who developed mesothelioma because of asbestos exposure caused by that company.

If the company that caused your asbestos exposure and mesothelioma has an asbestos trust fund, our Maryland mesothelioma lawyers can help you file a claim with the trust. Payment from the trust will help cover the costs associated with your disease.

However, it is up to the trust to approve or deny claims, so it is important to work with a trusted Maryland mesothelioma lawyer who knows how to build a strong claim on your behalf.

In some situations, it may even be possible to file a mesothelioma lawsuit and a trust claim, as it may be the case that more than one company is responsible for your asbestos exposure. Our mesothelioma lawyers in Maryland have the experience to guide you through this complicated process and advise you of your best options for obtaining the compensation you need.

Call 410-244-7005 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation today.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

In every state, there are statutes of limitations that state how long you have to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries. In Maryland, the statute of limitations requires that claims for mesothelioma and asbestos exposure be filed within three years of being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

If you miss this strict deadline, you will lose your opportunity to file a claim and get compensation. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, do not wait to contact our Maryland mesothelioma attorneys today.

Do not wait. Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now.

Types of Mesothelioma Compensation

Depending on the circumstances of your asbestos exposure and mesothelioma diagnosis, it may be possible to get a variety of types of compensation from a mesothelioma claim. This could include payment for:

  • Past and future medical bills – A mesothelioma diagnosis can lead to significant medical bills for doctors’ visits, appointments with specialists, treatment, medications and more. Compensation from a mesothelioma claim can help cover those costs.
  • Lost wages – If your diagnosis has limited your ability to work, it may be possible to obtain compensation for the wages you lost from any periods of time your illness prevented you from working.
  • Loss of earning capacity – Additionally, if you had to take a lower paying job or had to quit working altogether because of your illness, it might be possible to get compensation for your lost earning ability.
  • Emotional damages – Often a mesothelioma diagnosis can bring emotional side effects as well, such as depression. If this is the case, our mesothelioma attorneys in Maryland will work to help you obtain compensation for the emotional suffering you have experienced because of your diagnosis.
  • Pain and suffering – Similarly, it may be possible to get compensation for the physical pain and emotional anguish you have experienced because of your diagnosis.

Additionally, if you have lost a loved one due to mesothelioma, you may be able to seek additional compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.

Every case is different and requires the analysis of a skilled Maryland mesothelioma attorney. Because our attorneys have handled countless mesothelioma cases, we understand the many damages you have experienced because of your diagnosis and are able to accurately determine the compensation you deserve. Time is limited, so do not wait to contact our trusted mesothelioma attorneys in Maryland.

Call 410-244-7005 to find out if you are entitled to compensation.

Contact a Mesothelioma Lawyer in Maryland

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should contact a trusted mesothelioma attorney in Maryland as soon as possible. You have legal rights for obtaining compensation, but you only have a limited amount of time for filing a claim.

The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl has decades of experience representing mesothelioma patients and helping them obtain the justice and compensation they deserve. Our Maryland mesothelioma lawyers are accomplished advocates for those exposed to asbestos and have recovered billions on their behalf.

Contact our firm today to schedule a free, no obligation review of your claim. We will help you fight for the compensation you deserve at no upfront cost to you. Because we work on contingency, we do not charge any fees or costs unless you receive compensation.

Call 410-244-7005 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form.

Contact our personal injury lawyers for a free consultation if you have been injured by another’s negligence. You may be entitled to compensation.

GET WHAT YOU DESERVE

410-244-7005