A mesothelioma diagnosis is overwhelming to patients financially. This rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure often leaves patients and their families struggling. This financial burden easily escalates, as treatment typically involves extensive procedures and other experimental therapies that aren’t covered by insurance.
The inability to work adds financial strain, leaving families uncertain about their financial future. Fortunately, filing a Mesothelioma lawsuit brings some hope of financial relief. Like other personal injury claims, it allows victims and their families to receive compensation from those responsible for causing exposure.
The Financial Burden of Undergoing Treatment
The burden of having this condition begins immediately after diagnosis. Diagnosis of this condition can prove challenging as it requires multiple tests, including imaging and biopsies. These initial steps cost thousands of dollars. Diagnosis aside, the primary treatments for this condition are more expensive.
To begin, surgery is the most common treatment option. A single surgery and the associated procedures can easily surpass thousands of dollars, especially if complications arise. Patients should also undergo multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, with each cycle costing up to several hundreds of dollars.
Similarly, patients must incur the cost of traveling to hospitals for treatment and investigative procedures. These expenses can quickly drain their savings and leave them in debt. This financial challenge and the stress of coping with this condition make it crucial for patients to seek financial assistance.
What Expenses Can Be Recovered?
Filing a claim is important for patients and families facing the financial burden of this aggressive condition. Compensation awarded can help patients cover expenses associated with the treatment and provide financial security for their future. Affected patients can recover the following:
- Medical Expenses
This is probably the most significant compensation from these lawsuits. Patients can claim all the expenses related to treating the condition, including tests, surgeries, and much more. Compensation also covers anticipated future medical expenses, which helps patients in need of ongoing care and follow-up treatments.
- Lost Wages
Being sick affects the patient’s health and ability to work. Patients can seek compensation for current lost wages and retirement contributions. In the case where the patient can’t work or faces reduced earning capacity, compensation also accounts for the loss of future earnings.
- Travel and Other Expenses
Most patients need to travel to specialized centers for diagnosis and ongoing treatment. Compensation covers the cost of flights and other modes of transport required to reach these facilities. This also includes accommodation expenses for patients who require extended stays away from home.
- Wrongful Death
Family members can file this claim in the unfortunate situation of death. This allows families to seek compensation for burial costs and loss of companionship.
Beyond the immediate medical costs, mesothelioma lawsuits provide long-term financial security for affected families. Compensation from these claims helps families pay off debts and provides a financial safety net for the patient and their children. Fortunately, the jury mostly awards six or seven-figure amounts, offering significant financial relief.