The considerable cost of a mesothelioma diagnosis

In our last post, we discussed the fact that many personal injury lawsuits are resolved through a settlement, not a courtroom trial. We also mentioned the fact that before a person agrees to or declines a settlement, several factors should be considered.

One such factor involves deciding whether a settlement offer is enough to cover the significant expenses a person incurs after being diagnosed with a serious illness. To do this, you and your loved ones will want to take many things into account.

The largest expense people typically have is their medical expenses. Serious, aggressive illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer can require frequent, ongoing testing not to mention powerful medication and even surgery. It doesn’t take much before these bills stack up and become enormous.

Other costs you may have had to deal with include changes at your home. For instance, you may have to construct ramps and add handrails to make a home safe for a person who is physically weak or in a wheelchair. Further, you may have had to hire in-home assistance to help an ailing person complete daily activities.

In the event that a person has passed away, you will likely have expenses stemming from the funeral and/or moving; you may also have to deal with loss of the income that may have been provided by your loved one.

These are just a few types of damages that people have to worry about after a diagnosis of an asbestos-related illness. There are many others, including non-economic damages like pain and suffering, as well as legal fees. These should all be added up to see whether a settlement or trial is appropriate, as these expenses could potentially all be recovered through a legal claim.

If you have been diagnosed with a condition like mesothelioma or have a loved one who has passed away from such an illness, you are likely quite aware of the financial toll these serious diseases can take on victims and their families. However, discussing the full extent of the damages that have been suffered with an attorney can help you determine what could be an appropriate amount to seek through litigation or negotiation.