Widow of mesothelioma victim pleads for support, information

A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating for victims of the deadly disease and their families. Current medical resources cannot always identify the cancer early enough for treatment to be effective, so often times, mesothelioma patients pass away shortly after learning that they are ill. Many victims and their families may therefore shy away from taking legal action against the company responsible for conditions that caused the disease. However, a delay in holding companies accountable for their reckless actions may prove to be a costly mistake in the end.

For decades, companies have failed to properly protect workers and residents from asbestos, which is a known toxic fiber. The negligence meant that people often came into frequent and direct contact with airborne asbestos. When this happens, a person can develop mesothelioma. Between the medical bills and loss of wages associated with this type of disease, victims and their families can experience significant financial loss. For this reason, many people with mesothelioma choose to pursue financial compensation from the responsible party.

The longer that people wait, however, the more difficult it can be to track down information related to the cause of a person’s illness. For example, a woman recently suffered the devastating loss of her husband 18 months after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. She is now trying to fit together the pieces of how he was exposed and where without him. She recently reached out to the media in the hopes that others who worked with her husband will come forward with some answers.

Coping with mesothelioma can be extremely difficult. However, victims and their families do not need to go through the process alone. While it can be life-changing and very stressful to deal with the diagnosis, taking quick action to seek legal support may prove to be very beneficial in tracking down the source of exposure and pursing compensation.

Source: Croydon Guardian, “Widow Valerie Grover needs help tracking asbestos death information,” Oct. 24, 2012

• Dealing with the unexpected asbestos-related death of a loved one can feel impossible and overwhelming. While money cannot bring a person back, those who are left behind may be eligible to pursue civil damages from the negligent party. For more information, please visit our page on wrongful death.