Indianapolis Mesothelioma Attorneys
Asbestos Exposure & Mesothelioma
The dangers of asbestos exposure have been documented since the start of the Twentieth Century. However, throughout the 1900s, asbestos manufacturers continued to produce countless consumer products containing the harmful material—including construction materials, military ships, and even everyday goods like baby powder. Even today, there is no U.S. law banning the use of asbestos.
Asbestos exposure leads to numerous negative health effects and several forms of cancer, including mesothelioma. If you or someone you love was diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to financial compensation. At Hovde Dassow + Deets, we strive to hold asbestos manufacturers and other liable parties accountable for the widespread harm they have caused. Our Indianapolis mesothelioma attorneys are here to represent you and your rights, all while seeking the maximum compensation you are owed.
Contact us online or call our office at (317) 576-3241 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Although it has several causes, mesothelioma is most often the result of asbestos exposure. This is particularly true with pleural mesothelioma, a form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and chest cavity (pleura).
Asbestos is a fibrous material comprised of several naturally occurring minerals. When disturbed, asbestos releases microscopic fibers into the air, which can then be breathed in by those nearby. Once inhaled, these fibers can become lodged in the pleural lining of the lungs, as well as various other areas of the body, such as the abdomen. The body will naturally attempt to dislodge these fibers. This process can lead to various illnesses, including mesothelioma.
What Are the Symptoms of Mesothelioma?
The signs and symptoms of mesothelioma differ somewhat depending on the type of cancer an individual has. For example, pain is likely to concentrate near or around the affected area (abdomen, chest, etc.).
However, some general signs of mesothelioma include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Excessive sweating
Mesothelioma of all types may also cause blood clots, which can be fatal.
Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most common type of mesothelioma. Malignant pleural mesothelioma has no known cure, though treatment can prolong an individual’s life expectancy and help ease some cancer symptoms.
Some of the most common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma include:
- Lower back pain
- Pain in the side of the chest
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty speaking or swallowing
- Swelling of the arms and/or face
Unfortunately, because mesothelioma has such a long latency period—it can take years or even decades after the initial asbestos exposure and/or development of cancerous cells for symptoms to appear—mesothelioma is often not diagnosed until it has progressed to more advanced stages. As a result, the life expectancy of someone diagnosed with mesothelioma is considered relatively short.
Who Is Most at Risk of Developing Mesothelioma?
Anyone exposed to asbestos fibers for a prolonged period of time is at risk of developing mesothelioma. Because asbestos has been historically used in a wide range of consumer products, this puts the general public at risk. However, certain individuals—including many types of workers—have a significantly higher chance of having been exposed to asbestos fibers and, therefore, developing mesothelioma.
According to numerous studies, the following individuals have an increased risk of having been/being exposed to asbestos:
- Industrial workers
- Miners
- Shipyard workers
- Military service members, specifically those in the U.S. Navy
- Construction workers
- Demolition workers
- Millwrights
- Insulators
- HVAC technicians
- Power plant workers
- Oil refinery workers
Additionally, people who smoke and who were exposed to/are exposed to asbestos are more at risk of developing mesothelioma. Other risk factors include exposure to radiation and genetics.
Who Is Liable?
For decades, asbestos’ natural strength and fire-resistant properties made it a go-to material for construction, insulation, and consumer goods up until the 1970s. Despite data proving a link between asbestos exposure and occupational illness, asbestos manufacturers continued to create numerous products containing the harmful material throughout this time, all without warning the public.
At Hovde Dassow + Deets, we believe that asbestos manufacturers and other corporate entities should be held legally accountable for their failure to prioritize consumer safety over profits and personal gain. Our Indianapolis mesothelioma attorneys aggressively pursue litigation against these parties on behalf of affected individuals and families. We have more than a century of combined experience and know how to effectively advocate for the full, fair recovery you deserve.
There are no legal fees unless we secure a settlement or verdict on your behalf. Call (317) 576-3241 today for a free consultation.
Hear From Our Happy Clients
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"Highly recommend Hovde Dassow + Deets law team!!!"
Highly recommend Hovde Dassow + Deets law team. This group of individuals practice law with determination and devotion to their clients. Professional attorneys that provided excellent customer service. Educated and respected with years of experience, choose this firm to represent you. I especially want to thank Frederick Hovde for the compassion and empathy provided to my father throughout his legal process.- Heather MMartinsville, IN -
"Words can not express how exceptional Rick Hovde and Kelly Faulk are in the Field of Medical Malpractice"
Words can not express how exceptional Rick Hovde and Kelly Faulk are in the field of Medical Malpractice. I had a back surgery that left me with a permanent disability. I contacted a personal injury law firm who recommended Rick Hovde of Hovde Dassow + Deets. Thank God for thier recommendation. In my opinion Rick Hovde and his assistant Kelly Faulk are the best in the field of Medical Malpractice. Rick and Kelly helped me every step of the way through a difficult at best process from start to finish. Rick and Kelly helped keep me on track and we not only won the case Rick was able to get the maximum settlement allowed by Indiana State Law. I would highly recommend Rick Hovde to anyone. He gets a five star plus rating from me. Bob D.- Bob DHamlet, IN -
"Highly recommend Mr. Deets & would suggest that you consult with him first!"
I have had 2 fairly significant legal issues in the past few years and Nick Deets has represented me and a family member very professionally and thoroughly. Sometimes as a client we have preconceived feelings about our legal issues but Mr. Deets helped us sort through the emotions versus the legal issues and in the first case, he helped my family member out tremendously from a legal perspective and we had great results from his efforts. Not only did Mr. Deets give us great legal counsel and we had great outcomes, he personally assisted our family members receiving additional assistance in dealing with a very sensitive matter. Mr. Deets is a wonderful communicator but as a good lawyer must, he has to and must be frank with you about your legal case. If you want a great lawyer that is going to help you legally and not waste your time by telling you what you want to hear, then this law firm is the one you should select.
The second case that Mr. Deets assisted me within a personal injury case for me. Because of his reputation and our great relationship, I asked him for assistance with a personal injury case for myself. Mr. Deets is co-counsel on an out-of-state issue and because of his reputation, he referred me to a highly respected and successful attorney out of state. The case has yet to settle but once again Mr. Deets provided a great recommendation to me and he has helped me come to grips with the reality of my case and has been very helpful to me by answering questions I didn’t feel confident about asking my current attorney. Fortunately for me, they both concurred on my potential outcome and I feel my case is going to have a positive outcome for me.
The other thing I like about this firm is that if they cannot help you or feel someone else can represent you in a more favorable manner then they will refer you to another firm. I like and highly recommend Mr. Deets and would suggest that you consult with him before making a final decision on the attorney you want to represent you.- Charles P. -
"Mr. Hovde and his staff were stellar in the way they handled our case!"
Mr. Rick Hovde was recommended to us by our personal attorney and a customer of ours with our family business. Mr. Hovde was also featured as one of the top 3 personal injury attorneys on the front of the Indianapolis Monthly publication. A few years back, I suffered the personal loss of my wife due to what I believe was medical malpractice. Mr. Hovde and his staff were stellar in the way they handled our case! Winning a medical malpractice case is no easy task, but he won ours. In my opinion, he is the best at what he does. I appreciated his attention to detail and was very impressed with his resolve to do the best job possible for a favorable outcome. I would strongly recommend Rick Hovde to anyone needing a great malpractice attorney.- LSC
