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Smokers can still file asbestos lung cancer claims. Here’s how.
If you have lung cancer and were exposed to asbestos, it’s important to know the truth about your situation. Many people are led to believe that if they smoked, they don’t deserve financial compensation for their illness. This simply isn’t true. Smoking may have been part of your story, but asbestos exposure likely played a big role in your lung cancer, especially if you’re over 65 and spent years working in construction or manufacturing, or served in the military.
Don’t be tricked into thinking that smoking alone is to blame when companies that used asbestos are also responsible. You deserve to know your options and seek the financial compensation entitled to.
Even if you smoked, you still have the right to seek financial compensation for the damage caused by asbestos. Contact Ferrell Law Group for a free case consultation. We can help you explore your legal options for lung cancer compensation and toxic exposure at work. We will fight for the money you deserve while you focus on your health and the people and things that matter to you most.
Here’s a closer look at why it is possible to have lung cancer, be a smoker, and get money for asbestos exposure.
Understanding asbestos and lung cancer
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in construction and industrial products due to its fire-resistant properties. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can cause serious lung conditions, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. The disease often develops years after exposure, making it crucial to recognize its origins, even decades later.
Many asbestos lung cancer claimants are smokers. Back when asbestos use was widespread, more than half of Americans smoked. It’s very common for victims with winning asbestos lung cancer claims to have smoked at some point in their lives. Tobacco and asbestos together greatly increase the risk of lung cancer. Here’s why:
- Asbestos fibers make the cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke more harmful, helping to start and grow tumors.
- Smoking increases the binding of asbestos fibers to the lungs, which can damage cells and encourage tumor growth.
- Continuous exposure to both asbestos and tobacco smoke traps toxic fibers in the lungs, leading to chronic inflammation and a higher risk of cancer
Even if you were a heavy smoker, asbestos exposure still contributes to your lung cancer and you deserve compensation for it. Anyone exposed to asbestos has the right to seek compensation, regardless of their smoking history.
How smoking and asbestos exposure interact
While smoking is a major risk factor for lung cancer, asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of developing this disease. Studies have shown that asbestos exposure can make smokers more susceptible to lung cancer compared to non-smokers. The combination of these factors doesn’t cancel out the impact of asbestos exposure; rather, it complicates the disease’s causation.
For legal purposes, proving that asbestos exposure was a contributing factor to your lung cancer is crucial. Courts recognize that while smoking is a risk factor, asbestos exposure can independently cause or significantly contribute to lung cancer. Therefore, even if you smoked, you can still file a claim if asbestos played a role in your illness.
3 steps to take for filing an asbestos claim
If you’ve been diagnosed with lung cancer and have a history of asbestos exposure, here are the steps you should follow to pursue an asbestos claim:
- Consult an experienced lawyer. Contact a lawyer who has extensive experience in asbestos claims and lung cancer money recovery. At Ferrell Law Group, our experienced attorneys know how to help you understand your rights and evaluate the strength of your case. They will review your exposure history, medical records, and other relevant evidence to determine if you have a viable claim.
- Document your asbestos exposure. Gather any detailed records of your asbestos exposure. This includes information about your work history, any jobs or industries where you were exposed to asbestos, and specific details about how you were exposed. Documentation can include employment records, descriptions of job duties, and any safety records related to Don’t worry if you can’t find work records. At the Ferrell Law Group, we have 30 years of experience tracking down documents to prove work histories, exposure incidents, and medical milestones, among other types of evidence for strong claims.
- File your claim. Once the necessary documentation has been collected, your lawyer can file your claim. Your attorney will file the necessary claims for your case, which may involve filing with asbestos trust funds or pursuing a lawsuit against the manufacturers who hid the hazards of the asbestos containing products they sold to employers throughout the The goal is to secure compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to your illness.
The lung cancer claim process can be complex, especially when dealing with multiple exposure events at various workplaces. Your lawyer will handle negotiations and legal proceedings on your behalf, ensuring that your case is presented effectively and that your rights are protected. They can also help gather important claim documents – including medical records.
Contact us for a free consultation
An experienced lawyer can help you understand your rights, gather evidence, and fight for fair compensation. If you believe asbestos exposure has contributed to your lung cancer, contact us today for a free consultation. Our team of dedicated professionals will review your case, answer your questions, and guide you through the claims process. There’s no cost for the initial consultation – just information and support as you deal with this challenging situation.
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