A mesothelioma diagnosis can be devastating. This rare and highly aggressive cancer will launch you into the battle of a lifetime. While there is no cure, a variety of treatments are available to help slow the disease progression and improve your quality of life.
But these treatments are not cheap, and the last thing anyone should have to worry about when facing a serious diagnosis is how to pay for their medical care. An experienced and compassionate lawyer can help walk you through the process of finding resources and, if appropriate, filing a lawsuit against the relevant parties.
How Much Does It Cost?
Exactly how much you will pay for mesothelioma treatment depends on many factors, from the type of mesothelioma you have to the specific treatments that you and your doctors select. But on average, the costs typically run around $11,000 to $12,000 a month. A total course of treatment could easily be upwards of $500,000, not counting travel expenses and living costs, especially if you choose to work with a specialist.
In addition to the cost of treatment itself, there can be many other expenses associated with mesothelioma treatment. Some of these include:
- Travel expenses, such as gas or airfare, lodging, and meals, for you and your caregiver
- Medications, including pain relievers and anti-nausea drugs, which can be expensive
- Imaging tests, such as CT scans and MRIs, which can cost thousands of dollars
- Biopsies and other diagnostic tests, which can also be expensive
- Surgery, which can involve significant costs for hospital stays, anesthesia, and surgeon fees
- Radiation therapy, which can require multiple sessions over several weeks and may involve specialized equipment
- Chemotherapy, which can be administered intravenously or orally and may require hospitalization or outpatient treatment
- Home health care or hospice care, which can be costly and may require special equipment or supplies
These expenses can quickly add up, and the financial burden can be overwhelming for many mesothelioma patients and their families. It is essential to explore all possible options for financial assistance, including insurance coverage, government programs, and legal remedies such as filing a lawsuit.
How to Pay for Treatment
If you have health insurance, you will be responsible for a fraction of these costs based on the specifics of your insurance policy. There are also a variety of government programs and non-profits designed to further reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. But these programs can be tough to find, and the remaining costs can still be incredibly difficult for many families to manage.
In addition to these options, filing a claim to recover costs associated with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure may be possible. Asbestos is a known cause of mesothelioma, and many victims have successfully sued the companies responsible for exposing them to the substance. A lawsuit can provide financial compensation to help cover treatment costs, lost wages, and other related expenses. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help evaluate your case and determine if a lawsuit is a viable option for you.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me Pay for Mesothelioma Treatment?
A civil lawsuit is designed to make you whole. That is, the lawsuit should restore you financially to where you would have been if the negligent action had not happened. Lawsuits also provide for damages to help offset such intangibles as pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life. Punitive damages may also be awarded to punish companies that behaved particularly egregiously. Mesothelioma lawsuits have been in the news recently because they force manufacturers of dangerous asbestos products to take responsibility for the illnesses those products have caused.
In addition, an experienced mesothelioma lawyer is aware of other programs to help pay for treatment. Your attorney may be able to connect you to a variety of resources to help you stay financially solvent while your lawsuit is working its way through the courts.
Although you can file a lawsuit decades after your asbestos exposure, state statutes of limitations will kick in once you receive a diagnosis. Therefore, it is extremely important to talk to a skilled lawyer as quickly as possible. You will need to provide a written copy of your diagnosis, along with as much information as you have about your asbestos exposure. But don’t worry if you no longer have written employment records. We can typically get them from the relevant company as part of the discovery process.
Guide to Mesothelioma Lawsuits
At Cooney & Conway, we have the experience and compassion to guide you through available resources to pay for your mesothelioma treatment and to file a lawsuit on your behalf if appropriate. Take advantage of our free case evaluation and we'll contact you with your options.