A diagnosis of asbestos diseases such as mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer can feel overwhelming. Many patients and families are left asking the same question: what happens now?
The reality is that there are clear, practical steps you can take immediately to protect your health, your family, and your legal rights. What you do in the weeks after diagnosis can make a meaningful difference in both your care and your future.
The attorneys at Hissey Mulderig & Friend have decades of combined experience helping patients and families understand their options and take the next step forward. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed after asbestos exposure, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit and receive compensation.
Get help after a mesothelioma or lung cancer diagnosis and find out whether you qualify to take legal action by calling Hissey Mulderig & Friend toll-free at 1-855-500-3734. You can also submit your information using our free asbestos claims submission form on the left side of this page.
Focus on Your Medical Care First
Your health comes first. After a diagnosis, your doctors will work to confirm the type of cancer, determine the stage, and recommend a treatment plan.
Mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer are often treated with:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Immunotherapy
In many cases, treatment also includes palliative care, which focuses on relieving symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue.
To ensure the best possible health outcome, patients should:
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations
- Begin treatment as soon as possible
- Keep all scheduled appointments
Understand Your Diagnosis and Stage
Not all mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer diagnoses are the same. The type and stage of the disease affect treatment options and outcomes.
You should ask your doctor:
- What type of mesothelioma or lung cancer do I have?
- What stage is it?
- Has the cancer spread?
- What does this mean for treatment?
Getting clear answers early helps you and your family make informed decisions about your treatment and plan your next steps.
Consider a Second Opinion
Mesothelioma cancer is a rare and complex disease. Asbestos lung cancer can be different than other forms of the disease. For that reason, many patients choose to get a second opinion from a specialist.
A second opinion can:
- Confirm the diagnosis
- Provide additional treatment options
- Identify access to specialized care or clinical trials
Most doctors who care for asbestos patients will expect that you may want to hear a second opinion and will support your decision.
Find a Specialist With Mesothelioma Experience
Not all oncologists regularly treat mesothelioma. This is important.
You should look for:
- Doctors experienced in asbestos-related cancers
- Cancer centers that treat mesothelioma patients
- Teams that offer coordinated, multidisciplinary care
Specialists who focus on mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer patients may offer treatment options that are not widely available elsewhere.
Start Documenting Your Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer are almost always linked to past asbestos exposure, often decades earlier.
You do not need to do all the work of documenting your asbestos exposure yourself. Our law firm, Hissey Mulderig & Friend, employs a team of asbestos staff members whose job is to help patients like you gather the evidence they need to prove their case and receive compensation.
Our attorneys and staff can help you collect all the information and documents you need to file an asbestos claim, including information about:
- Job titles and employers
- Asbestos jobsites where you worked, including locations such as plants, refineries, shipyards, or construction sites
- Exposure to insulation, boilers, pipes, or industrial materials
- Military service, especially U.S. Navy service
Even if you are not sure where exposure occurred, the staff at Hissey Mulderig & Friend can help you gather the records and evidence you need to proceed with a claim.
Gathering Your Medical and Insurance Records
In addition to information about your work history, medical records will also be necessary to move forward with a claim.
Our staff can help you and your family contact your health care providers to collect records, including:
- Pathology reports and scan results
- Treatment plans and appointment summaries
- Medication lists
- Insurance information
These health records are important, not just for your medical care, but will also be vital should you and your family decide to move forward with a legal claim.
Learn Your Treatment Options
Treatment options after being diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness depend on the stage of the disease and your overall health.
Patients should consult with their doctor and ask questions, such as:
- What are my treatment options?
- What is the goal of treatment?
- What side effects should I expect?
- Are clinical trials available?
Understanding your health care options will allow you and your family to take a more active role in managing your care and ensuring the best possible health outcomes during your treatment.
Build a Support System
A mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer diagnosis affects more than your physical health. You will need support help you manage this difficult period in your life.
Asbestos patients should consider:
- Bringing a family member to appointments
- Asking for help with daily tasks
- Connecting with support groups
- Speaking with a counselor if needed
Having a support system in place as you begin your treatment journal can help make the difficult process of dealing with an asbestos illness more manageable.
Understand Your Legal Rights
Mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer are often linked to preventable workplace exposure. Many companies failed to warn workers about the risks of asbestos.
Because of that, you may have the right to:
- File an asbestos lawsuit
- File an asbestos bankruptcy trust claim
- Pursue compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other losses
- Take action on behalf of your family
In most cases, statutes of limitations mean that you and your family only have a limited time to take legal action after receiving a mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer diagnosis, so it is important to act quickly by contact an asbestos law firm before your window to take legal action expires.
Talk to an Asbestos Lawyer Early
You do not need to gather medical records or prove your case before speaking with a lawyer.
An experienced asbestos attorney can:
- Investigate where exposure occurred
- Identify responsible companies
- Handle the legal process on your behalf
Retaining the services of an experienced asbestos law firm will allow you and your family to focus what matters most: getting the treatment and support that you need after a mesothelioma or lung cancer diagnosis.
Contact An Attorney for Help After an Asbestos Diagnosis
If you were just diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer, the next steps are clear:
- Focus on your medical care
- Understand your diagnosis
- Consider a second opinion
- Document your exposure history
- Learn your legal options
You do not need to handle this alone.
If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos before 1982 and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit and receive compensation. Spouses and adult children of affected workers may also qualify to take legal action. There are no costs or legal fees unless our firm wins your case.
Get help after an asbestos diagnosis, find out whether you qualify to take legal action, or start the process of filing your claim today by contacting Hissey Mulderig & Friend toll-free at 1-855-500-3734. You can also get in touch with our attorneys by filling out our free asbestos claims submission form, located at the top of this page.
