New data and research indicates that there will be an increase in the amount of malignant mesothelioma cases between now and the year 2025. Approximately 70% of diagnosed malignant mesothelioma cases involve a form of mesothelioma known as malignant pleural mesothelioma, which is expected to increase the most sharply.
These findings underscore the need for increasingly advanced mesothelioma research and treatments to help combat the increased incidence rate that is expected in the coming years.
Given that there will be an increased number of patients in need of care, it similarly stands to reason that there may well be an increase in mesothelioma lawsuits. What does this mean for mesothelioma patients and lawsuits of the future?
Advanced Healthcare Treatment Could Lead to Higher Healthcare Costs
The research provided makes it clear that more sophisticated and advanced mesothelioma treatments will become necessary. Like most, if not all, new technologies, the latest in mesothelioma care will likely increase the healthcare costs for mesothelioma patients.
These rising costs, then, may well have a spillover effect by requiring more compensation for mesothelioma victims who have been wrongfully exposed to asbestos by employers and other companies.
This fact, in turn, could lead to complexities concerning asbestos trust funds designed to compensate victims of asbestos-related illnesses when a company has gone bankrupt. While billions have been side aside collectively in these trusts, the resources available are not infinite.
It bears monitoring as the years roll by to see whether, despite the likelihood that mesothelioma medical costs will rise, mesothelioma settlements and trust payouts are actually reduced based on the depletion of asbestos trust resources.
For Anyone Already Harmed by Mesothelioma, the Time to Act Is Now
While it is certainly worthwhile to consider the long-term picture of mesothelioma compensation, the fact remains that current victims need to reach out to a California asbestos and mesothelioma lawyer as soon as they become aware of an asbestos-related illness or disability.
Although it can take years for mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness to manifest — sometimes it takes decades after being exposed to harmful asbestos fibers for symptoms to show — California gives victims a one-year statute of limitations to file an asbestos-related lawsuit.
This one-year period starts to count down as soon as the victim first suffers a disability caused by asbestos exposure or knew or should have known that asbestos exposure contributed or caused the harms suffered.
If a loved one passed away because of mesothelioma or an asbestos-related illness, then the deceased’s heirs may bring an asbestos lawsuit within a year from their loved one’s passing or one year from when the plaintiff either knew or should have known that asbestos caused or contributed to the loved one’s death.
In short, the time to act is now if you believe yourself or a loved one has been harmed by asbestos. Contact a California asbestos and mesothelioma lawyer to discuss the facts of your case today.
