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Financial Assistance For Mesothelioma Patients

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a crushing blow in many ways.  Of course there is the emotional devastation and mental unpreparedness that cancer victim’s face but there is, unfortunately, a significant monetary cost associated with battling mesothelioma as well.  That monetary burden can be downright crippling, especially in tough times like these.   

In addition to the expensive mesothelioma treatments themselves, families must struggle to find enough money to pay for incidentals like travel and temporary lodging on top of everything else.  A mesothelioma diagnosis can quickly eat away at savings, empty checking accounts, and leave patients and their loved ones wondering how they will ever cope.

However, if families act quickly before the costs pile up, they can make smart decisions about insurance premiums, monetary realignment, and how to make use of available financial aid if any.  Thankfully, families don’t’ have to do this on their own.

There are experts out there whose job it is to juggle finances, property, and overall wealth to reach certain goals.  These financial planners, certified personal accountants and estate planners can provide as much guidance as you need or take over the entire process of handling your finances themselves.

The Costs of Treating Mesothelioma

Like any form of cancer, mesothelioma can be extremely expensive to treat.  Surgery, chemotherapy drugs, and radiation treatments are not cheap and they’re getting more expensive every year. 

And patients are, unfortunately, at the mercy of doctors and drug companies.  The only FDA-approved chemotherapy treatment for malignant mesothelioma is dual-drug combination of ALIMTA® and cisplatin.  While there are other treatments available, this recommended course of treatment is extremely expensive – brand name drugs don’t come with the heavy discounts that patients can get when using generics.  These drugs are so costly that not all insurance companies will agree to spring for them. 

Surgeries, including experimental ones, can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars requiring multiple specialists (surgeons, aestheticians, surgery technicians) who all apply fees to the final bill.  And that doesn’t even count the charges that the hospital adds on for the use of its facilities and resources. 

Radiation therapy is another expensive form of treatment.  And, the kicker with radiation is that it’s not a one-time thing.  Many patients require multiple rounds of radiation and each can cost tens of thousands of dollars apiece. 

As you can see, the costs can add up very quickly.   

The “Hidden” Costs of Mesothelioma Treatment

In addition to the costs directly associated with mesothelioma treatments, patients and their loved ones will also be required to cover a whole host of incidentals.  These can include but are not limited to:

  • Travel costs (to and from specialists and treatment appointments)
  • Lodging expenses (if travels takes the patient too far from home)
  • Food
  • Purchase of any special equipment or clothing that might be needed
  • Modifications to the home (especially in the bathroom and bedrooms)
  • Hiring additional help (babysitters for children, at-home nurses for patient care, etc.)

However, one of the most significant of these “hidden” costs of mesothelioma is the loss of income.  Usually mesothelioma treatment requires that the patients stay either at the hospital or at a facility nearby.  All during that time there is no income coming from the patient’s job, unless they have disability insurance, which is usually is temporary and insufficient. 

This is especially devastating if the mesothelioma patient is the primary “bread winner” or sole provider in the family.  And even if multiple members of a household work, losing a significant portion of the households overall income could be disastrous.

Your Legal Options

Mesothelioma is a preventable disease.  The cancer is cause by exposure to asbestos.  Unfortunately, the vast majority of mesothelioma patients were exposed to asbestos contained in commercial or industrial products manufactured by companies who may or may not have known the true danger of the mineral. 

That means that many patients have been able to successfully file mesothelioma lawsuits or asbestos bankruptcy claims to seek damages, restitution, and penalties against these companies for causing them financial, physical, and emotional distress. 

However, getting compensation requires legal help, and best chance of success is hiring an attorney who specializes in mesothelioma lawsuits.  Asbestos victims have to show proof  before the responsible parties will pay, and this takes expert knowledge, especially since exposure that caused asbestos cancer happened decade before the illness was diagnosed.   Taking legal action, however, does not always mean patients have to endure a lengthy trial.  Many times lawsuits are settled out of court because these companies want to avoid the public display or hope to save money by dealing directly with the patient’s lawyers. 

As mesothelioma lawyers who have been specializing in asbestos law for over 30 years, we can help you not only by filing a lawsuit, but also with filing claims for Veteran’s or Social Security Benefits you may be entitled to because of your disease.

If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact us today at 415-332-4262 and let us help ease the financial burden of your illness.  The attorneys at Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason are dedicated to offering personal service and are available to talk to you to answer any questions or to give you a free case evaluation.  Call today and let us help you plan the best course of action so that you and your family are assured financial security.