While time frames may vary, at the time of this writing, it’s reasonable to expect that a mesothelioma claim with the VA will be decided within three to four months. This assumes that your benefits claim is thorough and complete, and that the VA doesn’t need additional documentation from you to support it. When the VA receives a claim that isn’t fully supported, it may reach out to ask you for more material so it can make a decision. Sometimes, an incomplete claim may simply be denied, which means that you’ll have to go through an appeals process if you want the claim to be reconsidered. The VA benefits process isn’t always intuitive, and many veterans struggle to compile the information that the VA needs to evaluate their claim properly. The experienced mesothelioma lawyers at the Gertler Law Firm have decades of experience dealing with the VA and fighting to get veterans…Read More
Hiring A Mesothelioma Lawyer In Louisiana For Asbestos Related Illness People can be exposed to asbestos outside of a work environment, however occupational exposure remains the most significant source. Specifically for New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region, people who’ve worked at shipyards and oil refineries in the area are generally thought to be at greater risk of developing asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma. Their family members may also be at risk through secondary exposure to asbestos fibers that came home on a loved one’s skin, clothing, and hair. People living in older homes may also be at risk for exposure to asbestos if material like insulation or duct work becomes damaged. There is also a strong possibility that New Orleans and Gulf Coast residents who lived through the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina experienced environmental exposure as damaged homes were demolished. Because of the scale of the damage and the speed of the work required…Read More
Filing A Lawsuit After Mesothelioma Diagnosis In Louisiana First, the early symptoms of mesothelioma aren’t necessarily things that would raise red flags, particularly in older adults. Early symptoms can include extremely vague indicators like fatigue and just generally feeling run down. Many people can easily mistake a cough or shortness of breath as allergy symptoms or a stubborn cold. By the time it’s clear that there is something more serious happening, mesothelioma has usually spread. Diagnosis can still be difficult, with oncologists sometimes having to rely on less common diagnostic tests to identify the source of the problem as mesothelioma. Unfortunately, by the time that happens, the cancer has often progressed to a late stage that makes it more difficult to treat. Experienced Mesothelioma Attorney In Louisiana For Filing Asbestos Injury Claims If you know you worked in a facility or occupation where asbestos was used, it’s important that you take proactive steps…Read More
New Orleans Asbestos Injury Lawsuit Attorney While we won’t recommend living with an undue fear of the future, it is true that family members of workers who were exposed to asbestos have sometimes developed mesothelioma as a result of their loved one’s career. It’s thought that an employee of an asbestos-contaminated facility would come home, unknowingly carrying a fine layer of asbestos fibers on their skin, clothing, and hair, and unwittingly contaminate the home environment. Spouses and children of exposed workers have both later developed asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related diseases, including lung and other forms of cancer. It’s a good idea for family members of people who’ve been exposed to asbestos to take their health seriously, make good choices around diet and exercise, and see their doctors regularly for preventative care. Family Members Exposed To Secondhand Asbestos In New Orleans May Develop Mesothelioma If a family member begins to…Read More
When you and your doctor suspect a mesothelioma diagnosis, it will be your physician’s job to refer you to a mesothelioma specialist in your area. Most often, this means diagnostics and treatment at a cancer center near you, which can still mean substantial travel costs for many people in our state. Many people in Louisiana may have access to mesothelioma specialists beyond their local cancer center. Depending on your insurance plan and your financial situation, you may be able to receive care from other mesothelioma specialists at different treatment centers. Medicare, Medicaid, and supplemental health insurance policies all have different requirements and coverage allowances. Our team can help you understand your options and develop strategies to expand them. Veterans may also have additional access to mesothelioma specialists throughout the VA system, especially when their asbestos exposure is service-related. At The Gertler Law Firm, we can help you file a claim with…Read More
While mesothelioma can affect people of any age, in Louisiana, most mesothelioma patients are older and often live on a fixed income. When it comes to paying for mesothelioma treatments, including travel costs to cancer centers that focus on asbestos-related cancers like mesothelioma, insurance and Medicare may not be enough. For folks in New Orleans and elsewhere in the state that are facing a mesothelioma diagnosis, appropriate healthcare administered by qualified oncologists is not optional. Some individuals and their family members may have access to established compensation funds if exposure can be linked to particular companies and work sites. Veterans can submit claims to the VA that will entitle them to help both with accessing mesothelioma specialists throughout the VA system, and helping to pay for the out of pocket costs that people on fixed incomes with mesothelioma may not be able to easily afford. But even with these sources…Read More
Because of the relatively small number of individuals who are diagnosed with mesothelioma in Louisiana, there are not dedicated mesothelioma treatment centers in the state. When you’re diagnosed with mesothelioma in New Orleans or elsewhere in Louisiana, your doctor will refer you to a hospital specializing in cancer treatment, where patients facing the disease will work with top-flight oncologists and others who specialize in treating cancer. While there aren’t specific mesothelioma treatment centers in Louisiana, many patients are eligible to participate in research that may be happening here or elsewhere around the country. Clinical trials and other mesothelioma treatment studies give researchers new insights and tools into how best to diagnose and treat mesothelioma. Your doctor can provide you with more specifics about ongoing research you may be eligible to participate in. If you are a veteran who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma in Louisiana, you have access to mesothelioma specialists throughout the…Read More
Clinical trials exploring novel treatments to mesothelioma are a source of great hope for people who’ve been diagnosed with the disease, and the cancer specialists who treat them. From examining the effects of gene therapies, immune-based therapies, or new surgical techniques to help prolong life or beat mesothelioma outright, people dealing with mesothelioma in Louisiana may find that clinical trials are an appropriate avenue in their treatment plan. There are usually some out-of-pocket costs associated with clinical trials, but depending on your insurance policy, these may amount to a very small amount of money, or a more prohibitive expense. Things like blood work, imaging, testing, and hospital stays may or may not be covered by insurance. In addition, many clinical trials are conducted at hospitals and research centers outside of Louisiana, and travel costs usually won’t be covered for participants. When costs are a hurdle in participating in a clinical trial, there…Read More
Because mesothelioma is an especially dangerous cancer that has a very high mortality rate, researchers are constantly searching for novel approaches to treat it. There are ongoing clinical trials for techniques like gene therapy and immunotherapy all the time, and many patients in Louisiana may be eligible to participate in some or all of these trials. Eligibility requirements will vary widely, depending on the phase of the clinical trial (Phase I trials use a very small sample size, while Phase III trials can include hundreds or thousands of patients) and the specific effects being studied. Your mesothelioma specialist can help you understand the risks and potential benefits of the trials that are open right now, and connect you with a trial that may provide benefit to you. As with all experimental treatments, there are risks to be considered. Clinical trials are sometimes only open to those for whom traditional treatments…Read More
Mesothelioma Healthcare For Those Exposed To Asbestos In Louisiana It’s an unfortunate truth that for many people in New Orleans and Louisiana, health insurance remains unaffordable, or that sick people find out too late that the plan they have is inadequate to achieve the kind of care they require. When that happens to people suffering from mesothelioma from toxic exposure to asbestos, you have a right to know your options. Free Healthcare For Mesothelioma Victims That Are Military Veterans First, many veterans of America’s armed services are in a high-risk group for mesothelioma, and may have access to VA care. Mesothelioma is recognized as a service-related illness by the Veterans Administration. Eligible veterans are entitled to see cancer specialists throughout the VA system, including mesothelioma specialists, and may be eligible for inclusion in clinical trials where cutting edge treatments and procedures can make a difference. Veterans with mesothelioma are also…Read More
