In many cases, significant financial help is available for mesothelioma patients in Arizona. With over $4 billion recovered for people affected by asbestos exposure, the Gori Law Firm is dedicated to helping victims and their loved ones pursue all available sources of compensation.
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- Why Most Arizona Mesothelioma Patients Need More Than One Source of Help
- Legal Compensation Available to Arizona Mesothelioma Patients
- Government Benefits That Help Cover Medical and Living Costs
- Nonprofit Grants and Patient Assistance Programs for Arizona Families
- Contact a Mesothelioma Attorney to Pursue Every Available Source of Compensation
- Mesothelioma can create significant financial strain, making it common for patients to rely on multiple forms of assistance at the same time.
- Legal compensation, including lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims, often provides the largest source of financial recovery for mesothelioma patients and their families.
- Veterans, disabled individuals, and low-income patients in Arizona may qualify for government benefits, such as VA disability compensation, SSDI, Medicare, or AHCCCS.
- Nonprofit organizations may provide additional support for expenses that government programs don’t cover.
- Our experienced attorneys can help you identify every available source of financial support after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Why Most Arizona Mesothelioma Patients Need More Than One Source of Help
Mesothelioma is one of the most expensive cancers to treat. Because it is rare and highly aggressive, patients often require highly specialized surgeries, chemotherapies, and immunotherapies. Even when health insurance covers a significant portion of these expenses, patients may still be responsible for large deductibles and co-pays.
Additionally, Arizona’s distance from leading mesothelioma treatment centers means patients and their loved ones must travel long distances to receive care, leading to substantial transportation and lodging costs. Many patients are also unable to work during their treatment, and the disease’s lasting effects may prevent them from returning to their previous occupations.
Due to these combined factors, a mesothelioma diagnosis can create extreme financial strain for patients and their families. Lawsuits or public benefits alone are often not enough to ease this burden, and patients may rely on multiple forms of financial assistance. It’s common to pursue legal compensation, government benefits, insurance coverage, and nonprofit assistance programs simultaneously to help offset the full financial impact of the disease.
Legal Compensation Available to Arizona Mesothelioma Patients
Legal compensation is often the most significant source of financial help available to mesothelioma patients. Depending on the circumstances, victims and their families may be eligible to pursue mesothelioma compensation in Arizona through lawsuits, asbestos trust fund claims, or workers’ compensation benefits.
Keep in mind that Arizona’s statute of limitations limits how long you have to pursue compensation through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. In most cases, you have two years from the date of a mesothelioma diagnosis or an asbestos-related death to take legal action. If you miss the deadline, you may lose your right to recover compensation through these avenues, but other options may still be available.
Mesothelioma Personal Injury Lawsuits
If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the parties responsible for your asbestos exposure. This type of legal action allows you to pursue compensation for any losses you’ve suffered as a result of your illness, including medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Mesothelioma often develops after exposure to asbestos through multiple products or job sites over several decades, so these lawsuits can be complex. Many mesothelioma lawsuits settle before going to court, but they may go all the way to trial if the parties disagree on the source of the exposure.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits
When a person dies from mesothelioma, certain family members may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This type of lawsuit could provide compensation for any losses the loved ones have experienced because of the death, such as funeral expenses, lost financial support, loss of household services, and loss of companionship or guidance.
A wrongful death action may still be an option even if the mesothelioma victim never filed a personal injury lawsuit during their lifetime. Under Arizona law, only specific relatives may file or benefit from a wrongful death suit, including the deceased person’s surviving spouse, child, parent, or personal representative.
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims
Many asbestos manufacturers filed for bankruptcy after facing large numbers of lawsuits from people harmed by asbestos exposure. As part of the bankruptcy process, these companies established trust funds to compensate future victims. Today, billions of dollars remain available through asbestos trust funds.
Trust fund claims allow for a more streamlined path to compensation compared to lawsuits. However, each trust has its own eligibility requirements and procedures.
If multiple companies are responsible for your asbestos exposure, you could be eligible to pursue both trust fund compensation and a lawsuit at the same time. This could potentially increase your total recovery.
Workers' Compensation
If your asbestos exposure occurred at work, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ comp can help cover necessary medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of who was at fault for the exposure. Because mesothelioma can take decades to develop, many people pursue these benefits long after they’ve left the job where the exposure occurred.
Workers’ compensation rules vary significantly by state, and eligibility may depend on your employment status at the time of the exposure and what your job duties involved. Whether your exposure occurred in Arizona or elsewhere, our attorneys can review your circumstances and help you determine whether workers’ comp is a viable source of financial assistance.
You may be eligible for significant compensation that The Gori Law Firm can fight for on your behalf.
Government Benefits That Help Cover Medical and Living Costs
VA Benefits for Veterans
For decades, the U.S. military widely used asbestos in ships, shipyards, aircraft, vehicles, military housing, and other facilities. Due to this widespread use, veterans face a higher risk of mesothelioma than the general population, and those who served in the Navy are especially vulnerable.
If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma as a result of military asbestos exposure, you may qualify for VA disability compensation, healthcare benefits, or other forms of assistance. In many cases, it may be possible to file a lawsuit or a trust fund claim against the private asbestos companies responsible for your illness alongside a mesothelioma VA claim. Together, these options can offer multiple layers of financial assistance for mesothelioma patients.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and SSI
The Social Security Administration recognizes mesothelioma as a serious condition that may qualify for expedited review through its Compassionate Allowances program. This means many mesothelioma patients are eligible to receive Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits if they meet the program’s work history requirements. Some patients with limited income and financial resources may also qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
SSDI and SSI may supplement a portion of your income while you are unable to work due to mesothelioma. If you believe you may qualify for these benefits, applying online is often the fastest way to get started. You may also call 1-800-772-1213 to make an appointment to apply in person at your local Social Security field office.
Medicare and AHCCCS (Arizona Medicaid)
Medicare is a federal health insurance program available to people age 65 and older, as well as younger individuals with qualifying disabilities. Many mesothelioma patients become eligible based on age, while others may qualify after receiving SSDI benefits for a required period of time. Medicare consists of several parts that help cover hospital care, general medical services, and prescription medications.
AHCCCS, Arizona’s Medicaid program, provides health coverage to eligible low-income residents. It covers a wide range of services, including doctor’s visits, prescriptions, hospital services, diagnostic testing, surgeries, transportation to a doctor, behavioral healthcare, and more.
These programs can significantly reduce medical expenses when dealing with a mesothelioma diagnosis, but they don’t cover every cost. Depending on which option you qualify for, you may still face deductibles, co-pays, and travel expenses. Getting certain specialized therapies approved for coverage can also be challenging.
Nonprofit Grants and Patient Assistance Programs for Arizona Families
Government benefits don’t always address every challenge a mesothelioma diagnosis creates. As a result, many nonprofit organizations offer assistance with expenses that fall outside the support available through public assistance.
Depending on the organization, you may qualify for help with travel costs, lodging near treatment centers, prescription co-pays, medical equipment, and other out of pocket expenses. Some nonprofits also offer caregiver support services, including respite care that allows family members to take a temporary break from their caregiving responsibilities.
Contact a Mesothelioma Attorney to Pursue Every Available Source of Compensation
In most cases, no single source of assistance is enough to cover the financial burden of mesothelioma. A comprehensive strategy that includes legal compensation, government benefits, and other forms of support can help patients and families secure the resources they need during a challenging time.
Gori Law is familiar with the many types of financial help available for mesothelioma patients in Arizona. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, our team is here to help you understand and pursue the full range of mesothelioma compensation options available to you. Call 618-659-9833 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation about your next steps.