The Emotional Stages of Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Filing an Asbestos Claim: Does It Help Process the Emotional Pain of Mesothelioma?

Hearing the news of cancer is never easy. But when it comes to a mesothelioma diagnosis, many elements complicate the process. The lack of prior knowledge regarding mesothelioma, the statistics, the complexity of the disease. All these can make it harder to process the new reality. But surprisingly, the request for financial compensation can be a key element for emotional healing.

What Happens After Diagnosis 

After learning of the mesothelioma diagnosis, many patients and their families describe the following stages:

Shock. According to author Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, the first reaction for people diagnosed with a terminal disease is usually one of disbelief. But in the case of mesothelioma, there is an additional factor. A mesothelioma diagnosis can be a tremendous surprise, as many people don’t recall any asbestos exposure. The latency period of mesothelioma is so long that it is sometimes difficult to relate the former occupation to today’s disease.

Information Search. As opposed to what happens with breast cancer or lung cancer, many people don’t even know where a mesothelioma tumor is located. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, so most families don’t know much about it before a loved one is diagnosed. But once the initial shock wears off, a desperate search for information begins. What are the symptoms of mesothelioma? What’s the best treatment? Are there any effective alternative therapies for mesothelioma? It is often a family member who takes on the “researcher” role. Some patients may need more time before they wish to get involved in the research process.

Action plan. An interdisciplinary group of doctors, along with the patient establish the treatment plan. The patient may also wish to involve his or her family in the decision-making process. Due to the aggressiveness of mesothelioma, this treatment plan is usually created quickly after the diagnosis is confirmed. Obviously, the plan will morph and change according to the evolution of mesothelioma. Also, people organize for dealing with other aspects, such as accompanying the patient to consultations and chemo sessions.

Realization. This is possibly one of the hardest stages. It is when those affected by mesothelioma   understand a terrible reality:

1. Asbestos exposure is the most common cause of mesothelioma
2. Companies knew that asbestos exposure had deadly consequences for workers, and chose to keep it a secret. Thus, thousands of people continued to work with the mineral, while their employers reaped profits of a very lucrative industry.

Upon learning of the asbestos industry cover-up, many describe the surreal feeling of living in an “Erin Brockovich film.” This moment of understanding leads to another tough stage.

Anger. Kübler-Ross describes the sense of injustice inherent in a terminal diagnosis: Why me? The patient asks. But if anger is normal when the illness is due to natural causes, how angry would you be if your disease was caused by corporate greed? What does a person with mesothelioma feel when reading the now infamous asbestos industry memos? Those that show how companies knew that their employees were dying and advised their managers to keep quiet about the dangers of asbestos? Knowing that mesothelioma was preventable, and was caused by abuse, generates terrible frustration and anger. The person feels cheated by the companies that took away -not his money-, but his life.  And while we know that we are all destined to die, we can only hope to meet a gentler demise.

Fight. At this point, the mesothelioma sufferer realizes that there are legal mechanisms for demanding compensation for asbestos exposure. And anger drives people to act. Many have indicated that filing an asbestos claim is not about money. It is about sending a message to those responsible for their illness. And unfortunately, the only way big companies have understood the message is through their pockets.

Empowerment. Filing a lawsuit can be incredibly empowering for the mesothelioma patient. In doing so, they cease to be passive victims and become people who demand justice. Fighters. Compensation programs are public acknowledgments of wrongdoings. They restore the dignity of those affected. The victim stops wondering, what did I do wrong? They can now channel that sentiment towards the true culprits. Economic compensation also brings awareness to the damage caused by asbestos. Thus, compensation can be emotionally curative for the patient and play an important role in the acceptance process.

How to file a mesothelioma claim:

There are many ways in which people suffering from mesothelioma can obtain financial compensation. Here are the steps you take to start the process:

1. Contact a mesothelioma lawyer.
2. Initial interview. Many law firms dealing with mesothelioma cases are willing to send their best lawyers to the patient’s place of residence. Therefore, it is not necessary to limit ourselves to local mesothelioma lawyers when looking for an attorney. During the interview, the lawyer will ask the victim for details about his work history.
3. Contract. The victim and the attorney sign a contract, which establishes the conditions of the representation.
4. Legal process. The lawyer will recommend the most appropriate course of action. Experienced mesothelioma lawyers and courts know that patients must tend to their health needs first. Thus, they tend to be very considerate towards the patient and do all of the heavy lifting.

To learn more about filing a mesothelioma claim, contact us.