Utah Asbestos Cancer Lawyers
- $ Millions Won For Our Clients
- No Fees Unless We Win
- 4 Utah Offices
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Utah Asbestos Cancer Lawyers Who Know How to Navigate a Complex Claim
An asbestos-related cancer diagnosis changes everything. Mesothelioma and other asbestos-caused cancers are the result of exposure that often happened decades ago, at a job site, in a building, or through work someone did simply to support their family. The companies responsible for that exposure frequently knew the risks and said nothing. Now you or someone you love is facing a diagnosis that should never have happened, and the legal process that follows is one of the most complex in personal injury law.
Creekside Legal represents asbestos cancer victims and their families across Utah, and we understand the weight of what you are dealing with. We handle the legal fight completely, investigating the source of exposure, identifying the responsible parties, and pursuing every avenue of compensation available to you, including asbestos trust funds, which exist specifically because so many companies that used asbestos have since faced bankruptcy from the claims against them. You should not have to spend the time and energy you have fighting a legal battle on top of everything else.
There is nothing to pay unless we recover compensation for you. And when we do, we take a smaller percentage than most Utah firms charge, because you have already been through more than enough.
“Matt did an incredible job not only taking care of my husband case but also informing me and my husband along the way.”
“Thanks Matt for everything you’ve have done for us!!!”
– Jennifer C.
What Our Clients Are Saying
“Matt was very helpful throughout my whole process. “
“He worked in my best interest and kept great communication.”
– Monay S.
“Matt gave up super helpful advice.”
” I highly recommend having Matt as your lawyer he’s very understanding and excellent at his job.”
– Sara G.
Our Utah Asbestos Legal Team
Matt Schmoldt
Lawyer
Jenny Hoppie
Lawyer
Tyler Tapp
VP of Legal
Annie Edwards
Senior Paralegal
Sandra Westwood
Paralegal
Why Work With Us?
Experienced & Dependable
With over three hundred five-star reviews, you can be confident that we will take care of you and your case.
Pay Nothing... Until We Win
We won’t let you pay us… until we win. We also take less of your settlement than other personal injury law firms.
Medical Bills & Treatment
We will help you with your medical bills. We also make sure that you get the right medical treatment.
Get A Larger Settlement
Studies show that injury settlements are larger when a personal injury lawyer is representing you.
How Can a Utah Asbestos Lawyer Help Me?
Not only will you need to shell out money for medical care, but you’ll likely suffer other losses, too. Here’s an overview of the common types of losses that you can expect after a cancer diagnosis:
- Significant medical bills
- An inability to return to work right away
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Do you have any legal recourse after an asbestos cancer diagnosis? A Utah Mesothelioma lawyer can help you answer that question. Here’s what you can expect a good Utah asbestos lawyer to help you with:
- Identifying whether your cancer was caused by asbestos exposure
- Determining who manufactured or supplied the asbestos products
- Gathering documentation and proof of your injuries
- Initiating a lawsuit against the liable parties
- Negotiating a fair settlement amount
At Creekside Injury Law, we’ll help you navigate the challenges of a Utah asbestos cancer lawsuit from start to finish. We’ll powerfully tell your life story and prove to the court how your diagnosis has impacted you and your family’s lives.
If your loved one’s life was suddenly cut short by asbestos cancer, then we’ll help you determine whether you have the basis for a wrongful death claim.
You won’t have to pay any money up-front, and we’ll work with you to ensure you get the maximum amount of compensation possible. Reach out to our office now at if you’re ready to get started.
Statute of Limitations: Utah’s Time Limits for Asbestos Cancer Lawsuits
Asbestos-related cancers are unique in personal injury law because the damage done by exposure rarely shows up for decades. Someone exposed to asbestos at a job site in the 1970s or 1980s may not receive a diagnosis until well into retirement. Utah law accounts for this. Rather than starting the clock from the date of exposure, the three-year statute of limitations for asbestos claims begins from the date you were diagnosed or reasonably should have discovered your illness.
That distinction matters, but three years still moves faster than most people expect, especially when you are focused on treatment and your family. There are also factors that can affect exactly when your deadline begins and whether any exceptions apply to your situation.
The safest thing you can do is speak with an attorney as soon as possible after a diagnosis. Creekside Legal can review your case, explain your options, and make sure your claim is filed before anything closes the door on your right to compensation.
“I requested a free consultation later in the evening and got a response that night asking if Matt could call me in the morning. “
“He promptly called the next morning, listened to my case and gave me advice on next steps for free.”
– Krissy H.
Utah Asbestos Cancer Claims FAQs
What cancers are caused by asbestos?
When small asbestos particles are inhaled or ingested, our bodies can’t break them down. That means these tiny fibers get lodged into our body’s tissues. Most often, they get trapped in lung tissue, but they can also move to other tissues and organs.
At first, you won’t notice these asbestos particles. You won’t feel any discomfort, and you likely won’t experience any symptoms. Within several years, though, those fibers will start to wreak serious havoc.
They can cause inflammation and cell changes on the genetic level. This type of genetic mutation is called cancer. Here are four types of cancer that asbestos exposure causes:
- Mesothelioma
- Lung cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Laryngeal cancer
Researchers are working hard to identify whether asbestos causes other forms of cancers. While findings are not yet definitive, experts are beginning to link asbestos to colon, stomach, and pharyngeal cancer.
What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops after exposure to asbestos material. It’s the only type of cancer that’s exclusively linked to asbestos.
According to experts, it can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years to completely develop. It’s not surprising, then, that the majority of those diagnosed with mesothelioma are 60 years old or older. There are two main types of Mesothelioma:
- Pleural Mesothelioma
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Pleural Mesothelioma impacts a person’s lungs. This type of cancer develops after inhaling asbestos fibers. Experts estimate that nearly 80% of pleural mesothelioma sufferers are male.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma develops when a person ingests asbestos. The mutated cells impact the areas surrounding your abdomen. In contrast to Pleural Mesothelioma, about half of those diagnosed with Peritoneal Mesothelioma are female. This type of cancer is rare compared to Pleural Mesothelioma. It’s estimated that it only makes up about 10-15% of all Mesothelioma cases.
What are the symptoms of asbestos cancer?
- Fluid buildup
- Abdominal swelling
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Dry cough
- Bowel irregularity
When you speak to your doctor about your symptoms, inform them about your asbestos exposure. The signs and symptoms above are often misdiagnosed as pneumonia, the seasonal flu or even irritable bowel syndrome.
Keep in mind that these symptoms won’t appear immediately after asbestos exposure. It takes decades for cell mutations to become tumors. Only then will your symptoms become apparent.
Can asbestos cancer be treated or cured?
If you suspect you’ve developed cancer from asbestos exposure, then your doctor will order a biopsy to confirm that cancer is present. There’s no definitive cure for Mesothelioma. In any case, you do have treatment options that can help. Here are a few of the current treatment options available for patients:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Multimodal (a combination of treatment methods)
- Experimental trials (such as Immunotherapy drugs)
- Alternative treatments
Your doctor will analyze your biopsy results to learn how far the cancerous cells have progressed. This determination will dictate which treatment option is best for you.
When cancer hasn’t spread further than where it began, surgery is often a patient’s preferred choice. If cancer has spread throughout your body, then you’ll need to consider other treatment options.
What if the asbestos manufacturers went bankrupt?
Asbestos manufacturers aren’t immune to lawsuits, so many of them have already gone bankrupt as a result of multiple claims. If the party you’re attempting to seek compensation from falls under this category, then you’re not out of luck.
The United States passed a law that requires bankrupt asbestos manufactures to create trust funds for asbestos cancer victims. These trust funds allow individuals to seek out a claim with the trust fund rather than directly against the company responsible. Right now, there’s an estimated $30 billion remaining in trust funds.
Creekside Injury Law will pursue a claim against trust funds if the responsible asbestos manufacturer is no longer doing business. This option isn’t ideal because the average payout is often less than when the company hasn’t gone bankrupt. If the company is still active and running, then we’ll file a lawsuit directly against the business.
What factors impact my Utah asbestos claim compensation?
A Utah asbestos cancer diagnosis causes significant losses, but no two claims are the same. The overall value of your lawsuit depends on several factors including:
- The type and severity of your cancer
- Possible other causes of the cancer
- The total costs of your current and future medical care
- The wages you’ve lost by missing work
- Your pain and suffering
- Any emotional distress your diagnosis causes
- The impact of your cancer diagnosis on your family
Some of these factors are easy to calculate – like your medical bills and lost wages. Other losses, like you and your family’s emotional distress, are harder to value. If you’re unsure how much your claim is really worth, then it’s advised you reach out to a Utah Mesothelioma lawyer who can help you calculate your losses.
What is the average Asbestos cancer compensation amount?
Researchers estimate that the average asbestos cancer compensation award is valued at around $1 to $1.4 million. However, compensation can be much less if all of the asbestos manufacturers that you were exposed to are now bankrupt.
How will I pay for my Utah asbestos lawyer?
When you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, you don’t have much time to focus on anything other than your physical recovery. You also may be spending money on medical bills and missing time from work. With all of this going on, how are you supposed to afford a Utah asbestos lawyer?
Creekside Injury Law understands what you’re going through. We don’t charge an up-front fee.
Instead, Creekside Injury Law will represent you on a contingent fee basis. This means that you won’t pay anything until you have received compensation from the responsible party. Our office will cover the costs of pursuing a lawsuit, and we won’t seek reimbursement until after your case is settled. If no compensation is obtained, you will owe us nothing.
What legal documents should I prepare due to my Utah asbestos cancer?
While death is inevitable, it’s not something that anyone wants to think about. A Utah asbestos cancer diagnosis forces you to face this harsh and uncomfortable reality. In response, it’s crucial to start preparing certain documents to ensure your wishes are fulfilled throughout your treatment if anything goes wrong.
A will or trust will help protect your family in the event that you pass away during treatment. A will is a legal document that explains how you want your property to be distributed upon your death through probate court. Trusts help ensure your wealth gets distributed as you see fit after you pass, without the need of probate court. It is highly recommended that you discuss your options with an estate planning attorney.
Depending on the severity of your condition, you may also want to prepare a power of attorney document. This type of agreement allows another person to act on your behalf if you become incapacitated during your treatment. A power of attorney gives this other person the ability to sell your property, handle your bank accounts, apply for benefits or even run your business. You have all the control with a power of attorney, so you can dictate what this other person can and can’t do under your name.
A health care directive is a legal document that gives another person the ability to make health care decisions for you if you are unable to do so. This type of form ensures that your wishes will be carried out if you’re unable to make decisions for yourself.