Mesothelioma: A Diagnosis That Never Should’ve Happened

At HerCaseMatters, we fight for women to be heard. To be taken seriously. To stand up for their legal rights. A mesothelioma diagnosis is not something you should face alone. We have compassionate mesothelioma paralegals who are standing by to listen to your story and help you figure out next steps.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Because mesothelioma often develops decades after exposure, it can be hard to connect the dots at first. But recognizing symptoms early matters.

Common signs include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest or abdominal pain
• Swelling in the abdomen
• Unexplained weight loss
• Chronic fatigue
• Persistent cough
• Changes in bowel habits or appetite

If you’ve experienced any of these symptoms and were exposed to asbestos in the past, even if indirectly, it’s important to reach out to a doctor and mention your possible exposure history.

Because mesothelioma is a rare cancer, you may need to seek a specialist in order to confirm your symptoms and get a potential diagnosis.

What Causes Mesothelioma?

Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma. However, mesothelioma usually develops 20-50 years after someone was first exposed to asbestos.

And exposure doesn’t just happen on job sites. Women have been put at risk in a number of ways — often without ever knowing it.

Common sources of exposure for women include:

• Talcum powder: For decades, baby powders and feminine hygiene products used talc that was contaminated with asbestos.
• Secondhand exposure: Asbestos dust clung to uniforms, work boots, and laundry — exposing wives, daughters, and mothers who never stepped foot on a job site.
• Cosmetics: Some makeup and body powders were found to contain asbestos-contaminated talc.
• Public buildings: Older schools, hospitals, and office buildings still contained asbestos in ceiling tiles, insulation, and flooring, potentially putting workers and students at risk.

Because mesothelioma can take so long to develop, many struggle to remember how or when they may have encountered the toxic substance.

Our team can work with you to determine your asbestos exposure history, tracing the steps back and finding the evidence to back it up — all at no out-of-pocket cost.

Types of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is named for where it develops in the body, with 3 types potentially affecting women:

• Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Develops in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) and accounts for most of the cases in women. Many women exposed to asbestos through talc-based powders are diagnosed with this type.
• Pleural Mesothelioma: The most common overall type, pleural mesothelioma forms in the lining of the lungs (pleura). Women may be exposed indirectly, oftentimes from washing a spouse’s dusty work clothes.
• Pericardial Mesothelioma: A rare form that affects the lining around the heart (pericardium). It may lead to chest pain, heart palpitations, and breathing problems. Diagnosis often occurs later in the disease due to how uncommon it is.

No matter where mesothelioma shows up, it traces back to the same root cause: asbestos exposure. And if someone else’s product, decision, or negligence put you in harm’s way, you deserve to be heard — and helped.

Mesothelioma Compensation

Women and families affected by mesothelioma may be eligible for significant compensation. Lawsuits, settlements, and asbestos trust claims can help cover medical bills, lost income, and long-term care — and bring a sense of justice.

Some past payouts include:

• $5.53 Million for the wife of a shipyard foreman who was exposed secondhand
• $4.21 Million for a woman whose husband worked in Louisiana shipyards
• $2.92 Million for a woman who was exposed to asbestos through her husband’s job
• $2 Million to a woman with mesothelioma who wasn’t sure how she was exposed to asbestos
• $3.8 Million for the wife of a maintenance worker with mesothelioma from industrial talc exposure

Most claims are resolved without ever going to trial, allowing families to get compensation faster. Many patients have started to receive payouts within as few as 90 days, with additional checks coming in for 12-18 months.

Each case is different — but you deserve to find out what yours may be worth.

Hardships Mesothelioma Caregivers & Spouses Face

Caregivers and the surviving spouses of mesothelioma victims often face profound challenges — emotionally, physically, and financially. Grief and burnout can be overwhelming, leaving many emotionally drained and unsure where to turn.

Common hardships include:

• Emotional trauma and grief from losing their partner, often after months or years of painful illness.
• Loss of household income, especially in cases where the patient was the primary wage earner.
• Medical and end-of-life expenses, which can leave families in financial distress.
• Exhaustion from caregiving responsibilities, especially if the surviving spouse provided round-the-clock support during the illness.
• Loneliness and isolation, as many feel they’ve lost not only a spouse but also their closest emotional support.

For many surviving spouses, filing a mesothelioma lawsuit is not just about securing financial stability. It’s also about seeking accountability and honoring the memory of their loved one.

“It makes me mad and sad to think that these manufacturers knew asbestos could hurt people and continued to make these products for years and years — and look what it’s done to the love of my life. It’s heartbreaking.”
– Dee, Wife of a Mesothelioma Survivor

Find a Top Mesothelioma Lawyer Near You

We work with a national network of experienced asbestos attorneys who specialize in helping women and families impacted by mesothelioma. Wherever you live and however you were exposed, we’ll connect you with a legal team who knows how to fight and who truly listens.

The lawyers in our network have:

• Over 45 years of success with asbestos claims
• Helped thousands of families get results
• Attorneys who can help across all 50 states
• Won over $5 Billion in mesothelioma compensation

Get a free case review now. Let’s talk about what happened and what you can do next.