The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) expects 1.9 million new cases of cancer to be diagnosed in 2020. This represents a 24% increase in cases for men since 2010 and a 21% increase in cases for women. Cancer is a serious disease that can affect a person’s organs, bones, or blood. People who are diagnosed with cancer need extensive medical treatment. Their treatment may include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, or hormone therapy. Cancer patients may also need to have blood transfusions.
Cancer can be fatal. It can also compromise your quality of life during your treatment and illness. It is common for patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment to experience fatigue and loss of appetite. Patients may be unable to care for themselves and require hospitalization or in-home care. Patients may also face excessive costs. Health insurance does not cover all treatment costs. It is common for the prescription drugs used for cancer treatment to cost as much as $10,000 per month. Some cancer patients are eligible for compensation. It is important to determine the cause of your cancer and explore your rights to know if you qualify for financial compensation.
Eligibility for Compensation
Cancer may be caused by lifestyle choices or genetic factors that increase a person’s risk. Individuals who are obese, for example, have a higher risk of developing cancer. In these cases, the patients may not qualify for compensation. Some patients get cancer after they have been exposed to toxins, chemicals, or other substances that have been proven to cause cancer. These patients may be entitled to financial compensation because of their exposure.
Doctors can also be guilty of negligence. They may not follow up on a patient’s symptoms and prevent them from getting tested. They may also misdiagnose a patient. A patient’s ability to receive a swift diagnosis and early treatment may be compromised if their doctor has been negligent. This can decrease their chances of survival and increase the cost of treatment, particularly if the cancer spreads.
Pursuing Legal Action
You may be automatically covered by a class action suit if you worked for a company that exposed employees to harmful substances, if you lived in an area that was contaminated, or if you used a specific product. Individuals typically receive a notification about the lawsuit when the class action suit is initiated.
You may also opt to hire a personal injury lawyer to represent you. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are the leading personal injury lawyers in Illinois and they have experience leading the Zantac lawsuits for people personally affected by that drug. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are equipped to advise you of your legal rights and options.
Covering Costs Before Judgment
The medical expenses for cancer treatment are excessive. There is financial assistance for cancer patients that can help cover the costs of treatment while the patient is awaiting a judgment or settlement. You can turn to American Life Fund and pursue a viatical settlement to address any financial challenges that arise from your diagnosis and treatment. The company arranges the sale of your insurance policy, then the buyer becomes the beneficiary of the policy and you do not need to pay the money back. You can use your funds for any purpose, including covering medical bills or personal expenses.
There are also financial aid sources that can help cover the medical costs and secondary costs, such as child care. A healthcare social worker can help you apply for limited financial assistance. American Life Fund provides cash to qualifying patients. The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) covers some healthcare costs. There are also organizations that provide assistance with the costs of prescription medications. Cancer patients can also opt to pursue clinical trials, which are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and financed by pharmaceutical companies. The patients receive treatment at no cost.
Successful Suits
There have been several successful lawsuits against companies that have exposed people to toxins, chemicals, and substances that have caused cancer. You may wish to research these cases to gain a better understanding of the legal precedents for filing a claim and receiving a judgment.
In 2019, a jury found Roundup guilty of negligence for failing to effectively warn consumers about the risks of using their product. This verdict coincided with two other rulings against Roundup. There have also been successful lawsuits against tobacco companies and landlords who exposed residents to lead paint.
