[breadcrumb]
What Options Are Available for You or Loved Ones with Mesothelioma in Amarillo?
If you have received a mesothelioma diagnosis or just learned your loved one is affected with this deadly disease, you are probably grappling with many overwhelming issues. How will you pay for medical treatment? Will your insurance cover your care? How will you take care of your family? What should you do first? Our compassionate mesothelioma lawyers can help you answer all of these questions. We are more than just legal counsel. We are advocates for you and your family who are ready to assist you with every aspect of your claim.
Contact our Texas Mesothelioma Lawyer Advocates today for assistance.
Why Should You File a Mesothelioma Claim or Lawsuit?
Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit or a claim with an asbestos trust can help you secure the compensation you need for your medical expenses, lost wages and other financial burdens. Additionally, it allows you to seek justice against companies that knew the dangers of their products and still exposed you or your loved ones to them. Mesothelioma lawsuits are time-sensitive. You must file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires, so it is important to speak to an experienced attorney as soon as possible to preserve your legal rights.
Does Your Mesothelioma Attorney Need to Be in Amarillo?
Your mesothelioma lawsuit may not necessarily be filed in Amarillo – even if you live here. In some situations, your case may be filed where the asbestos company was headquartered or where it conducted business operations. Your mesothelioma attorney can explore all possible areas where your case can be filed and help you determine the best venue. A qualified mesothelioma attorney will travel to you, so he or she does not need to be located in Amarillo. If your case goes to trial, he or she can attend court where it is at, whether in Amarillo or another area.
What Should You Look for in an Amarillo Mesothelioma Lawyer?
Many mesothelioma lawyers will provide a free consultation to review your case. This also gives you an opportunity to ask the attorney question and figure out what it would feel like to work with that person. Some of the characteristics that you should look for in your mesothelioma lawyer include the following:
- Knowledgeable about mesothelioma matters – Your mesothelioma attorney should be familiar with asbestos matters, such as how exposure occurred and what types of products are associated with mesothelioma. Your attorney should be able to evaluate your potential compensation based on the specific facts of your case.
- Trial experience – Your lawyer should have experience litigating the cases, in the event your case goes to trial. He or she should be ready to prepare pre-trial motions, have access to mesothelioma experts, and be ready to examine and cross-examine witnesses.
- Proven track record – You can ask your mesothelioma attorney about how many cases he or she has tried, how many settled, the approximate value of these claims and how many verdicts were achieved.
- Experience with asbestos trust fund claims – You may be able to file an asbestos trust fund claim, so it is important that your attorney has experience filing them.
- Experience with VA claims – If you are a veteran, you might be able to file a VA claim to secure benefits while your case is pending.
- Willing to travel – Your attorney should be willing to travel for your case, including traveling to visit you as well as to any court proceedings.
- Approachable – It is important that you can work closely with your mesothelioma attorney. You will be sharing intimate details about your life and work, so it is important that you can be candid with your attorney.
Amarillo Cancer Center
Amarillo Cancer Center is part of Texas Oncology. It provides high-quality care to cancer patients who can receive treatment close to home. Many services are provided on an outpatient basis, including customized therapies involving chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and proton therapy. The center also focuses on early detection and screening through genetic testing and genomic sequencing. The center focuses on providing leading-edge research to better help patients. The center provides educational services, genetic risk evaluation and testing and pharmacy services. The center provides a number of radiation therapy services, including external beam radiation therapy and internal radiation therapy. Patients also receive benefits from treatment planning and simulation and research collaboration. It also provides a number of key support services to patients, including access to support groups.
Harrington Cancer Center
The Harrington Cancer Center provides cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment. It is affiliated with BSA Health System. It offers patients an array of services, including hematology services, medical oncology, radiation oncology, immunotherapy, laboratory services and pharmacy services. It has assisted clients throughout Amarillo for more than 30 years. Community oncologists also complete cutting-edge cancer research and clinical research. Patients benefit from a team-oriented approach to provide consultation, evaluation, diagnosis and comprehensive treatment recommendations. Patients also benefit from extensive support services, including educational classes, nutritional counseling, social services, support groups and patient and family counseling. Most of the center’s nurses are oncology certified nurses.
Panhandle Cancer Care Center
The Panhandle Cancer Care Center is led by Dr. James Sanford, who has practiced in Amarillo since 1992. Many staff members have worked closely with the doctor for over 15 years. He is a board-certified radiation oncologist. Dr. Sanford and his staff treat a variety of cancer types through targeted radiation oncology. Staff also use radiation simulation to map out patients’ radiation treatment that will provide the best outcome.
Amarillo Clinical Trials
Texas Oncology provides clinical trials for its Amarillo patients. This medical center provides groundbreaking cancer research and patients participate in a wide array of clinical trials. These trials include prevention trials that focus on preventing cancer or the recurrence of cancer, such as by making dietary changes, taking vitamins or using different medications. Screening trials focus on identifying and detecting cancer early on. Diagnostic trials use new tests to try to diagnose cancer. Treatment trials test new treatments, drugs, surgical procedures and medical therapies.
The Harrington Cancer Center provides access to clinical trials and investigational drugs through its clinical research department. Patients can participate in clinical trials that test the safety and effectiveness of new treatment methods and drugs, new approaches for drugs, radiation therapy techniques and new treatment options. The center has received recognition in the state and throughout the country for its participation in national cancer prevention trials.
Amarillo Military Veterans with Mesothelioma
The Amarillo Air Force Base is located in the city. It was established in 1942. It was later deactivated in 1968. Veterans have access to treatment from the Thomas E. Creek VA Medical Center. It is a division of the Heart of Texas VA Health Care Network and provides primary, specialty and extended care. Every year, it treats approximately 25,000 patients. The center provides inpatient care and has 44 operating beds for surgical, medical and intensive care. It also has a nursing home care unit. The center also provides outpatient services. With affiliations with Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, Amarillo College, Northeastern State University and West Texas A&M University, the center is able to provide an emergency radiation treatment facility, non-invasive cardiology diagnostics, four community-based outpatient clinics, cancer care, home-based primary care, and mental health services.
Amarillo Asbestos Site Exposure List
Job sites, military installations and public buildings associated with possible asbestos use in Amarillo include the following:
- Amarillo Air Force Base
- Asarco Smelting Plant
- Atomic Energy Commission
- Bell Helicopter
- City Light and Power Company
- Clowe & Cowan, Inc.
- Duke Electric
- E-Cycle
- E-Z Tight, Inc.
- Fannin Junior High
- General Public Utilities Company
- Hallmark Builders, Incorporated
- High Plains Baptist Hosp
- Pantex Nuclear Weapons
- Pioneer Gas Company
- Producers Grain Company
- Robinson Insulation Company
- Shamrock Oil & Gas Corp
- South Plains Pipe Line Company
- Southwestern Portland Cement Company
- Southwestern Power Company
- Southwestern Public Service Company
- Tascosa High School
- Texaco Refinery
- Thompson Inc
- Thrif‐T‐Built, Incorporated
Amarillo Courts Where Mesothelioma and Asbestos Cases Are Settled and Tried
Potter County District Courts hear mesothelioma, asbestos and toxic tort cases at the trial level. The United States District Court Northern District of Texas is the federal district court that hears such cases that are brought on the federal level, such as if the plaintiff and defendant have different states of residence.
While many cases may be initially filed in these courts, most asbestos cases do not reach a verdict. They may be resolved prior to trial through a motion such as a motion to dismiss or a motion for summary judgment. Alternatively, the parties may reach a settlement. The terms of these settlements are often confidential. Texas plaintiffs who have brought successful mesothelioma lawsuits have received hundreds of thousands of dollars or millions of dollars through settlements and verdicts. However, every case is different. An Amarillo mesothelioma lawyer should be able to evaluate the potential value of a case based on its specific circumstances.
Contact our Texas Mesothelioma Lawyer Advocates today for assistance.