Posted in News on February 5, 2018

Asbestos has caused suffering for millions of Montana citizens. Some of them don’t even realize they’ve undergone exposure until years later. Now, the deadline for filing a lawsuit after asbestos exposure is looming. If you believed you or a loved one suffered illness or death from asbestos exposure in Montana, discuss your case with a team who has experience in asbestos law and wrongful death claims in Billings.

The Symptoms of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is a lung disease that damages fibers in your lungs necessary for healthful breathing. It creates difficulties with breathing and oxygen trying to enter your bloodstream. For most people, it can take approximately 20 years until they show any symptoms. Here are the symptoms that you may begin experiencing if you have suffered from asbestos exposure:

  • Shortness of breathing
  • Tightness in your chest
  • Persistent dry cough
  • Pain in your chest
  • Loss of appetite
  • Enlarged fingertips and nail deformities

What to Do If You Believe You’ve Suffered Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure, because it usually takes decades to produce any symptoms, can be difficult to identify. It’s even more difficult to know what to do once you realize you have it. It is vital to pay attention to the symptoms if you begin to experience them. Many of the signs are very general and could be due to a variety of ailments, so be aware if you are at a high risk for asbestos exposure. Montana has a list of places with a higher than normal concentration of asbestos, and, if you have worked extensively at any of these locations in the past forty years, you should be aware of the signs.

If you have any concerns that you may be suffering from asbestos exposure, go to your doctor as soon as possible. If you find out that you have been exposed, contact an attorney who can help discover if you are eligible to receive compensation. There are many class action lawsuits already pending.

The Upcoming Deadline for Grace & Co. Montana Personal Injury Asbestos Claim

W.R. Grace & Co. first saw lawsuits filed against them more than 30 years ago for the suffering they caused their employees. Since then, more former Libby miners have come forward with claims of asbestos exposure. In this case, people began dying from it in the 1980s, and the issue has only intensified since then. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2001 as a result of the asbestos claims, but the business has now experienced bankruptcy emergence, meaning the protections against such suits has dissolved.

This means that people suffering from W.R. Grace & Co asbestos exposure that occurred or that they discovered before February 25, 2015 have until February 25th of this year to file a claim before their right to pursue a lawsuit expires. If victims wait until after February 25th, they will be unable to receive compensation or awards for damages and suffering that the asbestos exposure will or has already caused. The general statute of limitations in Montana for asbestos exposure is three years from the day that the victim discovered injury suffered through exposure from asbestos.

How an Attorney Can Help You After Exposure

If you or a loved one has suffered from asbestos exposure because of a negligent company or group, you need an attorney. Heenan & Cook is a team of caring, determined attorneys who have worked with personal injury laws in Montana for more than 40 years. We understand the challenges that accompany living in a rural Montana community and will do everything we can to get you fair compensation. We understand how tragic asbestos exposure is and the importance of getting compensation from the negligent companies who caused your pain. If you received a diagnosis of health problems relating to asbestos exposure on or before February 25th, 2015, contact Heenan & Cook as soon as possible to file a claim and pursue a lawsuit.