Estate Claims and Asbestos Claims Law

If someone dies due to asbestos-related illnesses, their family can file a claim for estate and receive financial compensation. This compensation could help pay for funeral costs and any medical bills that remain.

Many companies that produced asbestos lawsuits-containing products have filed for bankruptcy, creating huge funds to pay victims. However, these funds have been drained and settlement amounts are being rationed.

Bankruptcy Trusts

As the health risks associated with asbestos were recognized, companies that used and manufactured asbestos faced huge lawsuits from the victims. Many of these companies opted to enter Chapter 11 bankruptcy to protect themselves from further liability. The courts compelled them to set funds aside in trusts for future claims. The trusts will manage future litigation, not the reorganized firm. A trustee oversees the asbestos claims process and ensures that there's enough cash to pay the asbestos victims.

The secrecy surrounding these trusts has allowed for fraudulent asbestos claims to be paid out. Research has discovered trusts were able to pay 86 percent of claims and 37 percent of settlements were paid to individuals who did not have asbestos-related malignancies. In addition a recent decision by a court in the United States bankruptcy case In Re Garlock Sealing Technologies LLC noted the existence of a "significant pattern" of fraud by asbestos claimants and law firms. Key evidence, such as product identification, was concealed.

A mesothelioma attorney can help you choose the asbestos trust that is most suitable for your claim. Each trust has its own criteria to determine eligibility, which includes proof of diagnosis and the history of your work. It is also recommended to provide a medical certificate proving that your illness is caused by asbestos exposure. Your attorney will make sure that your asbestos trust file complies with these requirements, and will gather additional evidence to back up your claim.

In certain situations the attorney you choose to use may make an asbestos trust claim expedited on your behalf. These claims are processed faster than others and result in the award of a larger amount of compensation. To be eligible for an expedited claim, you must meet a set of criteria set out on the asbestos trust's website. These include meeting specific requirements for employment and medical, as well as having a doctor's statement that indicates you suffer from an asbestos-related disease.

The asbestos trust claim process is complex and should only be handled by a mesothelioma attorney with expertise. Dreyer Boyajian LLP can help you navigate the many rules and regulations for asbestos trusts to ensure that you get the compensation you are entitled to. The firm can help know the distinctions between these claims and VA claims as well as lawsuit awards.

Settlements

A settlement is a deal between a plaintiff and the asbestos company. It ends the case. It can occur before, during or after a trial. Plaintiffs can accept, counter or reject any offer. A mesothelioma lawyer can evaluate any settlement offer to determine fairness. However, patients should not agree to any settlement without a complete knowledge of the amount they will receive. The amount of the settlement can affect future expenses, such as medical expenses, travel and lost wages.

Asbestos litigation can take years and require lengthy legal research as well as detailed medical and employment records. Attorneys will work to show asbestos companies were aware of the dangers of their products and failed to warn workers. Asbestos defendants settle to avoid losing before a pro-company juror. A top-rated mesothelioma attorney can draw on their expertise in negotiating asbestos settlements to determine the possible settlements for each case.

Patients with mesothelioma often need financial assistance. Health insurance typically only covers the cost of treatment, leaving many patients with significant out-of-pocket expenses. Workers' compensation is another option for assistance. Mesothelioma lawyers can look over insurance policies to determine eligibility.

Depending on the extent of a victim's exposure and the severity of their illness the amount of settlements can vary greatly. The amount of compensation awarded to mesothelioma sufferers can include compensation for past and future suffering and pain, the loss of enjoyment of life's pleasures, and lost income.

Family members of loved ones who have died from mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related diseases, may be entitled to compensation under a pre-established insurance policy. Documentation is required for this type of claim, including death certificates and policy documents. Attorneys can look over the available options and help victims and their families to file claims. Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses can have a devastating effect on families of patients. Dreyer Boyajian LLP's asbestos attorneys have helped clients achieve multi-million-dollar settlements in a variety of complicated cases. Contact our New York office today to schedule a confidential consultation with one of our skilled lawyers.

Trials

asbestos lawyer companies know that they face a high likelihood of being found to be responsible in lawsuits brought by victims who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition. Instead of battling for large verdicts asbestos defendants often opt to settle cases. A mesothelioma lawyer can assist victims weigh the pros and cons between taking on an action or settling.

A mesothelioma attorney can gather details about a person's asbestos exposure history and identify the products or companies responsible. Multiple defendants can be involved in certain asbestos cases because asbestos exposure is usually the result of a variety sources.

In settlement discussions, a mesothelioma law firm can prove that the asbestos firm's negligence caused the asbestos-related illness through not adequately educating its customers about the dangers associated with its products. The medical record of the victim can be used to prove the link between exposure and mesothelioma.

If a mesothelioma plaintiff accepts a settlement, the parties involved in the case will cease negotiations and provide a guaranteed sum of money for the victim. Settlements are a great alternative for those who can't afford to wait for the outcome of a trial. Keep in mind that settlements can be altered as the court reviews evidence and considers arguments from both sides.

A judge or jury decides if the company is liable for asbestos and the amount they have to pay. Trials can last from a few days to a few months. The outcome of a court trial depends on both the strength of the evidence and the skill of the attorneys on each side.

Many asbestos lawyers will advise their client to settle a case as it is the quickest method of receiving compensation. An asbestos attorney will research all legal options to maximize the compensation offered to a victim. In some instances, it may be more beneficial to pursue an appeal and hope for a higher verdict. In this case, the victim's lawyer will argue for the lifting of the corporate veil, exposing the parent company to liability, in addition to the subsidiary.

Statute of Limitations

One of the most important aspects that can affect an asbestos lawsuit is the statute of limitations, which set a time limit on the time a person can start a lawsuit or claim. The deadline for filing a claim varies from state to state, and plaintiffs have to be aware of the law in their jurisdiction well. Contact an asbestos lawyer as soon as possible in case you're concerned that your statute of limitation has expired. They can help you determine whether there are any exceptions, exemptions or other unique circumstances that could extend the time frame for filing statutory claims.

In most states the statute of limitations is not in effect until the diagnosis of an illness is made. Because asbestos-related mesothelioma diseases can take a long time to manifest, this may complicate cases.

Different states have different statutes of limitation for personal injury and wrongful death claims. Personal injury lawsuits are usually filed by living people who adhere to the statutes of limitation established by their home states. The family members of the deceased person can bring a wrongful death lawsuit. These cases are governed by the laws of the state in which the decedent resided at the time of his death.

Another aspect that could impact the statute of limitation is where the victim worked or lived. If the victim was exposed in more than one place or suffered from multiple illnesses the law that applies to them may be determined by the place where the bulk of their exposure occurred or the place they were diagnosed. This could cause problems for those who have relocated to a new state or were diagnosed after the statute of limitations was passed in their home state.

In certain cases the deadline for filing a statutory claim may be extended in certain circumstances or by a court or court order. However, this is rare. To safeguard your rights, if suffer from a serious illness such as mesothelioma, it is important to file a lawsuit against mesothelioma or asbestos as soon as you can. Contact a qualified asbestos attorney immediately to ensure that you do not miss out on the chance to be awarded compensation. The attorneys at Dreyer Boyajian LLP achieved multi-million dollars in a variety of complex cases involving hazardous exposure.