Asbestos Lawsuits

Asbestos lawsuits seek compensation for asbestos-related illnesses. These cases often involve companies who produced, mined or sold asbestos-containing products.

Asbestos-related victims can make a claim for damages like medical expenses, lost wages and other losses. The families of the victims could file claims against multiple liable parties. In rare cases, the claims could be challenged in the court.

Asbestos Litigation

Many workers who work with asbestos suffer from different health issues, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and other illnesses. They often sue companies who exposed them for compensation. This is known as asbestos litigation. Asbestos claims are filed under the category of personal injury law. The cases are filed as individual and not as part of a collective lawsuit. However, courts may join asbestos cases involving the same defendants to facilitate processing.

A mesothelioma lawyer can gather evidence to show that a victim was exposed to asbestos. The evidence could include medical documents and other records, and testimony from an expert in medical science. Asbestos victims may also need to examine their work history, including their union and employment records. This can be a lengthy process, but it is essential to ensure the success of any asbestos lawsuit.

The proof that the victim was exposed to asbestos is essential for an asbestos lawsuit. This is the hardest step in a mesothelioma lawsuit as it requires the review of the records of employment and unions as well as speaking with co-workers. In some cases, this can require a thorough examination of more than 40 years of worker records.

Certain types of workers are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than other types. This includes miners who mine asbestos as well as construction workers who work on construction sites that contain asbestos, such as refineries, hospitals, or schools. Other professions which are at risk of exposure to asbestos include machinists electricians and painters.

When asbestos becomes airborne, it can be inhaled by employees as well as other people who are nearby. Asbestos fibers can remain in the lungs for an extended period of time, which can cause serious medical issues. This is why it's so important to anyone who believes they may be suffering from asbestos to seek medical attention immediately.

Mesothelioma may take up to 30 years to diagnose, so anyone who suspects they have asbestos-related cancer should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Victims may be able to pursue legal action against the companies that exposed them to asbestos and may be able to seek compensation from a trust fund or an insurance company that has assumed the responsibility for the asbestos manufacturer that originally exposed them to asbestos.

Asbestos Diseases

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber with three kinds -- chrysotile, amosite and anthophyllite that were mined for centuries because of their unique thermal insulation properties. Because of its durability and resistance to fire, asbestos was employed in a wide range of commercial and industrial products, including ship hulls, building insulation ceiling tiles, and paints for fireproofing that contain chemicals. It is estimated that millions of people were exposed to asbestos throughout the course of their lives.

Exposure to asbestos may cause various diseases that affect the lungs, heart, and gastrointestinal tract. Lung cancer and mesothelioma are the most common and deadly asbestos-related diseases. People who have been exposed to asbestos for long periods of time are at the highest risk for developing these diseases.

Asbestos may cause non-cancerous lung conditions like asbestosis, pleural thickening or plaque. These conditions are caused by scarring of the lungs from asbestos fibers, which interferes with the ability of the lungs to deliver oxygen to the bloodstream. Pleural plaque or thickening is typically a sign that someone is at a higher risk of developing more serious asbestos-related lung issues like mesothelioma or asbestos cancer.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer is a disease that affects the lung linings as well as the lower digestive tract. It is usually caused by asbestos exposure and is often fatal when diagnosed. Mesothelioma can develop decades after exposure to asbestos, and symptoms might not manifest until later in the course of the disease.

Every year, 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma. The people who suffer from this deadly condition were probably exposed to asbestos during many years of employment, usually in the construction or military industries. Even family members of asbestos workers who didn't directly work with asbestos have been affected.

A person diagnosed with mesothelioma or a family member suffering from the disease may file a lawsuit against asbestos-related companies. State laws, also known as statutes or limitations, permit victims and their family members to sue a company within a certain time period after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, or finding out about it.

Statute of Limitations

State laws can set an array of time limits for asbestos lawsuits. The clock of the statute of limitations typically begins to run when a victim learns or should have learned that their illness was caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos cases may be unique due to the lengthy interval between exposure and diagnosis.

Due to the delayed nature of symptoms, a patient may require numerous medical tests and procedures in order to definitively determine that an asbestos-related illness was the cause of their current condition. Furthermore, the health issues could be complicated due to other health issues or life circumstances that could be the cause of their injuries. Legal advice from an experienced attorney is crucial to establish the timeline of an asbestos-related injury.

Mesothelioma can be described as a cancer that affects mesothelium - the tissue that surrounds your main internal organs. It is most common in the lungs but can also affect testicles as well as the abdomen. If you or someone you know was exposed to asbestos at work and then developed mesothelioma, you could be entitled financial compensation from companies who mined asbestos lawyers, made asbestos-containing products or used them in your workplace.

A mesothelioma settlement or verdict can help victims recuperate lost wages, medical expenses, travel and home care costs funeral or burial costs of family members who have passed away and funeral or burial expenses. Asbestos patients and their families can also seek compensation for emotional distress, mental suffering, anguish and loss of consortium.

State laws establish the statute of limitations, which can vary depending on what type of asbestos claim is being filed and the specifics of the case. The statute of limitations in asbestos claims involving personal injury typically begins at the time of diagnosis. For cases of wrongful death, the statute is determined by the date the deceased family member passed died.

Get a mesothelioma lawyer with experience immediately to learn about the state's statutes of limitations. It is essential to start your lawsuit before the deadline statutory passes, as you will lose the right to do so.

Compensation

The majority of asbestos lawsuits are settled outside of the court. A qualified attorney can negotiate compensation on your behalf.

You could be eligible to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses incurred due to asbestos exposure. You can also receive damages for suffering and pain. In certain cases you could be awarded punitive damages in addition to your compensatory damages. These are damages awarded at the discretion of a judge or jury as punishment for conduct that goes above and beyond the scope of simple negligence.

Many mesothelioma sufferers as well as those with other asbestos-related illnesses do not have enough money to cover expenses. These settlements help victims and their families get the medical care they require.

When filing an asbestos lawsuit, you must have solid evidence of your exposure to asbestos. An asbestos lawyer can gather documents, interview witnesses, and look over your work history to document your asbestos exposure. A knowledgeable attorney can determine the source of your exposure by using databases that provide details on thousands of workplaces and asbestos-containing products.

The defendants in an asbestos lawsuit are liable under one or more legal theories, such as negligence, strict liability, and breach of warranty. In negligence cases, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant was aware or ought to have known of the risk of exposure to asbestos and failed to take action to protect the victim. In strict liability cases the defendant doesn't have to be found negligent. In cases of breach of warranty, a plaintiff has to demonstrate that the defendant breached their duty of care under the law when they sold a product which was not suitable for its intended use.

A mesothelioma attorney can help you to file a lawsuit against companies accountable for your exposure to asbestos. A lot of times asbestos exposure is the fault of several companies. Those responsible can include mining companies, manufacturers of asbestos and asbestos-containing products, employers who used these products and property owners who own or manage asbestos-contaminated sites.

You can also pursue compensation through Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits for mesothelioma and related conditions resulting from military service. VA benefits are based on a person's total lifetime mesothelioma and wrongful death exposure to asbestos. A skilled VA and asbestos attorney can help you navigate the VA claims process and file an accurate claim.