A Firm That Specializes in Asbestos Litigation
In contrast to personal injury lawyers who deal with a variety of claims, law firms that specialize in asbestos litigation have the experience and resources to help people diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness. They have access to special databases that can help them link a patient's illness with the prior exposure to asbestos.
Workplace Exposure
Asbestos is a grouping of mineral fibers which are resistant to corrosion, heat and abrasion. These fibers are utilized in various products, including insulation for pipes (steam lines, for example) floor tiles, building materials and automotive brakes and clutches. Most often, occupational exposure occurs in ship repairs, construction and the production of asbestos-containing items.
Patients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related illnesses can bring a lawsuit to recover damages from businesses that exposed them to the dangerous substance. The money awarded in a mesothelioma case can cover medical costs along with lost wages and other costs associated with this illness.
In the United States, mesothelioma patients and their families could seek financial relief by suing dozens of asbestos manufacturers. These lawsuits hold these companies liable for failing to disclose the dangers of their asbestos products and for causing sufferers to be affected by mesothelioma or other diseases.
Asbestos litigation is different from other personal injury claims because it typically involves the same plaintiffs and defendants. It also involves the same lawyers, law firms and experts. It is essential that asbestos-related injury victims employ a lawyer with experience in complex cases, and who is familiar with the background of mesothelioma lawsuits in the United States.
In asbestos litigation, determining the reason for an individual's exposure to asbestos is crucial. This may require a thorough examination of the duration of employment as well as Social Security and union records tax, and other records. The lawyers at Waters Kraus & Paul can determine all potential sources of exposure and pursue claims against the responsible asbestos manufacturers.
Asbestos litigation is the longest-running mass tort in U.S. history, dating back to the 1960s. Asbestos manufacturers are now beginning to feel the effects from this litigation, submitting for bankruptcy and making settlements with victims. They've also set up asbestos trust funds to pay future victims. Mesothelioma, as well as other asbestos attorney-related diseases will continue to harm people around the world until this carcinogen that causes cancer has been banned completely. Our lawyers are dedicated to holding asbestos companies accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a fatal cancerous type that affects the linings of the lungs and abdomen, is a gruesome disease. It forms when sharp asbestos fibers become lodged in the lining and cause irritation to cells, which can then become malignant and spread to other organs. It is extremely rare that mesothelioma develops in people who have never been exposed to asbestos. In many cases, it takes decades after exposure before symptoms begin to manifest.
Mesothelioma symptoms include difficulty breathing, coughing and chest pain. A doctor will perform physical examinations and order imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scanners to look for signs of mesothelioma. They may also suggest a biopsied to test for mesothelioma within a tissue sample.
The biopsy can be carried out using surgery or by taking a small amount of tissue or fluid from the area affected by the cancer. The biopsy is then studied under microscopes to determine the type of mesothelioma. There are two kinds of mesothelioma: epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid is the more responsive type of mesothelioma and accounts for 70 to 80% diagnoses. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma is the majority of mesothelioma cases and is more difficult to treat.
Lawyers can assist victims with receiving compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. They can also file a lawsuit against responsible asbestos companies to hold them accountable for their wrongful conduct. They will analyze the evidence and formulate an appropriate legal strategy to maximize the value of your claim.
The statute of limitations in each state dictates how long a victim has to start an asbestos lawsuit after they are diagnosed mesothelioma. In most states, the statute of limitations begins when the person is diagnosed with mesothelioma in the case of wrongful death claims in the event of death. Asbestos lawyers are familiar with each state's laws and can assist clients in determining the best place to file a mesothelioma claim. They can also help victims avoid making mistakes that could decrease the value of their case. For instance, a mistake on the date of diagnosis could result in a loss of thousands of dollars in compensation.
Statute of limitations
A statute of limitation is a legal rule which sets a time limit within which a lawsuit must be filed. A plaintiff loses the right pursue legal action after the statute of limitations runs out.
Asbestos litigation has been ongoing since the 1920s, when asbestos-related illnesses. It is the longest-running mass lawsuit in U.S. History, and has affected hundreds of thousand of people within the United States. Over the years, the litigation has been changed by changes in law, the development of a well-capitalized plaintiff bar, heightened media attention to mesothelioma litigation and mass tort litigation in particular, and wider use of computers.
Lawsuits involving mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses must be filed on time to ensure that the statute of limitations has not expired. An attorney for mesothelioma can assist victims in understanding the time limitations that apply to their specific situation. In the majority of cases, a victim's time limit begins to run after they've been diagnosed with mesothelioma.
It is important that an attorney has extensive experience in handling asbestos lawsuits because the statute of limitations as well as other legal issues can make it difficult to pursue compensation. An asbestos lawyer will carefully analyze the case of each client to determine if it can impact a statute or other legal issues.
Additionally, a mesothelioma lawsuit can help compensate victims and their families for medical expenses, lost income and emotional pain which can mount up quickly. The compensation from a successful suit can also ease financial burdens and allow for a better quality of life.
Waters Kraus & Paul is adept at holding asbestos distributors, manufacturers and others accountable for their roles in the development of mesothelioma. Our attorneys have represented asbestos-related patients in Utah, California and across the country, including those who were employed in shipyards and oil refineries. We hold asbestos manufacturers accountable for their negligence and will ensure that the families of victims receive the financial compensation that they deserve.