Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Asbestos lawyers can hold the asbestos-related companies accountable through the filing of a lawsuit. They could be former employers or asbestos producers.
The companies were aware of the asbestos risks but failed to inform their employees. These lawsuits seek compensation from the companies for their employees and victims.
Most asbestos lawsuits settle before trial. Experienced attorneys are ready to take your case to a jury trial should you require.
Military Service
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease can affect veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their service in the military. Mesothelioma lawsuits are filed against asbestos companies who are accountable and compensation can be awarded to cover the cost of treatment.
Asbest was present in numerous kinds of military equipment, including boilers, pipes and engine rooms. Many types of military equipment, including boilers pipes, boilers, and engine rooms, included asbestos. The Navy was the branch that was exposed to the highest exposure to asbestos. This is the reason that a large number of Navy veterans have been diagnosed with mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related diseases.
Asbestos-related victims are compensated in a variety of ways, including VA benefits and legal settlements. Because mesothelioma may be classified as an incurable condition Veterans are able to be eligible for VA disability benefits.
Veterans can receive compensation from the VA or legal settlements to help pay for medical treatment as well as support their families and live a comfortable lifestyle. Asbestos attorneys can help veterans know how these benefits work and assist in submitting claims.
Lawyers can assist their clients file asbestos lawsuits against the makers of the deadly product. Many large corporations were aware of the dangers of asbestos, yet they filed for bankruptcy to avoid liability. However the mesothelioma lawyers of Waters Kraus & Paul hold these asbestos companies accountable.
Although most cases result in an agreement, a small number of mesothelioma lawsuits end in trial. In a trial, the victims are brought before a judge and jury who can award more or less money than the amount of a settlement. In one mesothelioma case that was decided by a jury, the victim's family $40 million in damages. This is the biggest award ever for an asbestos claim. The attorneys representing the victims must show that the defendants are responsible for the victim's exposure asbestos and were negligent in causing their harm. This proof is generally provided through documents and testimony from those who worked with the victim.
Bankruptcy
In addition to the financial damages, victims and their families can also receive medical expenses and compensation for pain and suffering. However, the process can be long. It typically can take two years or more between the diagnosis of the victim and when they are awarded compensation. This is why it is important to seek out a qualified mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible.
Asbestos lawsuits can be a bit complicated. They involve multiple parties which include multiple trusts and a complicated series of legal proceedings. The lawsuits are filed by mesothelioma sufferers or their estates. The companies were aware of the link between mesothelioma and asbestos however, they continued to produce the product for a long time. As a result of this, thousands asbestos attorney victims have received damages.
Many of the companies that produced asbestos-containing products have gone under due to the staggering amount of lawsuits. This has led to the creation of a legal sector dedicated exclusively to asbestos litigation.
Businesses that are still in business may file for bankruptcy to reduce their risk. The Texas Two-Step strategy is based on state law that allows companies with high liabilities to establish an entity with low assets. The company then reorganizes through Chapter 11 and moves the assets and liabilities into the newly formed subsidiary.
Often, the new subsidiary is usually located in a different country to avoid lawsuits that relate to asbestos exposure that occurred before the change in. This strategy has been utilized in a variety of high-profile cases like J&J's restructuring of LTL Management which faced 40,000 claims for baby powder. Gordon's firm currently represents a number of clients that are using this strategy, including Georgia-Pacific's Bestwall which is currently facing 60,000 claims.
Asbestos lawsuits can be complicated due to the statutes of limitations. Mesothelioma generally develops between 10 and 40 years after asbestos exposure. State laws, also known as statutes of limitations allow victims between one and five years to make a claim. In the case an untimely death, the family has a period of one to three years to file a lawsuit beginning from the date the loved one died.
Settlements
The victims of asbestos-related diseases are often awarded significant settlements. Certain cases, like the wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of an asbestos pipefitter result in settlements by juries of millions of dollars. In other cases, victims settle for comparatively little. This is because a lot of the companies that once manufactured and installed asbestos have closed down or declared bankruptcy. Asbestos companies who file for bankruptcy must follow a court-approved procedure that requires them to put aside huge sums of money to compensate future victims. Trusts allow more claimants to be compensated but the amounts are often considerably lower than what would be awarded in a tort case.
The value of an asbestos claim is based on the severity of the condition as well as the time it took for the victim to develop the disease and the severity of the suffering suffered by the victim. The dollar value of a case is also dependent on the amount of lost earnings, medical expenses and the degree to which mesothelioma victims' suffering and pain can be quantified.
The majority of states have statutes of limitations restricting the length of time that a mesothelioma asbestos-related injury victim can file a lawsuit against a defendant. The date on which the plaintiff was diagnosed with mesothelioma is typically an effective notice that begins the clock for the time limit.
The majority of mesothelioma cases settle or resolvable by the courts because mesothelioma is a fatal cancer that can take years before it begins to manifest symptoms. If mesothelioma patients die before their cases are resolved and their estates are able to continue to pursue an asbestos lawsuit on their behalf.
Waters Kraus & Paul represents clients from a variety of industries in the United States and abroad who have been exposed to asbestos. We hold asbestos producers and their insurers accountable for their role in exposing victims this harmful chemical. We have represented families of mesothelioma patients in cases against companies located throughout the United States, Canada and the Middle East including Iran.
Trials
If a trial occurs the victims could receive verdicts in the millions. These awards can be used to cover medical costs loss of wages, medical expenses, and other losses resulting from asbestos exposure. A jury can also award punitive damages to penalize the responsible company for their actions and to discourage others from putting customers or employees in danger.
The compensation from an asbestos lawsuit could help families of mesothelioma victims get back on their feet following losing loved ones to the disease. Families are often required to take time off from work to care for mesothelioma sufferers which can result in loss of income. Mesothelioma settlements and judgments could cover the costs and give family members financial security.
Asbestos lawsuits are some of the longest-running mass torts in U.S. history. The lawsuits have resulted in dozens of companies filing for bankruptcy and asbestos trust funds have been created to compensate victims. Research has shown that asbestos exposure leads to lung damage and illnesses like mesothelioma.
A mesothelioma lawyer can create and argue an argument to ensure that clients get the most money. An experienced lawyer can advise clients on the advantages and disadvantages of settling a case versus pursuing a trial. An attorney can explain how different state statutes of limitation and asbestos laws may affect the outcome of a case.
During the trial attorneys and clients conduct a series of meetings called discovery. During this phase attorneys gather evidence and information from defendants in order to prepare for trial. A lot of defendants be settled during this phase to avoid a damaging jury verdict.
A mesothelioma lawyer with experience has the knowledge and resources to hold asbestos distributors, manufacturers and insurance companies accountable for negligence. Waters Kraus & Paul attorneys have successfully held asbestos-related companies accountable for their negligence and secured substantial settlements for their clients. Contact us now to discuss how we can help your family and you get the justice you deserve. We represent people across the country who were exposed to asbestos. We can help you receive the compensation you deserve if or someone you love has contracted an asbestos-related illness.