How to File an asbestos attorney Exposure Lawsuit
A lawsuit involving asbestos exposure could result in compensation being paid to the victim or their loved family members. Each case is unique but there are some common elements.
A lawyer will be able to determine where you were exposed to asbestos and which companies are responsible. Many of the asbestos manufacturers went through bankruptcy and created bankruptcy trusts for people to claim compensation.
File a Claim
Each asbestos case is unique, but there are some aspects that are common to all claims. To win their claim, they must prove that they were exposed to asbestos, have a mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illness and they have suffered damages because of those exposures.
Asbestos lawsuits typically are based on a personal injury claim or wrongful death claim. In a personal injury lawsuit, a person with mesothelioma sues the companies who manufactured or sold asbestos-based products to whom they were exposed at work or in military service. In wrongful death lawsuits, the plaintiffs file on behalf of family members who have lost loved loved ones to mesothelioma or an asbestos-related illness.
The statute of limitations is extremely strict, and you should submit your asbestos lawsuit as soon possible. State-by-state the statutes of limitation could be as little as a year. A mesothelioma attorney can assist a patient to determine if they're eligible to make an asbestos lawsuit, and what the best timeline may be for filing a case.
In a mesothelioma-related case the plaintiff seeks compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs associated with the disease. Settlements for mesothelioma victims can be in the hundreds of thousands or even more.
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. Major companies knew of the risks associated with asbestos, but did not warn employees or the public. An asbestos attorney can examine the person's work history and military service records to identify the source of their exposure.
An experienced mesothelioma attorney will also review the client's business, home, and auto insurance records to identify possible sources of exposure. They can then make use of this information to develop a timeline of the person's asbestos exposure and determine if other sources of exposure exist.
Most mesothelioma lawsuits are filed against asbestos-containing products manufacturers, distributors, or sellers. They can be sued for negligence, strict liability or product liability. Generally, the asbestos lawyers will argue that these defendants were negligent because they failed to take reasonable care when manufacturing selling, selling or utilizing their products. They will also claim that the defendants failed provide adequate warnings regarding the dangers associated with their products.
The Discovery Phase
When you start your lawsuit and your lawyer, the defendants begin an exchange called discovery. This includes documentation such as medical and corporate records, as well as statements under oath in interviews called depositions. Your attorney will help you prepare for a deposition and be there to assist you throughout the process. In fact, the best New York mesothelioma attorneys will conduct their own research in this phase of the lawsuit to gather important evidence that supports your claim and helps you receive the maximum amount of compensation.
An experienced asbestos lawyer will uncover any evidence that shows the defendants' negligence or inaction caused your condition. Your attorney will examine documents obtained through discovery and search for information that indicates whether you were exposed other substances or activities that could have caused mesothelioma.
The mesothelioma discovery process can take months and you will likely feel like there is nothing happening during the period. However, your lawyer will be hard at work, scouring through the data gathered during this stage of the legal process to strengthen your case.
The company's own admissions in the litigation process was a key discovery that has allowed asbestos victims to win settlements. Many asbestos-related companies, for instance, denied that their product caused cancer or breathing problems for years. However, their internal documents were released in the lawsuits, revealing that they knew about asbestos' dangers but failed to warn workers and consumers.
After reviewing all evidence available in your case the lawyer will help you decide if an out of court settlement is a viable option. The majority of asbestos cases reach settlements rather than going to trial because this allows the victims to receive their money more quickly and avoid the risk of a loss in the event of a trial. An experienced lawyer will negotiate the best possible settlement on your behalf. They will evaluate any offers made by the defendants to determine if they are fair.
Settlements
In many civil cases, the amount of compensation awarded will depend on the case facts. The type of asbestos-related illness will affect the value of a claim. Mesothelioma is the most severe type of asbestos illness, so those who suffer from it or their surviving family members may receive larger settlements than those who suffered other types of exposure.
Lawsuits can be filed with an experienced NYC mesothelioma law firm to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, suffering and suffering and loss of companionship, among other damages. Family members of the deceased can file a wrongful death lawsuit in the event that a loved one has passed away from mesothelioma or an asbestos-related illness.
Compensation in a suit for mesothelioma isn't easy. Lawyers can examine the victim's military and work history to determine the places and times when asbestos was employed. Then, they can determine which companies are responsible for the exposure to asbestos. A mesothelioma lawyer will also compare the mesothelioma patient's symptoms with those of previous cases in order to arrive at an acceptable range of settlement offer.
Typically, lawyers take on these cases on a contingency basis, which means that they do not get paid unless they recover money for their client. The lawyer will pay for all of the reasonable costs associated with the case and then be paid out of the verdict or settlement.
A jury will consider the evidence and decide how much a victim should be compensated for their injuries. However, it is possible that defendants want to go to trial instead of agreeing to a settlement. This is especially the case if the plaintiff's asbestos law firm has had success in obtaining large verdicts in mesothelioma trials.
Asbestos victims might also be able to file claims through the asbestos trust fund, which was set by companies that produced and distributed asbestos-based products to pay for asbestos-related liabilities. These funds are reserved for those who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace, including veterans. Some of these funds are depleted and can no longer pay the full amount to mesothelioma patients.
Trial
A lawsuit involving asbestos is intended to pay for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. Generally, the amount you receive is based on the length of your exposure as well as the type of asbestos you were exposed to. A victim may have been exposed multiple types of asbestos when working in an energy plant, shipyard or in other industrial settings. Therefore, a mesothelioma lawyer must be knowledgeable about every type of asbestos and how it can cause various illnesses.
The defendants in an asbestos lawsuit have varying opinions about compensating victims. They may resort to various strategies to avoid paying claims. Your attorney must be able to recognize these tactics and ensure your case is handled swiftly. The defendant will often try to delay the process by filing frivolous, unfounded motions that are most likely to be denied. Our mesothelioma lawyers have experience and know how to thwart these types of tactics and ensure that your case gets resolved promptly.
Your mesothelioma attorney will develop a trial plan and present it to the court once the evidence is gathered. A successful trial requires a lot of preparation and a keen eye for the smallest details. The plan will be adapted for your situation as the jury's decision is contingent on how they understand the evidence.
A successful verdict could mean a large payout for you or someone you love. If the defendants do not appeal the verdict, you could receive payments within a few months of the trial.
Defendants can decide to appeal the verdict, but this will delay any monetary award until the appeal is completed. They may also decide to pay a lesser amount or nothing at all. In 2022 the jury gave $43 million to a woman who worked in a factory that used asbestos fire doors.
The time limit for filing an asbestos claim or lawsuit may differ by state. However, in most cases it begins when you are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Additionally, family members of a deceased victim may be eligible to file a mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit.