A Firm That Specializes in Asbestos Litigation
Firms that specialize in asbestos litigation, as opposed to personal injury lawyers who handle various types of cases have the expertise and resources necessary to help those who have been diagnosed with asbestos-related ailments. These law firms have access to special databases that allow them to connect a patient's diagnosis to their previous exposure to asbestos.
Workplace Exposure
Asbestos is one of the naturally occurring mineral fibers that are impervious to corrosion and heat. These fibers are utilized in products such as insulation for pipes (steam lines for example) floor tiles, building materials, and automotive brakes and clutches. Occupational exposure occurs most often during ship repairs, construction and manufacturing of asbestos-containing products.
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases may sue to seek damages from companies that exposed them to this dangerous substance. Compensation from a mesothelioma suit can cover medical expenses as well as lost wages and other costs related to the disease.
In the United States, mesothelioma victims and their families can seek financial relief from a myriad of asbestos producers through litigation. These lawsuits hold asbestos lawyer manufacturers accountable for their failure to disclose the dangers associated with asbestos products and for causing sufferers to suffer from mesothelioma and other conditions.
Asbestos litigation differs from other personal injury cases since it may involve many of the same defendants (companies who are sued), the same law firms representing plaintiffs, and the same attorneys and expert witnesses. This is why it is crucial that those suffering from asbestos-related injuries hire an attorney who is familiar with these kinds of cases and the lengthy history of mesothelioma litigation in the United States.
In asbestos litigation, determining the reason for a person's exposure asbestos is essential. This can require a review of years of employment and Social Security, union tax, and other records. Waters Kraus &Paul's lawyers can determine the possible sources of asbestos exposure and then seek legal action against asbestos manufacturers.
Asbestos litigation is the longest-running mass tort in U.S. history, dating to the 1960s. Asbestos producers are now beginning to feel the effects of this litigation by filing for bankruptcy, making settlements with victims and establishing asbestos trust funds to pay future victims. However, until this dangerous carcinogen is banned completely, mesothelioma and the other asbestos-related illnesses will continue to cause severe damage to the population of the world. Our lawyers are determined to hold asbestos lawsuit companies accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a lethal form of cancer that afflicts the lung lining or abdomen. It occurs when asbestos fibers are lodged in the lung's lining or abdomen and cause irritation to cells. These cells can then develop into malignant cells and spread to various organs. It is extremely rare that mesothelioma develops in those who have never been exposed to asbestos. In many cases, the symptoms are not evident until decades after exposure to asbestos.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are difficulty breathing, coughing and chest pain. A doctor will usually perform physical examinations and order imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans to look for mesothelioma-related symptoms. They may also suggest biopsies to look for mesothelioma within a tissue sample.
The biopsy procedure can be done through surgery or removal of small amounts of fluid or tissue in the area affected by tumor. The biopsy is then studied under microscopes to determine the type of mesothelioma. There are two kinds of mesothelioma, epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid mesothelioma is more susceptible to treatment and accounts for up 70% to 80 percent of mesothelioma diagnosis. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma accounts for the majority of mesothelioma patients and is more difficult to treat.
Lawyers can help victims in getting compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and suffering and pain. They can also bring an asbestos attorney lawsuit against responsible companies to make them accountable for their actions. They will look over all available evidence and prepare a legal strategy that will maximize the value of a lawsuit.
The statute of limitations in each state determines how long victims must bring a lawsuit against asbestos attorney after being diagnosed with mesothelioma. In most states, a victim's statute of limitations begins when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma, or in the case of wrongful deaths, the date of death. Asbestos lawyers are well-versed in the laws of each state and can assist clients in determining the most appropriate jurisdiction to file a mesothelioma lawsuit. They can also assist patients avoid making mistakes that could reduce 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 limitations is a legal rule which establishes a time frame within which a lawsuit has to be filed. When the statute of limitations runs out the plaintiff loses the right to pursue legal action regardless of the merits of the case.
Since the late 1920s, when workers began to report asbestos-related illnesses asbestos litigation has been ongoing. It is the longest-running mass litigation in U.S. History, and has affected hundreds of thousands of people in just the United States. Throughout the years the litigation has been shaped by changes in law, the growth of a well-capitalized plaintiff bar, heightened media interest in mesothelioma and mass tort litigation in particular, and wider use of technology like computers.
To ensure that the statutes of limitation have not expired, mesothelioma lawsuits and other asbestos-related illnesses should be filed as soon as possible. Each state has its own statute of limitations and a mesothelioma lawyer can assist victims in understanding what time frame applies in their specific situation. In most cases the statute of limitations starts to run when a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related illness.
It is crucial that an attorney has vast experience dealing with asbestos lawsuits since the statute of limitations as well as other complex legal issues can make it difficult to pursue compensation. An asbestos lawyer will carefully review the case of each client to determine whether it will affect a statute or other legal questions.
A mesothelioma lawsuit can pay victims and their relatives for medical costs along with lost income and emotional distress. These costs can quickly add up. A successful lawsuit can reduce financial hardships and improve the quality of life.
Waters Kraus & Paul has expertise in the case of holding asbestos distributors, producers and others accountable for the role they played in the development of mesothelioma. Our lawyers have represented clients exposed to asbestos 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 are determined to ensure the families of victims receive the financial compensation that they deserve.