Asbestos Lawsuits

People who have suffered injuries from asbestos exposure may be eligible for compensation. Compensation can include financial compensation, medical bills and lost income.

Based on the particular case, an asbestos lawsuit may be settled, or it may go to trial. Most mesothelioma patients opt to settle without court due to their best interests.

What is an Asbestos Lawsuit?

An asbestos lawsuit is a legal claim brought against asbestos companies by people who have suffered injuries due to exposure to this toxic substance. The goal of an asbestos lawsuit is to hold the responsible companies accountable and to recover compensation for victims and their families. For decades, asbestos manufacturers knew that the mineral was dangerous and were willing to make massive profits while exposing millions of Americans to the risk of mesothelioma and other deadly diseases.

Asbestos victims may be able to seek compensation for a variety of damages related to their injuries, including medical expenses loss of wages in addition to pain and suffering and funeral expenses. In certain cases plaintiffs could also be able to claim damages for punitive harm when their mesothelioma lawyer is able to demonstrate that the defendants' actions went beyond the scope of negligence.

Often, an asbestos lawsuit involves filing claims against many defendants. This is due to the fact that the nature of an asbestos lawsuit will require an extensive investigation into the work environment where asbestos was present, especially since some sites employed asbestos for a long time. Asbestos victims may also have been exposed to various asbestos products from different asbestos producers.

Asbestos lawyers can assist clients collect evidence to prove that asbestos is the cause of their disease. This will usually involve collecting medical documents and employment histories, as well as looking into the workplace where exposure occurred. After the data is gathered by attorneys who can identify the asbestos producers who are responsible and file the appropriate claims on behalf of their clients.

Many asbestos-related lawsuits are settled before trial. It is important to consult an expert mesothelioma lawyer who is prepared to take on trial if required. A mesothelioma law firm that is praised by insurance companies and defendants for its ability to try complex cases will be able to get the most favorable outcome for their clients.

In some cases, a mesothelioma victim's family may file a wrongful-death claim on behalf of their loved one. Wrongful Death Statutes allow surviving spouses, children, and parents to be compensated for the loss in the love, companionship and support they've suffered due to their loved ones death from an asbestos-related disease.

How long do I have to sue?

In every civil case, there are specific deadlines for filing a lawsuit known as statutes of limitations. The statutes of limitations differ from state to state, but they all limit the time that you must bring a lawsuit to recover compensation. An asbestos-related illness or the death of loved ones because of asbestos exposure can be prevented by consulting an experienced attorney.

The law generally considers asbestos lawsuits to be personal injury lawsuits, which means that the plaintiff has to prove that the defendants (companies being sued) were negligent in their actions. Many asbestos attorneys victims were not aware of the risks associated with asbestos, and some companies did not inform workers of asbestos-related illnesses when they became apparent. Victims might be able to claim damages through a lawsuit based on product liability and negligence.

An experienced attorney can help clients gather the evidence needed to prove their case. This is accomplished by reviewing medical records, employment histories and asbestos exposure, as well as interviewing witnesses, like union representatives or coworkers, who can provide detailed details of the victim's job environment. A firm with expertise will have access to experts that can help build an effective case, regardless of the nature or location of asbestos exposure.

Because the symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma usually take 10-50 years to be evident, the statute of limitations "clock" will not start running until a person was first exposed to asbestos. The clock usually begins when the patient is diagnosed.

Asbestos defendants are aware of the law well and will do their best to deter a claim. They can make frivolous motions in order to try to force the plaintiff to give up or even die before the case is settled. Our attorneys are adept at thwarting such tactics and moving cases forward as quickly as possible.

A settlement or verdict that is successful in an asbestos lawsuit can pay a victim back for financial losses arising from their injury, including medical expenses loss of income and home care expenses, funeral and burial expenses, mental anguish, emotional distress as well as pain and suffering and the loss of companionship or consortium. It also provides compensation to victims for the loss of life and other losses incurred because of the injury including past and future loss of enjoyment of life.

What Damages Can I Recover in an Asbestos Lawsuit?

Asbestos victims may be eligible for compensation for medical bills as well as lost income and other expenses incurred due to their asbestos-related disease. In addition, victims may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering.

The amount of compensation awarded in an asbestos lawsuit is determined by the individual exposure history and the type of asbestos-related disease. It is crucial that the victim or their family members hire an asbestos law firm with the experience and resources to construct an argument that is strong and can maximize the amount of compensation.

Lawyers for asbestos victims gather medical and employment documents, identify potential asbestos defendants and decide on the appropriate compensation amount. In a majority of cases, asbestos lawsuits settle without trial. However, an experienced mesothelioma lawyer can pursue a lawsuit all way to trial if necessary. This is crucial because a jury will likely give more compensation in the event that the case is brought to trial rather than resolved outside of court.

A mesothelioma attorney will work closely with a client and their family to ensure that all available compensation is recovered. Additionally, mesothelioma lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis, which means that they don't get paid until the client receives compensation.

In most asbestos lawsuits, victims seek compensation from the companies that exposed them to asbestos. The defendants could include asbestos manufacturers or asbestos product distributors who supplied asbestos to employers. Asbestos victims may also sue property owners who own the sites of work where they were exposed.

Defendants in an asbestos lawsuit could be held accountable for damages that are punitive if the plaintiff can prove that the negligent act went beyond mere negligence. This typically requires a demonstration that the defendant acted with recklessness or intentionally to cause harm to the plaintiff.

The best mesothelioma lawyers can assist victims and their families recover the full extent of the damages to which they are entitled. The first step is to contact an asbestos law firm as soon as possible following a mesothelioma diagnosis. The lawsuit must be filed within the state's specified time limit, called the statute of limitations.

How do I determine if I have an asbestos lawsuit?

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related disease, you could be able to file an asbestos lawsuit. An attorney for mesothelioma can look over your employment history and other pertinent data to determine if you qualify for an asbestos lawsuit.

Asbestos litigation often involves multiple defendants. These can include the asbestos manufacturers and any companies who supplied asbestos attorneys. Many of these companies are no longer in existence. However, they could have been taken over by other companies which continue to operate. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will look over your employment information and databases to help you determine who is responsible for your asbestos exposure.

Once a lawyer has determined whether you have a valid mesothelioma case, they'll collect all the relevant information to build a case. This includes interviewing witnesses and collecting medical records. They also calculate the financial losses. You may be able to receive compensation for these losses to help pay for future and current expenses.

The goal of an asbestos attorney lawsuit is to hold the accountable parties for their wrongful actions. Asbestos-exposed sufferers must prove that their disease was caused by the exposure to asbestos. They may seek compensation to cover the financial burdens, such as medical expenses and lost wages. Additionally, they can claim non-economic damages to compensate them for the pain and suffering they have suffered.

Additionally, family members of mesothelioma sufferers are able to sue for wrongful deaths. The spouses, children and grandchildren of a deceased victim may also file wrongful-death claims.

A mesothelioma attorney with experience can assist you in determining the best court to file your lawsuit based on their prior asbestos cases. They will also look over the statute of limitations that is the length of time it takes to file your claim. They can also determine whether you are eligible for a mesothelioma trust fund claim which allows victims to bring a lawsuit against solvent companies even if the company has gone bankrupt. Trust fund claims have lower burdens of proof and carry lower awards. They are still a valuable resource for many victims.