Estate Claims and Asbestos Claims Law
If someone dies due to asbestos-related disease the family member can make an estate claim and receive financial compensation. This compensation could help pay for funeral expenses and any remaining medical expenses.
Many companies that manufactured asbestos-containing products have filed for bankruptcy, creating huge funds to pay victims. The funds have been drained however the settlement amounts have required rationing.
Bankruptcy Trusts
As asbestos became more widely known as a risk to health, companies that produced and used it were slapped with a flood of lawsuits filed by victims. Many of these companies were forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in order to safeguard themselves from any further liability. They were ordered by the courts to put money in trusts to cover future claims. Trusts will handle future litigation, not the newly reorganized firm. A trustee oversees the asbestos trusts, directing the claims process and ensuring that there is enough money available to pay asbestos victims.
The secretive nature of trusts has allowed fraudulent asbestos claims to be paid. In one study, researchers found that those who did not suffer from malignant asbestos injuries accounted for 86 per cent of claims settled by trusts and 37 percent of all settlements. In addition, a recent court ruling in the United States bankruptcy case In re Garlock Sealing Technologies LLC cited an "significant pattern of misrepresentation" by asbestos claimants and law firms and law firms, with evidence like the product's identification being hidden.
A mesothelioma lawyer can help you choose the asbestos trust that is best for your claim. Each asbestos trust sets its own standards for determining eligibility, including proof of diagnosis and work history. You must also provide a doctor's note confirming your condition is due to asbestos exposure. Your attorney will make sure your asbestos trust file is in compliance with all of these specifications, as well as gathering additional evidence to strengthen your claim.
In some cases an attorney may be able to file a claim for asbestos trust expedited on your behalf. These claims are processed faster than other claims, and allow for a larger payout. You must meet certain criteria set out on the website of the
asbestos lawsuits trust to be eligible for an expedited application. You must meet certain medical and employment requirements, as well as possess an official medical note that states you are suffering from an asbestos-related disease.
The process of claiming asbestos trust benefits is complex and should be handled by a mesothelioma attorney with expertise. Dreyer Boyajian LLP can help you navigate the numerous rules and regulations of asbestos trusts to ensure you get the money you are entitled to. The firm can help you discern the distinctions between these claims and VA claims and lawsuit awards.
Settlements
A settlement is a deal between a plaintiff and an asbestos company. It concludes the lawsuit. It can occur before or during an investigation. Plaintiffs may accept, decline or counter any offer. A mesothelioma attorney can scrutinize any settlement to ensure that it is fair. However, patients should not agree to any settlement without a complete understanding of the compensation they will receive. The amount of a settlement can influence future expenses, such as medical care, travel and lost wages.
Asbestos litigation is a long process that requires extensive legal research, in-depth medical records and employment records. Attorneys will try to prove
asbestos lawsuits companies were aware of the dangers and failed to warn their workers. Asbestos defendants typically settle to avoid losing to a pro-company jury. An attorney with the highest rating for mesothelioma will use their expertise in negotiating asbestos settlements to determine possible settlements for each particular case.
Mesothelioma patients are often in need of assistance with financial costs. Health insurance typically only covers some of the costs associated with treatment and many patients face substantial out-of-pocket expenses. Workers' compensation is a different option to help. Mesothelioma lawyers can examine insurance policies to determine if they are eligible.
Based on the degree of a victim's exposure and the severity of their illness, settlement amounts can vary greatly. The compensation for mesothelioma sufferers may include damages like past and future suffering, pain, loss of enjoyment in life, and lost income.
Family relatives of loved ones who died from mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related illnesses may be eligible to receive the benefits of a pre-existing life insurance policy. This type of claim requires proper documentation, such as death certificates and policy documents. Attorneys can help victims and families to file claims by examining the options available. Mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases and their consequences can be devastating for patients and their families. Dreyer Boyajian LLP's
asbestos attorneys have assisted clients in obtaining multi-million dollar settlements in variety of complex cases. Contact our New York office to schedule an appointment in confidence with one of our knowledgeable lawyers.
Trials
Asbestos companies are aware they have a high risk of being held accountable for lawsuits filed by asbestos-related disease victims. Many asbestos defendants settle cases instead of risk a large verdict. A mesothelioma lawyer can help patients decide on the pros and cons between taking on a lawsuit or settling.
A mesothelioma lawyer can gather information regarding a person's exposure history and determine which asbestos companies or products are responsible. Some asbestos cases involve multiple defendants since the
asbestos attorneys exposure of a person typically stems from many sources.
During settlement discussions, a mesothelioma law firm can establish that the negligence of the asbestos company caused the asbestos-related illness through not adequately warning about the risks associated with its products. The medical records of the victim will be used to prove the connection between exposure and mesothelioma.
After a mesothelioma victim accepts a settlement offer, the parties involved will cease any negotiations and will pay a lump sum that is guaranteed to the victim. Settlements are a great solution for those not able to wait until conclusion of the trial. Keep in mind that settlements can be altered as the court reviews evidence and listens to arguments from both sides.
A trial involving asbestos involves an impartial jury or judge to decide if a company is responsible and how much it is required to pay. Trials can range from a few days to several months. The outcome of a trial in court depends on both the strength of the evidence as well as the expertise of the lawyers on the opposing side.
Many asbestos lawyers will advise their clients to accept the settlement as it is a faster way to receive compensation for injuries and losses. However, a seasoned mesothelioma lawyer will explore all legal options to ensure the victim receives the most compensation. In some cases it is preferential to go through trial to get a higher verdict. In this case the attorney representing the victim will argue that the corporate veil should be lifted and the parent company should be held accountable along with the subsidiary.
Statute of Limitations
One of the most important aspects that could affect an asbestos lawsuit is the statute of limitations, which sets an amount of time for the time a person can start a lawsuit or claim. The deadline for filing a claim varies from state to state, and victims need to know the law in their state. Contact an asbestos lawyer as soon as possible in case you're concerned that your statute of limitations has run out. They can assist you in determining whether there are any exemptions, exceptions, or unique circumstances that could extend the statute of limitations.
Many states have an "discovery rule" that says the time limit for filing a claim doesn't start until the disease is recognized. This can be complicated because mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases take a long time to become apparent.
There are a variety of states that have different statutes of limitations for personal injury and wrongful deaths. Personal injury suits are filed by living people, and they typically comply with the statute of limitation established by their home state. The family members of a deceased individual can file a wrongful death suit. These cases are governed under the laws of the state in which the deceased resided at the time of death.
The victim's place of employment or residence can also affect the statute. If the victim was exposed in multiple locations or was diagnosed with multiple illnesses the law applicable to them could be determined by where most of their exposure occurred or the place they were diagnosed. This could cause issues for those who relocated to another state or were diagnosed when the statute of limitation in the state they resided in had expired.
In certain cases the filing deadline may be extended by special circumstances or a court order. However, this is not a common. If you suffer from a severe health issue such as mesothelioma you must file an asbestos lawsuit or mesothelioma claim as soon as you can in order to safeguard your rights. Contact a qualified
asbestos attorney immediately to ensure that you don't miss out on the chance to be compensated. The attorneys at Dreyer Boyajian LLP have achieved multi-million-dollar results in many complicated cases involving exposure to hazardous substances.