Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Asbestos lawyers can hold companies accountable for exposure through a lawsuit. These companies may include former employers or asbestos producers.

The companies were aware of the dangers associated with asbestos but did not warn their employees. These lawsuits seek compensation from the companies for their employees and victims.

Most asbestos lawsuits settle before trial. However, experienced lawyers can go to a jury trial if necessary.

Military Service

Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease can affect veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their military service. Mesothelioma lawsuits are filed against responsible asbestos companies and compensation is offered to pay for treatment.

Military personnel were exposed to asbestos serving in the military, especially when working on ships and in shipyards. This is because many types of military equipment contained asbestos including boilers, pipes and engine rooms. 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 are diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Asbestos-related victims are compensated in various ways In addition, they receive VA benefits and legal settlements. Since mesothelioma is classified as an incurable illness veterans are able to be eligible for VA disability benefits.

The compensation that veterans receive from the VA and legal settlements can assist in paying for their medical treatments and provide financial support to their families and allow them to live a comfortable life. Asbestos lawyers can assist veterans to learn more about the benefits and assist with filing claims.

Lawyers can assist their clients in filing asbestos lawsuits against the makers of this deadly product. Many large companies were aware of the dangers associated with asbestos and were able to escape liability by declaring bankruptcy. Waters Kraus & Paul's mesothelioma lawyers hold asbestos-related companies accountable.

Although most cases result in settlements, a few mesothelioma lawsuits wind with a trial. In a trial, the plaintiffs are argued before a judge and a jury who can award more or less than a settlement. In one mesothelioma case that was decided by a jury, the victim's family $40 million in damages. This is the biggest verdict ever handed out in an asbestos lawyer case. The attorneys representing the victims must show that defendants were negligent and accountable for the victim's exposure to asbestos. This proof is typically provided by documents and testimony of witnesses who worked with victims.

Bankruptcy

In addition to monetary damages, the victims and their families may also receive medical expenses as well as compensation for pain and suffering. The process can take a long period of time. In general, it takes two years or longer between the victim's diagnosis and when they receive compensation. This is why it is important to seek out a qualified mesothelioma lawyer as soon as you can.

Asbestos lawsuits can be a bit complicated. The lawsuits are complicated that involve multiple parties and trusts. The lawsuits are filed by mesothelioma sufferers or their estates. Companies were aware of the connection between asbestos and mesothelioma, however, they continued to manufacture the product for decades. As a result thousands of asbestos victims have been awarded damages.

A staggering number of lawsuits have led to the collapse of numerous companies that manufacture asbestos-containing products. This has created a unique legal industry which is focused on asbestos litigation.

Companies that are in business may make bankruptcy filings to limit their exposure. The method, referred to as the Texas Two-Step, is based on the state law that permits companies with large liabilities to establish a new subsidiary that has only a few assets. The company then reorganizes itself through Chapter 11 and moves the assets and liabilities into the newly established subsidiary.

Often, the new subsidiary will usually be located in a different jurisdiction to avoid lawsuits that relate to asbestos exposure that occurred prior to the reorganization. This strategy has been used in several high profile cases, including J&J's reorganization of LTL Management, which faced 40,000 baby powder claims. Gordon's firm is currently representing many clients who are using the strategy, such as Georgia-Pacific's Bestwall, which faces 60, 000 claims.

Asbestos lawsuits can be complicated because of statutes of limitations. Mesothelioma typically occurs between 10 and 40 years following exposure to asbestos. State laws known as statutes of limitations give victims between one and five years to bring a lawsuit. If there is that a death is wrongful family has one to three years to file a lawsuit beginning from the date the loved one died.

Settlements

Patients suffering from asbestos-related illnesses are often awarded significant settlements. Certain cases, such as the wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of an asbestos pipefitter result in jury awards of millions of dollars. In many cases, victims receive very little compensation. This is due to the fact that many of the companies which once produced asbestos and then installed it have closed down or gone bankrupt. Asbestos companies who file for bankruptcy must follow a procedure that is approved by the courts which requires them to set aside large sums of money in order to compensate future victims. Trusts that are set up permit more claimants to be compensated however the amount is usually much less than what would have been granted under a tort system.

The value of an asbestos claim is contingent on the severity of the condition as well as the time it took the victim to develop the disease and the extent of the suffering of the victim. The value of an asbestos case is also determined by the amount of lost earnings, medical expenses and the degree of mesothelioma's pain and suffering can be quantified.

The majority of states have statutes of limitations that limit the time a mesothelioma and other asbestos-related injury victim can pursue legal action against a defendant. The date of the plaintiff's diagnosis of mesothelioma generally acts as a constructive notice and sets the clock on the SOL.

Because mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer and it takes a long time for symptoms to manifest and so, the majority of mesothelioma cases don't go to trial and are settled through settlement or an award from the court. However, if mesothelioma patients do die before reaching a resolution, their estates can continue to pursue an asbestos lawsuit in order to obtain compensation 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 roles in exposing victims to the dangerous chemical. We have represented the families of mesothelioma patients in cases against companies throughout the United States and Canada, as well as in the Middle East, including Iran.

Trials

Although going to trial is rare, when it does happen victims are able to receive multi-million-dollar verdicts. These awards can cover medical costs, lost wages, and other damages resulting from asbestos Lawyer exposure. A jury could also award punitive damages to punish the responsible companies for their behavior and to deter other firms from putting their employees or customers in danger.

A compensation from an asbestos lawsuit can help mesothelioma families recover after losing a loved one to the disease. Families are often forced to miss time from work to take care of mesothelioma patients, which results in lost income. Mesothelioma settlements and judgments could cover these expenses and ensure that family members have a an economic future to look towards.

Asbestos lawsuits are among the longest-running mass torts in U.S. history. The lawsuits have led to many companies to declare bankruptcy and has also led to the creation of asbestos trust funds to pay victims. Research has proven that asbestos exposure can cause lung damage and diseases like mesothelioma.

A mesothelioma lawyer can create and negotiate an argument to ensure clients receive the maximum award. A lawyer with experience will provide advice to clients on the benefits of settling cases versus going to trial. An attorney can explain how various state statutes of limitations and asbestos laws may affect a claim.

During the course of litigation attorneys and their clients conduct a series interviews called discovery. During this stage, attorneys gather information and evidence from defendants to prepare for trial. Many defendants will be settled during this phase to avoid a damaging jury verdict.

An experienced mesothelioma lawyer has the knowledge and resources to hold accountable asbestos attorneys distributors, manufacturers and insurance companies accountable for their wrongful actions. Lawyers at Waters Kraus & Paul have held asbestos companies accountable, and have secured significant settlements for their clients. Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you and your family get the justice you deserve. We represent asbestos-exposed persons across the country. We can help you get the compensation you deserve if or someone you know has contracted an asbestos-related disease.