Mesothelioma Lawsuits

asbestos lawsuit lawyers can hold asbestos-related companies accountable through a lawsuit. These companies could include past employers or asbestos producers.

These companies knew the risks associated with asbestos but failed to warn their workers. These lawsuits seek to compensate the victims and their families.

Most asbestos lawsuits settle before trial. However, experienced lawyers are ready to take your case all the way to an eventual jury trial, if needed.

Military Service

Mesothelioma is a rare and pervasive disease however, it can also be a problem for veterans who were exposed to asbestos while serving in the military. Mesothelioma lawsuits are filed against the asbestos companies responsible for the disease and compensation is offered to cover the cost of treatment.

Military personnel were exposed to asbestos while working in the military, particularly while working on ships and in shipyards. This is because many types of military equipment had asbestos including boilers, pipes, and engine rooms. The Navy was the wing of the military that had the greatest exposure to asbestos. This is the reason that a large number of Navy veterans are diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Asbestos victims are compensated in a variety of ways as well as VA benefits and legal settlements. Since mesothelioma is classified as an incurable disease Veterans are able to receive VA disability benefits.

The benefits that veterans receive from the VA and legal settlements can aid in the payment of their medical treatment, provide support for their families and enable them to live a comfortable life. Asbestos lawyers can aid veterans learn more about the benefits and assist in filing claims.

Lawyers can assist their clients to file asbestos lawsuits against producers of the deadly substance. Many large companies were aware of the dangers posed by asbestos, yet they filed for bankruptcy to avoid being held accountable. Waters Kraus & Paul's mesothelioma lawyers hold asbestos-related companies accountable.

A few mesothelioma cases end in court, despite when the majority of cases settle. In a trial, the victims are presented before a jury and judge who may award greater or less money than the amount of a settlement. In one mesothelioma trial the jury gave $40 million to the family of the victim. This verdict is the highest ever for an asbestos case. The lawyers representing the victims have to show that the defendants are accountable for the victim's exposure to asbestos and that they were negligent in causing their harm. This proof is generally made through testimony and documents from people who worked with the victim.

Bankruptcy

In addition to financial damages and compensation for pain, the victims and their families could also be entitled to medical expenses and compensation. However the process could be lengthy. It is typically two years or more between diagnosis and the time the victim is awarded compensation. It is therefore important to speak with mesothelioma lawyers as soon as you can.

Asbestos lawsuits are complex. They involve multiple parties including multiple trusts as well as a complex series of legal proceedings. The lawsuits are filed by mesothelioma sufferers or their estates. The companies were aware of the link between mesothelioma and asbestos, but they continued to manufacture the product for decades. As a result of this, a lot of asbestos victims have received compensation.

Many of the companies that produced asbestos-containing products have gone under because of the colossal number of lawsuits. This has led to the development of a legal industry devoted exclusively to asbestos litigation.

The companies that remain in business are often trying to limit their exposure through bankruptcy filings. The strategy, also known as the Texas Two-Step, is based on a state law that allows businesses with large liabilities to create a new subsidiary that has only a few assets. The company then reorganizes under Chapter 11 and transfers the assets and liabilities to the newly established subsidiary.

In many cases the new subsidiary is located in a different state to avoid lawsuits relating to asbestos exposure that took place prior to the reorganization. This strategy has been employed in several high-profile cases, like J&J's restructuring of LTL Management which faced 40,000 claims for baby powder. Gordon's firm represents a number clients that are currently employing this strategy as well, including Georgia-Pacific Bestwall which faces 60,000 claims.

The statute of limitations may make asbestos lawsuits more complicated. Mesothelioma typically develops 10 to 40 years after exposure to asbestos. State laws known as statutes of limitations allow victims between one and five years to file a lawsuit. In the case a wrongful death, the family has one to three years to file a lawsuit starting from the date that the loved one died.

Settlements

The victims of asbestos-related diseases are often awarded significant settlements. Certain cases, such as the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of an asbestos lawyer pipefitter result in the jury awarding millions of dollars. However, in other cases, the victims settle for comparatively little. This is primarily because many of the companies which once produced asbestos and then installed it have shut down or gone bankrupt. Asbestos producers who declare bankruptcy do so under a court-approved process that requires they put aside large amounts of money to pay future victims. These trusts do allow for more claimants to be compensated however the amount is usually substantially lower than what could have been awarded in a tort system case.

The value of an asbestos claim is contingent on the severity of the disease, the length of time it took for the victim to develop the disease and the extent of the suffering of the victim. The dollar value of a case is also dependent on the amount of lost earnings, medical expenses and the extent of mesothelioma's suffering and pain can be quantified.

Most states have statutes that restrict the time frame in which mesothelioma victims or any other asbestos-related injury, may bring an action against the defendant. The date of the plaintiff's diagnosis with mesothelioma typically acts as a constructive notice and begins the clock on the SOL.

Since mesothelioma is a fatal type of cancer that takes a long time for symptoms to be evident, most mesothelioma claims don't go to trial and are settled through a settlement or award from the court. If mesothelioma sufferers die before their cases are resolved the estates of their deceased victims may continue to pursue a lawsuit against asbestos on their behalf.

Waters Kraus and Paul's lawyers represent clients in a wide range of industries across the United States and around the world who have suffered from asbestos exposure. We hold asbestos lawyer producers and their insurers accountable for their role in exposing victims to this toxic chemical. We have represented families of mesothelioma patients in lawsuits against companies located throughout the United States and Canada, and also in the Middle East, including Iran.

Trials

If a trial occurs the victims could receive verdicts that amount to millions of dollars. These awards can be used to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses caused by asbestos exposure. A jury can also award punitive damages to penalize the responsible company for their conduct, and to deter others from putting consumers or employees in danger.

Compensation from an asbestos lawsuit could help families of mesothelioma victims get back on their feet after losing loved ones to the disease. Families often need to take time off from work to take care of mesothelioma patients, which results in loss of income. Mesothelioma settlements and judgments can help pay for these expenses and ensure that family members have a financial future to look toward.

Asbestos lawsuits are some of the longest-running mass torts in U.S. history. The litigation has led to dozens of companies to file for bankruptcy and has also led to the creation of asbestos trust funds to pay victims. Research has shown that asbestos exposure causes lung damage and illnesses like mesothelioma.

A mesothelioma lawyer can construct and negotiate a case to ensure that clients receive the maximum award. A knowledgeable lawyer can guide clients through the pros and cons of settling a claim versus going to trial. A lawyer can explain the impact of asbestos laws and other state laws on a claim.

In the course of litigation attorneys and their clients conduct a series interviews, which is known as discovery. In this phase, attorneys collect evidence and details from defendants to prepare for trial. During this period, many defendants will agree to settle to avoid a damaging verdict.

A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer has the experience and resources necessary to hold accountable asbestos distributors, manufacturers and insurance companies accountable for their wrongful actions. Attorneys at Waters Kraus & Paul have successfully held asbestos companies accountable, and have secured significant settlements for their clients. Contact us today to find out more about how we can assist you and your family receive the justice you deserve. We represent asbestos-exposed persons across the nation. We can help you get the amount you are due if you or someone you love has contracted an asbestos-related illness.