Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Asbestos lawyers may sue companies responsible for asbestos exposure. These companies could include former employers or asbestos producers.

These companies were aware of asbestos's dangers but failed to inform their employees. These lawsuits seek to compensate the companies for their workers and victims.

Most asbestos lawsuits settle before trial. However, experienced attorneys can go all the way to the jury trial if required.

Military Service

Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness, can affect veterans exposed to asbestos during their service in the military. Mesothelioma suits are filed against asbestos firms that are accountable and compensation could be awarded to cover the cost of treatment.

Asbest was present in many kinds of military equipment, including boilers, pipes and engine rooms. This is because a wide range of military equipment were asbestos-containing including boilers, pipes, and engine rooms. The Navy was the branch that had the highest exposure to asbestos. This is the reason that a large number of Navy veterans are diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses.

asbestos attorneys-related victims are compensated through various avenues, such as VA benefits legal settlements, trust funds. Since mesothelioma can be treated, it is categorized as a permanent and total disability, meaning that veterans are qualified for VA disability payments.

The benefits that veterans receive from the VA and legal settlements can help pay for their medical expenses, provide support for their families and allow them to enjoy a comfortable life. Asbestos lawyers can help veterans understand how these benefits work and help them file claims.

Lawyers can assist their clients file asbestos lawsuits against the manufacturers of the deadly product. Many large corporations were aware of the dangers of asbestos, but chose to file for bankruptcy to avoid being held accountable. Waters Kraus &Paul's mesothelioma lawyers hold asbestos companies accountable.

While the majority of cases end up with a settlement, a handful of mesothelioma lawsuits end with a trial. In a trial, the victims are presented before a jury and judge who may award greater or less than an agreement. In one mesothelioma trial, a jury awarded the victim's family $40 million in damages. This is the largest award ever for an asbestos case. The attorneys for the victims must prove that the defendants were negligent and responsible for the victim's exposure to asbestos. This proof is usually presented through the testimony of witnesses who worked with victims.

Bankruptcy

In addition to monetary damages and compensation for pain, the victims and their families may also be entitled to medical expenses and compensation. The process may take a long time. It is typically two years or more between diagnosis and the time the victim is compensated. Therefore, it is important to speak with an attorney for mesothelioma as soon as you can.

Asbestos lawsuits are complex. They involve multiple parties, including multiple trusts and a complex series of legal proceedings. The lawsuits are brought by mesothelioma victims or their estates. Companies were aware of the link between mesothelioma and asbestos however, they continued to produce the product for a long time. Because of this, thousands asbestos victims have been awarded damages.

A large number of lawsuits have led to the bankruptcy of a number of companies that manufacture asbestos-containing products. This has led to the development of a legal industry devoted exclusively to asbestos litigation.

Companies that are in business often file for bankruptcy 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 create a new subsidiary with few assets. The company then reorganizes under Chapter 11 and transfers the assets and liabilities to the newly formed subsidiary.

Often the new subsidiary will be in another jurisdiction to avoid lawsuits that relate to asbestos exposure prior to the restructuring. This strategy has been used in a number of 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 who are currently employing this strategy for their clients, including Georgia-Pacific Bestwall which is currently facing 60, 000 claims.

Asbestos lawsuits can be complicated because of the statutes of limitations. Mesothelioma usually occurs between 10 and 40 years following exposure to asbestos. State laws known as statutes of limitations allow victims between one and five years to bring a lawsuit. In the case a wrongful death, the family has a period of one to three years to file a lawsuit from the date the loved one died.

Settlements

Patients suffering from asbestos-related illnesses are often awarded substantial settlements. Certain cases, like the wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of an asbestos pipefitter, result in jury awards of millions of dollars. In other cases, the victims are able to settle for relatively little. The reason behind this is that many businesses which once manufactured and used asbestos are now shut down or bankrupt. Companies that manufacture asbestos attorney that file for bankruptcy have to follow a process that has been approved by the court that requires them to reserve large sums of money to compensate future victims. Trusts that are set up allow more claimants to be compensated, but the amounts are typically lower than the amount granted under a tort system.

The value of an asbestos case is contingent on the severity of the illness and the time it took to develop and how much the life of a victim has been affected. The value of an asbestos case is also influenced by the amount of lost wages, medical expenses and the degree of mesothelioma's suffering and pain can be quantified.

The majority of states have statutes that limit the time frame in which mesothelioma sufferers, or another asbestos-related injury, can bring an action against a defendant. The date of the plaintiff's diagnosis with mesothelioma typically acts as constructive notice and begins the clock on the SOL.

Since mesothelioma can be a deadly type of cancer that takes years for the symptoms to show up and so, the majority of mesothelioma cases are not litigated and are settled through a settlement or award from the court. However, when mesothelioma patients do die before reaching an agreement the estates of their deceased can continue pursuing an asbestos lawsuit to collect 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 responsible for their role in exposing victims the toxic chemical. We have represented mesothelioma victims' families in cases against companies that were situated throughout the United States, Canada and the Middle East including Iran.

Trials

If a trial is held the victims could be awarded verdicts in the millions. These awards can be used to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses resulting from asbestos exposure. A jury can also award punitive damages to punish the responsible company for their behavior and to discourage others from putting customers or employees in danger.

A compensation from an asbestos lawsuit could aid families of mesothelioma patients recover after losing a loved one to the disease. Families are often forced to take time away from work in order to care for mesothelioma sufferers and this results in a loss of income. Mesothelioma settlements and judgments could pay for the expenses and provide family members a financial future.

Asbestos lawsuits are some of the longest-running mass torts in U.S. history. The litigation has led to dozens of companies filing for bankruptcy and asbestos trust funds were created to pay victims. Research has shown that exposure to asbestos can cause lung damage and illnesses such as mesothelioma.

A mesothelioma attorney can build and negotiate an argument to ensure clients get the most money. An experienced lawyer can provide advice to clients on the benefits of settling cases versus going to trial. A lawyer can explain the effect of asbestos laws and different state laws on a claim.

During the litigation process attorneys and their clients conduct a series interviews called discovery. In this phase, lawyers gather information and evidence from defendants to prepare for trial. During this period, many defendants will agree to settle to avoid a potentially damaging verdict.

A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer has the knowledge and resources necessary to hold responsible asbestos manufacturers, distributors and insurance companies accountable for their negligence. Waters Kraus & Paul attorneys have successfully held asbestos companies accountable for their negligence and negotiated significant settlements on behalf of 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 people nationwide who were exposed to asbestos. We can help you receive the compensation you deserve if you or someone you love has developed an asbestos-related disease.