9 Lessons Your Parents Taught You About Asbestos Lawsuit

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

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

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

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

Military Service

Mesothelioma is a rare and insidious disease but it can be a concern for veterans who were exposed to asbestos attorney serving in the military. Mesothelioma suits are filed against asbestos-related companies that are responsible and compensation can be awarded to pay for the costs of treatment.

Military personnel were exposed to asbestos working in the military, particularly while working on ships and in shipyards. This is because a wide range of military equipment contained asbestos 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 diseases.

Asbestos-related victims are compensated in a variety of ways, including VA benefits and legal settlements. Since mesothelioma is incurable the condition is classified as a permanent and total disability, which means veterans are qualified for VA disability benefits.

Veterans can receive compensation from the VA or legal settlements that help pay for medical treatment as well as support their families and enjoy a life of comfort. Asbestos lawyers can aid veterans know how these benefits work and assist in submitting claims.

Lawyers can help their clients file asbestos lawsuits against the producers of the deadly product. Many large corporations were aware of the dangers associated with asbestos, but filed for bankruptcy to avoid liability. Waters Kraus & Paul's mesothelioma lawyers hold asbestos attorney companies accountable.

Although most cases result in settlements, a few mesothelioma lawsuits wind in trial. In a trial the victims are brought before a judge and jury who may award greater or less money than the amount of a settlement. In one mesothelioma case, a jury gave $40 million to the family of the victim. This is the highest verdict ever awarded for an asbestos case. The attorneys representing the victims must show that defendants were negligent and responsible for exposing the victim to asbestos. This proof is generally presented through the use of documents and testimony from people who worked with the victim.

Bankruptcy

In addition to monetary damages and compensation for pain, victims and their families could be entitled to medical expenses and compensation. However the process can be long. In general, it takes two years or longer between the time of diagnosis and the time they receive compensation. This is why it is important to retain a qualified mesothelioma lawyer as quickly as possible.

Asbestos lawsuits are complex. They involve numerous parties, including multiple trusts and an extensive set of legal procedures. The lawsuits are filed by mesothelioma sufferers or their estates. The companies were aware of the connection between asbestos and mesothelioma, but continued to produce the product for a long time. In the end thousands of asbestos victims have been awarded damages.

Many of the companies that made 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.

Companies that are in business may file for bankruptcy to reduce their risk. The Texas Two-Step strategy is based on state law that allows companies with high liability to create an entity with low assets. The company then reorganizes the company through Chapter 11 and moves the assets and liabilities into the newly created subsidiary.

In many instances, the new subsidiary is in a different jurisdiction to avoid lawsuits related to asbestos exposure that took place prior to the restructuring. This is the approach used in a number of high-profile cases, such as J&J's reorganization of LTL Management, which faced the possibility of 40,000 baby powder claims. Gordon's company represents a variety of clients that are currently employing this strategy as well, including Georgia-Pacific Bestwall which faces more than 60,000 claims.

Asbestos lawsuits can be complicated due to the statutes of limitations. Mesothelioma generally develops between 10 and 40 years after exposure to asbestos. State laws, also referred to as statutes or limitations, allow victims between one and five years to file suit. In the event of wrongful death, family members have a period of one to three years from the date of the deceased loved one's death to make claims.

Settlements

The victims of asbestos-related diseases are often awarded substantial settlements. Some 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 are offered very little compensation. The reason behind this is that many businesses which once manufactured and used asbestos are now closed or bankrupt. Asbestos companies who file for bankruptcy must follow a court-approved procedure that requires them to reserve large amounts of money in order to compensate future victims. Trusts that are set up allow more claimants to be compensated, but the amounts are often much lower than the amount given 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 for the victim to develop the illness and the severity of the suffering of the victim. The dollar value of an asbestos case is also determined by the amount of lost wages, medical expenses, and the extent of mesothelioma's suffering and pain can be quantified.

The majority of states have statutes that restrict the time period within which mesothelioma victims or any other asbestos-related injury, may bring a lawsuit against the defendant. The date of the plaintiff's diagnosis of mesothelioma typically acts as constructive notice and sets the clock on the SOL.

Since mesothelioma can be a deadly form of cancer and it takes decades for symptoms to manifest, most mesothelioma claims do not go to trial and are settled with an agreement or a decision from the court. However, when mesothelioma patients do die before their case has reached a resolution, their estates can continue pursuing an asbestos lawsuit in order to obtain compensation on their behalf.

Waters Kraus & Paul represents clients from diverse industries across the United States and abroad who have been exposed to asbestos. We hold asbestos manufacturers and their insurers accountable for their role in exposing victims to this dangerous chemical. We have represented families of mesothelioma victims in lawsuits against companies located across the United States, Canada and the Middle East including Iran.

Trials

When a trial does occur the victims could receive verdicts worth millions of dollars. These awards can cover medical expenses, lost wages and other losses that result from asbestos exposure. A jury can also award punitive damages to punish the responsible company for their behavior and to discourage others from putting consumers or employees at risk.

A compensation from an asbestos lawsuit could help mesothelioma families get back on their legs after losing a loved one to the disease. Families are often required to take time off from work in order to care for mesothelioma patients, which results in lost income. Mesothelioma settlements and judgments can cover these expenses and ensure that family members will have a 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 declaring bankruptcy, and asbestos trust funds were created to compensate victims. Research has shown that asbestos exposure causes lung damage and illnesses like mesothelioma.

A mesothelioma lawyer is able to construct and negotiate cases to ensure clients receive the highest possible amount. An experienced lawyer can also provide advice to clients on the advantages and disadvantages of settling a case versus going to trial. An attorney can explain how different states' statutes of limitations and asbestos laws may affect the outcome of a case.

During the process of litigation attorneys and their clients conduct a series of interviews, which is known as discovery. During this stage, attorneys collect evidence and details from defendants to prepare for trial. Many defendants will agree to settle during this stage to avoid a potentially damaging verdict by a jury.

An experienced mesothelioma lawyer has the expertise and resources needed to hold accountable asbestos manufacturers, distributors and insurance companies accountable for their actions. Attorneys at Waters Kraus & Paul have held numerous asbestos companies accountable and won substantial settlements for their clients. Contact us now to learn how we can help your family and get the justice you deserve. We represent asbestos-exposed individuals across the nation. If you or someone close to you was diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease We can help you find the compensation you are due.