20 Trailblazers Lead The Way In Asbestos Lawsuit
Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Asbestos attorneys can sue the companies that are accountable for asbestos exposure. These companies may include former employers or asbestos producers.
The companies were aware of the asbestos risks but failed to inform their employees. These lawsuits seek to compensate the companies for their employees and their victims.
Most asbestos lawsuits settle before trial. However, experienced lawyers are prepared to bring your case all the way to a jury trial if necessary.
Military Service
Mesothelioma is a rare and pervasive disease but it can be a problem for veterans who were exposed to asbestos serving in the military. Mesothelioma lawsuits are filed against the asbestos companies responsible for the disease, and compensation can help pay for treatment costs.
Military personnel were exposed to asbestos serving in the military, especially while working on ships and in shipyards. Many kinds of military equipment, including boilers pipes, boilers, and engine rooms, included asbestos. The Navy was the branch of the military that had the most exposure to asbestos. This is the reason why a lot of Navy veterans have been diagnosed with mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related diseases.
Asbestos victims are compensated in multiple ways In addition, they receive VA benefits and legal settlements. As mesothelioma can be classified as an incurable illness veterans are able to be eligible for VA disability payments.
Veterans can receive compensation from the VA or legal settlements to help pay for medical treatments and support their families and enjoy a life of comfort. Asbestos lawyers can assist veterans understand how these benefits work and assist in filing claims.
Lawyers can help their clients file asbestos lawsuits against the makers of the deadly product. Many large companies knew of asbestos's dangers and were able to escape liability by filing for bankruptcy. Waters Kraus &Paul's mesothelioma attorneys hold asbestos companies accountable.
Some mesothelioma cases wind in court, even although the majority settle. In a trial, the plaintiffs are presented before a jury and judge which could award more or less money than the amount of a settlement. In one mesothelioma-related case which was settled by a jury, a jury awarded the victim's family $40 million in damages. This is the largest award ever awarded to an asbestos claim. The lawyers representing the victims must prove that the defendants were negligent and responsible for the victim being exposed to asbestos. This evidence is usually presented through the use of documents and testimony from people who worked with the victim.
Bankruptcy
In addition to damages in the form of money and compensation for pain, victims and their families may also be entitled to medical expenses and compensation. The process can take a long period of time. It is typically two years or more between diagnosis and the time the victim is compensated. This is why it is crucial to seek out a qualified mesothelioma lawyer as quickly as you can.
Asbestos lawsuits are a complex matter. The lawsuits are a bit complicated, involving multiple parties and trusts. The lawsuits are brought by mesothelioma patients or their estates against companies that manufactured asbestos-related products. The companies were usually aware of the connection between asbestos and mesothelioma but continued to manufacture asbestos products for decades. As a result of this, thousands asbestos victims have been awarded damages.
Many of the companies producing asbestos-containing products have gone bankrupt because of the colossal number of lawsuits. This has led to a unique legal industry that is focused on asbestos litigation.
Companies that remain in business may file for bankruptcy to limit their exposure. The Texas Two-Step strategy is based on state law that allows companies with high liability to create a subsidiary with low assets. The company then reorganizes the company under Chapter 11 and transfers the assets and liabilities to the newly created subsidiary.
Often, the new subsidiary will usually be located in a different country to avoid lawsuits related to asbestos exposure prior to the change in. This strategy has been used in several high profile cases, including J&J's reorganization of LTL Management, which faced 40,000 claims for baby powder. Gordon's firm is currently representing several clients who are that are using this strategy, including Georgia-Pacific's Bestwall which is facing 60,000 claims.
Asbestos lawsuits can be a bit complicated due to the statutes of limitations. Mesothelioma typically develops between 10 and 40 years following exposure to asbestos. State laws, also referred as statutes or limits, allow victims between one and five years to file a lawsuit. In the case of wrongful death, family members have a period of one to three years from the date of the loved one's death to submit claims.
Settlements
Often, asbestos-related illnesses can result in substantial settlements. In some cases, for instance, the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family an asbestos pipefitter resulted in jury settlements of millions of dollars. In many cases, victims are offered relatively little compensation. This is because a lot of the companies that produced asbestos and then installed it have shut down or declared bankruptcy. Asbestos companies that file for bankruptcy are doing so under the approval of a court. This process requires that they put aside large amounts of money to compensate future victims. Waukesha asbestos attorneys like these permit more claimants to be compensated, but the amounts are usually much less than those granted under a tort system.
The value of an asbestos case depends on the severity of the disease as well as the time it took to develop, and how a victim's life has been affected. The value of a case is also influenced by the amount of lost earnings, medical expenses and the extent of mesothelioma's suffering and pain can be quantified.
Many states have statutes of limitation 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 typically acts as constructive notice and starts the clock on the SOL.
Because mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer, and it takes decades for symptoms to be evident, most mesothelioma claims are not litigated and are settled through an agreement or a decision from the court. But, if mesothelioma sufferers do die before reaching an agreement, their estates 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 accountable for their role in exposing victims to the dangerous chemical. We have represented the families of mesothelioma sufferers in cases against companies located throughout the United States and Canada, as well as the Middle East, including Iran.
Trials
If a trial is held the victims could receive verdicts in the millions. These awards can be used to cover medical expenses, lost wages and other losses that result from asbestos exposure. A jury could also award punitive damages to penalize the responsible companies for their behavior and to deter other firms from putting their employees or customers in danger.
Compensation from an asbestos suit can help mesothelioma victims' families get back on their feet following losing a loved one to the disease. Families often need to take off work to take care of a mesothelioma patient, resulting in lost income. Mesothelioma settlements and judgments can help pay for the cost and offer family members a financial plan for the future.
Asbestos lawsuits have been part of mass torts for years in the United US. The lawsuits have led to dozens of companies filing for bankruptcy and asbestos trust funds have been established to pay victims. Research has shown that asbestos exposure causes lung damage and diseases like mesothelioma.
A mesothelioma attorney can build and negotiate an argument to ensure that clients receive the maximum award. An experienced lawyer can guide clients through the advantages of settling claims as opposed to going to trial. An attorney can explain how various state statutes of limitations and asbestos laws could impact the claim.
During the course of litigation, attorneys and clients conduct a series interviews known as discovery. During this stage, attorneys gather information and evidence from defendants to prepare for trial. Many defendants be settled during this phase to avoid a damaging verdict by a jury.
A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer has the knowledge and resources to hold accountable asbestos distributors, manufacturers and insurance companies accountable for their wrongful actions. Lawyers at Waters Kraus & Paul have successfully held asbestos companies accountable and secured significant settlements for their clients. Call us now to discuss how we can help your family and you get the justice you deserve. We represent individuals across the nation who were exposed to asbestos. If you or a loved one developed an asbestos-related illness, we can help you find the compensation you are due.