24-Hours To Improve Asbestos Lawsuit
Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Asbestos lawyers may sue companies accountable for asbestos exposure. This could include former employers or asbestos producers.
These companies were aware of asbestos's dangers but did not inform their workers. These lawsuits seek compensation for the victims and their families.
Most asbestos lawsuits settle before trial. However, experienced lawyers are ready to bring your case all the way to the jury trial if required.
Military Service
Mesothelioma is a rare and insidious disease, but it can be a problem for veterans who were exposed to asbestos in the military. Mesothelioma lawsuits are filed against the responsible asbestos companies and compensation may be offered to cover the cost of treatment.
Military personnel were exposed to asbestos in the service, especially while working on ships and in shipyards. This is because a wide range of military equipment were asbestos-containing such as boilers, pipes and engine rooms. The Navy was the branch that was exposed to the most exposure to asbestos. This is the reason why a lot of Navy veterans are diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.
Asbestos victims are compensated in a variety of ways, including VA benefits and legal settlements. Since mesothelioma is classified as an incurable condition Veterans are able to be eligible for VA disability benefits.
Veterans can get compensation from the VA or legal settlements to pay for medical treatment as well as support their families and enjoy a comfortable life. Asbestos attorneys can help veterans learn more about the benefits and assist with filing claims.
Lawyers can help their clients in filing asbestos lawsuits against the makers of the deadly substance. Many large companies were aware of asbestos' dangers and were able to escape liability by filing for bankruptcy. Waters Kraus & Paul's mesothelioma attorneys 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 judge and jury who may award more or less money than a settlement. In one mesothelioma-related trial which was concluded by a jury, the jury awarded $40 million to the victim's family. This is the biggest verdict ever awarded for an asbestos case. The lawyers representing the victims must prove that the defendants were negligent and accountable for the victim's exposure to asbestos. This evidence is typically provided through documents and testimony from witnesses who worked with the victim.
Bankruptcy
In addition to monetary damages, the victims and their families may also receive medical expenses as well as compensation for pain and suffering. However the process can be lengthy. It typically can take two years or more between the diagnosis of the victim and when they receive compensation. It is therefore important to get in touch with mesothelioma lawyers as early as you can.
Asbestos litigation is complex. They involve numerous parties, including multiple trusts and a complex series of legal processes. The lawsuits are brought by mesothelioma patients or their estates against the companies that manufactured asbestos products. Companies were aware of the link between asbestos and mesothelioma, but they continued to produce the product for a long time. In the end thousands of asbestos-related victims have been awarded damages.
Many of the companies that made asbestos-containing products have been forced to close because of the colossal number of lawsuits. This has led to the formation of a legal profession dedicated exclusively to asbestos litigation.
Companies that are in business may declare bankruptcy to limit their exposure. The strategy, known as the Texas Two-Step, is based on the state law that permits companies with large obligations 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 created subsidiary.
In most cases, the new subsidiary will usually be in another jurisdiction to avoid lawsuits arising from asbestos exposure that occurred prior to the reorganization. This strategy has been used in a number of high-profile cases, including J&J's reorganization of LTL Management, which faced the possibility of 40,000 baby powder claims. Gordon's firm currently represents many clients using the strategy, including Georgia-Pacific's Bestwall, which faces 60, 000 claims.
Asbestos lawsuits can be a bit complicated due to the statutes of limitations. Mesothelioma usually occurs between 10 and 40 years after exposure to asbestos. State laws, also referred as statutes or limitations, allow victims between one and five years to file a lawsuit. If there is an untimely death family has one to three years to file a lawsuit from the date the loved one died.
Settlements
The victims of asbestos-related illnesses are often awarded substantial settlements. In Detroit asbestos lawsuits , for instance, the wrongful death suit brought by the family of an asbestos pipefitter resulted in jury settlements of millions of dollars. However, in other cases, the victims accept a small amount. The primary reason is that many companies that used to manufacture and install asbestos are now closed or insolvent. Asbestos companies that are filing for bankruptcy do so through a court-approved process that requires they set aside large funds to compensate future victims. These trusts permit more claimants to receive compensation but the amounts are usually much less than the amount given under a tort system.
The value of an asbestos case is dependent on the severity of the illness, how long it took to develop, and how the victim's life has been affected. The value of an asbestos case is also influenced by the amount of lost wages, medical expenses and the extent to which a mesothelioma victim's pain and suffering can be quantified.
Most states have statutes of limitations restricting the length of time that a mesothelioma asbestos-related injury victim may pursue legal action against a defendant. The date of the plaintiff's diagnosis of mesothelioma typically acts as a constructive notice and starts the clock on the SOL.
Since mesothelioma is a fatal form of cancer, and it takes years for the symptoms to manifest, most mesothelioma claims are not litigated and are resolved through a settlement or award from the court. However, when mesothelioma patients do die before their case reaches an agreement the estates of their deceased can continue to pursue an asbestos lawsuit in order to obtain compensation on their behalf.
Waters Kraus &Paul's lawyers represent clients across a broad range of industries across the United States and around the world who have suffered asbestos exposure. We hold asbestos producers and their insurers accountable for their role in exposing the victims to this toxic chemical. We have represented the families of mesothelioma patients in cases against companies 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 loss of wages, medical expenses, and other losses resulting from asbestos exposure. A jury can also award punitive damages to penalize the responsible companies for their conduct and to discourage other companies from putting consumers or employees in danger.
An asbestos lawsuit may help families of mesothelioma patients get back on their legs after losing a loved to the disease. Families often have to take time off from work to take care of mesothelioma patients, which results in lost income. Mesothelioma settlements and judgments can cover these expenses and ensure that family members have a an income and financial future to look toward.
Asbestos lawsuits have been a part of mass torts for years in the United States. The lawsuits have led to dozens of companies filing for bankruptcy, and asbestos trust funds were created to pay victims. Studies have shown that exposure to asbestos causes lung damage as well as diseases such as mesothelioma.
A mesothelioma lawyer can build and negotiate the case to ensure that clients receive the maximum amount. A lawyer with experience will provide advice to clients on the benefits of settling claims versus going to trial. A lawyer can explain the effect of asbestos laws as well as the different state laws on claims.
During the process of litigation, attorneys and their clients conduct a series meetings, referred to as discovery. In this phase, attorneys collect evidence and information from defendants in order to prepare for trial. A lot of defendants settle during this phase to avoid a potentially damaging jury verdict.
An experienced mesothelioma lawyer has the knowledge and resources to hold asbestos distributors, manufacturers, and insurance companies accountable for their negligence. Waters Kraus & Paul attorneys have successfully held asbestos-related companies accountable for their negligence and secured substantial settlements for their clients. Contact us now to discuss how we can assist your family and you get the justice you deserve. We represent asbestos-exposed persons across the country. If you or someone close to you was diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, we can help you get the compensation you deserve.