5 Asbestos Settlement Lessons From The Pros
Baron & Budd Asbestos Settlement Lawyers
Baron and Budd, one of the most successful plaintiffs' law firms in the United States, is a large and accomplished firm. The firm's lawyers specialize in toxic tort litigation.
Their clients have worked in diverse industries. These workers were exposed to asbestos and metastasis. Their lawyers have battled threats to the rights of victims, including a recent attempt to settle asbestos claims through settlements for class actions.
Asbestos Litigation
Established in 1977, Baron & Budd has achieved an impressive amount of national acclaim due to its work in cutting-edge litigation, trying hundreds of cases to a verdict and settling thousands in areas such as addictive and dangerous drugs, defective medical devices, California wildfires and environmental contamination, mesothelioma and fraudulent banking practices, motor vehicles and federal whistleblower cases.
The firm is renowned for its ability in pursuing justice against large corporations. It has achieved some of the largest verdicts in US history, including asbestos and a number of other settlements and awards. The firm's lawyers have earned a number of accolades, including the Trial Lawyer of the Year award from the non-profit organization Public Justice.
In the infamous MTBE lawsuit the firm represented residents of an Arizona community who were exposed to toxic MTBE pollutants in various refineries as well as other places along Cancer Alley. The National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys awarded the firm the famous Pro Bono Service Award for their work in this landmark case.
Customers of the firm have also been exposed to asbestos in variety of places across the country. In the wake of the PFAS contamination scandal, the firm has filed lawsuits against companies who used harmful AFFF foam to fight fires at military bases, airports, and public water systems and private well owners.
The firm's attorneys have also successfully fought asbestos-producing companies, and have represented mesothelioma patients against false claims from insurance companies. The firm, for instance recently obtained the sum of $4 million on behalf of the family of late actor Paul Gleason who died from mesothelioma that was caused by asbestos-containing materials that he worked with on construction sites when he was an untrained young man.
Baron & Budd is also at the forefront in fighting for victims rights in asbestos and Mesothelioma lawsuits, defending asbestos defendants' attempts to restrict their access to courts and judicial resource. In one instance Baron & Budd's mesothelioma lawyers fought Fibreboard Corporation's proposed class settlement in a lawsuit all the way to the Supreme Court, which ultimately rejected the proposal as unethical.
Mesothelioma Litigation
Mesothelioma cases are complicated and require a lot of investigation. A mesothelioma lawyer must review medical documents, employment records, and asbestos company records in order to determine the extent of asbestos exposure and determine if asbestos is the cause of cancer. They also have to locate witnesses and locate old documents. In one case, Baron and Budd lawyers discovered evidence that a toxic asbestos-containing chemical was disposed of in the groundwater of the Tucson community. The chemicals were ingested and have been linked to rare diseases such as fibromyalgia. asbestosis, mesothelioma and other cancers.
Mesothelioma claims are filed on an individual basis, and compensation varies depending on the specifics of each case. Lawyers who specialize in mesothelioma cases can offer more specialized representation, and assist clients in obtaining more substantial settlements. In one instance, for example mesothelioma lawyers helped a retired worker who was exposed to asbestos in several different jobs across the US receive an $3.5million settlement.
Budd and Baron's mesothelioma lawyers have fought for the rights of victims in several cases including Amchem Products V. Windsor and Ortiz V. Fibreboard Corporation. These cases were argued before the Supreme Court and ultimately helped to protect future and present victims' right to claim compensation from asbestos companies to compensate them for their injury.
Baron and Budd lawyers have also advocated for greater benefits for those who suffer from asbestos-related diseases and mesothelioma. They were instrumental in obtaining a landmark decision in the case of Pustejovsky v. Rapid-American Corp. The court ruled that those who have already received compensation for an asbestos-related disease can file a new claim when they are later diagnosed with a new illness, such as mesothelioma.
Asbestos lawsuits often take a long time to resolve however, the best mesothelioma lawyers strive to accelerate the process so that victims can receive the money they are due as soon as possible. They can also reach large settlements across a number of states. In reality, the majority of mesothelioma lawsuits settle out of court prior to going to trial. Settlements are also possible at any point during the trial.
Environmental Litigation
Baron & Budd is a firm that has a reputation internationally for handling environmental lawsuits that involves contaminants that harm people, businesses and even properties. For example when corporate negligence leads to water pollution, the firm is determined to ensure that those who have been harmed by these contaminants can seek justice through the recovery of compensation. The firm also helps protect the rights of workers who have been injured due to toxic exposure.
The firm represents clients who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace and who have developed a serious illness including mesothelioma, lung cancer or other illnesses. Many of these victims were employed on Navy ships or for other employers that employed asbestos-containing products. The firm has won cases against Boeing and General Electric. The attorneys of the firm have also been involved in prominent environmental cases that include those relating to the Volkswagen emissions fraud scandal and Takata airbag recall.
Asbestos trust fund compensation is used to compensate mesothelioma patients who are not able to sue defendants on their own for asbestos-related ailments. The law firms who handle mesothelioma cases assist patients in claiming money from trust funds. It is important to know that the lawyers handling mesothelioma cases aren't responsible for the collection of these funds.
Lawyers who deal with mesothelioma cases are familiar dealing with environmental statutes and regulations, as well as complex discovery and trial procedures. They have a deep knowledge of the issues and are frequently called upon to testify as expert witnesses in federal and state courts.
The firm's experience in environmental litigation includes cases which involve groundwater contamination, oil pipelines chemical plants, as well as landfills. Its attorneys have represented companies, public agencies, and private individuals in cases involving contamination from lead and mercury, the benzene compound and PCBs.
In a case involving the U.S. Navy, the firm fought to obtain justice for Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr. who was suffering from mesothelioma as a result of his frequent exposure to asbestos on Navy vessels. The firm successfully argued that the Navy's exposure-equals-causation policy was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court agreed with the lower court and overturned its decision.
Columbia asbestos lawyer are not about property damage but rather injury to the body or mind. Baron and Budd attorneys have extensive experience representing those who suffer from these injuries. This includes mesothelioma patients as well as victims of drug-related injuries as well as workers who have been injured at work, families affected by contamination, and many more. The firm has achieved a national reputation for obtaining significant settlements and awards in class action lawsuits.
Our lawyers can assist you to understand your rights and the legal process to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries. You may be able to settle your claim with the defendant's insurance company or reach an agreement on a compensation amount before trial. You can avoid the stress and expense of a long trial and the potential conflicts involved with going to court.
Asbestos and mesothelioma litigation is complex matter that requires immense expertise and understanding. Our lawyers are well-versed in handling these kinds of cases and have the experience to take on any challenge. Our team of caring and dedicated lawyers has a track record of helping people get the justice they deserve.
Baron & Budd, founded in 1977, has been at forefront of plaintiff advocacy for over four decades. The firm's lawyers have successfully handled thousands of class actions asbestos, mesothelioma, and asbestos cases. They have secured millions of dollars in settlements and awards for their clients across the nation.
Our attorneys are proficient at handling all types of litigation in federal or state courts of all sizes. They are adept at leading complex trials and negotiated agreements. They have earned national recognition for their work including the Trial Lawyer of the Year award from the non-profit group Public Justice.
In 2021, the Environmental Litigation Group secured a $537.5 million nationwide class action settlement with Monsanto Company, Pharmacia, LLC, and Solutia, Inc., in the resolution of claims against the three companies for MTBE contamination affecting the water of 2442 government entities which include Plumas, Lassen, Butte, Shasta, and Tehama Counties. Shareholder Scott Summy served as lead counsel for the class in the litigation.