Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Asbestos lawyers can hold asbestos-related companies accountable through a lawsuit. These companies could include past employers or asbestos manufacturers.
These companies were aware asbestos's dangers but did not inform their employees. These lawsuits seek to compensate the companies for their employees and their victims.
Most asbestos lawsuits settle before trial. Experienced attorneys are ready to take your case to a jury trial, if needed.
Military Service
Mesothelioma is an uncommon and insidious illness however, it can also affect veterans who were exposed to asbestos while in the military. Mesothelioma lawsuits are filed against the asbestos companies responsible and compensation is offered to pay for treatment.
Military personnel were exposed to asbestos serving in the military, especially when working on ships and in shipyards. Many types of military equipment, like boilers pipes, boilers, and engine rooms, included asbestos. The Navy was the wing of the military that had the most exposure to asbestos. This is the reason why a lot of Navy veterans are diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses.
St. George asbestos lawsuit receive compensation in multiple ways In addition, they receive VA benefits and legal settlements. Because mesothelioma may be classified as an incurable illness Veterans are able to receive VA disability payments.
Veterans can receive compensation from the VA or legal settlements that help pay for medical treatments, support their families, and enjoy a life of comfort. Asbestos attorneys can help veterans understand how these benefits operate and assist in filing claims.
Lawyers can help their clients file asbestos lawsuits against the manufacturers of the deadly substance. Many large corporations were aware of the dangers of asbestos, yet they filed for bankruptcy to avoid liability. However, the mesothelioma lawyers at Waters Kraus & Paul hold these asbestos companies accountable.
Although most cases result in settlements, a few of mesothelioma lawsuits end up going to trial. In a trial, the plaintiffs are brought before a judge and jury who may award greater or lesser 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 given in asbestos cases. The attorneys for the victims must prove that the defendants were negligent and accountable for the victim's exposure to asbestos. This evidence is usually presented through the use of documents and testimony from those who worked with the victim.
Bankruptcy
In addition to financial damages and compensation for pain, the victims and their families could be entitled to medical expenses and compensation. However the process could be long. It is typically two years or more between diagnosis and when the victim is compensated. It is therefore important to speak with mesothelioma lawyers as early as you can.
Asbestos litigation is a complex one. They involve a variety of parties which include multiple trusts and a complex series of legal procedures. The lawsuits are brought by mesothelioma sufferers or their estates against the companies that manufactured asbestos-related products. Companies were aware of the connection between mesothelioma and asbestos, however, they continued to manufacture the product for years. In the end, thousands of asbestos victims have been awarded damages.
A staggering number of lawsuits have led to the demise of many companies that produce asbestos-containing products. This has led to an exclusive legal industry which is focused on asbestos litigation.
Companies that remain in business will often make bankruptcy filings to limit their exposure. The strategy, also known as the Texas Two-Step, is based on the state law which allows companies with large liabilities to create a new subsidiary with few assets. The company then reorganizes itself through Chapter 11 and moves the assets and liabilities into the newly created subsidiary.
In many instances, the new subsidiary is located in a different state in order to avoid lawsuits regarding asbestos exposure that took place before the restructuring. This strategy has been used in a number of high-profile cases, including J&J's reorganization of LTL Management, which faced 40,000 baby powder claims. Gordon's company represents a variety of clients currently employing this strategy as well, including Georgia-Pacific Bestwall which is facing 60,000 claims.
The statute of limitations may make asbestos lawsuits more complicated. Mesothelioma generally occurs between 10 and 40 years after asbestos exposure. State laws, also known as statutes or limitations, give victims between one and five years to file a lawsuit. In the case of grievous death, the family members can file a claim for up to three years from the date of the loved one's death to submit a claim.
Settlements
The victims of asbestos-related diseases are often awarded significant settlements. In some cases, for instance, the wrongful death suit filed by the family an asbestos pipefitter, the jury awarded settlements that reached millions of dollars. In other cases, victims are able to settle for relatively little. This is primarily because many of the companies that manufactured and installed asbestos have shut down or declared bankruptcy. Asbestos companies that are filing for bankruptcy do so under the approval of a court. This process requires that they set aside large funds to pay future victims. Trusts allow more claimants to receive compensation however the amount is usually significantly reduced from what might have been awarded in a tort case.
The value of an asbestos case is contingent on the severity of the illness and the time it took to develop, and how a victim's life has been affected. The value of the dollar is determined by the amount of medical expenses as well as lost wages and the severity of the suffering of the victim.
Most states have statutes that limit the time period within which mesothelioma sufferers, or another asbestos-related disease, can file a lawsuit against a defendant. The date on which the plaintiff was diagnosed with mesothelioma is typically a constructive notice that starts the clock for the statute of limitations.
Most mesothelioma cases are settled or resolved by the courts because mesothelioma is a fatal cancer that can take years to manifest symptoms. When mesothelioma victims die before their cases are settled and their estates are able to continue to pursue a lawsuit against asbestos 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 the victims to this harmful chemical. We have represented mesothelioma victims' families in court cases against companies located throughout the United States, Canada and the Middle East including Iran.
Trials
Although trial is not common, when it does happen victims can receive multi-million dollar verdicts. These awards may cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses related to asbestos exposure. A jury could also decide to award punitive damages in order to punish the accountable companies for their conduct and to deter other firms from putting employees or consumers in danger.
The compensation from an asbestos suit can aid families of mesothelioma patients get back on their feet following losing loved ones to the disease. Families are often forced to miss time from work to care for mesothelioma sufferers, which results in lost income. Mesothelioma settlements and judgments can pay for these costs and ensure that family members will have a a financial future to look toward.
Asbestos lawsuits are among the longest-running mass torts in U.S. history. The litigation has led to many companies to file for bankruptcy and also created asbestos trust funds to compensate victims. Research has shown that exposure to asbestos causes lung damage and illnesses like mesothelioma.
A mesothelioma lawyer can construct and negotiate cases to ensure clients receive the highest possible award. A lawyer with experience will provide advice to clients on the benefits of settling claims as opposed to going to trial. An attorney can explain how various state statutes of limitation and asbestos laws can affect a claim.
During the process of litigation, attorneys and their clients conduct a series of meetings, referred to as discovery. During this stage, attorneys collect evidence and information from defendants in order to prepare for trial. A lot of defendants be settled during this phase to avoid a potentially damaging jury verdict.
A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer has the expertise and resources needed to hold accountable asbestos manufacturers, distributors and insurance companies accountable for their actions. Waters Kraus & Paul attorneys have successfully held asbestos companies accountable for their negligence and secured substantial settlements on behalf of their clients. Contact us today to find out how we can assist your family members and ensure that you receive the justice you deserve. We represent asbestos-exposed individuals across the country. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease We can help you get the compensation you deserve.