How to File an Asbestos Exposure Lawsuit
A lawsuit involving asbestos exposure may result in compensation being paid to the victim or their loved ones. Every case is unique however there are some elements that are common to all.
An attorney will determine where exposure to asbestos occurred and the companies that are responsible. Many asbestos attorneys producers went through bankruptcy and created bankruptcy trusts for people to make claims.
File a Claim
Each asbestos case is different however, certain aspects are common to all. To win their claim, they need to prove that they were exposed to asbestos, they have a mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases and have suffered damage because of those exposures.
Asbestos lawsuits usually are founded on a personal injury claim or wrongful death claim. In a personal injuries lawsuit, a person suffering from mesothelioma files suit against the companies that produced or sold asbestos-based products to whom they were exposed at workplace or during military service. Families who lost a loved one to mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related illness, can file wrongful death lawsuits.
It is important to start an asbestos lawsuit as quickly as you can because there are tight statutes of limitations in place. The precise statutes of limitation differ from state to state and may be as brief as one year. A mesothelioma lawyer will help patients determine if they're qualified to bring an asbestos lawsuit and what the ideal timeframe is for filing their case.
A mesothelioma suit seeks financial compensation to pay for medical expenses loss of income, as well as other costs related to the disease. Mesothelioma victims often receive hundreds of thousands of dollars or more in settlements.
Mesothelioma can only be caused by asbestos exposure. Large companies were aware of the risks associated with asbestos, but didn't inform workers or the general public. An asbestos lawyer can review the person's employment history and military documents to determine the cause of exposure.
An experienced mesothelioma attorney will also look over the client's home, business and auto insurance records to identify possible sources of exposure. This information can be used to develop an asbestos exposure timeline for the individual and determine if there are other sources.
Most mesothelioma lawsuits are filed against asbestos-containing manufacturers, distributors, or sellers. They can be sued on the basis of strict liability, negligence or product liability. Generally, the asbestos lawyers will claim that the defendants were negligent because they did not exercise reasonable care when making selling, selling or utilizing their products. They will also argue that the defendants did not provide proper warnings of the risks associated with their products.
The Discovery Phase
After you file your lawsuit, the lawyers for the defendants will initiate an exchange of information called discovery. This may include documents like medical and corporate records, as well as statements under oath during interviews, which are known as depositions. Your attorney will assist you prepare for a deposition and will be present to assist you throughout the process. The top New York mesothelioma lawyers will do their own research to find evidence that supports your claim and will help you obtain the highest amount of compensation.
The defendants may attempt to hide any evidence that proves their negligence or inaction caused your illness however, a seasoned asbestos lawyer will make sure to expose the facts. Your lawyer will go through documents obtained through discovery and search for evidence that suggests whether you were exposed to other products or activities that could have led to mesothelioma.
The mesothelioma discovery process can take months, and you may feel as if nothing is happening during this time. Your lawyer will be busy analyzing the information gathered during this stage of the legal process in order to improve your case.
One of the most important aspects of discovery that has helped victims get asbestos settlements is the company's own admissions through the litigation process. Many asbestos companies, like, denied that their products caused cancer and breathing problems for years. But their own internal documents came out in the lawsuits, revealing that they knew about the dangers of asbestos but did not inform the public or workers.
After examining all evidence available in your case, your lawyer will help you determine if an out-of-court settlement is a good option. The majority of asbestos cases are settled outside of court rather than going to trial. This lets victims get their money more quickly and avoids the risk of losing in court. An experienced attorney will negotiate the most favorable settlement for you and will review any offers from the defendants to determine if they are fair.
Settlements
In many civil cases, the amount of compensation awarded is contingent on the facts of the case. The type of asbestos-related disease will affect the value of an claim. Mesothelioma, the most severe type of asbestos-related disease, may result in a bigger settlement for the victim or their families.
Lawsuits can be filed with an experienced NYC mesothelioma lawyer firm to recover damages for medical expenses as well as lost income and suffering and suffering and loss of companionship, among other damages. Surviving family members can also make a wrongful-death lawsuit in the event that a loved one has died from mesothelioma or another asbestos attorney-related illness.
Compensation in a lawsuit for mesothelioma can be difficult. An attorney can review the work of the victim and their military history to determine where and when asbestos may have been used. They can determine the companies responsible for asbestos exposure. A mesothelioma lawyer can analyze the symptoms of a patient against similar cases in the past to determine a fair settlement amount.
Typically, lawyers work on these cases on a contingent basis, which means they are not paid unless they recover funds for their client. The lawyer will cover any reasonable expenses incurred in the case, and they are reimbursed from the settlement or verdict.
A jury will listen to the evidence, and decide how much compensation a victim is entitled to for their injuries. It is possible, however, that the defendants may want to go to court instead of settling. This is especially true if the plaintiff's asbestos law firm has experience winning large verdicts in mesothelioma trials.
Asbestos victims might also be able to make claims through the asbestos trust fund, which was set by companies that manufactured and distributed asbestos product to pay for asbestos related liabilities. These funds are reserved for those who were exposed to asbestos on the job, including veterans. Some of these funds are depleted and they can no longer pay full compensation to mesothelioma patients.
Trial
The purpose of a asbestos lawsuit is to seek compensation for medical expenses, loss of income and other damages. In general, the amount you receive is based on your length of exposure as well as the type of asbestos you were exposed to. For instance, a person may have been exposed to various types of asbestos while working in the power plant or in a shipyard. A mesothelioma lawyer must be knowledgeable about the various types of asbestos and their effects on various diseases.
The defendants in an asbestos lawsuit have varying opinions about compensating victims. They may resort to various strategies to avoid paying for claims. Your lawyer will be able anticipate these strategies and ensure that your case is handled swiftly. The defendant is often attempting to delay the process by filing frivolous, unfounded motions which are likely to be rejected. Our experienced mesothelioma attorneys are able to stop these types of tactics and ensure that your case is resolved quickly.
Your mesothelioma attorney will prepare a trial strategy and present it to the court once the evidence is taken. A successful trial requires extensive preparation and a keen eye for detail. The plan will be adapted to your specific situation since the jury's verdict will be based on their understanding of the evidence and how it applies to your particular case.
A successful verdict can result in a substantial award for you or your loved one. If the defendants aren't able to contest the verdict, payment can be made within a few weeks after the trial.
Defendants can choose to appeal a decision. However, this may delay any monetary award. They may also choose to pay a lower amount or nothing at all. In 2022, a jury awarded $43 million to an employee of a plant that employed asbestos fire doors.
The time frame for filing an asbestos lawsuit or claim varies by state, however generally speaking, the statute of limitations starts as soon as you are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Families of deceased victims could also be able file an action against mesothelioma for wrongful death.