This Week s Top Stories Concerning Asbestos Lawsuit

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Asbestos lawyers can hold the companies responsible for exposure accountable through an action. They could be former employers or asbestos producers.

The companies were aware of asbestos lawyer's dangers but failed to inform their employees. These lawsuits seek compensation for the victims and their families.

Most asbestos lawsuits settle before trial. Professionally trained attorneys are prepared to take your case to a jury trial, should you require.

Military Service

Mesothelioma is a rare and pervasive disease however, it can also affect veterans who were exposed to asbestos while serving in the military. Mesothelioma lawsuits are filed against the asbestos companies responsible, and compensation can help pay for treatment.

Military personnel were exposed to asbestos attorneys while in the service, especially when working on ships or in shipyards. Many types of military equipment, including boilers, pipes and engine rooms included asbestos. The Navy was the branch that had the most exposure to asbestos. This is the reason why a lot of Navy veterans are diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Asbestos victims are compensated in a variety of ways as well as VA benefits and legal settlements. Since mesothelioma can be treated, it is categorized as a total and lasting disability, which means veterans are eligible to receive VA disability payments.

Veterans can receive compensation from the VA or legal settlements to pay for medical treatments, support their families, and live a comfortable lifestyle. Asbestos attorneys can help veterans learn more about the benefits and assist in filing claims.

Lawyers can help their clients in filing asbestos lawsuits against the manufacturers of the deadly substance. Many large companies were aware of the dangers of asbestos, yet they filed for bankruptcy to avoid being held accountable. However, the mesothelioma lawyers at Waters Kraus & Paul hold these asbestos companies accountable.

A few mesothelioma cases end in court, even although the majority settle. In a trial the victims are brought before a judge and a jury who may award greater or lesser money than an agreement. In one mesothelioma-related case, a jury awarded the victim's family $40 million in damages. This is the biggest award ever awarded to an asbestos claim. The attorneys representing the victims must prove that the defendants were negligent and accountable for exposing the victim to asbestos. This evidence is typically provided through documents and testimony from witnesses who worked with the victim.

Bankruptcy

In addition to monetary damages and compensation for pain, victims and their families may also be entitled to medical expenses and compensation. However, the process can be lengthy. It usually takes two years or more between diagnosis and when a victim receives compensation. It is therefore crucial to get in touch with a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as you can.

Asbestos litigation is a complex one. The lawsuits are a bit complicated that involve multiple parties and trusts. The lawsuits are filed by mesothelioma patients or their estates. Companies were aware of the link between mesothelioma and asbestos, however, they continued to produce the product for a long time. As a result thousands of asbestos-related victims have received compensation.

A staggering number of lawsuits have led to the collapse of many companies that produce asbestos-containing products. This has led to the development of a legal sector dedicated exclusively to asbestos litigation.

Companies that remain in business may declare bankruptcy to reduce their risk. The strategy, also known as the Texas Two-Step, is based on the state law which allows businesses with large obligations to establish an entity with a small amount of assets. The company then reorganizes under Chapter 11 and transfers the assets and liabilities to the newly formed subsidiary.

In many cases the new subsidiary is in a different jurisdiction in order to avoid lawsuits regarding asbestos attorney exposure that took place prior to the restructuring. This has been the strategy in a number of high-profile cases, such as J&J's reorganization of LTL Management, which faced 40,000 claims for baby powder. Gordon's firm is currently representing a number of clients who are using the strategy, such as Georgia-Pacific's Bestwall which is currently facing more than 60,000 claims.

Asbestos-related lawsuits can be difficult because of the statutes of limitations. Mesothelioma generally develops between 10 and 40 years after exposure to asbestos. State laws, also known as statutes or limitations, allow victims between one and five years to file suit. In the event of that a death is wrongful family member has one to three years to file a lawsuit starting from the date that the loved one passed away.

Settlements

Most asbestos-related diseases result in significant settlements. In certain cases, such as the wrongful death suit filed by the family of an asbestos pipefitter resulted in jury awards of up to millions of dollars. In many cases, victims are offered very little compensation. The reason behind this is that a lot of companies that once produced and installed asbestos are now shut down or bankrupt. Companies that manufacture asbestos that file for bankruptcy must follow a procedure that is approved by the courts which requires them to reserve large amounts of money to pay future victims. Trusts allow more claimants to be compensated however the amount is usually substantially lower than what could be awarded in a tort system case.

The value of an asbestos claim is contingent on the severity of the disease, the length of time it took for the victim to develop the disease and the extent of the suffering suffered by the victim. The dollar value of an asbestos case is also dependent on the amount of lost wages, medical expenses, and the degree to which a mesothelioma victim's pain and suffering can be quantified.

The majority of states have statutes of limitation restricting the length of time that a mesothelioma asbestos-related injury victim can pursue legal action against the defendant. The date on which the plaintiff was diagnosed with mesothelioma is usually an effective notice that begins the clock for the time limit.

The majority of mesothelioma cases are settled or resolved by the court since mesothelioma can be a lethal cancer that can take years before it begins to manifest symptoms. If mesothelioma patients die before their cases are resolved the estates of their deceased victims may continue to pursue an asbestos lawsuit on their behalf.

Waters Kraus and Paul's lawyers represent clients from a wide range of industries across the United States and around the world who have suffered from asbestos exposure. We hold asbestos manufacturers and their insurers accountable for their part in exposing victims to this dangerous chemical. We have represented families of mesothelioma patients in lawsuits against companies located across the United States, Canada and the Middle East including Iran.

Trials

While going to trial is rare but when it does happen victims can receive multi-million dollar verdicts. These awards can be used to cover medical costs loss of wages, medical expenses, and other losses resulting from asbestos exposure. A jury may also award punitive damages to penalize the accountable companies for their behavior and to discourage other companies from putting their employees or customers in danger.

An asbestos lawsuit could help mesothelioma families get back on their feet after losing a loved to the disease. Families often have to take time off from work to take care of mesothelioma patients, resulting in lost income. Mesothelioma settlements and judgments could pay for the expenses and provide family members financial security.

Asbestos-related lawsuits have been part of mass torts for decades in the United America. The litigation has resulted in dozens of companies filing for bankruptcy, and asbestos attorney trust funds have been established to pay victims. Studies have shown that asbestos exposure causes lung damage and diseases like mesothelioma.

A mesothelioma lawyer can build and negotiate the case to ensure that clients receive the highest possible award. An experienced lawyer can also advise clients on the advantages and disadvantages of settling a case versus going to trial. An lawyer can explain how the different state statutes of limitations and asbestos laws can affect a claim.

During the litigation process, attorneys and their clients conduct a series interviews called discovery. During this phase attorneys gather evidence and details from defendants to prepare for trial. Many defendants be settled during this phase to avoid a potentially damaging jury verdict.

A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer has the knowledge and resources to hold accountable asbestos distributors, manufacturers and insurance companies accountable for their negligence. Lawyers at Waters Kraus & Paul have held asbestos companies accountable and secured substantial settlements for their clients. Contact us today to find out how we can help your family and get the justice that you deserve. We represent asbestos-exposed individuals across the country. We can help you get the amount you are due if you or someone you love has developed an asbestos-related condition.