Filing Asbestos Claims With a Mesothelioma Law Firm
A mesothelioma lawyer can assist the patient, or loved one to file a claim on behalf of asbestos within the timeframe of the statute of limitations in your state. An attorney can also help to ensure that bankruptcy trusts are able to pay claims and prioritize them correctly.
Veterans who have been exposed to asbestos could also be eligible for VA benefits in addition to mesothelioma compensation claims. The VA offers financial support and treatment resources.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a poisonous group of minerals. Manufacturers were enthused about it as an additive to building materials and automobile components because it is inexpensive and fire resistant, as well as insulating. However, when asbestos fibers are breathed in, they can trigger deadly diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.
Many kinds of products, including roofing, siding shingles and ceiling and floor tiles were asbestos-free until the end of the 1980s. These included insulation, roofing, siding shingles, floor and ceiling tiles, vermiculite-containing garden products, textured paints, and heat-resistant fabrics. Each year, asbestos exposure results in the deaths of a number of people.
Since the time asbestos has been eliminated due to medical evidence linking the mineral to various diseases. A trust fund can provide compensation to those suffering from asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.
The most prevalent and serious asbestos-related complication is a breathing disorder referred to as asbestosis. This condition is characterized by shortness of breathe and frequent coughing. The lungs get scarred by fibrous tissue and are unable to absorb oxygen.
Asbestosis can also cause chest pains and tightening of the throat. The lung tissue can also develop nodules, which are hard lumps in the lung. The symptoms may not show up until 10 to 40 years following asbestos exposure.
If you suspect that you have been exposed to asbestos at work, home or in your local community, it's important to consult an accredited professional. This professional will be able to test for asbestos and manage the material. The attempt to test, repair or remove asbestos on one's own could result in a dangerous health and safety risk.
It is important to note that asbestos must be removed by a licensed professional. It is not to be handled, tested, examined or altered by anyone other than an experienced professional. There are a number of skilled professionals who can carry out asbestos removal or encapsulation safely, efficiently and with ease. Check credentials and accreditations before hiring a professional to make sure that they are qualified. Do not be afraid to request quotes and references from previous clients. Make sure the expert you choose to hire has experience with asbestos removal and encapsulation.
How can asbestos get into and out of my body?
The most common way that asbestos enters the human body is via inhalation. When disturbed, asbestos fibers break down into microscopic particles that are then airborne. These fibers can be transported into the lung and cause serious health issues. These include mesothelioma and lung cancer, as well as other lung-related diseases.
Asbestos-related diseases have a long time of latency, meaning it could be years before symptoms are noticed and a diagnosis are established. It is therefore important that victims remember their work history, and submit medical records in order to prove their exposure. Mesothelioma treatment can adversely affect the memory of patients and make it difficult to recall specific dates of exposure.
Treatment for asbestos-related diseases and mesothelioma can be expensive. Therefore, it is crucial for patients to be able to access financial assistance through mesothelioma compensation and other financial assistance. These can include disability and medical insurance, which can help to pay for treatment as well as provide income while patients are disabled to work.
Many people who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease have multiple claims to obtain adequate compensation. A lawyer with Sokolove Law can help individuals determine what type of claim is the most appropriate to their unique circumstances and submit it on their behalf.
The asbestos legal team will be able, after a lawsuit is filed or a claim made to ensure that all required documentation is provided. This includes medical records, employment history and any other evidence that is relevant.
If the patient is deceased spouses, children and family members may bring a mesothelioma claim on their behalf. Estates of deceased mesothelioma victims can also file wrongful death lawsuits or pursue existing legal claims against asbestos-related companies that are responsible.
How do I prove I was exposed to asbestos?
You will need to prove your diagnosis of mesothelioma, or any other disease that is related, in order to pursue an asbestos lawsuit or claim. This will usually involve providing medical records that confirm your diagnosis and show the connection between asbestos exposure and the condition.
This could include pathology and imaging scans like CTs, MRIs and Xrays. It is essential that the documents are signed by a board-certified doctor. Your attorney can collaborate with mesothelioma specialists to review the evidence, and ensure that it is compliant with all legal requirements.
In many cases, asbestos-related illnesses are not diagnosed until symptoms such as chest pains or difficulty breathing start to manifest. In some instances it can be years after the initial exposure. Anyone who has worked with asbestos should see their doctor regularly and report changes in their health.
If you are a veteran suffering from an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma for instance you could be eligible for veterans benefits. However, you'll need to provide proof of your asbestos exposure as part of your VA claim. You may provide purchase orders or other documents to show which asbestos-containing products were used in your previous workplaces. You can also obtain personal testimony from witnesses to substantiate the claim.
You can also talk to an established law firm that is specialized in mesothelioma. These firms have access to databases of companies, both active and bankrupt, which exposed their employees to asbestos. Your attorney will be able to use these resources to assist you track down the company that was responsible for the mesothelioma exposure you suffered.
You should choose an attorney with the experience of representing asbestos victims and their families. A lawyer with this experience will have a clear understanding of the complex legal procedures involved and how to achieve results. They will be able to manage the details of your case while you and your family concentrate on improving your situation.
What Types of Companies May be legally liable in an Asbestos Claim or Lawsuit?
A firm that sold or produced asbestos-containing products could be held accountable in a lawsuit involving asbestos. This includes manufacturers of floor tile and joint compound as well as insulation and shingles, caulking, roofing and siding materials. It can also include manufacturers of pipe fittings, gaskets and boilers. Companies that supplied products to construction firms or to companies that used the materials in their facilities or on job sites could also be responsible.
Many companies that made asbestos-containing products entered into bankruptcy proceedings and trust funds were established to compensate present and future customers. If they can prove negligence, victims may sue companies who are responsible for their asbestos exposure.
Boston asbestos lawyers of asbestos-related diseases can bring suit against the companies responsible for compensatory damages including the monetary value of their injuries. These damages may include compensation for pain, suffering, medical costs loss of wages, and many more. Victims could also be entitled to punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. These damages are designed to punish the defendant for their negligence and to dissuade others from doing the same.
In a mesothelioma case the plaintiff must provide evidence of exposure to asbestos and a diagnosis of an asbestos-related illness such as mesothelioma, lung cancer or other disease. A specialized lawyer can help you gather the evidence. A victim must, for example, have a medical report from a board-certified doctor and a pathology test that describes cancerous cells or tissue. The patient must also have a complete work history that includes details of the types and lengths of their exposure to asbestos-containing items and/or facilities.
When mesothelioma patients or their family members make a claim or file a lawsuit, the legal process can become complex. In many states, the statute of limitations demands that legal action be filed within a specified time frame following the time when the victim was aware or should be aware of their asbestos exposure and/or development of an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma. In New York State, for instance, a mesothelioma lawsuit must be filed within three years of when the victim was aware or ought to have known about their exposure to asbestos or mesothelioma.