Asbestos Litigation
In the courts across the country asbestos litigation has been a significant issue. Research has proved that exposure to asbestos can cause lung damage and cause disease.
An attorney must be able identify asbestos in each case. This can be done through discussing with colleagues, obtaining reports, or looking at samples taken from homes or workplaces.
Liability
You could be eligible for compensation If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a disease that is related to asbestos. Compensation can cover lost wages, medical expenses and other costs associated with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness. You can make a claim for compensation or an offer to settle the case with the defendants in the case.
In asbestos cases, there are generally multiple defendants due to the fact that there are a variety of mining companies that manufacture asbestos and manufacture products that contain asbestos. These businesses may also own or have control of asbestos-contaminated properties. Additionally, companies that offered services to mines or manufacturers who used asbestos or who were employers could be held responsible for the victims’ injuries.
Asbestos suits are typically governed by product liability laws that are based upon the laws of the state and common law which permit damages to be recovered from the seller of a product when those products cause injury. Specifically, in a product liability lawsuit, it is alleged that the injuries were caused due to a flawed or a design defect and that the victim was not adequately warned of the risks associated with using the products.
In asbestos cases, defendants typically claim that they were not negligent and that their products are safe. This is despite the fact that doctors have long known that asbestos-containing products have been linked to a variety of diseases. In addition, companies who concealed asbestos’s dangers to increase profits have been accused of engaging in a cover-up in attempting to block claims and also to stop workers from seeking the financial compensation they deserve for their injuries.
If more than one defendant is found to be responsible for the victim’s asbestos-related injuries, a judge or jury can decide how to divide the blame between the defendants in a process referred to as apportionment. The apportionment process does not alter the amount of money a plaintiff may receive as compensation from the defendants in the case.
Damages
A lawsuit against a company which manufactured or sold asbestos could assist victims to recover compensation. This includes the cost of medical treatments for their illness as well as the loss of wages due to inability to work. Victims could also be awarded compensatory and punitive damages.
The lawsuit claims that the defendant acted negligently, meaning it did not take reasonable precautions to ensure that the product was safe for the intended use. It also is alleged that the defendant knew asbestos was a danger and did not inform consumers and workers of the danger.
An asbestos lawsuit could be filed by a victim, or the estate of a person who has died from an asbestos legal-related illness such as mesothelioma. A person may make a claim for personal injury to seek compensation for other and economic damages, such as emotional distress as well as pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of the life. The surviving family members of someone who died due to an asbestos-related disease can pursue a wrongful-death lawsuit.
After an asbestos case is filed and a settlement is reached, both sides exchange information in the process known as discovery. This can last several months, and may require extensive interviews with co-workers, relatives, abatement workers, and others to identify potential defendants as well as their asbestos-related products.
It is important that plaintiffs have an experienced lawyer handling their case because of the complexity of asbestos litigation. The law firm that a victim or their family chooses be aware of the complexities unique to asbestos litigation, and be acknowledged by insurance companies and defendants for its expertise in these cases.
Our lawyers have years of experience representing victims and their families in asbestos attorney lawsuits. We are known for our ability to get the maximum amount of compensation to our clients.
Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation should you have any questions about filing a lawsuit against asbestos. We are committed to fighting for justice on behalf of our clients. Our offices are in Salt Lake City, Utah and Houston, Texas. We represent clients across the country. Contact us by email or phone today to get started.
Settlements
If asbestos victims prevail in their lawsuits, they receive compensation from the companies who knowingly exposed them to hazardous substances. The money is intended to assist the family members of the victim financially for the financial loss resulting from the asbestos exposure. Compensation may cover the pain and suffering.
Asbestos cases are usually settled instead of going to trial. This is due to the fact that it is more cost-effective and easier for the defendant companies to settle the case in this manner. Settlements can also prevent the negative publicity that comes with a verdict in a trial. It is important to hire an experienced mesothelioma lawyer who has experience obtaining the highest damages for their clients.
Mesothelioma cases are complicated, and attorneys must conduct extensive research on their client’s medical records and work history as well as asbestos exposure. They can help clients identify companies that could produce asbestos that could be the cause of their illness. The lawyers can then collect evidence to use in an effective mesothelioma case.
Mesothelioma lawyers may uncover evidence that asbestos companies were negligent during discovery and depositions. Evidence typically comes from internal memos, corporate documents, and testimony from former employees who have worked with asbestos-containing products. In many cases these documents, it is clear that asbestos producers knew about the dangers of mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related illnesses but didn’t disclose this information to their employees or the public.
There are many states that set time limits known as statutes of limitations, on how long an asbestos claim victim must start a lawsuit. The length of time varies by state, but usually range from one to two years. If the statute of limitations expires before a mesothelioma suit is filed, victims lose their right to a fair settlement.
The amount of money that patients can receive is contingent on the asbestos-related diagnosis they receive and how severe their condition is, and other aspects. Attorneys take into account treatment costs and Asbestos Case other expenses when negotiating to ensure that patients have enough money to cover their medical expenses. Asbestos sufferers can also file claims using trust funds, which were created to pay compensation to those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Certain trusts have been depleted but others continue to pay substantial prizes. For instance, in the year 2018 a federal jury awarded $70 million to the family of a U.S. Navy machinist who contracted mesothelioma from working with gaskets made by John Crane Inc.
Trials
Asbestos victims who attend trial have a higher chance of receiving compensation than those who accept the settlement offer. Trials can also help resolve problems that cannot be resolved through settlement negotiations, including differences in the method of calculating damages and whether the patient’s condition was caused by a specific exposure.
In a court of law, plaintiffs will need to prove they are entitled to damages including past and future medical expenses as well as lost wages, damage to property or property, pain and discomfort and loss in consortium. In addition, the defendant must prove that it is liable for the asbestos-related injuries. The trial process can be lengthy. In the past decade, jury awards for mesothelioma have risen significantly and have much exceeded the amount that is awarded by judges in settlement cases.
A mesothelioma lawyer will help victims understand what to do through the trial process and explain their rights under the law in a public courtroom. A qualified lawyer can also help to identify potential defendants. Asbestos litigation can be more complex than car accident cases where it is often easy to identify the parties responsible. This is particularly true when the victim was exposed to more than one kind of asbestos and at multiple locations. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will interview witnesses, such as coworkers, relatives and abatement workers to compile a database of companies, products and the locations.
The cost of resolving asbestos claims eats up funds which could have been used to fund future cases. Some claimants believe that settlements don’t reflect the actual damage and that they should be compensated more.
Plaintiffs in asbestos cases can seek to dismiss claims by summary judgment or a finding of no exposure. These motions are, however, subject to a thorough examination of the evidence and an expert’s opinion on whether the asbestos doses measured by the plaintiff were not sufficient to cause mesothelioma. A mesothelioma lawyer can help speed up the process and keep the case from becoming a burden in the courts.