20 Fun Details About Asbestos Attorney
Asbestos Litigation
In the courts across the country asbestos litigation has been a major issue. Asbestos exposure has been proven to cause lung diseases and damage by research.
An attorney must be able identify asbestos in every case. This can be accomplished by chatting with colleagues in the office, collecting records, and analysing samples taken from homes or work sites.
Liability
You may be entitled to compensation when you or someone you know is diagnosed with a disease related to asbestos. Compensation can assist with the loss of wages and medical expenses as well as other expenses associated with mesothelioma, or any other asbestos-related illness. You may choose to start a lawsuit or offer an agreement to the defendants.
In asbestos cases, there are generally several defendants since there are numerous mining companies that manufacture asbestos as well as manufacturers of products containing asbestos. These businesses may also own or have control of asbestos-contaminated properties. Additionally, businesses that provided services to mines or manufacturers who used asbestos or who acted as employers could be held accountable for injuries sustained by victims.
Asbestos-related lawsuits are often categorized under the legal category of product liability law, which is founded on state and common laws that allow damages to be sought against sellers of products if those products cause injuries. In a product liability suit it is claimed that injuries resulted from the design defect or manufacturing error and that the injured person was not adequately informed about the dangers associated with the products.
In asbestos cases, defendants typically claim that they didn't act in a negligent manner and that their products were safe, even though doctors have long acknowledged that the use of asbestos-containing products is linked to various illnesses. In addition, companies who concealed the risks of asbestos to increase profits have been accused of covering up the issue in attempting to block claims and by trying to stop workers from seeking financial compensation for their injuries.
If more than one defendant is found to be liable for the victim's asbestos-related injuries, a jury or judge may determine how to divide the burden of responsibility among them through a process known as the apportionment. The apportionment of liability does not affect the total amount that the plaintiff could receive as compensation from the defendants in the case.
Damages
A lawsuit against a business which manufactured or sold asbestos can assist victims to recover compensation. This includes the cost of medical treatment for their disease, as well as lost wages due to being unable to work. Victims could also be awarded compensatory and punitive damages.
The lawsuit alleges the defendant acted negligently, which means that it didn't take reasonable steps to ensure that the product was safe for the intended use. The lawsuit also alleges that the defendant knew asbestos could be hazardous and failed to inform consumers and workers about this risk.
A person who is a victim or the estates of those who have passed away from asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma can make an asbestos lawsuit. A person can file a personal injury lawsuit to claim compensation for economic and non-economic damages, including emotional distress and suffering, loss of enjoyment life as well as pain and suffering. Family members who have survived someone who has died from an asbestos-related illness may also make a claim for wrongful death.
After an asbestos case is filed and the parties share information in a process known as discovery. This process may take some time and may require interviews with family members, coworkers, members, abatement workers, and others in order to identify potential defendants.
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 have an understanding of the complexities unique to asbestos litigation, and be acknowledged by insurers and defendants for its experience in these cases.
Our lawyers are asbestos litigation experts who have years of experience representing asbestos victims and their families. We are well-known for our skill to get the most compensation possible for clients.
Contact us for a complimentary consultation for any questions about bringing a lawsuit against asbestos. We are dedicated 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. Call or email us today to begin.
Settlements
If asbestos victims prevail in their cases, they receive compensation from the companies which exposed them to harmful substances. The money is intended to help the victim's family and friends with financial losses resulting from the asbestos exposure. Compensation can also be used to cover the pain and suffering.
Asbestos cases are typically settled instead of going to trial. This is because it is more cost-effective and easier for the defendant companies to settle the case this way. Settlements also avoid negative publicity that could be associated with a trial verdict. It is essential to choose an experienced mesothelioma law firm with experience in obtaining maximum damages for their clients.
Mesothelioma lawsuits are a bit more complicated and require attorneys to conduct extensive research on their client's past work history as well as medical records, and asbestos exposure. They can help clients identify asbestos-producing businesses that could be the cause of the disease. Lawyers are able to gather evidence and use it to create an effective mesothelioma suit.
Mesothelioma lawyers may uncover evidence that asbestos companies were negligent during discovery and depositions. The evidence typically is found in the form internal memos, corporate documents, and testimony from former employees who worked with asbestos-containing products. These documents usually show that asbestos producers were aware of mesothelioma's dangers, and other asbestos-related illnesses, but didn't tell their employees or the general public.
Many states set time limits, called statutes of limitations, on how long an asbestos victim has to file a lawsuit. The time frames vary from state to state, but generally vary between one and two years. If the statute of limitations expires prior to the time a lawsuit for mesothelioma is filed, the victims will lose their right to compensation.
The amount victims receive will depend on their asbestos-disease diagnosis the severity of their condition is and other factors. Attorneys take into account treatment costs and other costs when they negotiate to ensure patients have enough money to pay their medical bills. Asbestos victims may also file claims with trust funds which were created to compensate people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related illnesses.
Certain trusts have been depleted but others continue to award substantial awards. For instance, in 2018 an appeals court in the United States awarded $70 million to the family of the family of a U.S. Navy machinist who developed mesothelioma after working with gaskets produced by John Crane Inc.
Trials
Asbestos-related victims who go to trial have a greater chance of receiving compensation than those who accept a settlement offer. Trials can resolve issues that are not resolvable through settlement negotiations. For instance, there are differences in the calculation of damages and the extent to which a person's condition is caused by an exposure.
In a court trial the plaintiffs have to prove that they are entitled to damages, including past and future medical expenses as well as loss of wages, property damage as well as pain and suffering and loss of consortium. In addition, the defendant has to prove that it is liable for the asbestos-related injuries. The trial process can be lengthy. In the past decade mesothelioma jury awards cases have risen significantly and far exceeded the amount that is awarded to settlement cases by judges.
A mesothelioma lawyer can assist victims understand how to proceed through the trial process and explain their rights under the law in a courtroom that is open to the public. A qualified lawyer can also assist in identifying potential defendants. In contrast to car accident litigation where it is typically easy to identify the individuals involved, asbestos litigation can be more complex. This is especially true when someone has been exposed to asbestos in multiple locations and at different times. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will interview witnesses, such as family members, coworkers and abatement workers to compile an inventory of products, employers and places.
There is a growing concern that the expense of settling claims of asbestos victims who have been in the past can drain funds that could be used to fund future cases. Some claimants also believe that settlements are not based on actual injuries and therefore deserve more compensation.
The defendants in asbestos cases may contest claims to dismiss them through summary judgment or a conclusion of no exposure. These motions, however, require an exhaustive examination of the evidence and an expert's assessment that the asbestos doses measured by the plaintiff were not enough to cause mesothelioma. While the process can take a while, a seasoned mesothelioma lawyer can help speed up the process and ensure that it doesn't become part of the aforementioned long backlog of cases in the courts.