Asbestos Litigation
In courts all over the country asbestos litigation is a huge issue. Research has shown that exposure to asbestos can cause lung damage and disease.
An attorney must be able to identify asbestos in each case. This can be accomplished through conversations with coworkers or obtaining records, as well as analysing samples taken from homes or workplaces.
Liability
If you or a loved one is diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition you may be qualified for compensation. Compensation may cover lost wages, medical expenses as well as other expenses associated with mesothelioma. You can make a claim for compensation or a settlement offer from the defendants in the case.
In asbestos cases, there are usually multiple defendants as there are many mining companies that produce asbestos and manufacturers of products containing asbestos. These businesses may also own or have control of asbestos-contaminated properties. In addition, companies that offered services to mines or manufacturers that made use of asbestos or who acted as employers could be held accountable for injuries to victims.
Asbestos lawsuits typically fall into the legal category of product liability law, which is based on common and state laws that allow damages to be recovered against the sellers of products when those products cause injury to. In a particular case, in a product liability lawsuit, it’s claimed that the injuries were caused due to a flawed or defective design and that the person who suffered injury was not properly warned of the risks that came with using the products.
In asbestos cases, defendants typically argue that they did not do anything in a negligent way and that their products are safe, even though doctors have long recognized the use of asbestos-containing products is linked to various illnesses. Companies that hid asbestos risks to increase profits were accused of cover-up. They tried to deny claims and block workers from claiming financial compensation for their injuries.
If more than one defendant is found to be liable for asbestos-related injuries suffered by a victim the judge or jury could decide how to split the burden of responsibility among them through a process known as apportionment. The apportionment process does not alter the amount of compensation the plaintiff may receive from the defendants.
Damages
A lawsuit filed against a company that manufactured or sold asbestos products can help victims obtain compensation for the losses they suffered. This includes the cost of medical treatment and lost wages as a result of being unable their job. Victims may also be eligible for compensation and punitive damages.
The lawsuit alleges that the defendant acted with negligence in that it failed to take reasonable precautions to ensure the product was safe for its intended use. The lawsuit also alleges that the defendant knew asbestos could be dangerous, but failed to warn workers and consumers about this risk.
An Asbestos Compensation (Maps.Google.Hu) lawsuit could be filed by a victim or estate of a deceased person from an asbestos-related condition such as mesothelioma. A person may start a lawsuit claiming personal injury to seek compensation for economic and other damages like emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment the life. Family members who are survivors of someone who has passed away due to an asbestos-related illness may also make a claim for wrongful death.
After an asbestos case is filed the parties share information in a process known as discovery. This can last several months and could require extensive interviews with co-workers family members, abatement workers, relatives and others to determine potential defendants and asbestos-related products.
Due to the complex nature of asbestos litigation, it is imperative that plaintiffs hire an experienced lawyer to handle their case. The law firm a victim or their family chooses to work with should be aware of the unique complexities involved in asbestos litigation and should be recognized by insurers and defendants for its experience in these cases.
Lawyers from LK have years of experience representing victims and their families in asbestos settlement lawsuits. We are well-known for our skill in obtaining maximum compensation for our clients.
If you have questions about filing an asbestos lawsuit, please contact us for a no-cost consultation. We are committed to fighting for justice on behalf of our clients. Our offices are located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Houston, Texas. We represent clients nationwide. Contact us now to get started.
Settlements
When asbestos victims win their lawsuits, they get compensation from companies that knew about and exposed them to hazardous substances. The money is meant to compensate the victim and their family members for the financial losses resulting from asbestos exposure. Compensation can cover the suffering and pain.
Asbestos cases are usually settled rather than going to trial. This is due to the fact that it is more cost-effective and asbestos compensation easier for the defendant companies to settle the case in this manner. Settlements can also avoid the negative publicity that comes when a jury verdict is handed down. It is essential to choose an experienced mesothelioma law firm that has experience obtaining maximum damages for their clients.
Mesothelioma lawsuits can be complex and require lawyers to conduct extensive research into their client’s work history as well as medical records, and asbestos exposure. They can help clients identify asbestos-producing companies who may be responsible for the condition. Lawyers can then gather evidence and use it in a strong mesothelioma case.
During depositions and discovery prior to trial mesothelioma lawyers will uncover evidence of asbestos-related companies negligence. The evidence typically comes in the form of internal memos, corporate documents and testimony from former employees who worked with asbestos-containing materials. In many cases these documents, it is clear that asbestos-producing companies knew about mesothelioma’s risks and other asbestos-related illnesses but didn’t disclose this information to their workers or to the general public.
There are many states that set time limits known as statutes of limitations that define how long an asbestos victim must start a lawsuit. These time periods vary between states, but typically range between one and two years. If the statute of limitations runs out before a mesothelioma lawsuit can be filed, victims lose their right to compensation.
The amount of money victims are entitled to is determined by the severity of their condition as well as their diagnosis and other factors. Attorneys consider the cost of treatment and other expenses when negotiating to ensure that patients have enough funds for their medical bills. Asbestos sufferers may also be able to claim through trust funds established for Asbestos compensation patients diagnosed with mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related illnesses.
Some of these trusts have dwindled, however others continue paying out substantial payouts. In 2018, a federal court awarded $70,000,000 to the family of an U.S. Navy machinist diagnosed mesothelioma as a result of working with gaskets made by John Crane Inc.
Trials
Trials are an option that is better for asbestos victims than settlement offers. Trials can also help to resolve problems that cannot be resolved through settlement negotiations, like the different methods of calculating damages and if the victim’s condition was caused by exposures specific to the victim.
In a trial, plaintiffs must show that they have the right to compensation, such as future and past medical expenses, loss of wages, property damage or loss of enjoyment, and loss of consortium. The defendant must also prove their responsibility for the asbestos-related injury. The trial process can be lengthy. In the last 10 years, jury awards in mesothelioma cases have increased significantly and far exceeded the amount that is awarded to settlement cases by judges.
A mesothelioma lawyer can help victims understand how to proceed in the court process and can explain their legal rights in an open courtroom. An experienced attorney can assist in identifying potential defendants. As opposed to the litigation in car accidents where it’s usually easy to identify the parties, asbestos cases can be more complicated. This is particularly true when someone has been exposed to asbestos legal in more than one place and at different times. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can interview witnesses, including family members, coworkers and abatement workers to compile a database of companies, products, and the locations.
The cost of resolving asbestos claims eats up funds that could be used to pay for future cases. Some claimants believe that settlements don’t reflect actual injuries and they should be compensated more.
In asbestos cases, defendants can argue for dismissal of claims by summary judgment or a determination of no exposure. However these motions require an in-depth review of the evidence and an expert opinion that the doses measured of asbestos that the plaintiff was exposed to were not sufficient to cause mesothelioma. A mesothelioma lawyer can help speed up the process and prevent the case from becoming a backlog in the courts.