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Asbestos Litigation
A large amount of asbestos litigation has been dealt with in courts across the country. Asbestos exposure has been proven to cause lung damage and lung disease by research.
It is essential for attorneys to know how to spot asbestos products in every case. This can be accomplished by talking with co-workers or obtaining records, as well as analyzing samples from homes or workplaces.
Liability
If you or someone close to you is diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease you may be entitled to compensation. Compensation can help with lost wages medical expenses, as well as other expenses associated with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease. You can make a claim for compensation or make an offer to settle the case with the defendants in the case.
In asbestos cases, there are usually multiple defendants because there are a variety of mining companies that produce asbestos as well as manufacturers of products containing asbestos. These businesses may also own or have control of asbestos-contaminated properties. Companies that offered services to asbestos-using mines, manufacturers or who acted in an employer capacity could be held accountable for the injuries of victims.
Asbestos suits are typically governed by the law of product liability that are based upon common and state laws which allow damages to be recouped from the sellers of products if they cause injury. In a particular case, in a product liability lawsuit, it's claimed that the injuries were caused by manufacturing errors or defective design and that the person who suffered injury was not adequately warned of the risks that came with using the products.
In asbestos cases, defendants typically argue that they didn't act recklessly and that their products were safe, despite the fact that doctors have long recognized that the use of asbestos-containing items is linked to various diseases. Companies who concealed asbestos-related risks to boost profits were accused of cover-up, as they tried to thwart claims and stop workers from claiming financial compensation for their injuries.
If more than one defendant is found to be responsible for the asbestos-related injuries sustained by a victim, a judge or jury may determine how to divide the burden of responsibility among them in a process known as apportionment. The apportionment of liability does not affect the total amount that a plaintiff can receive in compensation from the defendants in the case.
Damages
A lawsuit filed against a company that manufactured or sold asbestos-related products can help victims receive compensation for their losses. This includes the cost for medical treatment and lost wages as a result of being unable to perform their job. Victims also may receive compensatory and punitive damages.
The lawsuit asserts that the defendant acted with negligence and did not take reasonable care to ensure that the product was safe for its intended use. The lawsuit further alleges that the defendant knew asbestos could be hazardous and failed to inform consumers and workers about this risk.
The estates or victims of those who have passed away from asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma may file an asbestos lawsuit. A person may start a personal injury suit to seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages, including emotional stress, loss of enjoyment of life as well as pain and suffering. Family members who are survivors of someone who has passed away due to an asbestos-related illness may also bring a wrongful death lawsuit.
When an asbestos-related case is filed, both sides share information in the process of discovery. This may take a few months and may include extensive interviews with colleagues and relatives, abatement workers and others in order to identify potential defendants as well as their asbestos-related products.
It is important for plaintiffs to choose an experienced attorney handling their case because of the complex nature of asbestos litigation. The law firm that a plaintiff or their family chooses to work with should have an understanding of the unique complexities involved in asbestos litigation and should be recognized by insurers and defendants for its expertise in asbestos cases.
Our lawyers are asbestos litigation experts who have years of experience representing asbestos victims and their families. We are renowned as a firm that can secure maximum compensation for our clients.
If you have questions about filing an asbestos lawsuit, call us for a free consultation. We are committed to fighting for justice that is in the best interest of our clients. Our offices are located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Houston, Texas. We represent clients all over the nation. Contact us today to get started.
Settlements
If asbestos victims prevail in their lawsuits, they are awarded compensation for the companies which exposed them to harmful substances. The money is meant to pay the victim and their family members for the financial losses resulting from asbestos exposure. Compensation may also cover 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 easier for the defendant companies to settle the case this way. Settlements can also prevent the negative publicity that is associated when a jury verdict is handed down. It is essential to choose mesothelioma attorneys who have years of experience in obtaining maximum damages for their clients.
Mesothelioma cases are extremely complex, and attorneys must conduct extensive research about their clients' medical records, work history and asbestos exposure. They can help clients identify asbestos-producing businesses that could be responsible for the condition. Lawyers can then gather evidence and use it in a strong mesothelioma case.
Mesothelioma attorneys can uncover evidence that asbestos companies were negligent during depositions and discovery. charleston asbestos law firm is found in internal memos, corporate documents and testimony of former employees who worked with asbestos-containing materials. These documents typically show that asbestos producers knew about the dangers of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, but didn't tell their employees or the general public.
Many states set time limitations known as statutes of limitations that define how long an asbestos victim has to file a lawsuit. The time frames vary from state to state, but generally range from one to two years. If the statute of limitation expires before a suit for mesothelioma is filed, victims will lose their right to receive compensation.
The amount of money that victims will receive is contingent upon their asbestos-disease diagnosis and how severe their condition is, and other aspects. Attorneys look at treatment costs and other costs when they negotiate to ensure that patients have enough money to pay their medical expenses. Asbestos-related victims may also be able to claim through trust funds set up to help those diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.
Some of these trusts have been closed, but others continue to pay substantial prizes. In 2018, for instance the federal jury awarded $70 million to the family of the family of a U.S. Navy machinist who was diagnosed with mesothelioma while working with gaskets manufactured by John Crane Inc.
Trials
Asbestos-related victims who go to trial have a higher chance of receiving compensation than those who accept the settlement offer. Trials can resolve issues that aren't resolvable through settlement negotiations. For instance, there are differences in the calculation of damages and whether the condition of a victim is caused by an exposure.
In a trial plaintiffs must demonstrate that they are entitled to damages, such as past and future medical expenses such as loss of wages, property damage and pain and suffering and loss of consortium. The defendant must also prove its responsibility for the asbestos-related injury. The trial process can be lengthy. In the past decade mesothelioma jury awards have risen significantly and have substantially exceeded the amount granted by judges in settlement cases.
A mesothelioma attorney can help patients understand how to proceed during the trial process and also explain their rights under the law in a public courtroom. A lawyer with experience can also help to identify potential defendants. Asbestos litigation can be more complex than car accident litigation where it is usually easy to identify the responsible parties. This is particularly true if an individual has been exposed to asbestos in multiple locations and at different times. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will interview witnesses, including relatives, coworkers, and abatement workers, to create an inventory of employers, products, and the locations.
There is growing concern that the cost of resolving claims of asbestos victims who have been in the past has a negative impact on funds that could be used to fund future cases. Furthermore, some claimants believe that settlements should be basing on actual injuries and should be compensated more.
Defendants can fight to dismiss asbestos claims through summary judgment or a finding that there was no exposure. However they must be able to provide an extensive review of evidence and an expert's view that the doses measured of asbestos the plaintiff received were not enough to cause mesothelioma. A mesothelioma attorney can help accelerate the process and prevent the case from becoming a part of the backlog in the courts.