Asbestos Litigation
In courts all over the country, asbestos claim litigation is a huge issue. Asbestos exposure has been shown to cause lung diseases and damage through research.
An attorney must be able to recognize asbestos in every case. This can be accomplished by talking to co-workers, getting documents, or analyzing samples taken from homes or workplaces.
Liability
You could be eligible for compensation when you or someone you care about is diagnosed with a health condition that is linked to asbestos. Compensation can assist with the loss of wages medical costs, and other expenses associated with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness. You can bring a lawsuit in order to obtain compensation or make an offer of settlement to the defendants in the case.
In asbestos cases, there are typically multiple defendants as there are numerous mining companies that produce asbestos and also manufacture products that contain 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 were employers could be held responsible for injuries to victims.
Asbestos suits often fall under laws governing product liability which are based on the laws of the state and common law which permit damages to be recouped from the seller of a product when the products cause injuries. Specifically, in a product liability lawsuit, it is alleged that the injuries were caused by manufacturing errors or defective design and that the injured party was not adequately warned of the risks that came with using the products.
In asbestos cases, defendants often argue that they were not negligent and that their products are safe. This is in spite of the fact that doctors have long known that Asbestos Attorney-containing products have been linked to a myriad of illnesses. Companies who concealed asbestos-related risks to boost profits were accused of a cover-up, and they attempted to deny claims and block workers from claiming the financial compensation they deserve for their injuries.
A judge or jury may decide on how to split responsibility between defendants if more than one defendant has been found to be responsible for an asbestos-related injury. This process is known as the apportionment. The apportionment process does not alter the amount of compensation that the plaintiff can receive from the defendants.
Damages
A lawsuit brought against a business that produced or sold asbestos products can help victims receive compensation for their losses. This includes the cost of medical treatment and lost wages as a result of being unable their job. Victims also may receive compensatory and punitive damages.
The lawsuit asserts that the defendant acted negligently, which means that it didn’t take reasonable steps to ensure the product was safe for its intended use. It is also claimed that the defendant knew asbestos was dangerous and failed to inform consumers and workers of the danger.
A victim or the estates of those who have passed away from asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma can file an asbestos lawsuit. A person can file a lawsuit for personal injury to seek compensation for economic and other damages, such as emotional distress or pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment the life of. Family members who are survivors of those who have died due to an asbestos-related disease can file a wrongful deaths lawsuit.
After an asbestos case is filed, both sides share information in the process of discovery. It can take several months, and may require lengthy interviews with coworkers and relatives, abatement workers and others to discover potential defendants and their asbestos-related products.
Due to the complexity of asbestos litigation, it is essential that plaintiffs choose a seasoned lawyer handling their case. The law firm that the victim or their family chooses must comprehend the unique complexities of asbestos litigation. They should also be recognized by insurance companies and defendants for its expertise.
LK’s attorneys have years of experience in representing victims and their families in asbestos lawsuits. We are recognized as a firm that can secure the highest amount of compensation for our clients.
If you have any questions about filing an asbestos lawsuit, please contact us for a free consultation. 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 from all over the country. Contact us via email or phone today to begin.
Settlements
If asbestos victims win their lawsuits, they are awarded compensation for the companies that exposed them to dangerous substances. The money is intended to help the victim and their family with the financial burdens resulting from the asbestos exposure. Compensation can be used to cover the cost of suffering and pain.
Asbestos cases usually settle rather than going to trial because it is easier and cheaper for the defendant company to settle the matter in this manner. Settlements also help avoid negative publicity that comes from a trial verdict. It is essential to choose mesothelioma attorneys who have experience in obtaining maximum damages on behalf of their clients.
Mesothelioma cases are extremely complex and lawyers must conduct extensive research about the medical records of their clients, work history, and asbestos exposure. They can assist clients in identifying asbestos-producing firms that could be the cause of the disease. Lawyers can then gather evidence and use it in a mesothelioma lawsuit that is strong.
During pre-trial discovery and depositions mesothelioma lawyers may discover evidence of asbestos companies negligence. The evidence typically is in the form of internal memos, corporate documents and testimony from former employees who worked with asbestos-containing products. In many cases documents, they show that asbestos manufacturers knew about the dangers of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases but did not divulge this information to their employees or the public.
A number of states have imposed a time limit, also known as a statute of limitations, for how long asbestos victims can bring a lawsuit. The time frames vary from state to state, but usually range from one to two years. If the statute of limitations runs out before a mesothelioma suit is filed, victims lose their right to receive compensation.
The amount of money that victims can receive depends on the asbestos-related illness they have been diagnosed with and how severe their condition is, and other factors. Attorneys take into account treatment costs and other expenses when trying to make sure that patients have enough funds to cover medical expenses. Asbestos sufferers may also be able to file claims through trust funds established to help those diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses.
Some of these trusts have been depleted but others continue to award substantial prizes. For instance, in the year 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 manufactured by John Crane Inc.
Trials
Trials are the better option for asbestos victims than settlement offers. Trials can resolve issues that aren’t resolvable through settlement negotiations. For example, there may be differences in the calculation of damages, and the possibility that a patient’s condition was caused by an exposure.
In a court of law, plaintiffs will be required to prove that they are entitled damages, including future and past medical costs as well as lost wages, damage to property as well as discomfort and pain and loss of consortium. The defendant must also prove its responsibility for the asbestos-related injury. The process of trial can be lengthy. In the last 10 years mesothelioma-related jury awards cases have risen significantly, and are far more than the amount given to settlement cases by judges.
A mesothelioma lawyer can assist patients understand how to proceed in the court process and asbestos attorney explain their legal rights in a courtroom that is open to the public. A knowledgeable lawyer can also assist in identifying potential defendants. Asbestos cases can be more complicated than car accident cases where it is often easy to identify the responsible parties. This is particularly true when an individual has been exposed to asbestos in more than one place and at different times. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can interview witnesses, such as coworkers, relatives and abatement workers, to create a database of companies, products, and locations.
The cost of resolving asbestos claims eats up funds which could have been used to fund future cases. Additionally, asbestos attorney some claimants think that settlements aren’t just based on injuries that actually occurred and should be compensated more.
Defense attorneys can argue to dismiss asbestos claims by obtaining summary judgment, or a finding that there was no exposure. However they must be able to provide an in-depth review of the evidence and an expert opinion that the measured doses of asbestos that the plaintiff was exposed to were insufficient to cause mesothelioma. A mesothelioma attorney can help accelerate the process and stop the case from becoming part of the backlog in the courts.