How The 10 Worst Asbestos Lawsuit Failures Of All Time Could Have Been Prevented

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Asbestos lawyers can hold companies accountable for exposure through an action. These companies could include former employers or asbestos producers.

These companies were aware of the asbestos risks but did not inform their employees. These lawsuits seek compensation from the companies for their employees as well as victims.

Most asbestos lawsuits settle before trial. Professionally trained attorneys are prepared to take your case to a jury trial, should you require.

Military Service

Mesothelioma is a rare and pervasive disease but it can be a problem for veterans who were exposed to asbestos serving in the military. Mesothelioma lawsuits are filed against asbestos companies that are accountable, and compensation may be awarded to cover the costs of treatment.

Military personnel were exposed to asbestos while serving in the military, especially when working on ships or in shipyards. This is because many types of military equipment had asbestos such as boilers, pipes, and engine rooms. The Navy was the wing of the military that was exposed to the greatest exposure to asbestos. This is the reason that a large number of Navy veterans are diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.

Asbestos-related victims are compensated through multiple avenues, including VA benefits, legal settlements and trust funds. Since mesothelioma is classified as an incurable illness Veterans are able to be eligible for VA disability payments.

The compensation that veterans receive from the VA and legal settlements can assist in paying for their medical expenses and provide financial support to their families, and allow them to enjoy a comfortable life. Asbestos lawyers can aid veterans to understand how these benefits operate and assist with filing claims.

Lawyers can assist their clients file asbestos lawsuits against the producers of the deadly product. Many large corporations were aware of asbestos's dangers and were able to escape liability by declaring bankruptcy. Waters Kraus &Paul's mesothelioma attorneys hold asbestos companies accountable.

Although most cases result in an agreement, a small number of mesothelioma lawsuits end in trial. In a trial, victims are presented to a judge and jury, who could award more or less money than the amount of a settlement. In one mesothelioma-related trial which was concluded by a jury, the jury gave $40 million to the family of the victim. This is the biggest verdict ever awarded for asbestos cases. The attorneys representing the victims must show that defendants were negligent and responsible for the victim's exposure to asbestos. This proof is typically supported by the documents and testimony of witnesses who worked with the victims.

Bankruptcy

In addition to damages in the form of money and compensation for pain, victims and their families may be entitled to medical expenses and compensation. The process can take a long period of time. It typically takes two years or more between diagnosis and when the victim is compensated. This is the reason it is essential to seek out a qualified mesothelioma lawyer as quickly as you can.

Asbestos lawsuits are complex. They involve numerous parties, including multiple trusts and an extensive set of legal processes. The lawsuits are brought by mesothelioma patients or their estates against companies that produced asbestos-related products. The companies were aware of the connection between mesothelioma and asbestos lawyers however, they continued to manufacture the product for years. Due to this, a lot of asbestos victims have received damages.

A large number of lawsuits have led to the collapse of many companies that produce asbestos-containing products. This has led to the formation of a legal profession dedicated exclusively to asbestos litigation.

Companies that are in business may file for bankruptcy to reduce their risk. The Texas Two-Step strategy is based on state law, which permits companies with high liabilities to create a subsidiary with low assets. The company then reorganizes through Chapter 11 and moves the assets and liabilities into the newly created subsidiary.

In many instances the new subsidiary is situated in a different jurisdiction to avoid lawsuits related to asbestos exposure that took place prior to the reorganization. This strategy has been used in several high profile cases, including J&J's reorganization of LTL Management, which faced 40,000 claims for baby powder. Gordon's firm represents a number clients who are currently employing this strategy, including Georgia-Pacific Bestwall which is facing 60,000 claims.

Asbestos lawsuits can be complicated because of statutes of limitations. Mesothelioma usually develops between 10 and 40 years after asbestos exposure. State laws, also referred to as statutes or limitations, give victims between one and five years to file a lawsuit. In the case of the death of a loved one, relatives have a period of one to three years from the date of the loved one's death to make a claim.

Settlements

Patients suffering from asbestos-related illnesses are often awarded significant settlements. Certain cases, like the wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of an asbestos pipefitter result in jury awards of millions of dollars. However, in other cases, victims accept a small amount. This is because a lot of the companies that manufactured and installed asbestos have closed down or declared bankruptcy. Asbestos companies that file for bankruptcy must follow a court-approved procedure that requires them to reserve huge sums of money to pay future victims. These trusts do allow for more claimants to receive compensation but the amounts are often considerably lower than what would be awarded in a tort system case.

The value of an asbestos claim depends on the severity of the condition as well as the time it took the victim to develop the disease and the severity of the victim's suffering. The value of a dollar is determined by the amount of medical expenses and lost wages, as well as the severity of the victim's suffering.

Most states have statutes of limitation that limit the time a mesothelioma or other asbestos-related injury victim can pursue legal action against the defendant. The date on which the plaintiff was diagnosed with mesothelioma is usually an indication of intent to start the clock for the statute of limitations.

Because mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer, and it takes a long time for symptoms to be evident in mesothelioma patients, most claims do not go to trial and are resolved through settlement or an award from the court. But, if mesothelioma sufferers do die before reaching a resolution and their estates are able to continue pursuing an asbestos lawsuit to collect compensation on their behalf.

Waters Kraus & Paul represents clients from diverse industries across the United States and abroad who have been exposed to asbestos. We hold asbestos producers and their insurers accountable for their role in exposing victims to the dangerous chemical. We have represented families of mesothelioma victims in cases against companies that were located throughout the United States, Canada and the Middle East including Iran.

Trials

If a trial occurs, victims can receive verdicts in the millions. These awards can be used to cover medical expenses loss of wages, medical expenses, and other losses caused by asbestos exposure. A jury can also award punitive damages to punish the responsible company for their conduct and to discourage others from putting customers or employees in danger.

Compensation from an asbestos lawsuit can help mesothelioma victims' families get back on their feet following losing loved ones to the disease. Families often need to take time off from work to care for mesothelioma patients, resulting in a loss of income. Mesothelioma settlements and judgments can help pay for the cost and offer family members financial security.

Asbestos lawsuits are some of the longest-running mass torts in U.S. history. The litigation has led to many companies to file for bankruptcy and also created asbestos trust funds to compensate victims. Research has shown that asbestos exposure causes lung damage and illnesses like mesothelioma.

A mesothelioma lawyer can build and negotiate the case to ensure that clients receive the most lucrative award. A lawyer with experience will guide clients through the advantages of settling claims as opposed to going to trial. A lawyer can explain the effect of asbestos laws as well as the different state statutes on a claim.

During the litigation attorneys and their clients conduct a series of interviews called discovery. In this phase, lawyers collect information and evidence from the defendants to prepare for trial. During this time, many defendants will agree to settle to avoid a potentially damaging verdict.

A mesothelioma attorney with experience has the knowledge and resources to hold asbestos distributors, manufacturers and insurance companies accountable for negligence. Attorneys at Waters Kraus & Paul have successfully held asbestos companies accountable, and have secured significant settlements for their clients. Contact us now to discuss how we can assist your family and you get the justice that you deserve. We represent asbestos-exposed individuals across the nation. We can help you get the compensation you deserve if you or someone you know has contracted an asbestos-related disease.