Why It Is Important to Hire an Asbestos Exposure Lawyer
In the 1930s and the 1970s, asbestos was widely used in construction. It was used for insulation, pipe fittings and boilers, shipbuilding, repair, utilities, power plants and carpentry. Many workers also brought asbestos dust home on their clothes and shoes which exposed family members to the harmful substance.
Exposure to asbestos could cause serious lung diseases, like mesothelioma or other cancers. A New York asbestos lawyer can help victims, and their families get compensation from the companies who exposed them.
Getting Started
It is recommended that you contact a seasoned New York asbestos lawyer immediately in the event that you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition or you have lost a loved because of exposure to asbestos. A reputable lawyer can assist you with filing a lawsuit against the company responsible for your injuries. The aim is to get compensation for the medical treatment you need and the suffering you have endured due to the disease.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring but a dangerous mineral. It was used in a variety of industries for years because it is cheap durable, long-lasting and fire-proof. However, it has been proven to cause serious health issues, such as mesothelioma and other asbestos-related lung diseases.
Workers who have been exposed to asbestos in their work are at risk for developing a variety of respiratory illnesses like mesothelioma, fibrosis and mesotheli or other forms of cancer. The symptoms of these illnesses may not manifest until a few years after the first exposure. Due to the long time of incubation, some victims have been exposed for 30 to 50 years or more before being diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness.
A good asbestos lawyer will concentrate their efforts on submitting claims to collect compensation for mesothelioma, and other illnesses that are associated with asbestos exposure. They will have previous experience asbestos cases and will know the best methods to research any potential case, determine sources of exposure and review a victim's medical records. They will also be conversant with the latest developments in asbestos litigation.
Many lawyers are proficient in a broad range of asbestos-related diseases, but some specialize in particular kinds of cases. For example, an experienced mesothelioma law firm can deal with all types of asbestos-related claims, but they may be particularly adept at filing cases involving veterans who were exposed to asbestos while serving in the military and subsequently developing respiratory illnesses later in life. Some firms concentrate on asbestos trust funds that were established to compensate people injured by the asbestos industry. These funds can be complicated and require legal expertise to navigate.
Case Investigation
Asbestos was utilized in a myriad of industrial and commercial products between the 1930s and 1970s. It was placed in insulation for pipes, fireproofing materials and in cements and plasters. People who handled these products and those who lived with them frequently breathed in the harmful fibers that could cause mesothelioma, asbestosis and other lung diseases.
People who have been exposed to asbestos could develop mesothelioma or lung cancer years after exposure. An asbestos lawyer with experience can investigate your working background to determine the cause of your exposure. Mesothelioma lawyers also have access to medical and other experts who can present the strongest case to establish a link between your diagnosis and exposure to asbestos.
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease it is essential to inform your doctor immediately. This will satisfy your legal obligations under New York Law and preserve the possibility of filing workers' compensation claims.
A mesothelioma lawyer may also review your military records, work history and other documentation in order to identify the source. Many patients suffering from asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos at the workplace or during their military service.
Construction, shipyards, shipyards, automobile repair and other fields that regularly exposed people to asbestos-laden materials are the most likely to develop asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos-related ailments can also be found among those who live with asbestos workers or who work with them and have to clean their asbestos-contaminated clothing after work.
An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can advocate for financial compensation against the owners of buildings or worksites as well as other manufacturers of products and defendants. Compensation can be used to cover medical expenses and pay for treatment. It may also compensate for lost income or a diminished quality of life.
How to Claim a Claim?
Someone suffering from an asbestos-related disease could be eligible for compensation that is substantial. This compensation could help pay for the cost of treatment, home care as well as other expenses related to the illness. It also provides financial aid to family members who suffer losses due to the illness.
Asbestos is comprised of microscopic fibres that are easily inhaled and can become airborne. Inhaling fibers can cause damage to the lung and internal organs. The fibers cannot be eliminated by the body and may remain in the lungs or abdomen for a long time, leading to serious health problems such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.
Most people don't realize they've been exposed asbestos until many years after exposure. This is because the symptoms of many asbestos-related diseases do not appear until decades after exposure. In addition, a lot of asbestos victims were not even aware that they had an occupation in which they were exposed to asbestos.
The sensitivity of asbestos has made it difficult for people to get rid of the material from their bodies. Even cleaning tools used to handle the material can cause asbestos buildup. The health problems caused by asbestos can be life-threatening and crippling.
An experienced New York mesothelioma attorney can examine your case, collect crucial information and study the history of your asbestos exposure. With the information you gather by your lawyer, your lawyer can identify which manufacturers and products could be responsible for your exposure. This information can be used to file a lawsuit against the asbestos companies, seeking compensation for your losses.
The asbestos companies may have been negligent or fraudulent, and therefore accountable in an asbestos lawsuit. The majority of asbestos-related diseases result from exposure to asbestos in a series and this means that a variety of companies could be responsible.
In addition to filing a civil suit against asbestos companies, you may also be entitled to veterans' benefits or compensation from asbestos trust funds. These trusts were created when many asbestos companies filed for bankruptcy. Tens of billions of dollars were set aside in these trusts for compensation of future victims. These claims are often eligible for expedited or individual reviews, which can make it easier for receiving a payment.
Trial
The job of a lawyer is to prepare the case for trial and then argue it in court. The goal is to negotiate an equitable settlement for the victim. A jury will decide the amount that should be awarded. Defendants may appeal the verdict. This can delay the monetary award till the appeal process is complete. However, defendants will need to secure a bond equivalent to the amount of the award for that period of time.
A New York attorney may file a lawsuit on behalf an exposed asbestos victim and assist them in receiving compensation for medical bills and lost income as well as pain and suffering and loss of consortium (husbands and wives), funeral expenses and more. They can also pursue punitive damages in a few states.
Asbestos sufferers can file a lawsuit for personal injury against their employers or construction companies, shipyard owners, and manufacturers. They can also make an asbestos trust fund claim through an asbestos bank, like the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO). A mesothelioma lawyer will explain these options and assist in filing the claims.
Lawyers often rely on experts like doctors and nurses to support their legal arguments. Duluth asbestos attorneys can also hire an investigator to gather evidence. This includes interviewing witnesses, analyzing workplace documents, and analyzing asbestos testing results.
Lawyers who specialize in mesothelioma could also help identify possible sources of asbestos exposure. They can review the records of employment for the victim to determine whether they worked in shipyards, construction, or other industries where workers might have been exposed to asbestos. They can also work with the victim to visit places where they might be exposed, like schools and office buildings.
A reputable mesothelioma lawyer has lawyers licensed to practice in all 50 states. They can determine the best venue for filing a lawsuit, based on the laws of the state, statutes of limitations and other factors. They will be experienced in negotiations with insurance companies for settlements. They will have a track record of successfully obtaining compensations for mesothelioma patients and their families.
Those diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or any other asbestos-related illness should seek legal help as soon as possible. Expert mesothelioma lawyers at a top law firm can assist victims to recover compensation for their exposure to asbestos.