Get Legal Help With an Asbestos Case

Being diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related illness can be devastating. It can even be hard to consider filing legal action when dealing with doctor's appointments and treatment for your disease.

What you need to remember is that you have rights. If your asbestos attorney can prove that this dangerous mineral caused your illness, you may be entitled to significant compensation.

This article will describe how the legal process works for victims of asbestos-related diseases. We will also explain how a personal injury lawyer familiar with asbestos cases can help with your claim.

Isn't it illegal to use asbestos?

Though asbestos use is heavily regulated, asbestos-containing products remain on the market. Asbestos is still used on job sites in the construction industry. It probably makes you wonder how companies can still use materials that the EPA has deemed unsafe.

Unfortunately, nearly three thousand people receive a new mesothelioma diagnosis every year in the U.S. As such, courts have mandated that companies that continue to use asbestos contribute to an asbestos trust fund. This fund helps compensate people who become sick or die from asbestosis and other illnesses.

How are most victims exposed to asbestos?

Asbestos exposure can result in many asbestos-related diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma cancer. Asbestos diseases can require intense medical treatment and cause you to incur significant medical expenses.

Victims of asbestos exposure may have inhaled asbestos fibers during their employment. For example, many workers in the shipbuilding industry were exposed to various types of asbestos used to produce sea vessels.

Mesothelioma victims comprise the majority of plaintiffs who file asbestos lawsuits. These cases often result in large mesothelioma settlements. In some cases, family members of someone exposed to asbestos at work can recover mesothelioma compensation.

Who is liable for your asbestos claim?

One of the problematic things about filing an asbestos claim is determining who you need to sue. These cases are not as straightforward as car accidents with personal injuries. The responsible party can be an employer, manufacturer, or construction company.

For example, if you were in the Navy and were exposed to asbestos, your attorney may need to pursue a claim against the government. If your illness appears while you're still working for your employer, you may be able to file a worker's compensation claim. It all depends on the particular facts of your case.

The issue many mesothelioma patients face is that they may not have much time to live by the time the doctor hands down their diagnosis. For them, the timing issue goes beyond the statute of limitations. If they expect a payout before passing away, they must act quickly.

The same is true for plaintiffs who have lung cancer or asbestosis. You must file your legal claim immediately after receiving your diagnosis.

Why do I need a lawyer for my asbestos claim?

If you've developed mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related illness, you should speak with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. Your asbestos lawyer will not only provide you with legal advice, but they will also protect your legal rights.

When you contact an asbestos law firm, your attorney can also explain what to expect at every step of your personal injury case. Ideally, your attorney will negotiate a settlement of your mesothelioma case. They will also file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.

Your lawyer has years of experience handling asbestos litigation. Whether you need to file a mesothelioma lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit, your attorney will take on the asbestos companies and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

Some of the tasks your lawyer will handle for you include:

  • Researching the law
  • Interviewing witnesses
  • Collecting records
  • Conferring with expert consultants
  • Planning legal strategy
  • Negotiating with insurers and opposing counsel

All you need to do is call and schedule your free case evaluation.

How long do you have to file your claim?

Regardless of the injury you or your loved one have suffered, you only have a certain amount of time to file your claim. This is because you need to file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations period expires.

Your filing window will depend on where you live. In California, for example, plaintiffs have two years from their diagnosis to file suit. New York gives victims three years to file their claims.

When you first meet with your asbestos attorney, they'll let you know how much time you have to file your lawsuit.

Finding an Experienced Mesothelioma Attorney

If you are looking for a free case review or skilled legal help with a potential asbestos-mesothelioma claim, use the FindLaw Lawyer Directory to find a law firm that specializes in asbestos-mesothelioma cases or an attorney with a proven track record near you.

You want to find an attorney with decades of experience handling these claims. Ideally, you'll find a lawyer with a history of obtaining large asbestos verdicts. Since asbestos attorneys work on a contingency basis, you will not have to deal with any upfront costs.

Your asbestos attorneys will help you explore your legal options and assemble a legal team to seek financial compensation for any medical bills or other pain and suffering you or your family may have suffered due to asbestos-related illness. A mesothelioma law firm can help bring both justice and peace of mind.

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