Asbestos Litigation
In courts all over the country, asbestos litigation has been a major problem. Asbestos exposure has been proved to cause lung damage and lung disease by research.
An attorney should be able to recognize asbestos in each case. This can be done through conversations with coworkers or obtaining records, as well as taking samples from homes or work sites.
Liability
If you or a loved one is diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, you may be qualified for compensation. Compensation can help with lost wages and medical expenses as well as other expenses that are associated with mesothelioma or an asbestos-related illness. You can start a lawsuit to claim compensation or make an offer of settlement to the defendants in the case.
There are typically many defendants in an asbestos-related case because there are numerous mining companies that produced asbestos and also the manufacture of products that contained asbestos. These businesses may also own or have control of asbestos-contaminated properties. Companies that provide services to asbestos-using mines or manufacturers or acted as employers could also be held responsible for injuries suffered by victims.
Asbestos lawsuits usually fall under the legal category of product liability law which is built on state and common laws that permit damages to be sought against sellers of products if those products cause injuries. In a lawsuit involving product liability where the injuries resulted from faulty design or mismanufacture and that the victim wasn’t adequately warned about the dangers associated with the products.
In asbestos cases, defendants frequently claim 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-containing products are linked to a myriad of illnesses. Furthermore, companies that concealed asbestos’s dangers in order to boost profits have been accused of attempting to cover up by attempting to suppress claims and trying to stop workers from seeking financial compensation for injuries they sustained.
A judge or jury may decide how to divide responsibility between defendants if more than one defendant is blamed for an asbestos-related injury. This process is referred to as the 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 products can help victims obtain compensation for their losses. This includes the cost of medical treatment and lost wages because of being unable their job. Victims may also be eligible for compensation and punitive damages.
The lawsuit alleges 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 also is alleged that the defendant knew that asbestos was a risk and failed to warn workers and consumers of this risk.
A victim or the estates of those who have passed away from asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma could start an asbestos lawsuit. A person can make a claim for personal injury to claim compensation for damages arising from economic or other causes that include emotional distress and pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of the life. The surviving family members of those who have died due to an asbestos-related condition can bring a wrongful death lawsuit.
Once an asbestos case has been filed the parties share information in a process known as discovery. This process can last for a long time and could require lengthy interviews with coworkers, relatives, abatement workers and others in order to identify potential defendants as well as their asbestos-related products.
It is crucial for plaintiffs to have an experienced attorney handling their case due to of the complex nature of asbestos litigation. The law firm that a victim, or their family, chooses must comprehend the unique complexities of asbestos litigation. They should be acknowledged by insurance companies and defendants for their experience.
The attorneys at LK’s are asbestos litigation experts with years of experience in representing asbestos victims and their families. We are renowned for our success in obtaining the highest compensation for clients.
Contact us for a complimentary consultation for any questions regarding filing a lawsuit against asbestos. We are committed to fighting for justice in the best interests of our clients. Our offices are located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Houston, Texas. We represent clients across the nation. Call or email us today to get started.
Settlements
If asbestos victims prevail in their lawsuits, they are awarded compensation from the companies who exposed them to hazardous substances. This money is meant to help the family of the victim with financial losses resulting from the asbestos exposure. Compensation may cover the suffering and pain.
Asbestos lawsuits are often settled instead of going to trial. This is because it is more cost-effective and easier for the defendant companies to settle the case this way. Settlements also help avoid negative publicity that can come from a trial verdict. It is important to hire mesothelioma attorneys who have expertise in obtaining the highest amount of damages on behalf of their clients.
Mesothelioma lawsuits are complex and require lawyers to conduct extensive research into their client’s employment history as well as medical records and asbestos exposure. They can help clients identify asbestos-producing firms that could be the cause of the disease. The lawyers can then collect evidence and use it to build a strong mesothelioma case.
Mesothelioma lawyers may uncover evidence that asbestos companies were negligent in depositions and discovery. Evidence typically is found in internal memos, corporate documents, and statements of former employees who been exposed to asbestos-containing materials. These documents often show that asbestos producers were aware of mesothelioma’s dangers, and other asbestos-related diseases however, they didn’t tell their workers or the general public.
Many states set time limits known as statutes of limitations which determine how long an asbestos victim can bring a lawsuit. The time frames vary from state to state, but typically vary between one and two years. If the statute of limitation expires prior to the time a lawsuit for mesothelioma is filed, the victim will lose their right to receive compensation.
The amount victims can receive depends on the asbestos-related illness they have been diagnosed with as well as how serious their condition is, and other aspects. Attorneys consider treatment costs as well as other expenses in negotiations to ensure patients have enough money to cover their medical expenses. Asbestos sufferers can also file claims using trust funds that were established to compensate those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related diseases.
Some of these trusts are exhausted, but others still pay huge amounts of money. In 2018 the federal court gave $70 million to the relatives of a U.S. Navy machinist diagnosed with mesothelioma from working with gaskets made by John Crane Inc.
Trials
Trials are the best option for asbestos settlement victims than settlement offers. Trials can also help resolve problems that cannot be resolved through settlement negotiations, such as differences in how to calculate damages and whether the condition resulted from specific exposures.
In a trial the plaintiffs must prove that they have the right to damages, which include future and past medical expenses, lost wages, property damages or loss of enjoyment, Mesothelioma case and loss of consortium. In addition, the defendant has to demonstrate that it is responsible for the asbestos-related injury. The trial process is often long. In the last decade mesothelioma jury awards have increased dramatically and much exceeded the amount that is awarded by judges in settlement cases.
A mesothelioma lawyer will help victims understand the steps to take in the court procedure and will explain their legal rights in a courtroom with an open door. A lawyer with experience can also assist in identifying potential defendants. Asbestos litigation can be more complex than litigation involving car accidents, where it is often simple 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 dates. A seasoned mesothelioma attorney will interview witnesses like coworkers or relatives, abatement workers and suppliers to compile a detailed database of the companies as well as their products and locations.
The cost of resolving asbestos claims eats up funds that could have been used to fund future cases. Some claimants also believe that settlements do not reflect actual injuries, and they are entitled to a higher amount of compensation.
Plaintiffs in asbestos cases can argue for dismissal of claims through summary judgment or a determination of no exposure. These motions require a thorough examination of the evidence as well as an expert’s opinion on whether the doses of asbestos measured by the plaintiff were not enough to cause mesothelioma. A mesothelioma attorney can help speed up the process and stop the case from becoming a backlog in the courts.