Apple Valley asbestos lawyer may be entitled compensation if you developed pleural or mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos in the workplace. A North Carolina asbestos attorney can examine your case and determine the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Long-term asbestos exposure is strongly associated with lung cancer, mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Anyone who worked with shipbuilders, boilermakers and other asbestos workers, or lived near them could be at risk.
Asbestos Litigation
Asbestos litigation is one of the longest-running mass torts in U.S. history. It has involved billions of dollars in settlements, verdicts, and judgments for asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.
In federal or state courts victims are compensated for their physical, financial and emotional loss. Compensation can also cover medical expenses associated with treatment and ongoing care. A successful lawsuit may also help families cope with the loss of a loved ones from asbestos-related illness.
A person who is diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases can sue negligent businesses that exposed them. This could include companies that provided the asbestos raw, producers of asbestos-containing items or employers who knew or should have known of the risks of asbestos exposure in the workplace but did not take the necessary precautions to protect their employees.
A person can file a suit on by themselves or with an attorney's help. The process varies by state and the specific asbestos-related condition. When filing a lawsuit for mesothelioma, it is important to have an experienced lawyer.
Mesothelioma attorneys analyze a person's work and health history, as well as family history to determine the possibility of asbestos exposure. They have access to databases of thousands of job sites as well as mesothelioma lawsuit settlement files that can assist with this process. The lawyers can determine asbestos-related asbestos producers and products that the victim could have been exposed to, as well as the potential locations where this exposure took place.
Asbestos lawyers can also determine whether a case is eligible for punitive damages. These damages are designed to punish the defendant company and deter others from engaging in similar conduct. This could encourage defendants to settle mesothelioma lawsuits rather than fighting them in court.
Lawyers also have the ability to handle other asbestos claims like lung cancer lawsuits or cases involving secondary asbestos exposure. They may represent clients who have other asbestos exposure histories, like those who work working in the military, or auto mechanics. They have experience bringing lawsuits in state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Workers' Compensation
People who have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace and then develop an asbestos-related illness could be qualified for compensation. They can bring a lawsuit and receive compensation for their physical, financial and emotional losses. Mesothelioma, along with other asbestos-related diseases, are very expensive to treat and the resulting loss of income could be catastrophic for a family. The death of a mesothelioma patient could also leave the family in need of financial aid.
Asbestos lawyers can assist victims and their families, determine the type or types of asbestos claims they must pursue. They can begin by evaluating the victim’s medical records, work history and the types of asbestos-containing product to which they have been exposed. A legal team with expertise will have the tools to search for old records of employment, products, and witness testimony.
People who are diagnosed with a disease associated with asbestos are often need to document their exposure and symptoms, particularly when they suffer from a progressive disease linked to asbestos such as mesothelioma, or lung cancer. As these diseases progress it can be difficult for victims to remember their work history as well as the details of their exposure. This is why it's crucial for asbestos victims to have an attorney by their side from the beginning of their case.
Certain victims may have to submit a claim to the asbestos trust fund in addition to taking legal action against asbestos companies that are negligent to get the compensation they are due. Asbestos attorneys can assist in determining if a victim qualifies for trust fund claims and assist them in filing the necessary paperwork.
Veterans who were exposed to asbestos while in the military are another group of people who may be eligible for compensation from the government for their asbestos-related injuries. A veteran suffering from an asbestos-related condition such as mesothelioma can apply for disability benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. This can include monthly compensation for the person's mesothelioma or other disease, and reimbursement of costs for travel related to treatment. A lawyer can assist veterans with filling out the VA forms required and verify that they are correct.
Social Security Disability
A mesothelioma diagnosis can cause patients to be faced with significant medical bills that aren't covered by insurance. This can cause financial hardship and a lack to work, which could lead to additional debt. Patients who are unable work can be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. A Columbia asbestos claims lawyer can assist those who are diagnosed as suffering from a disabling illness receive these benefits.
Depending on the type of illness, patients may also be eligible to receive compensation from one of the asbestos trust funds. Asbestos manufacturers knew since the 1930s that exposure to asbestos was associated with health problems, including mesothelioma, but failed to warn workers. Many asbestos-related exposure victims later developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.
To be eligible for SSD, individuals must have an illness that is severe and is expected to last for a year or more. A knowledgeable asbestos lawyer can help patients understand the process of filing for social security and how to file an asbestos disability claim.
When a claim is made, the SSA's disability determination department (DDS) conducts a disability evaluation. This involves an examination and review of the medical records of the person to determine if their condition meets or exceeds any of the SSA listings. Depending on the outcome of this examination and the results of the review, the DDS can approve or deny the claim.
If the claim is denied the asbestos attorney may assist in filing a request for reconsideration or appeal. Appeals are typically heard by a different DDS adjudicative team than the initial review.
Asbestos lawyers will work with medical professionals to make sure that all evidence is properly submitted. This could include documentation of an individual's asbestos exposure history and symptoms, as well as how their condition has impacted their life. In addition to mesothelioma other asbestos-related diseases include lung cancer, chronic obstructive lung disease, pleural plaque and atelectasis. People suffering from these conditions are able to file mesothelioma lawsuits as well as asbestos trust fund and VA claims. The sooner a victim speaks with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer the greater their chances of receiving the disability benefits they need.
Veterans' Benefits
Veterans suffering from asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma are eligible for VA benefits. Individuals can qualify for different VA claims and compensation options depending on their specific circumstances. Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma might be eligible for monthly disability payments. These payments pay for medical expenses and lost income. In addition, if a mesothelioma-related diagnosis is connected to a service survivorship spouses can receive a monthly allowance, referred to as DIC or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.
The military is a place where exposure to asbestos can be an underlying risk factor for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. This is because their jobs often involve handling and insulating equipment that contains asbestos. Furthermore there were many veterans who worked outside the military and may have had other occupations where they experienced exposure to asbestos. These occupations included mill and refinery workers railway workers asbestos miners, auto mechanics and construction workers.
Veterans can be afflicted by additional asbestos-related diseases, such as asbestosis and asbestos lung cancer. Mesothelioma symptoms may resemble other conditions and are often misdiagnosed especially in the early stages of the disease. Patients need to seek a mesothelioma diagnosis from an asbestos specialist.
A mesothelioma diagnosis often leads to financial hardship for veterans. However, there are numerous resources available for mesothelioma patients and their families including VA claims lawsuits, asbestos trust funds.
A mesothelioma patient must demonstrate that exposure to asbestos is the reason for their illness to be eligible for VA benefits. The VA considers mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related diseases as service-connected illnesses when they can be traced to the time when a veteran was serving in the military.
A mesothelioma victim can also seek compensation from a solvent asbestos firm through lawsuits, which are usually distinct from VA or pension benefits. To discuss options for compensation, asbestos victims should consult with a seasoned mesothelioma attorney. A lawyer can review the medical records of the veteran as well as other evidence to determine the best method to seek compensation.