An Asbestos Attorney Can Help Victims of Asbestos-Related Diseases An experienced asbestos attorney can aid those suffering from asbestos-related illnesses. They include asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer. Many companies offer free mesothelioma patients with case reviews. This lets you learn about how a particular company handles these claims and decide whether they are suitable for you. A lawsuit against an asbestos firm can result in settlement for medical bills as well as lost wages and other expenses. Legal proceedings can be costly. The history of asbestos law suits Asbestos can be a risky naturally occurring mineral that is used to create insulation and fire resistance. It was extensively used in New York, as well as in other areas of the United States, in industrial, manufacturing and commercial environments. The workers in these places, like shipyards, power plants and textile mills, were regularly exposed to asbestos. Some of these workers later developed mesothelioma and other lung diseases that are directly related to their exposure. A New York mesothelioma lawyer can assist those affected to receive the benefits they are entitled to. When the first lawsuits were filed in the late 1960s, researchers confirmed what people had suspected - that asbestos exposure causes lung damage and disease. This information triggered a wave of claims that caused dozens of asbestos producers to file for bankruptcy. In bankruptcy proceedings, the companies set up asbestos trust funds for victims and their families. The money deposited into these trusts has now amounted to hundreds of millions of dollar. Congress has attempted to pass legislation in order to end the asbestos lawsuit. However these bills have been unable to pass due to a variety of reasons. For example they did not discuss the treatment options for mesothelioma victims who have recurrences of their disease or who have passed away. The asbestos defense industry has also been a roadblock in its efforts to debunk the scientific consensus that asbestos, even when it is at a low level is a risk factor for mesothelioma or lung cancer. These campaigns include funding and publishing papers designed to back the asbestos industry's arguments in the courtroom. Individual cases may be consolidated into multidistrict litigation in order to speed up the process. In 1991, a judge combined the asbestos lawsuits of 850 against power plants to speed up resolution of these cases. The defendants are able to appeal a decision between 30 and 180 days. This can delay any financial award. A defendant could be required to make a bond for any monetary awards received, depending on the outcome of the appeal. How to File a Claim An asbestos lawyer can assist families and individuals file various kinds of asbestos claims. These claims may be for compensation for funeral expenses, medical expenses as well as lost income loss of consortium and suffering and pain. They may also seek restitution from companies who exposed their workers to asbestos. They can also assist veterans submit a claim to the Veteran's Administration for disability compensation. A lawyer who is an expert in asbestos litigation can review your case free of charge to determine if there are legal options available. They can answer any questions you may have and explain the different legal procedures. They will travel to your home, office or hospital for a consult. They operate on a contingency basis, which means that you won't have to pay any upfront legal fees. If a client engages an asbestos attorney, he or will have to ensure that the lawsuit is filed in accordance to the statute of limitations applicable to. The majority of states require asbestos victims to file a lawsuit within a few years after being diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer. It isn't always easy to determine when a person was exposed to asbestos, since the symptoms usually do not appear until decades after exposure. An experienced asbestos attorney can help clients navigate the laws specific to their state and ensure that the suit is filed on time. When you file a complaint an attorney for mesothelioma will seek evidence to support your claim. This includes company records as well as interviews conducted with your family. They may also request old documents from the asbestos-related companies that could reveal the negligence of the company. An experienced asbestos lawyer can also help you file an action for wrongful death if a loved one has died from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses. In a suit for the wrongful death of a loved one, survivors can seek compensation for emotional pain, funeral expenses as well as loss of companionship. They may also pursue punitive damages against the asbestos-related company. An experienced asbestos lawyer can quickly get records from various states and asbestos companies. They can offer more legal options than an individual law firm could offer. A national asbestos law firm's resources provide victims with a greater chance of winning substantial compensation. Preparing for the Trial Asbestos, a toxic mineral, has been used in industrial jobs for a long time. Workers who were exposed to asbestos in construction, shipbuilding manufacturing of automobiles, shipbuilding, and other industries are often affected by severe diseases such as mesothelioma or lung cancer, asbestosis, or the pleural effusion (inflammation of the lung's lining). If you've been diagnosed with an illness due to asbestos exposure, you should be compensated. An experienced New York asbestos lawyer can help you recover damages. A mesothelioma lawyer can help you to file a lawsuit for personal injury or wrongful deaths against companies that are responsible for your exposure. A mesothelioma lawsuit permits you to seek financial compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages as well as pain and suffering, emotional distress and other damages. The statutes of limitation differ in each state for personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. It is crucial to have a mesothelioma attorney by your side to ensure that you don't run out of time to file an claim. Your attorney will investigate and collect evidence on your behalf after the legal process has started. They will interview both you and your former employer, landowner, or other party who could have been involved in your asbestos exposure. They will also research the specifics of your case to determine where, how, and when you may have been exposed. Most asbestos cases are handled on a contingency-fee basis which means that the attorney will take an amount of the compensation you receive as a representation. Your attorney will also take care of the costs of your case If you win an award or settlement, they will collect their fees from the winning party. If you and your asbestos attorney are unable to come to an agreement on a contingent payment then you can choose to work with a different firm. The attorneys in the second law firm will need to sign a written contract dividing the work and fees. In most cases, the compensation is given to mesothelioma patients and their family members when a jury is found that they are in their favor. Many asbestos lawsuits are settled out of court. Asbestos lawsuits that win pay between $1 million and $1.4 millions to the victims. Going to Trial Asbestos lawyers can assist their client get compensation by either winning or settling a case. Compensation is contingent on many aspects, including the duration of time and the type of asbestos exposure and severity of the symptoms. Asbestos lawsuit damages can include damages for suffering and pain, lost income and future earnings as also medical expenses as well as transportation, childcare, and housekeeping. Compensation for wrongful deaths can be secured through an asbestos lawsuit which includes money to cover funeral costs as well as other expenses associated with the death of loved ones. Families may also be entitled to compensation because of the emotional trauma caused by the death or loss of a loved one. Attorneys with asbestos litigation experience can help victims of lung cancer, mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses seek compensation from asbestos producers. Moreover, mesothelioma lawyers can help with filing claims with trust funds set up by asbestos companies that went bankrupt. The time interval between the time of exposure to asbestos and the beginning of illness can make it difficult to determine which defendants were responsible for the asbestos-related illness. Additionally, evidence can disappear or be lost over time, and asbestos-related firms can go out of business, which can complicate the situation even more. The lawyer representing mesothelioma plaintiffs should identify all potential asbestos manufacturers and asbestos products involved in the lawsuit before submitting a lawsuit. An experienced attorney can conduct a thorough examination of every asbestos manufacturer and product to ensure that all relevant information is available to the case. For decades, mesothelioma lawyers at Belluck & Fox have held negligent asbestos manufacturers accountable for the hardworking workers who were exposed to this harmful substance. This has helped them secure more than $1 billion in compensation for their clients over the years. The firm has secured notable verdicts, including an award of $22 million for an Navy veteran who contracted mesothelioma after repairing boilers on ships. There was also an $8 million verdict for an employee of a construction company who died from exposure to asbestos in joint-sealing materials at a Manhattan high rise.