Blog entry by Elizabeth Prichard
Mesothelioma Lawyers Can Help You File Mesothelioma Asbestos Claims
Many families of victims of mesothelioma receive compensation as a result of a mesothelioma trial settlement or verdict. Compensation may also be derived from asbestos trust funds or the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Mesothelioma lawsuits are typically presented as personal injury suits or wrongful death claims. A mesothelioma lawyer can assist you in deciding which kind of claim you want to file.
VA Benefits
Mesothelioma lawyers assist families and veterans to ensure that they receive compensation for asbestos-related injuries. Compensation can be used to pay medical expenses along with lost wages and suffering and pain. Asbestos patients may be eligible for benefits from a variety of sources including liable asbestos companies as well as trust funds and workers' compensation. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can explain the complicated legal system that you face in your case.
A mesothelioma lawsuit is filed against the asbestos company that exposed the victim. This type of lawsuit is filed in civil court and the laws that govern this process differ from state to state.
Many asbestos lawsuits are settled outside of court, but there are also cases that make their way to the jury trial. The amount the victim receives is determined by a jury verdict. A victim's symptoms, the location and extent of their exposure, and the severity of their injury are all factors that decide the amount a jury will award them.
A mesothelioma case isn't the only method to file a claim for disability with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans who have been identified as having asbestos-related diseases can receive financial aid and medical treatment through VA disability claims.
There are various types of VA claims, but the majority of them are based on a veteran's level of disability as well as whether they have dependents. The VA offers a monthly benefit program that is tax-free and will cover the cost to live for a veteran who has mesothelioma.
Veterans and their families can benefit from the guidance of an experienced VA mesothelioma lawyer. They can review victim's medical documents and asbestos exposure history to build a solid compensation case. An attorney for mesothelioma can collaborate with the veteran's doctor to establish an diagnosis and suggest treatments.
These claims also include those against the U.S. Air Force Navy and Marine Corps. Asbestos exposure is commonplace in these military branches and a lot of past and present personnel were exposed to asbestos during their service. For example, Marines often worked on ships and in buildings that contained asbestos. Certain veterans could have been exposed to asbestos during their time at Tinker Air Force Base where private contractors were responsible for housing and buildings that were contaminated by asbestos.
Workers' Compensation
In a lot of states, workers' compensation laws allow individuals who have been diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses to receive a fixed amount of compensation. This amount of money can be used to cover medical expenses and a portion of the lost wages, and other financial losses caused by the illness.
Asbestos victims should consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer in order to determine whether they are qualified for this kind of financial assistance. The Lanier Law Firm's legal team can help claimants maximize their compensation by identifying the multiple sources of exposure.
In addition, mesothelioma patients and their families may be entitled to bring an asbestos lawsuit against the company for negligence. The process could result in a settlement or a verdict that provides compensation.
Mesothelioma lawsuit settlements differ by state and personal circumstances, however, the amount the victim receives will be contingent on the severity of their illness, the place they were exposed to asbestos and how long they were exposed for.
When a lawsuit is filed the defendant named in the suit must pay a monetary amount or refute the claim and commence the trial process. Mesothelioma lawyers assist patients and their families to gather the required documentation to back the claims filed.
Mesothelioma litigation typically involves multiple parties as well as several kinds of insurance. Victims and their families can also seek financial compensation via a trust fund or settlement, or through a trial verdict.
The amount of compensation that the victim receives is contingent on the severity of their illness, the place they were exposed, for how long and how much exposure there was, and their level of suffering. The attorneys at Dreyer Boyajian LLP can assist clients in filing claims in multiple venues as necessary.
Asbestos-related victims should also consider the possibility of other forms of financial aid for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases such as disability insurance and additional unemployment insurance (SUI). These kinds of benefits can aid in living expenses. Additionally, mesothelioma patients must discuss their eligibility for Social Security with a mesothelioma lawyer. If a mesothelioma patient's legal case is in progress, they should consider the possibility of filing for workers' compensation.
Trust Funds
All asbestos victims must receive complete compensation for their losses including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Compensation from the asbestos trust fund can help them cover these costs. Asbestos Trust funds are money pools that are set aside by companies who manufacture of asbestos-containing products. These funds were created in the 1980s following companies that knowingly exposed workers to asbestos, which is a dangerous substance, and then applied for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to stay out of liability in lawsuits.
Typically, each trust fund assigns a specific schedule of value to different kinds of asbestos-related ailments and more serious ones being more expensive than others. Each trust also has a payment percentage that is the percentage of the total claim they will pay. Asbestos lawyers help victims file claims using multiple asbestos trust funds to maximize their compensation.
To ensure that you receive compensation as quickly as possible, it is important to make a claim to the asbestos trust fund as soon as you are diagnosed. The timeframe varies based on the case, but most victims receive their compensation within 90 days of filing their claim. Certain victims are eligible for expedited review, which permits them to receive a set amount of compensation dependent on the asbestos company's established standards.
The mesothelioma trust fund's average payout is $1 million or more. The exact amount of money paid is contingent on the asbestos companies involved in each case and the trust's percentage of payment.
Mesothelioma patients and their families can also avail additional sources of financial assistance, such as VA benefits and disability insurance. The compensation from these sources can help patients and their families to pay for medical expenses as well as replace income lost and pay for living expenses.
Mesothelioma patients and their families members may also file lawsuits against the asbestos-related companies responsible for their exposure. It is essential to speak with a mesothelioma attorney about the best compensation option for your particular situation. Trust fund claims can be more comprehensive than lawsuits. The best mesothelioma attorneys are able to explain the nuances of asbestos trust funds and lawsuits, and devise an appropriate legal strategy that is most likely to yield the maximum compensation for each client.
Free Consultation
Mesothelioma lawyers can assist in determining asbestos exposure and offer legal options for compensation. They can also make sure that all paperwork is filed correctly and in compliance to state laws, referred to as statutes. State-specific deadlines can differ.
Compensation may be offered to asbestos victims and their families through a variety of claims. The compensation for mesothelioma usually obtained through settlements or trusts, as well as verdicts. It can help families pay funeral costs, treatment costs and other expenses.
A person who has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition should consult an experienced asbestos lawyer to bring a lawsuit against the responsible companies. The lawyers can examine medical documents and asbestos-related employment history to identify the source of exposure. They can also determine which companies are responsible and establish the liability of a mesothelioma case.
Lawyers can aid asbestos victims and family members to qualify for other types financial assistance. Disability insurance and healthcare programs run by the government such as Medicare and Medicaid are a few examples. These programs can offset mesothelioma-related costs and other medical expenses for example, prescription drug plans.
In some cases the person who is who is diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease may be eligible to receive an award of compensation for wrongful death. This kind of claim is designed to hold asbestos product makers accountable for the death of a victim. The lawsuits for wrongful death can result in substantial compensation, usually resulting in a settlement that is negotiated.
Asbestos lawsuits can be a complicated case. Lawyers can help their clients in making preparations for trial and ensure that all the necessary evidence is gathered to prove the asbestos victim's case. They will build a solid case to maximize damages for the victim as well as obtaining compensation for their families.
Compensation from a mesothelioma lawsuit can help veterans and their family members overcome the financial burdens that come with this condition. Asbestos patients and their families should always seek out a mesothelioma lawyer that has a proven track record. At Riddle & Brantley Attorneys Gene & Chris Riddle have recovered over $665 million in compensation for asbestos victims. Contact us today to discuss your legal options.