Mesothelioma Compensation
You may be entitled compensation if you have developed pleural or mesothelioma due to industrial exposure. A North Carolina asbestos lawyer can analyze your case to determine the likelihood of success.
Mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos illnesses are strongly linked to exposure for a long time. Those who work or lived with shipbuilders, boilermakers, and other asbestos workers could be at risk.
Asbestos Litigation
Asbestos litigation is among the longest-running mass torts in U.S. history. It involves billions of dollars in settlements, jury verdicts and judgments for victims suffering from asbestos-related ailments like asbestosis, mesothelioma and pleural plaques.
In federal or state courts victims are compensated for their physical, financial and emotional loss. Compensation may also pay for medical expenses incurred in the course of treatment and ongoing treatment. A successful lawsuit can assist families in coping with a loved one's death from asbestos-related disease.
A person who is diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases may sue negligent companies that exposed to asbestos-related diseases. This could include companies that provided the asbestos raw, producers of asbestos-containing items or employers who 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 lawsuit on his or her own or with the help of an attorney. The process varies depending on the state of the plaintiff and the asbestos-related illness. It is crucial to get a lawyer with experience when filing mesothelioma lawsuits.
Attorneys who specialize in mesothelioma analyze the health of the victim, their work and family history to determine if asbestos exposure is possible. They have access databases of thousands of job sites and mesothelioma settlement records to assist in this process. The lawyers can determine potential asbestos manufacturers and asbestos product lines that the victim might have been exposed to and the possible locations where exposure occurred.
Asbestos lawyers can also determine whether a case could be eligible for punitive damages. These damages are intended to punish the defendant and deter others from engaging in similar behavior. This can lead defendants to settle mesothelioma lawsuits, rather than arguing them in court.
Lawyers also have the ability to handle other asbestos claims like lung cancer lawsuits or cases that involve secondary asbestos exposure. St. George asbestos attorneys can also represent clients with non-traditional asbestos exposure histories such as those working in the military, or auto mechanics. They have experience in filing lawsuits in both state and federal courts across the United States.
Workers' Compensation
Individuals who were exposed to asbestos at work and develop an asbestos-related disease could be eligible for compensation. They may be eligible for compensation in the event of an action. They may be able to receive compensation for their financial, emotional and physical damages. Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses are very expensive to treat, and the resulting loss of income can be devastating for a family. The death of a mesothelioma patient can also leave the family with financial issues.
Asbestos lawyers can assist victims and their families to determine the type of asbestos claim or claims they should pursue. They can begin by reviewing the medical records of the victim, work history and the types of asbestos-containing products to which they have been exposed. A knowledgeable legal team will have access to sources to find old records of employment, products, and testimony from witnesses.
Individuals diagnosed with a disease that is caused by asbestos will typically need to document their exposure and symptoms, particularly if they are suffering from a progressive asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma, or lung cancer. As the disease progresses, it can become difficult for those suffering from asbestos-related diseases to recall their previous jobs and the specifics of their exposure. It is crucial that asbestos victims have an attorney by their side from the beginning of their case.
Some victims may need to file a claim with the asbestos trust fund in addition to pursuing legal action against negligent asbestos companies to be compensated for the damages they are due. Asbestos attorneys can determine whether someone is eligible for this type of claim, and can assist them in filing the required documents.
Veterans who were exposed to asbestos while in the military are among the groups of people who can seek compensation from the government for their asbestos-related injuries. Veterans suffering from asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma can apply for disability benefits at the Department of Veterans Affairs. This can include compensation for mesothelioma, or other illnesses, and reimbursement of expenses for travel associated with treatment. An attorney can help veterans fill out the required VA forms and ensure that the application is complete and accurate.
Social Security Disability
A mesothelioma diagnosis could result in patients facing significant medical bills that are not covered by insurance. In some cases it can result in financial hardship and inability to work, which can create additional debt. Patients who are unable hold a job can qualify for social security disability benefits. A Columbia asbestos claims lawyer can assist those who have been diagnosed as having a disabling disease receive these benefits.
Depending on the kind of illness, patients may also be eligible for reimbursement from one of the asbestos trust funds. Asbestos manufacturers knew since the 1930s that exposure to asbestos could cause illnesses such as mesothelioma but did not take the time to warn workers. This is why a lot of people who were exposed to asbestos developed mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases later on.
SSD is only available to those who have a serious condition that will last at least a year. An asbestos lawyer with years of experience can assist clients in understanding how to file for social security, and how to prepare their mesothelioma claims.
When a claim is made, the SSA's disability determination department (DDS) performs an assessment of the disability. This includes an examination and review of the medical records of the person to determine if their condition meets or exceeds any of the SSA listings. Based on the results of this examination the DDS can either accept or deny the claim.
If your claim is denied, an asbestos lawyer can help you make a motion for reconsideration. Appeals are usually handled by an independent DDS adjudicative panel rather than the original review.
Asbestos lawyers can consult with medical professionals to make sure all evidence is presented correctly. This could include documentation of the history of exposure to asbestos, symptoms, and how their condition has affected their lives. Other asbestos-related illnesses include lung cancer, chronic obstruction of the lung, pleural plaques and atelectasis. Individuals with these conditions can file lawsuits for mesothelioma as well as asbestos trust fund claims and VA benefits. The sooner a victim speaks with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer the greater chances they have of receiving the disability benefits they are entitled to.
Veterans' Benefits
Veterans with an asbestos-related illness like mesothelioma can be eligible for benefits from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). Individuals may be eligible for VA benefits and compensation options based on their specific circumstances. Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma may be eligible for monthly disability payments. These payments pay for medical expenses as well as lost income. Additionally, if a mesothelioma diagnosis is related to service survivorship spouses can receive a monthly allowance referred to as DIC or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.
People who are exposed to asbestos working in the military have a high chance of developing mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease. This is due to the nature of their work which often involved handling and insulating military equipment that contained asbestos. Many veterans also worked outside of the military, and may have been exposed to asbestos in different occupations. These included mill and refinery workers railroad workers asbestos miners, auto mechanics and building construction workers.
In addition to mesothelioma diagnosis, some veterans may suffer from other illnesses related to asbestos like asbestosis or asbestos lung cancer. Mesothelioma symptoms can be similar to other ailments and are often misdiagnosed especially in the early stages of the disease. Veterans need to seek a mesothelioma diagnosis from an asbestos specialist.
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can lead to financial hardship for veterans. There are a variety of resources available to mesothelioma sufferers and their families, such as VA claims asbestos trust funds, and lawsuits.
A mesothelioma patient must prove that asbestos exposure is the reason for their condition to be eligible for VA benefits. The VA considers mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases as service-connected illnesses if they can be tied to the time when a veteran was in the military.
A mesothelioma victim can also seek compensation from a solvent asbestos company through lawsuits, which are usually separate from VA or pension benefits. To discuss options for compensation asbestos sufferers should speak with a mesothelioma lawyer who is experienced. A lawyer can look over the medical records of a veteran as well as other evidence to determine the best method to seek compensation.