Mesothelioma Legal Advice
Mesothelioma, as well as other forms of asbestos-related diseases, occur at an alarming rate, not only in the United States, but across the world. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), around 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States alone each year. In most instances, victims of these types of diseases were negligently exposed to asbestos, usually while working at a job site that once used asbestos heavily in a myriad of parts, machinery, and equipment. Consequently, people who’ve developed an asbestos-related illness have the right to sue the negligent party that exposed them to the life-threatening mineral, but many may have questions regarding who is responsible, how the lawsuit process works, and more.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other illness related to asbestos, you may be eligible for substantial compensation. There is currently over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds, set up for those who are victims to asbestos-related diseases. Fill out our contact form today for free brochures from the leading mesothelioma lawyers in your area. We’ve been helping families connect with experienced mesothelioma attorneys for more than 20 years, and we would be happy to help you as well.
Can I file a lawsuit and sue my employer if I have mesothelioma?
If you have mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related disease, you have the right to sue the party who negligently exposed you to asbestos. However, this isn’t necessarily your employer, even if you were exposed to asbestos while at work. This could be the manufacturing company that supplied your employer with asbestos-containing materials, the company headquarters, or any other entity responsible for your asbestos exposure.
What if I was exposed to asbestos in the military?
If you were exposed to asbestos in the military, you can still file a lawsuit against the manufacturers who provided asbestos to the military, yet you cannot sue the military itself. In many instances, you may also qualify for benefits and assistance via the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Do I need to retain a lawyer before I file a mesothelioma lawsuit?
It’s also a good idea to retain the services of an experienced mesothelioma law firmif you plan to file a lawsuit. Mesothelioma and asbestos lawsuits are extremely intricate and the average person generally doesn’t have the experience to uncover all the details of such difficult cases.
Keep in mind that mesothelioma attorneys are knowledgeable and experienced in all aspects of state and federal asbestos laws, and can offer you a wealth of legal advice and help. Most are often sharp investigators as well, and will work to uncover the names of the manufacturers and businesses who are responsible for your asbestos exposure.
What will I receive compensation for if I win my lawsuit?
In general, mesothelioma and asbestos lawsuits provide compensation for the following:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses, including prescription medications, surgery, X-rays, hospital and doctors visits, therapy, rehabilitation, and more
- Mental pain and suffering
- Physical pain and suffering
- In some instances, punitive damages
How much compensation can I receive?
It’s difficult to estimate the actual amount you’ll receive from your lawsuit since each case is unique. However, there are several different factors that go into determining compensation in a mesothelioma lawsuit, such as how long you’ve had the disease, the progression of the disease, medical expenses, how it’s affected your life, and more.
In addition, the amount of time your case takes will generally determine if your compensation amount is higher. For example, in most instances, a quick settlement often provides less compensation as opposed to a trial that takes years. However, if you are ill and need compensation as quick as possible, you have the right to take the settlement if offered, even though it may be a lower amount.
Will I have to go to court?
In most instances, mesothelioma cases are settled out of court. However, it’s important to note that once in a while, if companies aren’t able to come to an agreement on a settlement amount, asbestos-related cases can end up going to trial. If your case goes to trial, there is a possibility that you will have to go to court. Yet, sometimes cases are settled during the trial period as well.
What if I pass away before my case is settled? How long does a mesothelioma lawsuit last?
Unfortunately, there isn’t any set way of determining how long an asbestos-related case will last as each case is unique from the rest. In some instances, lawsuits may settle within several months while other cases may last a few years. The average case generally lasts around 18 months. A number of courts, however, understand and recognize that asbestos-related illnesses are terminal and that victims may have a short life expectancy, and therefore try to make cases move as fast as possible.
If you pass away while your case is still in progress, your estate normally acts on your behalf and divides your compensation among your surviving dependents and spouse (if applicable). In addition, your family also has the legal right to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
What if I cannot afford a mesothelioma lawyer?
Most mesothelioma attorneys understand that victims of asbestos-related illnesses are not in the position to pay up-front legal fees. Therefore, the majority of experienced and knowledgeable attorneys will offer contingency fee payments. A contingency-based payment basically means that you pay no money at all up-front, and the lawyer fees are collected from a percentage of your compensation once you win your case.
The contingency amount will vary according to each attorney, but an average range is typically around 25% to 40% of your compensation. Keep in mind, however, that this is just a general range and your own attorney may charge something entirely different. It’s important to understand how much the fees are beforehand so that there will be no surprises once you win your case.
How much time do I have to file a lawsuit?
The statute of limitations for filing a mesothelioma lawsuit will depend upon the state you’re filing your case in. In general, however, most states require that cases be filed within anywhere from one to five years from the time of the diagnosis of the disease.
For more information, be certain to read over our state-specific mesothelioma articles, which provide the statute of limitations for each state.
How can I find additional information?
As mentioned earlier, you may be entitled to significant compensation if you or a loved one have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease. Remember to fill out our contact form to get free brochures from the top mesothelioma attorneys in your area. For questions or assistance, feel free to contact us at 800-878-3845.
