Mesothelioma Lawyer
Mesothelioma Rights
By Allison Inga
Mesothelioma occurs as a result of exposure to asbestos. There are workers that have been exposed to asbestos in more than 75 occupational groups. Once a person has been diagnosed with mesothelioma they need to know their legal rights.
Asbestos was one of the most commonly used materials in construction, manufacturing, and shipbuilding for almost a century. It can still be found in facilities, buildings, and houses built before the 1980s.
It can take up to 50 years for mesothelioma symptoms to appear, so people often do not find out about their diagnosis until long after asbestos exposure. This delay in the appearance of symptoms also helped companies hide the fact they had knowingly exposed employees and others to asbestos.
Anyone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma should seek representation and learn about all legal rights immediately. There is a limited amount of time to file your case after diagnosis referred to as the statute of limitations.
The time limit varies according to each state. Many companies and contractors for branches of the military that have exposed workers to asbestos are being held accountable and owe compensation for asbestos-related illnesses.
Companies that made or used asbestos knew about its health hazards yet they continued to expose workers and the public to them for decades.
Trust funds have been set up by many companies, but if you do not claim the compensation the money will go back to the company that exposed you. Claims do not require filing a lawsuit or going to court, and the compensation is tax-free.
The overwhelming costs of mesothelioma include income loss, expensive treatments, and pain and suffering for you and your family. Legal options may be available to help with these costs because mesothelioma is preventable and usually someone else’s fault.
A Mesothelioma Lawyer can help you file a claim and let you know your options. Sometimes more than one company may be at fault, and a mesothelioma attorney can identify all of them.
Expenses related to mesothelioma include lost wages, medical bills, travel expenses, expenses not covered by insurance, and funeral expenses. Compensation types to cover these expenses are specific to each case and can be explained in detail by a mesothelioma attorney.
Medical records and work history are requested to help determine if you have a claim and present how you may have been exposed to asbestos.
Experienced investigators can help trace your exposure history if you are unsure how you were exposed. Because lawyers know clients suffer with mesothelioma and can not be active with the trial and litigation they handle the majority of the case on your behalf.
Direct exposure to asbestos is known as primary asbestos exposure. The majority of mesothelioma lawsuits involve people who had direct exposure to asbestos and the manufacturers of asbestos or products containing asbestos. People who did not work directly with asbestos but were exposed may also have rights.
This is known as secondary asbestos exposure. Exposure may come in the form of sharing a workspace with someone who handled asbestos or having a spouse that worked with asbestos. A mesothelioma lawyer can explain what your options are.
There are two types of mesothelioma cases;
- One is called a personal injury claim. In this case a lawsuit is filed by an individual suffering with mesothelioma.
- A wrongful death suit is a lawsuit filed by the family of someone who has died as a result of mesothelioma.
Depending on the county and state where the lawsuit is filed specific rights vary. A qualified mesothelioma lawyer can provide legal advice on the litigation process and let you know all of your rights and if you qualify to file a lawsuit.
About the Author
She is a talented and informative writer with a Bachelors Degree in Education.
Testing
Featured
Austin Air Purifier
Remove Allergens like:
- Bacteria, Dust Mites, Gases
- Mold Spores & Pet Dander
- Pollen, Smoke & Viruses
- VOC's & more...
A 360-degree Air Filtration System
Allergy & Asthma Friendly
Order Now >>
