A Firm That Specializes in Asbestos Litigation
Contrary to personal injury lawyers who handle many different types of claims, firms that specialize in asbestos litigation have the expertise and resources to assist people diagnosed with an illness related to asbestos. These law firms have access databases that allow them to connect a patient's diagnosis with their previous exposure to asbestos.
Workplace Exposure
Asbestos is a grouping of mineral fibers which are resistant to heat, corrosion and abrasion. These fibers are used in products such as insulation for pipes (steam lines for example) floor tiles, building materials, automobile brakes and clutches. Most often, occupational exposure occurs during ship repairs, construction and manufacturing of asbestos-containing products.
People who are diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases may sue to seek damages from the companies that exposed them to the deadly substance. The amount of compensation resulting from a mesothelioma lawsuit will help pay for medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses related to this disease.
In the United States, mesothelioma patients and their families may seek financial relief through litigation from dozens of asbestos manufacturers. These lawsuits hold asbestos producers accountable for not disclosing the dangers associated with their products and causing mesothelioma among other diseases.
Asbestos litigation differs from other personal injury cases because it may involve many of the same defendants (companies who are being sued), the same law firms that represent plaintiffs and the same lawyers and experts. It is essential that asbestos-related injury victims hire an attorney with expertise in complex cases and who knows the background of mesothelioma lawsuits in the United States.
The most important aspect of asbestos litigation is determining the source of a person's asbestos exposure. This could require a examination of the duration of employment as well as Social Security, union tax, and other records. The lawyers at Waters Kraus & Paul can identify all possible sources of exposure and then pursue claims against the responsible asbestos manufacturers.
Asbestos litigation has been going on in the United States since the 1960s. Asbestos manufacturers are finally starting to feel the consequences of this lawsuit by filing for bankruptcy, settling with victims and setting up asbestos trust funds to compensate future victims. But until this harmful carcinogen is completely banned mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related illnesses will continue to cause serious damage to the population of the world. Our lawyers are dedicated to holding these asbestos-related companies accountable for their negligence.
Beaverton asbestos lawsuits is a fatal cancerous form that affects the lung linings and abdomen, is a fatal disease. It occurs when asbestos fibers get lodged in the lung's lining or abdomen and irritate cells. The cells may turn malignant and spread to various organs. It is extremely rare that mesothelioma develops in people who have not been exposed to asbestos. In a majority of cases, it takes decades after exposure for the first signs to begin to manifest.
Mesothelioma symptoms include difficulty breathing, coughing and chest pain. A doctor will typically conduct a physical exam and ask for imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans to look for indications of mesothelioma. They may also suggest a biopsy to test for mesothelioma tumor cells in the tissue sample.
The biopsy can be carried out by surgery or by removing small quantities of tissue or fluid in the region affected by tumor. The biopsy is then studied under a microscope to determine the type of mesothelioma. There are two kinds of mesothelioma: epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid mesothelioma is the most resistant to treatment and makes up 70% to 80% of mesothelioma diagnoses. Sarcomatoid is the remaining mesothelioma and is more difficult to treat.
Lawyers can assist victims to receive compensation for medical expenses loss of wages, suffering. They can also sue asbestos companies for their wrongful conduct. They will examine all evidence available and develop an legal strategy that will maximize the potential value of a claim.
Each state's statute of limitations determines the time a person must start an asbestos lawsuit after they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. In most states the statute of limitations begins when the person is diagnosed with mesothelioma or in wrongful death cases it is at the time of the person's death. Asbestos lawyers are well-versed in the laws of each state and can advise their clients on where to file a lawsuit in the case of mesothelioma. They can also assist victims avoid mistakes that may reduce the value of their claim. An error in the date of diagnosis, for instance, could result in a loss of compensation of a number of thousands of dollars.
Statute of limitations
A statute of limitations is a legal requirement that sets a specific time period within which a lawsuit or claim must be filed. A plaintiff loses the right take legal action once the statute of limitations expires.
Since the late 1920s when workers began to report asbestos-related ailments, asbestos litigation has been ongoing. It is the longest-running mass lawsuit in U.S. History, and has affected hundreds of thousands of people in just the United States. The litigation has evolved in the past due to changes in law, the increase in the number of wealthy plaintiffs, increased media attention on mass tort litigation, mesothelioma particularly, as well as the increasing use of computers.
Lawsuits involving mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases must be filed promptly to ensure that the time limit has not expired. Each state has its own statute of limitations and mesothelioma lawyers can help patients understand the timeframe that applies to their specific situation. In most cases the statute of limitations begins to run when a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related illness.
It is crucial for an attorney to have extensive experience in handling asbestos lawsuits because the statute of limitations and other legal issues that are complex can make it difficult to pursue compensation. A skilled mesothelioma lawyer will take the time to fully review each client's case to determine how it might affect a statute of limitation and other legal questions.
Additionally, a mesothelioma lawsuit can be used to compensate victims and their families for medical expenses, lost income and emotional pain that can accumulate quickly. The money derived from a successful suit can also reduce financial hardship and allow for a better quality of life.
Waters Kraus & Paul is familiar with holding asbestos distributors, manufacturers and others accountable for their role in mesothelioma's development. Our lawyers have represented clients exposed to asbestos in Utah and California and across the country. This includes those who worked in shipyards and oil refineries. We hold asbestos manufacturers responsible for their negligence and will ensure that the victims and their families receive the financial compensation they are due.
