Asbestos Injury, Lung Cancer, and Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Many people affected by injury related to asbestos exposure have relied on attorneys to help represent them and aid them in getting compensation for their medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages. If you have been exposed to asbestos and have an asbestos-related disease, there are several paths you may take with the help of legal counsel:

Personal Injury Lawsuits

A personal injury lawsuit helps people receive compensation after they have sustained an injury for which another is the cause. According to the American Bar Association, if you can prove liability and damages in a case, you will be awarded compensation through the justice system. Those suffering a diagnosed injury resulting from asbestos exposure should not hesitate to seek legal counsel, which can assist in filing a lawsuit and related claims.

Wrongful Death Lawsuits

Unfortunately, asbestos-related diseases are often linked to death. When this happens to a loved one, a wrongful death lawsuit should be filed. According to Cornell Law, a wrongful death action is “a civil action against someone who can be held liable for death.” When companies and asbestos manufacturers became aware of the harmful effects of asbestos exposure yet continued to allow people to work with the toxic and deadly substance, they became potentially liable for those who died from asbestos-related diseases.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Some companies have filed for bankruptcy protection, and as part of that process have been required to set up asbestos trust funds to compensate those with asbestos-related injuries and disease.  A highly experienced asbestos-related injury lawyer can help determine if claims may qualify. If they do, they will help file a claim with the trusts. Some asbestos cases may not require the filing of a lawsuit and can simply be filed with numerous asbestos trusts. 

Trial Verdict vs. Settlement

When filing a mesothelioma lawsuit, lung cancer lawsuit, stomach cancer lawsuit, colon cancer lawsuit, throat cancer lawsuit, or asbestos-related injury lawsuit, the case will either go to trial or be settled. According to the American Bar Association, very few lawsuits go through a trial and most civil cases are settled through a mutual agreement.

In the case of an asbestos injury lawsuit, many similar lawsuits have already been pursued and settled either in or out of court. Since there is such a high number of these cases, and many companies have already been found to be negligent, those suffering from asbestos exposure are likely to find themselves settling their case out of court. Be aware though, there are still cases where this doesn’t happen and a case will end up going to trial. Speaking with an asbestos injury attorney will help you understand what type of case you have and what you can expect after filing a lawsuit.

Asbestos Exposure Diseases

For years, asbestos has been causing harm to those who work with it or are otherwise exposed to it. Those affected should get compensation for their medical bills, pain and suffering, and other qualifying injuries. For some, the harmful effects from asbestos exposure can take years, even decades, to appear. No matter how many years have passed since exposure, it’s important to contact an asbestos injury attorney about filing a lawsuit. 

Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Mesothelioma is one of the most rare forms of cancer, but accounts for a majority of asbestos injury lawsuits because there is no other known cause except for asbestos exposure. While there are a few different ways a person can get mesothelioma, the American Cancer Society estimates that 8 out of 10 people with mesothelioma have known exposure to asbestos in their lifetime. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact a mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible to learn about your options and next steps.

Asbestos Lung Cancer Lawsuit

Lung cancer is probably the most common cancer related to asbestos exposure. Asbestos enters the body by inhaling or swallowing, so the lungs are often the primary source of disease after exposure. According to the American Cancer Society, “inhalation of asbestos fibers has been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer in many studies of asbestos-exposed workers. This increased risk is seen with all forms of asbestos (there is no “safe” type of asbestos in terms of lung cancer risk). In general, the greater the exposure to asbestos, the higher the risk of lung cancer.”

It’s also important to note that those who were exposed to asbestos often do not contract lung cancer for at least 10 years after exposure. Because of this, lawsuits have increased in the last two decades. If you have lung cancer and were previously exposed to asbestos, contact an asbestos injury lawyer today.

Mesothelioma Lawsuit

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the linings of the body, most commonly, the chest, lungs, heart, and stomach. Mesothelioma takes on four different forms: pleural mesotheliomas in the chest, peritoneal mesotheliomas in the abdomen, pericardial mesotheliomas around the heart, and mesotheliomas of the tunica vaginalis around the testicles. According to the American Cancer Society, the majority—3 out of 4 cases—are pleural mesotheliomas (chest), with the remaining cases being peritoneal (abdomen). It is very rare, but possible, for the other two cancers to arise after exposure to asbestos.

History of Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Mesothelioma lawsuits have been occurring since the 1980’s.  This is due to the fact that it can take decades for exposure to lead to cancer. Today, there have been many mesothelioma lawsuits filed. After laws such as the 1989 partial ban were put into place, those exposed began to realize how dangerous asbestos exposure really was and mesothelioma attorneys began to hold more companies accountable for their clients’ illnesses and deaths.

Top Mesothelioma Lawsuit Claims

Many companies established trust funds to pay injury and death claims. Other companies decided to continue to fight cases in court, and many received verdicts or judgments against them and were forced to pay large sums for the injuries they caused. 

What Makes a Good Asbestos Injury, Lung Cancer, or Mesothelioma Attorney?

While mesothelioma and asbestos injury lawsuits have not been in the forefront for long, those exposed to asbestos have been suffering for decades. A good asbestos injury lawyer knows the challenges that must be overcome in those types of cases and understands what it takes to fight to achieve the best compensation for their client’s injury.

Dealing with an asbestos related disease is life changing and requires an attorney with compassion, patience, and persistence. The Law Center is dedicated to ensuring our clients are in expert legal hands, so they can focus on their health and families.

Statute of Limitations for Asbestos Injury Lawsuits

When filing an asbestos injury lawsuit, it’s important to know the statute of limitations. This sets a limit for the amount of time one has to file a lawsuit. If you are debating whether or not to file an asbestos lawsuit, the sooner the better to ensure your case still falls within the statute of limitations.

When filing a personal injury lawsuit for asbestos related diseases and mesothelioma, the timing for the statute of limitation begins the day of diagnosis. If filing a wrongful death lawsuit, the time for the statute of limitations begins the day of death. The statute of limitations varies from state-to-state. Speak with your mesothelioma attorney or asbestos lawyer to find out the statute of limitations on your specific case. 

Expenses of an Asbestos Related Disease

Having an asbestos related disease can alter your life in a big way. You may have to stop working, causing you unable to pay your medical bills and living expenses. You may have to stop living your life as normal, instead spending your days in and out of hospitals and doctor’s offices. Because asbestos related diseases were preventable, those at fault should be held accountable for your suffering.

Asbestos injury lawsuits often result in large settlements and you deserve that compensation.

How We Can Help with Your Asbestos Injury Lawsuit

At The Law Center, we are committed to finding victims of asbestos injury and pairing them with highly experienced asbestos lawyers who will get our clients the compensation they deserve. That’s why our partner is Environmental Litigation Group (ELG). ELG has a proven track record and over 25 years of experience in asbestos related injury lawsuits for mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other injuries. Their asbestos attorneys have their own personal experiences of family members and friends being serious affected by asbestos-related injuries.  They know how it feels to be suffering from one of these diseases and how detrimental they can be to asbestos victims’ overall wellbeing. ELG is firmly committed to pursuing the maximum compensation available to you from the companies who are at fault and should be held responsible for their negligence.

If you have been exposed to asbestos in your lifetime and are suffering from an asbestos related disease, now is the time to file an asbestos exposure lawsuit. Contact us today at 833-716-0087 or fill out the form below.