A Firm That Specializes in Asbestos Litigation

Contrary to personal injury lawyers who handle a variety of claims, companies that specialize in asbestos litigation have the experience and resources to aid those diagnosed with an illness related to asbestos. These law firms have access to specialized databases that can help them connect a patient's diagnosis to the previous exposure to asbestos.

Occupational Exposure

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring mineral fibers that resist to corrosion and heat. The fibers are found in a variety of items such as flooring tiles, building materials and automotive brakes and clutches. Most often, occupational exposure occurs during construction, ship repairs and the production of asbestos-containing items.

People diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases may bring a lawsuit to seek damages from companies that exposed them this deadly substance. The money awarded in a mesothelioma case can cover medical expenses along with lost wages and other costs associated with this disease.

In the United States, mesothelioma victims and their families can seek financial relief from a myriad of asbestos producers through litigation. These lawsuits hold asbestos manufacturers liable for failing disclose the dangers associated with their products and causing mesothelioma among other diseases.

Asbestos litigation differs from other personal injury cases since it can involve many of the same defendants (companies which are sued) and the same law firms representing plaintiffs, and the same attorneys and experts. It is therefore essential that asbestos-related injury victims hire an attorney who has expertise in complex cases and who understands the mesothelioma litigation history in the United States.

In asbestos litigation, determining the reason for a person's exposure asbestos is crucial. This could require a thorough review of records related to the years of employment, Social Security, unions, taxes and other documents. Waters Kraus and Paul's lawyers can pinpoint all possible sources of asbestos exposure and pursue legal claims against the manufacturers.

Asbestos litigation has been going on in the Americas since the 1960s. Asbestos manufacturers are now beginning to feel the impact of this lawsuit, filing for bankruptcy and making settlements with victims. They have also established asbestos trust funds to compensate future victims. But, until this deadly carcinogen is completely eliminated mesothelioma, as well as the other asbestos-related illnesses will continue to cause severe harm to people across the world. Our lawyers are committed to holding asbestos companies accountable for their negligence.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a fatal form of cancer that affects the lung's lining or abdomen. It develops when asbestos fibers are sharp and get lodged in the lining and irritate the cells, which can then become malignant and spread to other organs. It is extremely rare that mesothelioma develops in those who have not been exposed to asbestos. In many cases, it takes decades after exposure for the first signs to begin to manifest.

Mesothelioma symptoms include difficulties breathing, coughing and chest pain. A doctor will perform a physical examination and order imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scanners to determine signs of mesothelioma. They may also suggest the use of a biopsy to determine mesothelioma in a sample of tissue.

The biopsy procedure can be done by surgery or by removing small amounts of tissue or fluid in the area affected by cancer. The biopsy is examined under a microscope in order to determine the type of mesothelioma. There are two major mesothelioma types that are epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid is more susceptible to treatment and accounts for up 70% to 80 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses. Sarcomatoid remains the mesothelioma that is not treated and is more difficult to treat.

Lawyers can assist victims in getting compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and suffering and pain. They can also file an asbestos lawsuit against responsible companies to hold them accountable for their actions. They will look over the evidence and formulate a legal strategy that will maximize the value of your claim.

Each state's statute of limitations dictates how long a victim has to file an asbestos lawsuit after they are diagnosed mesothelioma. In most states, a person's statute of limitations begins when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma, or in the case of wrongful death, the date of death. Asbestos attorneys are knowledgeable of the laws of every state and can advise their clients on where to file a lawsuit for mesothelioma. They can also help victims to avoid mistakes that could lower the value of their claim. For example, a mistake on the date of diagnosis could result in a loss of thousands of dollars in compensation.

Statute of limitations

A statute of limitations is a legal law that sets a specific period of time within which the lawsuit or claim must be filed. Once the statute of limitations has expired the plaintiff loses the right to pursue legal action regardless of the merits of the case.

Since the late 1920s, when workers began to report asbestos attorney-related ailments, asbestos litigation has been ongoing. It has become the longest-running mass tort in U.S. history, and it has impacted hundreds of thousands of people in the United States alone. The litigation has evolved in the past due to changes in law, the growth in the number of well-capitalized plaintiffs, increased media attention on mass tort litigation, mesothelioma particularly, as well as the increasing use of computers.

Lawsuits for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases should be filed promptly to ensure that the time limit has not expired. Each state has its own statute of limitations and mesothelioma lawyers can assist victims in understanding what time frame applies in their specific situation. In most instances, a victim's time limit begins to run after they've been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

It is essential for a lawyer to have extensive experience in handling asbestos lawsuits because the statute of limitations and other legal issues that are complex could make pursuing compensation difficult. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will take the time to fully analyze each client's situation to determine how it might impact a statute of limitations and other legal questions.

A mesothelioma suit can also pay victims and their family members for medical expenses, lost income, and emotional distress. These costs can quickly add up. A successful lawsuit will help alleviate financial hardships and improve the quality of life.

Waters Kraus & Paul has expertise in making asbestos distributors, producers, and others accountable for the role they played in the development of mesothelioma. Our lawyers have represented clients exposed to asbestos in Utah and California, as well as across the country. This includes people who worked in shipyards and oil refineries. We hold asbestos manufacturers accountable for their wrongful conduct and will ensure that victims and their families receive the financial compensation that they deserve.