The first thing I tell mesothelioma victims is that this illness is not your fault. Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, and your disease is a direct result of calculated business decisions made by the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products.
These companies chose to use asbestos because it was cheap and profitable. In doing so, they prioritized profits ahead of worker safety and public health.
As a victim of mesothelioma, you have the legal right to seek justice and compensation for your illness.
As an attorney who has been practicing law for nearly 30 years, my goal is to help mesothelioma victims get the compensation they deserve.
Types of Mesothelioma Compensation
All mesothelioma claims aim to hold companies accountable and recover much-needed financial compensation for victims and their families.
Eligible victims can pursue mesothelioma compensation through:
- Mesothelioma lawsuits
- Asbestos trust fund claims
- VA benefits
Each individual’s circumstances are unique, and the type of claim filed will differ for each individual and/or their family.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Mesothelioma lawsuits typically end with 1 of 2 possible outcomes: settlement or verdict.
Mesothelioma Settlements: Roughly 99% of the time, a mesothelioma lawsuit will settle out-of-court before reaching a trial before a jury. Most settlements have exceeded $1 Million. Often, payments to victims start within 12 months of filing a claim.
Mesothelioma Verdicts: A verdict is the result of a mesothelioma lawsuit that has been to trial before a jury. Reaching a verdict takes longer than reaching a settlement and comes with more risk. Because settlements are so common, trial verdicts are rare. If going to trial is the most helpful option in your case, my team is prepared to represent you in court and fight on your behalf.
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims
Asbestos trust funds were created to pay claims for mesothelioma victims, their families, and those diagnosed in the future.
When the dangers of asbestos became known, thousands of people began filing asbestos-related lawsuits. To protect themselves, many manufacturers of asbestos-containing products filed for bankruptcy.
The courts then tried to prevent these companies from getting away unpunished. They ordered the negligent manufacturers to set up asbestos trust funds. As a result, an estimated $30 Billion has been set aside for victims.
VA Benefits
Approximately one third of mesothelioma cases have been shown to involve Navy or shipyard exposures. Veterans can apply for veterans’ benefits through a claim with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). A VA claim allows eligible veterans to receive free health care and monthly payments of over $3,000 each month.
It’s important to note that a veteran benefit claim is completely separate from both Social Security benefits and lawsuits and does not affect the status of either.
Though veterans may have developed mesothelioma as a result of their service, a mesothelioma lawsuit is never filed against the government. Rather, mesothelioma lawsuits are filed against the companies that supplied the government with asbestos-containing materials.
Filing a Mesothelioma Claim
Generally speaking, while each individual case is different, victims typically follow a similar path for pursuing mesothelioma compensation. This path can be broken down into 3 steps.
1. Contact Me
No matter what your individual circumstances may be, the pathway toward mesothelioma compensation begins with contacting a reputable mesothelioma lawyer.
As an expert in mesothelioma litigation, I have nearly 30 years of experience fighting on behalf of mesothelioma victims and their families. My goal is to help you pursue every compensation option available to you so that you can receive as much money as possible as quickly as possible.
2. Determining Your Eligibility
Pursuing compensation begins with a confirmed diagnosis of mesothelioma. If you have an eligible claim, my team will begin building your case by confirming your diagnosis and determining which asbestos-containing products may have caused the development of your cancer.
In some cases, mesothelioma victims are too sick to reach out on their own or have passed away. In situations like these, the estate representative can contact my firm to determine next steps. Mesothelioma victims can be filed after a victim’s death, but there are time limits imposed by state laws called statutes of limitations.
3. Filing a Claim
Once my team has determined your eligibility for compensation, we will then build your claim on your behalf. Each claim will report the details of your:
- Asbestos exposure
- Medical history
- Work history
In building your claim, we will also need to provide proof of negligence by the defendants responsible for your asbestos exposure.
Because remembering the specific details of your asbestos exposure can be difficult, my team and I do the legwork. After gathering information and personal recollections from you and your family, as well as company evidence, my team will then build a strong case on your behalf.
Let’s Work Together to Pursue Your Mesothelioma Compensation
Without legal expertise, navigating the mesothelioma claims process on your own can be overwhelming and extremely difficult. Any simple filing mistake may jeopardize your opportunity to receive compensation.
Over the past 30 years, I have helped mesothelioma victims recover millions in compensation. I pride myself on helping those who were injured through no fault of their own.
To learn more, or to see if you may be eligible for compensation, start your free case review now.