Mesothelioma Lawyer Questions 11-15
What is the Process for a Mesothelioma Settlement?
A mesothelioma settlement can help a person receive compensation for damages caused by exposure to asbestos. During the pretrial phase, opposing parties submit various motions with the court and gather information that is relevant to the case. During this period, each party’s lawyers will submit settlement offers, which the other attorney will then either reject or accept. Parties can also propose a counter offer and negotiate settlement terms. Many mesothelioma cases resolve before trial. In the event that a mesothelioma lawsuit does proceed to trial, the lawsuit will be awarded based on damages suffered by the victim’s exposure . It is often particularly difficult to assess how damages are calculated.
How Do I Know If I Have an Asbestos-Related Disease?
The symptoms of an asbestos-related disease change based on the type of illness with which a person is afflicted as well as the severity of the illness. Unlike many other illnesses, the first signs of a condition such as mesothelioma will not become visible until anywhere between 10 to 40 years after the person is exposed to asbestos. Some of the most common symptoms in the case of these illnesses include chest pain, shortness of breath after slight physical exertion, a dry, persistent cough, frequent lung infections, and weight loss without a known cause. Many physicians are able to diagnose these medical conditions by cracking sounds when a person breathes.
My Exposure to Asbestos Occurred Long Ago, How Can This Be Proven?
Many people worry that because asbestos exposure occurred a long time ago, it will be particularly difficult to prove how this exposure occurred. Fortunately, the statute of limitation does not begin to run until a person is diagnosed with an asbestos related disease such as mesothelioma and a knowledgeable attorney is often able to help discover evidence that this exposure occurred. This evidence may concern a person’s employment or social security paperwork. A former coworker might also be asked to give deposition testimony about the location in which the individuals were employed and the presence of any asbestos-related risks on the job site. In many cases, it might have already been established that exposure occurred at a certain location.
What is Available for Veterans in a Mesothelioma Claim?
The United States military first used asbestos as a method of fireproofing but later discovered that asbestos had harmful effects. Statistics reveal that veteran deaths represent one-third of all mesothelioma deaths in the country. Veterans who developed illnesses including mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure are often able to obtain compensation for their injuries. Some of the benefits veterans are able to obtain include dependency and indemnity compensation to the spouses of veterans who died from asbestos exposure and special monthly compensation for veterans who are disabled severely enough to require the assistance of another person.
What Is the Difference Between a Mesothelioma Claim and a Lawsuit?
Many people use the phrase “claim” and “lawsuit” interchangeably when discussing a mesothelioma claim, but there are substantial differences between the two words. A mesothelioma claim involves an individual and the party at fault working with an insurance company to issue payment for resulting damage. In deciding how to proceed with a claim, insurance companies frequently research a claim by reading accident, medical, and police reports. Claims do not involve a court of law. A mesothelioma lawsuit, however, occurs when a court of law hears a person’s case because the claim process did not result in fair compensation for the victim.
