Mesothelioma Compensation

Following a diagnosis of mesothelioma, patients and families are faced with mounting medical costs and financial burdens. Compensation may help offset the costs and aid patients.

Compensation may be awarded through the courts or trust fund or through the VA. Mesothelioma lawyers can assist patients and their families to obtain this money. Compensation can help pay for medical treatments and travel expenses, living expenses and other costs.

VA Benefits

Veterans who have been diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses might be eligible for compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. These benefits could aid in the payment of mesothelioma treatment and other medical costs. Compensation can be awarded to the surviving spouses and kids of deceased veterans exposed to asbestos while serving in the military.

Veterans should hire an attorney accredited by the VA with experience in mesothelioma law to file their compensation claims. A lawyer can ensure the proper forms are filled out and that the information contained on them is accurate. Incorrect forms could lead to delays or denial of the claim.

Sokolove Law's mesothelioma attorneys have helped thousands of veterans to receive their VA benefits. They offer monetary compensations for asbestos-related diseases as well as monthly financial payments. Compensation for mesothelioma patients is based on the degree of disability.

Asbestos victims who receive VA compensation must prove that exposure to asbestos during the military caused mesothelioma, or any other asbestos-related illness. This can be done by filing an VA disability claim, or mesothelioma lawsuit.

VA claims can be a bit complicated and require the help of an experienced attorney. A mesothelioma lawyer will collaborate with a mesothelioma specialist to gather all the required information and fill in all VA paperwork. This will include getting a nexus certificate which is a formal medical opinion that confirms the link between the veteran's service in the military and their mesothelioma.

Veterans suffering from mesothelioma can receive treatment at one of the three VA hospitals that specialize in mesothelioma. They can also ask their VA doctors to refer them to a non-governmental mesothelioma expert. If a veteran receives a mesothelioma VA benefit, they may receive treatment outside of the VA system through the Veterans Choice Program.

Many asbestos-exposed veterans are not aware they are entitled to mesothelioma-related compensation. Many veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma don't make a claim, believing that it's not worth the effort. However, it is vital that a mesothelioma claim be submitted because the government compensation for mesothelioma victims provides compensation for those who are diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease.

Asbestos Trust Funds

A mesothelioma lawyer can help veterans receive compensation from the asbestos trust funds. These trusts were established as part of the bankruptcy process when asbestos-using companies sought protection from class-action lawsuits. They set aside funds to compensate victims of mesothelioma or lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. There are billions of dollars in these trusts.

Every asbestos trust fund has its own policies for filing and determining compensation amounts. Typically, they request documented proof of exposure and an evidence of an asbestos-related diagnosis. Depending on the trust, they might also require information on where and when exposure to asbestos occurred. Mesothelioma lawyers are able to help patients determine which asbestos trust fund to file a claim with and collect the required documentation for each one.

Compensation for mesothelioma could help a family to pay medical expenses and replace income lost while maintaining their quality of living. It also permits a victim to take part in clinical trials for experimental treatments. Asbestos victims can utilize trust fund money to pay for transportation for meals, lodging and accommodation during these trials.

The compensation from asbestos trusts does not have to be paid back, meaning that a victim is able to keep all the compensation they receive. However they should be aware that the value of a mesothelioma lawsuit is calculated using rates called payment percentages, and each asbestos trust has a distinct schedule of how much it compensates each victim.

If a mesothelioma patient accepts the value that is assigned to their claim, it will go through a liquidation and assignment process. This typically takes about a year and the victim will receive an amount from the asbestos trust.

Anyone who was exposed to asbestos and then developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness is eligible to file an asbestos trust fund claim. Families can also file on behalf a loved one who died from mesothelioma. A mesothelioma lawyer of the top quality can determine if a victim is eligible and recommend the best legal options to obtain compensation.

Settlements

Mesothelioma victims and their families may receive compensation from two primary sources Settlements negotiated with asbestos manufacturers, and jury verdicts at trial. Each has pros and cons.

A negotiated mesothelioma settlement is an agreement between the attorney of the victim and an asbestos company, in which the victim agrees to waive all future claims against the defendant in exchange for a financial award that is negotiated by the lawyer representing the victim. Settlements are usually awarded for past and future medical expenses, lost wages and other documented losses related to the diagnosis of mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related illness. Patients suffering from mesothelioma can also be awarded non-economic damages to compensate for the mental and physical suffering they've suffered as a result of asbestos exposure.

A mesothelioma case can be filed while the victim is still alive or after their death according to the laws of the state. Mesothelioma patients, or their heirs typically have one to three years following the date of asbestos exposure to bring a lawsuit.

It is essential that the victims or their families hire an skilled asbestos lawyer. A skilled mesothelioma attorney will review all options available and pursue the best options for compensation.

Weitz & Luxenberg is known for its ability to win huge awards for its clients. The firm won the largest asbestos group verdict in the history of New York with a $190 million judgment on behalf 36 Brooklyn Navy Yard workers diagnosed mesothelioma resulting from years of exposure to asbestos.

While a mesothelioma lawsuit is an expedient and cost-effective way to recover compensation, it is not an assurance that the person who is affected will receive the amount they wish to. A mesothelioma case is usually worth between $1 and $1.5 million. However, it depends on each individual case.

A large portion of mesothelioma claims are handled by trust funds because there is a long period between exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma-related diagnoses. Asbestos companies responsible for exposure to asbestos for people filed for bankruptcy, and as part of their Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection they set up trust funds to pay future claims. Over $30 billion is available in asbestos trust funds to help victims.

Trial Verdicts

A mesothelioma-related case could result in a judgment or verdict which is awarded to victims of asbestos-related losses. Settlements or verdicts resulting from trials can be used to pay for medical costs loss of income, as well as future expenses such as home medical care and living expenses. Other financial aid sources are available to patients suffering from Mesothelioma, such as the VA Pension or Aid & Assistance benefits.

Mesothelioma attorneys can determine the best path for their clients. This could involve reaching a fair mesothelioma agreement or taking the case all the way to trial. Settlements without court are often the quickest and easiest option for mesothelioma patients. A mesothelioma lawyer who is knowledgeable can ensure that the victim receives an equitable and reasonable compensation package that is in their best interest.

In cases where a defendant is not able to settle the case, it will go to trial. During this process, attorneys from both sides will gather and share evidence. The jury and judge will decide whether the defendant is responsible for the amount they must pay and if punitive damages are to be added to the compensatory award.

Before a trial, a majority of lawsuits settle their mesothelioma claims. The amount paid is dependent on several factors like the severity of the disease as well as the victim's life expectancy.

A verdict at trial can be granted for the loss of income, medical expenses that are not paid or pain and suffering and other costs incurred both by the victim and their family. A mesothelioma lawyer can assist victims record all the expenses and losses they have suffered.

Asbestos victims and their families can count on the lawyers at Lanier Law Firm for help in submitting a claim or filing an action against the companies responsible for their exposure to asbestos. The firm has secured billions of dollars in settlements and verdicts on behalf of those harmed by the negligence of asbestos producers who put profit ahead of the safety of their workers. Lanier Law Firm is located in New York, California, and Washington, DC. Contact the firm today to find out what a mesothelioma lawyer could do to assist you with your legal case.