A Firm That Specializes in Asbestos Litigation

In contrast to personal injury lawyers who handle a variety of claims, firms that specialize in asbestos litigation have the experience and resources to assist people diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness. These law firms have access to special databases that can help determine the diagnosis of a patient based on their prior exposure to asbestos.

Occupational Exposure

Asbestos is made up of minerals that are resistant to corrosion, heat and abrasion. These fibers are used in products such as insulation for pipes (steam lines for example), floor tiles, building materials, automotive brakes and clutches. The most frequent exposure to asbestos is during work in construction or ship repair, as well as manufacturing asbestos-containing products.

People who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases may bring a lawsuit to recover damages from businesses who exposed them to this deadly substance. The amount of compensation resulting from a mesothelioma lawsuit will help pay for medical expenses as well as lost wages and other expenses related to this disease.

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

Asbestos litigation differs from other personal injury cases since it can involve a lot of the same defendants (companies which are sued) as well as the same law firms representing plaintiffs and the same lawyers and expert witnesses. It is crucial that asbestos-related injury victims employ a lawyer with experience in complex cases and who understands the background of mesothelioma lawsuits in the United States.

In asbestos litigation, determining the source for an individual's exposure to asbestos is vital. This may require a thorough review of years of employment and Social Security or union tax, and other records. The lawyers at Waters Kraus & Paul can determine all potential sources of exposure and pursue claims against the responsible asbestos manufacturers.

Asbestos litigation has been ongoing in the US since the 1960s. Asbestos producers are now beginning to feel the impact of this legal battle by filing for bankruptcy, making settlements with victims and establishing asbestos trust funds to compensate future victims. Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses, will continue to harm people all over the world until this carcinogen that causes cancer has been completely banned. Our lawyers are committed to holding these asbestos-related companies accountable for their wrongful conduct.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs or abdomen. It develops when asbestos fibers are sharp and get stuck in the lining and irritate the cells, which then can turn malignant and spread to other organs. It is extremely rare that mesothelioma develops in those who have never been exposed to asbestos. In many cases, the symptoms are not evident until decades after asbestos exposure.

The symptoms of mesothelioma are difficulties breathing, coughing and chest pain. A doctor will typically perform an examination and may ask for imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans to check for signs of mesothelioma. They may also recommend biopsies to look for mesothelioma in a sample of tissue.

The biopsy may be performed through surgery or by taking a small amount of tissue or fluid from the area affected by the cancer. The biopsy is analyzed under a microscope to determine the mesothelioma type. There are two kinds of mesothelioma, epithelioid and sarcomatoid. Epithelioid is the more mesothelioma that is able to be treated and accounts for 70 to the 80% of diagnoses. Sarcomatoid mesothelioma makes up the rest of mesothelioma cases and is more difficult to treat.

Lawyers can assist victims to receive compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages and suffering. They can also sue asbestos companies for their negligence. They will analyze the evidence and devise a legal strategy that will maximize the value of your claim.

The statute of limitations in every state determines the length of time victims must file a lawsuit against asbestos after being diagnosed with mesothelioma. In the majority of states, a victim's time limit begins when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma or in the case of wrongful death, the date of death. Asbestos lawyers are well-versed in each state's laws and can advise clients on the best place to file a mesothelioma claim. They can also help victims avoid mistakes that can decrease the value of their case. An error in the date of diagnosis, for example, can result in the loss of compensation in the amount of a number of thousands of dollars.

Statute of limitations

A statute of limitations is a legal rule that specifies a time frame within which a claim or lawsuit must be filed. After the statute of limitations runs out the plaintiff loses the right to pursue legal action regardless of the merits of the case.

asbestos lawsuit litigation has been ongoing since the 1920s, when workers first reported asbestos-related illnesses. It is the longest-running mass suit in U.S. History, and has affected hundreds of thousands of people across the United States. The litigation has changed in the past due to changes in law, the growth in the number of wealthy plaintiffs, increased media attention on mesothelioma and mass tort litigation, in particular, as well as the increased use of computers.

To ensure that the statutes of limitation have not expired, mesothelioma lawsuits and other asbestos-related illnesses should be filed as soon as is possible. Each state has its own statute of limitations, and a mesothelioma lawyer can assist victims in understanding what time frame applies in their particular case. In most cases, the statute of limitations begins to expire after a victim is diagnosed with mesothelioma or an asbestos lawyer-related disease.

A lawyer must have extensive experience handling asbestos cases because the statutes of limitations as well as other legal issues can make compensation difficult. A mesothelioma lawyer will carefully examine the case of every client to determine whether it will affect a statute or other legal issues.

A mesothelioma lawsuit can pay victims and their relatives for medical costs, lost income, and emotional distress. These expenses can quickly accumulate. Compensation from a successful lawsuit could also alleviate financial strain and help improve quality of life.

Waters Kraus & Paul is familiar with holding asbestos manufacturers, distributors and others accountable for their roles in the development of mesothelioma. Our attorneys have represented clients who were exposed to asbestos in Utah and California and across the nation. This includes those who worked in shipyards or oil refineries. We hold asbestos manufacturers responsible for their negligence and are determined to ensure that victims and their families receive the financial compensation they are due.