What is an Asbestos Lawsuit A lawsuit against asbestos-related companies is a great way for the families of victims to obtain compensation Compensation may take the form of a verdict by a jury, settlement or a settlement An experienced mesothelioma attorney will be able to determine which lawsuit is suitable for your situation The process begins by the filing of an initial complaint The defendants have a finite time frame to respond Mesothelioma Mesothelioma is a type of cancer, affects the thin tissue layer that covers the majority of the internal organs in the body Exposure to asbestos is the cause The disease usually manifests in the lung pleural mesothelioma but it can also be found in the stomach the lining peritoneal mesothelioma or in the heart as well as testicles The condition is extremely rare however it can be very serious and, in most cases, fatal Most people with mesothelioma breathed asbestos dust while at work It takes a long time for cancer to develop and symptoms can not show up until years after exposure In the majority of cases, the first sign is shortness of breath or chest pain Mesothelioma cannot be treated However, there are treatments which can ease symptoms and prolong the duration of life Mesothelioma can be diagnosed on the medical history of a patient as well as physical examination, and laboratory tests It is crucial to inform your doctor about any asbestos exposure prior to the time of exposure, as it could increase your risk of developing mesothelioma The symptoms of mesothelioma may not be particular and may be mistaken for other illnesses https//vimeocom/704943562 include shortness of breath, chest pain and dry cough These are similar to those of lung disorders such as pneumonia or bronchitis This makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose mesothelioma Many patients are not diagnosed until the later stages of the disease which is when it becomes more difficult to treat Scientists have identified many contributing factors to the development of mesothelioma Exposure to asbestos is among the most well-known factor Other environmental pollutants, such as arsenic and cadmium, can also cause this disease The three types of malignant mesothelioma can be distinguished based on the cells are affected Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most prevalent form of the disease It affects the lining of the chest cavity pleura and the lungs Peritoneal Mesothelioma, although less prevalent, is dangerous It is found in the interior peritoneum of the stomach It is a rare cancer that affects the testicles Researchers continue to investigate the connection between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma Some evidence suggests that genetic mutations could affect a person's likelihood of developing the disease Current clinical trials are testing medications that target gene mutations Asbestos Litigation Asbestos-related illnesses can cause financial hardship to victims Asbestos suits aid victims in receiving the compensation they require to offset their expenses and improve their quality of life The first stage in a asbestos lawsuit is gathering evidence and identifying defendants This involves analyzing the history of work done by the victim and determining if asbestos-related products were responsible for their illness The victim's team will make mesothelioma claims against the responsible companies The next stage of an asbestos lawsuit is the discovery process Interviewing coworkers and looking at asbestos dust samples as well as reviewing victim's medical records or laboratory tests are all an element of the discovery process Once a complete database of employers, vendors, and products is created, potential defendants are identified It can take a number of years to complete this process dependent on the length of time the victim has been employed This includes interviewing family members, coworkers, abatement workers, and looking over various records including Social Security, union, tax and employer documents During the discovery stage, asbestos and other defendants can bring procedural motions in order to dismiss the plaintiff's claim These motions typically are made based on technical issues, and are challenged by experienced attorneys Once a trial date is set, the victims must prove their injuries to the jury This can be a challenging task since mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related diseases are difficult to recognize The victims must be able to show that their exposure to asbestos caused the illness, and that the disease was a direct result of that exposure Asbestos attorneys can present an argument that is convincing for their clients based on their vast knowledge of this area of law They can also negotiate directly with insurance companies, and address defenses raised in the court by defendants This will ensure that their clients receive an equitable settlement Mass torts are often used to describe asbestos cases due to the fact that they involve large groups of injured against multiple defendants The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has consolidated thousands of these cases into MDL 875, In Re Asbestos Products Liability Litigation This litigation is currently ongoing in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Class Action Lawsuits In the United States, asbestos exposure is so widespread that nearly all people have been exposed at some point It requires repeated and prolonged exposure to asbestos for severe diseases like mesothelioma develop The latency period between exposure and diagnosis of mesothelioma could range between 10 and 60 years The asbestos industry is involved in a variety of class action lawsuits The most famous was Borel v Fireboard Paper Products Corporation This case established the strict liability of asbestos producers In the early cases families were seeking compensation for the death of a loved one from companies that made asbestos-based products Asbestos is comprised of fibrous minerals that are found in nature Asbestos, which is resistant to fire, heat and corrosion, was a very popular material for building in the 1920s, and even in the 1960s It is also durable and cost-effective Asbestos is used in various construction projects It was sprayed on the sound and fire insulation, floor tiles, ceiling tile, roofing and siding shingles, and pipe coating Unfortunately asbestos has been proven to be a powerful carcinogen that has the potential of causing mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis These illnesses result from asbestos fibers that enter the lungs for a long period of time, causing inflammation and scarring In certain situations asbestos may be released into the air when asbestos-containing materials are disturbed This can happen in military, commercial, and residential buildings, and also in bridges, highways, and ships The Environmental Protection Agency regulates asbestos removal, with guidelines for proper handling, disposal and testing of asbestos-contaminated material In a few cases, family members of victims of mesothelioma have sought compensation from corporations that manufacture asbestos-based products They claim that the companies were negligent with their product development and marketing Mesothelioma has a 90percent mortality rate and is a fatal disease It is crucial that victims seek compensation A mesothelioma lawyer can guide victims along with their families and loved family members through the process of suing negligent asbestos manufacturers Compensation Many asbestos victims can receive compensation for medical expenses or lost wages as well as pain and suffering The amount of compensation is determined depending on a number of factors that include the severity of each victim's illness as well as the length of time between exposure and diagnosis Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases are often qualified to receive significant financial compensation Asbestos lawyers can help determine the right to compensation They can look over the medical records of a patient as well as the work history and areas where they worked They can then analyze information from thousands of job sites and asbestos products to determine how and which areas a person was exposed to asbestos After obtaining this information the lawyers will then file a suit against the trust fund or asbestos manufacturer This is usually done at the state level The asbestos settlement is the most popular method of settling mesothelioma claims A lawyer who is specialized in asbestos usually negotiates an agreement with a client within 90 days When negotiating an asbestos settlement, attorneys take into consideration the extent to which each person has been affected by their illness and what the total cost of treatment will be They evaluate a broad range of expenses, from transportation to home health aids and complementary therapies They also take into account how much a person has lost in income and other assets Most people are diagnosed with Mesothelioma in their 70s However, victims in their 40s and 50s could also suffer from asbestos-related diseases Asbestos sufferers can claim compensation from the companies who exposed them toxic substance and asbestos trust funds, and even from insurance companies that have taken over the responsibility for asbestos manufacturers Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses can be costly to treat It can also be a lonely experience for those afflicted A top mesothelioma attorney can ensure that every victim receives all the compensation that they deserve In some instances, compensation can reach millions of dollars Asbestos victims who have loved ones who have passed away from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, can pursue wrongful-death suits against the responsible party