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Trust fund money has already been set aside for qualified victims, and our nationally recognized asbestos lawyers continue to win lawsuits against asbestos companies.
Did you know that 27.5 million people in the United States have been exposed to
asbestos at work?
For years, large corporations knew about the devastating health effects of
asbestos but did nothing to warn workers.
Now, those companies are being forced to pay asbestos victims and families who are coping with the astronomical costs of
treatment for
mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Learn about your
mesothelioma compensation options today.
How Can Your Family Afford to Take Care of Your Loved One?
Mesothelioma patients and their families may have to spend tens of thousands of dollars on
treatment for this debilitating
cancer. Many
mesothelioma patients face mounting bills from:
- Surgeries
- Hospital stays
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Extensive medical procedures and tests
- Travel costs
- Assisted-living facilities
- Hospice care
Patients and their families should know that they have several options for seeking compensation for mesothelioma.
A skilled asbestos lawyer can help you and your family pursue the full and fair compensation you deserve after a
mesothelioma diagnosis. To discuss the
types of compensation that may be available to you, contact us for more information.
Hear from a Patient on Why You Should Seek Compensation
New York Mesothelioma Lawyers & Asbestos Attorneys
Asbestos Compensation: How It Works
When exploring your options for
mesothelioma compensation, your lawyer should start by discussing your work history and/or your military service history. A skilled
mesothelioma attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to identify exactly which asbestos companies can be held responsible for your
diagnosis.
It is important to understand that you will likely not be suing your former employer (or the military). Instead,
mesothelioma compensation payouts come from the companies that manufactured and sold products containing
asbestos. In addition, your attorney will identify several options for seeking compensation, such as:
Asbestos Bankruptcy Funds
In an effort to protect
mesothelioma patients, federal law requires
asbestos companies that file for bankruptcy to put aside money in special trust funds.
Filing a claim for compensation from an
asbestos trust fund is different from filing a lawsuit or
estate planning. However, your lawyer will still need to identify and provide proof of which
asbestos products you were exposed to at work or home.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Many of the companies that manufactured and sold
asbestos products are still in business and can be sued in court.
Sometimes, companies will decide to settle after a lawsuit has been filed, even at the very last minute before a verdict is read or a judgment is made.
Veterans’ Benefits
Many people who have been diagnosed with
mesothelioma,
asbestos lung cancer, or
asbestosis were exposed to
asbestos during their time in the Armed Forces. Navy veterans, in particular, are at a higher risk for developing the disease due to the prevalence of
asbestos on ships and in shipyards.
If you have
mesothelioma and were exposed while in the military, you may be eligible for monthly
benefits. We will help you file a claim with the Veterans Administration.
Social Security Disability Benefits
If you are diagnosed with
mesothelioma before you reach retirement age, you can claim Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
benefits. Although the Social Security Administration recognizes that
mesothelioma is a debilitating disease, you will still need to provide detailed proof of your medical condition in order to obtain
benefits.
A knowledgeable
mesothelioma attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation for an SSDI claim, as well as represent you in an appeal if your initial claim has been denied.
Workers’ Compensation Benefits
If your
mesothelioma diagnosis has forced you to leave work, you may be entitled to pursue workers’ compensation
benefits for the work-related illness.
Every person’s circumstances are different, and you may end up pursuing compensation from a combination of sources. For example, your
attorney may file a
mesothelioma claim with an
asbestos trust fund and also file a lawsuit against other
asbestos companies. At the same time, your
attorney may help you file for VA
benefits or SSDI
benefits.
Types of Mesothelioma Compensation You Could Receive
It is impossible to put a price on what you and your family are going through. However, an experienced
mesothelioma attorney will thoroughly assess your case and help you get the compensation you and your family deserve.
Your
attorney will likely demand payment for:
- Medical expenses, including future medical treatments your doctor may recommend
- Travel expenses related to your treatment
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity for the future
- Costs of child care
- Pain and suffering (both physical and emotional)
- Wrongful death
- Loss of services to your spouse
In cases involving extreme misconduct on the part of the
asbestos company, your
attorney may also pursue punitive damages, which are meant to punish the at-fault party.
Why Seek Compensation?
The costs of
mesothelioma treatment and caregiving expenses can quickly drain a family’s finances. Health insurance will not cover all the costs your family will face. And the truth is: Your family should not have to shoulder any of this financial burden.
For years,
asbestos companies chose to put hardworking people’s lives at risk rather than do the right thing. These companies chose profits over people. Now, they deserve to pay.
Unnecessary Asbestos Exposure
For more than a century, the dangers of
asbestos have been researched and known. In 1918, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that
asbestos workers suffered an abnormally high risk of early death.
In 1930, respected researcher Dr. Merewether published a landmark study of hundreds of
asbestos workers. He warned that one in four were suffering from
asbestosis, and that many wouldn’t show signs of illness for years to come.
He also noted that asbestos workers should use protective equipment and that they should be warned of the risk. His findings were ignored by the asbestos companies, which continued to put millions of American workers at risk.
It wasn’t until the 1970s that the U.S. government had to step in and force companies to limit workplace
asbestos exposure.
Still today, though, asbestos is not totally banned in the United States, and the risk of exposure remains.
Is Asbestos Exposure Common in Your State?
[map could be created based on data from here:
http://www.asbestosnation.org/facts/asbestos-deaths/ Note that we would need to cite the source and be careful how we label, as this is total asbestos deaths, not just mesothelioma.]
Finding a Mesothelioma Lawyer
When you and your family are facing the expenses related to
mesothelioma treatment, you should know that you are not alone. Many families have learned that having an experienced
mesothelioma lawyer on their side takes the burden off them, so they can focus on
treatment and improving the
patient’s
quality of life.
When choosing a
mesothelioma lawyer, you should look for one who is:
Focused on asbestos cases. Mesothelioma claims can be complicated, and you need an
attorney with plenty of experience with these
types of cases. Don’t be afraid to ask how many cases an
attorney has successfully handled and how long the
attorney has been practicing in this area.
Widely recognized for recovering mesothelioma compensation payouts. Every state is different in the way
mesothelioma cases are handled, so you need a law firm with a national reputation for securing
compensation. Always ask for a list of
mesothelioma verdicts and settlements.
Sensitive to your needs. Pursuing financial
compensation should not be a stressful process, and your
attorney should make it as easy as possible on you and your family. For example, your
attorney should come to you for consultations and interviews, rather than asking you to travel. Ask the
attorney for client testimonials and recommendations, so you know how other clients were treated.
A good
mesothelioma lawyer should meet with you for free to discuss your
compensation claim. In fact, you should not have to pay anything until your case is settled. The
attorney should work on a contingency fee basis, meaning legal fees would be collected only if you recover
compensation.
Are You Eligible for Financial Compensation?
Do you or a family member need financial help after a
diagnosis of
mesothelioma please contact us now.
We can connect you with nationally recognized
asbestos attorneys who will explain all your
compensation options.