Asbestos Compensation
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, lung cancer, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related disease? Please contact us now.
We can connect you with nationally recognized asbestos attorneys who will explain all your compensation options.
