Mesothelioma Compensation Claims for Victims and Family
Page Written By Rod De Llano, EsquireThis article has been fact checked by an experienced mesothelioma attorney. Sources of information are listed at the bottom of the article.
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Exposure to asbestos can lead to mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis.[1] Victims face many expenses, from medical bills to travel costs and the financial burden of lost wages. If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos illness, you may be entitled to compensation. Claims for personal injury or wrongful death, insurance claims, VA claims, and trust fund claims are all ways that you can get the financial assistance you need.
What Kinds of Mesothelioma Claims Are Available?
As a victim of asbestos exposure, you have several options when making a claim for compensation. An experienced lawyer can give you more information and help you make an informed decision about how and where to claim.
Mesothelioma Settlement and Lawsuits Claims
Filing a lawsuit is one way to seek compensation. If you are the victim, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the company or companies responsible for your exposure and illness.[2] If you lost a loved one to asbestos illnesses, you might choose to file a wrongful death lawsuit.[3] Either lawsuit could end in compensation for you in one of two ways:
- A settlement agreement is the most common outcome of these types of lawsuits. Your lawyer will negotiate an amount of compensation for you to be paid by the defendants.
- A trial verdict will likely happen if an agreement cannot be reached. Your lawyer will argue your case in front of a judge and jury. The jury will ultimately deliberate and decide the verdict.
Asbestos Trust Funds
If the company responsible for your exposure went through bankruptcy or no longer exists, a lawsuit may not be an option. In these cases, you may be able to seek compensation by making a claim with the appropriate asbestos trust fund.[4]
Companies that went bankrupt over asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuits were required to first set up trust funds to compensate victims. If you qualify, you can file a claim and get compensation from one of these asbestos trust funds.
Asbestos trust funds are designed to provide compensation for both current and future claimants. It can take a long time, often decades, for mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses to develop and be diagnosed. The establishment of trust funds included estimates for adequate compensation for all potential future claimants.
Veterans’ Claims
Veterans of the U.S. military can seek compensation through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Many members of the military, especially those who worked on ships and in shipyards, experienced asbestos exposure during their time on active duty.
After veterans receive a mesothelioma diagnosis, they may become eligible to seek compensation through the VA, including special compensation, monthly compensation, and free health care.[5]
Insurance Claims
You may be eligible for one or more types of insurance benefits. For instance, if you have health insurance from your employer, you may need help from a lawyer to ensure you get full benefits. You may also have access to workers’ compensation benefits or life insurance benefits if you lost a loved one to an asbestos disease. Social security disability may also be an option.[6]
How to File a Claim
Filing a claim of any type for mesothelioma and asbestos compensation can be complicated and confusing. A small mistake may mean missing out on benefits and compensation. Follow these steps for the best chance of getting what you deserve:
1. Find an experienced legal team. You need a lawyer or legal team with expertise in personal injury and asbestos laws and cases. The right lawyer will help you decide which kinds of claims to make and will then guide you through the process, so you have the best chance of success.
2. Determine how you were exposed. Proving asbestos exposure can be difficult and requires the expertise of an experienced lawyer. For most people, exposure happened at a past or current workplace. Even if you didn’t handle the asbestos, you may have incidentally inhaled or ingested its fibers. Your lawyer should have access to databases about companies that used asbestos and exposed workers to aid your investigation. If the exposure occurred during military service, you may need to file through the VA.[7]
3. Gather medical documentation. In addition to exposure information, you will need your medical records to make a claim. Provide your lawyer with all the relevant documents that prove you have an asbestos-related illness.
4. Let your lawyer file the claim. Whichever type of claim, or claims, you choose to file, your lawyer can do the leg work. Make sure they keep you updated on progress and answer any questions you have.
How Much Compensation Can I Get from a Claim?
Several individual factors help determine the amount of compensation you can expect for your asbestos exposure. No lawyer can guarantee that you will receive a specific amount. A good lawyer will be able to provide a reasonable estimate though. Factors affecting compensation include:
- The duration and extent of your asbestos exposure
- How much of the risk was intentionally hidden from you
- The amount left in a trust fund
- And the stage and severity of your cancer or other illness
When deciding how much compensation to seek, your lawyer will evaluate all the relevant facts and evidence. You can include medical expenses, lost wages, future medical costs, the cost of traveling to get treatment, palliative, and hospice care. You can also seek compensation (depending on the state you live in) for intangible costs such as pain, suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of companionship for someone filing behalf of a deceased family member.
Companies negligent in asbestos exposure and illnesses in their workers must be held accountable. They need to provide compensation to the victims. Getting the money you need for treatment will take a big burden off your shoulders, even if money can’t cure your illness. Compensation is also about justice. It allows you to hold the responsible parties accountable for what they did. Let an experienced lawyer help you get the money you deserve.
Page Written by Rod De Llano, Esquire
Rod De Llano was born and raised in Laredo, Texas. He graduated from Princeton University with a B.A. in Economics, and earned a law degree from the University of Texas. After working for an international law firm for several years, Rod formed a law firm dedicated to representing persons injured by exposure to asbestos products. For over 20 years, Rod has fought for persons diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. His clients have recovered over $1 billion over the years.
