Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive form of cancer that affects the tissue lining of the internal organs. Asbestos exposure is considered its primary cause. However, other factors like genetic mutations, family history, chest x-rays, and living with someone who works with asbestos can also be the potential causes of mesothelioma.
The disease has symptoms similar to other chest and lung diseases and includes chest pain, breathing trouble, coughing, and more. The condition can also stay latent for years and is often misdiagnosed. There is no cure for mesothelioma, but various treatment options are available to help alleviate symptoms, improve the quality of life, and increase life expectancy.
Mesothelioma treatment can be expensive, and worrying about finances while undergoing treatment can be mentally and physically challenging. Therefore, mesothelioma patients are encouraged to file a claim against asbestos manufacturers and users to get a significant amount of financial compensation and pay for treatment-related costs.
Many law firms around the US can file mesothelioma lawsuits on behalf of the victims. Competent lawyers at a reputable law firm can assist you through the whole process and help you get the best possible amount of mesothelioma compensation.
In this article, we are going to discuss the things to do to ensure that you get the best settlement for an asbestos-exposure claim.
- File your case in the most appropriate court system
The US court systems differ from state to state. In some states, the court system looks more favorably upon asbestos-exposure lawsuit settlements than other court systems. Therefore, it is crucial to file your case in an appropriate court system to avoid potential complications and receive the best possible amount of financial compensation.
Some important states for asbestos litigation include Ohio, New York, California, Texas, and Florida. It is crucial to note that not everyone can file a case outside their state of residence. Based on the case details, only some people are allowed to file their lawsuits in a preferred state. Therefore, it is advised to recruit a competent lawyer to help you determine the eligibility of your case in various states.
- Sue all the companies that possibly exposed you to asbestos
Asbestos was used heavily in the construction industry in the 80s to build ships, houses, and more. Many people were employed to work with asbestos, and those workers brought asbestos particles home to their families on their clothing and other belongings. Therefore, it is hard to determine the exact source of exposure.
In an asbestos-exposure claim, it is best to hold all relevant parties liable to ensure you receive an adequate amount of monetary compensation. Nowadays, it is common to have as many as 20 defendants in a single class-action lawsuit.
- Strengthen the evidence
It is crucial to have strong evidence supporting your claims and showing proof that exposure was caused by a specific company, military, or other organization. Even though there is no way to tell when and where you got exposed to asbestos exactly, approximate guesses are accepted. You can either collect the evidence yourself or your lawyer can do it for you. Documentation is essential in an asbestos-exposure claim, and the following documents are mostly required;
- Salary slips proving past employment
- The doctor’s statement that connects your mesothelioma diagnosis to asbestos exposure
- Blood tests, imaging scans, and pathology reports prove a mesothelioma diagnosis
- Contact information of former co-workers
- Other employment records like signed documents
Even if you don’t have one of the above documents, a competent lawyer can still help you file a strong case and help you win it. It is important to note that the stronger the supporting evidence, the higher the chances of receiving a significant amount of compensation.
- Get compensation for medical expenses and lost wages
Mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related disease can be physically and mentally challenging. Patients are often unable to work in this condition and cannot earn a steady salary. Additional treatment expenses also cost a lot.
Therefore, victims can get compensated for medical expenses and lost wages because asbestos exposure is responsible for both problems. The financial losses due to these problems can be calculated and added to the financial support that the victims will receive, along with an adequate settlement amount.
The Bottom Line
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer primarily caused by asbestos exposure. It has no cure, but other treatment options are available to improve the quality of life and alleviate symptoms. Mesothelioma treatment can be expensive. Therefore, victims are encouraged to file an asbestos-exposure claim for appropriate mesothelioma compensation.
Some things to do to ensure you get the best settlement for the asbestos-exposure claim are filing the case in the most appropriate court system, suing all the possible companies involved in causing your exposure, strengthening the evidence, and getting compensation for financial losses like medical expenses and lost wages. Hopefully, this article helped you understand the things you should do to get the best settlement for an asbestos-exposure claim.
