Asbestos Removal Companies

Are You Entitled to a Settlement if You Have Been Exposed to Asbestos?

Asbestos fibers can be precursors to mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases. Once it has been inhaled into the lungs it can take as long as 15 to 40 years or more to develop disease symptoms. This long latency period often makes it hard to identify the cause.

The major risk factor for developing mesotheliomal tumors is the exposure to asbestos at the workplace. Approximately 70 to 80 percent of all mesothelioma patients have been exposed to asbestos at their place of employment. The exposure has invariably occurred 15 to 40 years earlier and may have been for a relatively brief but heavy period.

Millions of Americans Have Been Put at Risk

Asbestos has been used commercially for over 100 years. Millions of Americans have been put at risk unknowingly by being exposed to asbestos dust. Products containing asbestos were not originally thought to be dangerous, but eventually many people working for asbestos producers began developing cancer of the mesothelium. People working for asbestos mines, heating or insulation industries, asbestos mills, and various other occupations involving asbestos have shown a large increase in the incidence of the disease.

Because of the known risk from inhaling asbestos there are now limits for the acceptable level of asbestos exposure for people working around asbestos. Workers exposed to asbestos are now required to wear protective gear which lowers their amount of exposure. Factors such as individual immune system strength may play a major role in whether or not a worker develops an asbestos-related disease.

Do You Need an Asbestos Law Firm?

Just because your employer tells you they have hired asbestos removal companies and says you were not exposed does not mean you cannot seek legal advice. Seeking the help of experienced mesothelioma attorneys may be a wise choice. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or some other asbestos-related illness you may find peace of mind talking with qualified asbestos law firms that specialize in personal injury cases. Additionally, if you have been exposed to asbestos and have not yet developed mesothelioma, you may still be entitled to compensation in a class action lawsuit.

Asbestos law firms are not all equal so finding a good one will require you to do some homework. A few matters that you need to determine are the length of time they have been in business, how many asbestos lawsuits they have handled, how many mesothelioma lawsuits they have handled, how many of their claims were successfully settled, the number of clients of theirs that went to court, if there is a statute of limitations in your state for asbestos-related claims, and the type of documentation required from you to file a lawsuit.

Ask the attorneys what the average settlement is in a case such as yours. Also find out what the attorney will charge you for representation. Most attorneys will handle cases like this by being paid a percentage of the settlement amount and will not take the case if they do not think they can get a good settlement for you.

Information Gathering is Important

Once you have researched a few asbestos law firms and found one to represent you your next job is to gather information for the lawsuit. Compiling as much information as possible will give you the best chance for a successful outcome. Above all else you will need medical proof that you have mesothelioma. You will also need to know when, where, and how long you were exposed to asbestos, the name of your employer, and if there are other co-workers that contracted a similar disease. Other workers or witnesses can often help in confirming your exposure time and location.

The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, so your case may not be as hard to prove as you might imagine. If you have a weak case your attorney will usually not pursue it and most strong cases will usually be settled out of court. An experienced attorney will be able to advise you on whether or not the settlement offer is fair or if you should go to trial. After the attorney provides you with their opinion the ultimate decision of settling or going to trial rests in your hands.

Before making a final decision you will need to take a few things into consideration. Even if you have a strong case it may take a year or two and possibly longer. Are you up for an extended period of stress and tension with no guarantee that you will end up with a dime? These and other questions must be taken into consideration before making a decision that can affect your entire future.