20 Questions You Should Ask About Asbestos Compensation Before Buying It

How to Calculate Asbestos Compensation Many families affected by asbestos-related diseases require compensation. These financial awards can be used to cover the cost of home care, transportation and other costs. A knowledgeable attorney can help you determine the best type of claim to pursue. An attorney can look over the work history, health status and asbestos exposure to prove your claim. Military Service Patients suffering from asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer could be eligible to receive compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. A mesothelioma lawyer experienced in VA claims can assist a veteran begin the compensation process. All military branches used asbestos throughout the 20th century due to its fireproofing and heat resistance properties. However, Navy veterans who spent time on ships were particularly at risk of exposure because asbestos was used frequently in boiler systems as well as insulation on naval vessels. Air Force veterans who worked on aircraft engine parts such as rotors, fuel systems and hydraulics also were exposed to asbestos because of the material's use in these components. Marine Corps veterans who were stationed at naval bases or in barracks could have been exposed to asbestos as well. Many veterans who were exposed during their service in the military didn't realize that this contaminant mineral could cause mesothelioma and other serious health complications. This is why the veterans did not file VA claims or seek compensation following an asbestos-related diagnosis. A mesothelioma lawyer can help veterans get VA benefits, including monthly compensation. A lawyer can look over a veteran's medical records and exposure history to determine whether they qualify for compensation. The amount of compensation is determined by the veteran's level and proof of asbestos exposure during their military service. A lawyer can help an individual file the paperwork necessary to prove this connection. Veterans with mesothelioma arising from service receive a monthly payment according to their disability rating. Veterans with non-malignant lung conditions such as asbestosis or pleural plaque may be eligible for smaller payouts. In certain instances, family members of a veteran may be eligible to receive compensation. Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma might be eligible for free VA medical care, as well as financial aid to cover their treatment. This support is vital for families that have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The financial assistance veterans get from VA benefits can ease the burden of mesothelioma treatments and let them focus on their own treatment. A person suffering from mesothelioma should discuss these options with a lawyer immediately to begin the process of obtaining compensation. VA Disability Benefits A veteran who has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition like mesothelioma could be eligible for disability compensation. The VA has a range of programs that are designed to aid disabled veterans. Compensation is dependent on a person's VA disability rating and how their condition affects their daily life. To be eligible for VA disability benefits veterans must first prove that their condition is linked to their military service. This requires a written record of asbestos exposure, including when, where and how the veteran was exposed to asbestos during their time in the military. The VA must also examine medical records, and conduct a physical examination that includes chest X-rays, laboratory testing and lung function tests. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will help veterans with the VA claims process. They can assist in submitting the proper forms and pinpoint the exact location of their service-related exposure to asbestos. They can also help them connect with medical professionals who can confirm the diagnosis and provide proof of asbestos exposure in their medical records. Asbestos victims can also file a claim at one or more trusts set up by companies that manufacture asbestos-containing products. In order to receive compensation from these trusts, it is a different process than applying for VA disability benefits. However, it is an option for many patients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. A mesothelioma attorney or an asbestosis attorney can help veterans get the compensation they need, regardless of the option they select. Compensation can be paid as a lump sum payment or a monthly benefit. They may also help you receive additional financial support from the government, such as an allowance for housebound people and Aid and Attendance benefits. If a veterans VA mesothelioma classification is cut or denied, they are able to appeal the decision. They may appeal the decision through requesting an appeal through Supplemental Claims, asking for a higher level review or appeal to the Board of Veterans Appeals. A lawyer can help explain these options and how to file an appeal with the VA. In some cases it is possible to have a trial conducted that results in a decision by a jury and compensation. Chicago asbestos attorney Trust funds set up by asbestos-using companies can compensate asbestos victims. When asbestos producers were aware of the dangers associated with their products and the potential to harm people, a lot of them declared bankruptcy to reduce their liabilities. These companies, which were debtors, set up asbestos trusts to pay the medical claims of their victims. If a person is seeking compensation from a bankruptcy trustee, they must provide the details of their condition and connect it to the specific product. A lawyer who is knowledgeable with asbestos law can help in determining which trust to make your claim. The lawyer can assist in gathering and filing the required documentation to prove the asbestos-related symptoms of the victim and their link to a specific company or asbestos-containing product. The asbestos trust will evaluate the claim and assign a case value once asbestos victims have submitted it. The trust can use an expedited review process, which settles claims with a fixed payout. It also has an individual review, which analyzes the evidence more thoroughly and may award a larger amount than the expedited review. Many asbestos trusts have payment schedules that can take from months to years to finish. During this time, the trusts will review other cases and may approve or reject them. This can be frustrating for mesothelioma patients, their families and their attorneys. Many asbestos companies also use a percentage of payment that reduces the value of the claim. This is so that asbestos trusts do not have to pay out before all victims are compensated. If asbestos victims don't receive a cash payment from a bankruptcy trust or trust, they could start a lawsuit to sue the asbestos manufacturer that exposed them. The litigation process is costly and long. Most asbestos victims prefer to file a claim through trusts for asbestos, particularly those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. The best way to get the most compensation you can get is to consult a knowledgeable lawyer. Compensation Damages Compensation from asbestos settlements or awards can aid families of victims with costs such as prescription drugs, in-home treatment, travel expenses and more. However, determining the amount your mesothelioma case may be worth is difficult and highly dependent on your individual circumstances. Mesothelioma lawyers can use their experience to help you determine what your potential claim is worth. A mesothelioma attorney with experience will have successfully argued thousands of asbestos cases and has secured settlements on behalf of people who suffer from mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses. There are two kinds of mesothelioma claims: personal injury and wrongful death. Both seek financial awards from companies that wrongfully exposed victims to asbestos. A personal injury lawsuit is filed by an injured person, while a wrongful-death lawsuit is filed on behalf of a victim who has died from an asbestos-related illness such as mesothelioma. Some mesothelioma cases go through trial, despite the fact that the majority settle. The decision whether to settle or go to trial depends on a variety of variables, including the amount of evidence that the victim's lawyer has and the probability that the defendant will lose the trial. In the majority of cases, defendants choose to settle instead of risking an enormous verdict at trial and the possible negative publicity that could be the result. A mesothelioma suit can be used to compensate a victim for pain and suffering medical expenses, lost income and companionship, as well as other losses for the family. Compensation can include punitive damages, depending on the severity of the mesothelioma disease or other asbestos-related diseases. Punitive damages are designed to punish and deter future similar behavior. Veterans are at a higher chance of contracting an asbestos-related illness. In turn, veterans make up about 30% of mesothelioma claims submitted each year. The Department of Veterans Affairs aids those who are eligible for treatment for an asbestos-related illness and provides financial and medical benefits based on the disease severity. Contact the Veterans Affairs Assistance Office located in your region, or call 1-877-824-6774 to file an VA Disability Claim. The law firm LK has represented thousands of asbestos victims and their families. Our lawyers have secured hundreds of millions in settlements and judgments and are regarded by defendants as well as insurers as leaders in national mesothelioma litigation.