It is estimated that 27.5 million Americans were exposed to asbestos between 1940 and 1979. Asbestos was once thought to be an excellent fireproof and insulating material. Sadly, between 2,000 and 5,000 People die each year as a result of exposure to asbestos.
How Quickly Can Compensation Be Recovered?
Recovering compensation and the amount of that compensation depend on many things. Factors such as the state and county where the case is filed, as well as the judge assigned to the case, can have a very large impact on how quickly your case is set for trial and, therefore, how soon you will be able to receive any payments.
While it depends on the state you are located in if you have a malignant mesothelioma diagnosis and are still living, you will likely receive some money within 4 months from some of the defendants. Your case will be completely finished in approximately one to two years.
How soon you will receive any form of compensation is greatly dependent on when and where your case is filed, as well as the experience of the Mesothelioma lawyer representing you. In some cases money is received within a couple of months, while other cases can drag on for years. If you are considering bringing suit because of an Asbestos related illness such as Mesothelioma , it is important that this matter is discussed with a competent Mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible so that they can begin the process.
Getting Your Money
When your law suit is finally over-either through settlement or through a judgment-you'll want to know when you get your money. You'll have to fill out some paperwork related to the settlement. The defendants then pay the money to your lawyer. Your lawyer will take out fees owed to him or her as you decided in your contingency agreement. Your lawyer will pass the rest on to you.
It sounds simple enough, but even getting disbursement checks , that is, the money owed to you, can take time. Not all defendants pay at the same time. And not all defendants pay the entire amount at one time. They want to hold on to their money for as long as they can.
On top of that, not all lawyers forward the money on to you in the same way. Some wait until it all comes in before sending it to you; some send you smaller amounts as the various payments come in. Most lawyers will send you updated materials for you to keep track of which defendants have paid and how much. They should also inform you of just how much of their own expenses they have taken out. It is important that you are referred to an attorney who will make sure that you are compensated as quickly as possible.
It is important for you to keep track of your records so you know you are getting everything you are entitled to.
Deserving Asbestos/Mesothelioma Victims May Not Receive Compensation
No amount of money can fully compensate you or a family member who suffers from an asbestos disease. These diseases are painful and debilitating and may result in premature death. The loss of a loved one and the drain on family resources and emotions carry an immeasurable price.
The effects of asbestos 20, 30 and even 40 or more years later have been devastating. Workers exposed to asbestos could potentially contract Mesothelioma, a terminal cancer or another condition called asbestosis.
Many of these victims or their families are filing lawsuits against companies that exposed them to asbestos to cover medical expenses and pain and suffering. Unfortunately, the large number of lawsuits may bankrupt the companies and deserving victims may be left without a way to collect the money damages to which they are entitled. Through 2002, more than 600,000 People have filed claims against more than 6,000 companies.
