Mesothelioma Compensation Options
A mesothelioma lawyer can help you understand all compensation options. Compensation can be received through lawsuits and trust fund claims and VA benefits.
A wrongful death lawsuit could be filed by the victim's family or estate. Many mesothelioma lawsuits settle before going to trial. The amount of settlements vary and can also include punitive damages.
Veterans Benefits
Many veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses can be eligible for compensation. This assistance can help with expenses for housing, medical bills and more. Compensation can be received in the form of an official claim, VA benefits, private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid, long-term disability payment and community assistance programs. Contact one of the top mesothelioma lawyers across the country for a free consultation and learn more about your options.
Veterans who were exposed during their military service to asbestos are at greater risk of developing asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and other cancers. compensation mesothelioma was widely used in all branches of the U.S. military from 1930 until 1980, and affected millions of service members. In fact veterans account for around 30 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses.
To be eligible to receive VA benefits, veterans must have a valid mesothelioma diagnosis and evidence of asbestos exposure due to service. A mesothelioma attorney can help veterans fill out an VA claim application and collect the required documentation. This could include mesothelioma treatment documents as well as work history, military documents and a list of the asbestos-containing products you were exposed to, as well as their manufacturers.
Asbestos victims with a severe or terminal mesothelioma diagnosis may be eligible for financial assistance through the VA's Special Monthly Compensation. This is a non-taxable benefit that pays a sick veteran between $250 and $650 each month. To be eligible for SMCC the veteran must be confined to a bed or in a house or suffer from a disability condition that restricts their daily activities. Spouses and children of a mesothelioma victim who has passed away can apply for DIC, which is based on the amount of assistance the patient requires.
Private Health Insurance
Asbestos patients usually have private health insurance that can assist in paying for treatment. Patients suffering from mesothelioma could be eligible to Medicare or Medicaid - the largest publicly funded health program in the nation. Health insurance supplements can be purchased by patients to cover expenses that are not covered by their primary plan.
Workers' compensation benefits can be available to asbestos victims. These funds typically offer monthly payments to those who have been diagnosed with an occupational illness such as mesothelioma.
A mesothelioma lawyer can assist those affected to apply for these benefits and gather the documentation they need to support their claims. Asbestos patients are also able to seek compensation from an asbestos trust fund that was established by asbestos companies in bankruptcy that have gone out of business. The funds are designed to provide financial relief immediately to victims and their families.
A number of states require workers' compensation for employees exposed to asbestos while working. For more information on filing a claim, these individuals should contact the workers' compensation board in their state. Mesothelioma patients should consult an attorney with experience to secure the highest amount of compensation.
A successful mesothelioma suit can aid victims and their families pay for treatments that prolong the life of a patient's quality of life. The compensation awarded by a legal action may cover non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and much more. Asbestos victims might also be able to seek damages that are punitive, which are intended to punish defendants for their reckless disregard of safety measures as well as the harm caused by negligence. For instance mesothelioma lawsuits those who have been injured and their families can demand accountability from manufacturers for concealing asbestos-related dangers from the public for years.
Medicare & Medicaid
If you were diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition, monetary compensation can help cover your medical expenses. The compensation from a trust fund or lawsuit can aid you and your family cover the cost of living, home improvement and other costs.
For more information on financial support options asbestos sufferers should consult an experienced mesothelioma attorney. An experienced lawyer can help determine which type of compensation is best for each case and understand the goals and occupational histories of the individual. A mesothelioma law firm will also explain the various forms of compensation, including the average payouts for each type.
A mesothelioma contract can save you the time and money of a trial. A trial verdict can offer higher payouts, however, if the manufacturer is found to be responsible for your exposure. The average mesothelioma verdict is between $5 million and $11.4 million, as per Mealey's Litigation Reports.
Asbestos lawsuits could be able to pay victims compensation for medical expenses, loss of earnings, and pain and suffering. Mesothelioma lawsuits typically pay more than trust fund claims however both can be a significant source of income for families of the victims.
Veterans Administration may offer benefits to asbestos-related victims, based on the mesothelioma diagnosis and their exposure history. A VA benefits and mesothelioma lawyer can assist in ensuring that claims are filed on time to protect the client's legal entitlements and rights.
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Many asbestos victims experience emotional or physical issues due to their exposure to asbestos. In certain cases, these issues can hinder the ability of an individual to work and support their family. This is why some patients are eligible for long-term disability insurance that will aid them in paying their bills while they work to recover from their mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness. Mesothelioma lawyers can help patients determine whether they are eligible for compensation and then apply for benefits.
Compensation can be a bit complicated and requires legal expertise. In many states, there are time limits for making an claim. Mesothelioma patients should consult an experienced attorney right away. Attorneys can confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis and determine what asbestos-containing products contributed to the disease. They can also conduct studies on the workplace and other possible asbestos exposure sources, like reviewing purchase history of the records. This is helpful when seeking compensation.
The amount of compensation will be determined by the circumstances of the individual. This includes the type of legal action taken and the severity of the victim's suffering. While a lawsuit can lead to a higher amount of compensation, the majority of victims will settle to avoid the expense and risk of litigation.
A number of manufacturers attempted to avoid their liability for their negligent actions when the dangers of asbestos became known. They filed for bankruptcy protection. However, the courts prevented these companies from avoiding liability by requiring them to set aside significant sums of money in trust funds for asbestos to compensate victims. Trusts today provide victims with more than $30 billion. Lawyers can help victims understand the different types of trusts and how they could affect their goals, like whether they would prefer a short-term or long-term payment.
Community Assistance
Many families are suffering financial loss due to the illness of a loved one caused by asbestos. In addition to the loss of income, costs like travel and treatment costs add up quickly. Compensation can help to cover these costs and give victims the feeling of justice.
Compensation can be in the form of a settlement out-of court or a verdict at trial. Settlements are more popular and generally will result in a faster resolution than a trial. A trial verdict is likely to be a lengthy discovery process which involves both parties exchanging information, including depositions from witnesses. It can take an extended time to get to this point, and cases rarely reach the point of trial.
Asbestos suits hold negligent companies accountable for putting profit ahead of the health of individuals. Asbestos victims, and their families are entitled to the compensation that they deserve.
An experienced attorney will collect the victim's medical and work histories to pinpoint the exact location of exposure. They may also consider other legal options, such as asbestos trust funds created by the manufacturers that exposed victims to asbestos.
A legal action can be stressful. However, a knowledgeable lawyer will help you navigate through your specific situation and will protect your rights. Mesothelioma lawyers have helped patients receive the compensation needed to ease the financial burdens their diagnosis has caused. They are also acquainted with the statutes for limitations which are laws enacted by each state to define how long you have to make an claim. Contact Simmons Hanly Conroy to speak with a mesothelioma lawyer who is experienced. They will examine all possible options for compensation and determine the most effective course of action for you.