If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. You may also be entitled to benefits that do not involve a lawsuit. If you were exposed on the job you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Social Security Disability benefits may also be available to you.
The laws regarding mesothelioma and asbestos exposure lawsuits vary from state to state. The first thing you need to know is that there are time limits, called statutes of limitations. If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, you need to talk to an asbestos attorney right away to make sure you do not miss any important deadlines and give up your right to compensation. An experienced attorney can help you better understand your rights as a mesothelioma victim.
It is unpleasant to think about, but mesothelioma still kills most victims within a year of diagnosis. An asbestosis lawsuit that starts out as a personal injury case may develop into a wrongful death case. If you have lost a loved one to mesothelioma, who did not pursue a personal injury lawsuit, you may still be entitled to compensation.
If you were exposed to asbestos on the job, you may be eligible for Workers’ Compensation benefits. If so, under Worker’s Compensation laws you cannot sue your employer. However, you may still be entitled to compensation through a third party lawsuit in addition to your Workers’ Compensation benefits.
If mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness has reduced or eliminated your ability to earn a living, you may be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits, whether your asbestos exposure was work-related or not.
Because symptoms of mesothelioma may not surface until up to 50 years after exposure, it can be difficult to determine the source of your exposure. An experienced asbestos lawyer can help you determine who is responsible for your illness. In some cases it will be a combination of your employer and a company or companies that manufactured the dangerous products.