This Week's Most Remarkable Stories About Asbestos Compensation

How to Calculate Asbestos Compensation Many families impacted by asbestos-related diseases need access to compensation. These financial awards help pay for care at home and transportation, as well as other costs. A knowledgeable attorney can assist you to understand all options available to you and help you decide which type of claim to submit. A lawyer can examine your background, health history and asbestos exposure to document your claims. Military Service Patients suffering from asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma and cancer may be eligible to receive compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. A VA-certified mesothelioma attorney can assist veterans to begin the process of compensation. All military branches used asbestos during the 20th century because of its fireproofing, heat resistance and durability properties. Navy veterans who worked on ships were at a higher risk of exposure to asbestos as asbestos was used in boiler systems and insulation. Air Force veterans who worked with parts of aircraft engines like rotors and hydraulics and fuel systems were exposed to asbestos due to the use of asbestos in these components. Marine Corps veterans who were stationed at naval bases or in barracks could be exposed too. Whatever branch of service, many veterans who were exposed to asbestos during the military did not realize that this contaminant could lead to mesothelioma or serious health complications. As a result, the veterans did not file VA claims or seek compensation following an asbestos-related diagnosis. A mesothelioma lawyer can help veterans get VA benefits, such as monthly compensation. A lawyer can review a veteran's medical records and exposure history to determine if they are eligible for compensation. The amount of compensation awarded is contingent on the degree of disability and evidence of exposure to asbestos during his military service. A lawyer can assist an individual in completing the appropriate paperwork to prove this connection. Veterans suffering from mesothelioma due to service are eligible for a monthly payment according to their disability rating. Veterans with non-malignant lung diseases like asbestosis or pleural plaque may be eligible for smaller payouts. In some cases, the family members of a vet may be eligible for compensation. In addition to the compensation in addition to compensation, mesothelioma patients are eligible for free VA health care and help with the cost of their treatment. This support is crucial for a family who has mesothelioma as a diagnosis. The financial aid veterans get from VA benefits can help ease the burden of treatment for mesothelioma and allow them to concentrate on their own treatment. A person suffering from mesothelioma should discuss these options with a legal representative immediately to start the compensation process. VA Disability Benefits A veteran diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness such as mesothelioma may qualify for disability compensation. The VA provides a range of programs to assist disabled veterans. Compensation is determined by a person's VA Disability Rating and how it affects their everyday life. To qualify for VA disability benefits Veterans must first prove that their condition is due to their military service. This is done by submitting a written account of asbestos exposure that details the dates, locations and methods the individual was exposed during their military career. The VA must also look over medical documentation, perform physical examinations that include chest X rays, lab testing and lung function tests. A mesothelioma lawyer who is experienced can help veterans with the VA claims process. They can assist veterans to fill out the proper forms and identify the locations where they were exposed to asbestos during their service. They can also help them connect with medical professionals who can confirm the diagnosis and provide proof of exposure to asbestos in their medical records. Asbestos victims may also file a claim through one or more trusts created by companies that manufactured asbestos-containing products. The process of getting the compensation these trusts provide differs from VA disability benefits. However, it is a viable option for many patients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos illnesses. Whatever route they decide to take whether asbestosis or mesothelioma, a lawyer can help veterans obtain the compensation they deserve. Compensation can be paid as a lump sum payment or a monthly benefit. In addition, they can help in obtaining financial support from the government in the form of a housebound allowance or Aid and Attendance benefits. Veterans can appeal an VA mesothelioma determination which is lowered or denied. They can file an Supplemental Claim, ask for an additional level of review or appeal the decision to a Board of Veterans Appeals or a Veterans Law Judge. A lawyer can explain these options and help file an appeal with the VA. In certain instances it is possible to have a trial held, which would result in a verdict by the jury and compensation. Asbestos Trusts Trust funds established by asbestos-using companies may be used to compensate asbestos victims. As asbestos manufacturers became aware of the dangers associated with their products and the potential to harm people, a lot of them filed for bankruptcy to limit their liability. As a result, these debtor companies established asbestos trusts to pay medical claims of their victims. When an individual files for mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease from an bankruptcy trust, they must be able to describe the circumstances surrounding their illness and connect it to a specific asbestos product. A lawyer experienced in asbestos law can assist in determining which trust to file a claim against. Then, the lawyer can help gather and file necessary documentation to establish the asbestos victim's symptoms and their connection to a specific company or asbestos-containing product. The asbestos trust will review the claim and assign a case value once asbestos victims have filed it. The trust can use a process known as expedited review, which settles cases quickly and with a fixed payout amount. It can also use an individual review, which takes a more detailed review of the evidence and may award more money than is awarded through expedited review. Many asbestos trusts can have payment schedules that range from months to years. During this time, the trusts will be reviewing other cases and decide whether to decide to approve or deny them. This can be frustrating to mesothelioma patients, their families, and their lawyers. Many asbestos companies also employ a payment percentage that reduces the value of an claim. This is done so the asbestos trusts don't run out of money before all victims have been paid. If Apple Valley asbestos lawyer do not receive a payment through a bankruptcy trust they might be able to bring a lawsuit against the asbestos manufacturer that exposed them. However, the litigation process can be long and expensive. Most asbestos victims choose to file a claim through the asbestos trusts instead, especially when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related diseases. The best way to get the most lucrative compensation possible is to work with a knowledgeable attorney. Compensation Damages Compensation from asbestos settlements or awards could help victims and their families with costs such as prescription drugs, in-home care, travel expenses and more. The calculation of the value of your mesothelioma lawsuit is complex and highly dependent on your individual circumstances. Mesothelioma lawyers can draw on their experience to help you determine how much your claim is worth. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will have successfully argued thousands of asbestos cases and settlements on behalf of those who suffer from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. There are two kinds of claims: personal injury claims and wrongful deaths. Both seek financial compensation from companies that wrongfully exposed victims to asbestos. A personal injury lawsuit is filed by a victim and a wrongful death lawsuit is filed on behalf of a person who has passed away from an asbestos-related illness such as mesothelioma. While most mesothelioma lawsuits settle but some do go to trial. The decision to decide whether to settle or go to trial is based on a variety of factors, including how much evidence the attorney for the victim has and the probability that the defendant will lose at trial. In most cases, defendant companies choose to settle instead of losing a substantial judgment in trial and the negative publicity that might result. A mesothelioma settlement can offer compensation for the financial value of a person's pain and suffering in the past and future medical expenses and income loss, in addition to loss of companionship and other losses in the family. Based on the severity of mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related disease, compensation could include punitive damages to penalize the defendant and discourage similar behavior in the future. Veterans are at a greater chance of developing an asbestos-related disease. Veterans account for around 30 percent of mesothelioma-related cases filed every year. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers healthcare and financial compensation to veterans who are diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses. To submit a VA disability claim make contact with the Veterans Affairs Assistance Office in your area or call 1-877-824-6774. The law firm LK has represented thousands asbestos victims and their families. Our lawyers have secured hundreds millions of dollars in settlements and judgments, and are regarded as the top lawyers in the country in mesothelioma litigation brought by defendants and insurance companies.