If you’ve been exposed to Asbestos and are dealing with mesothelioma or another form of lung cancer, understanding your options for compensation is crucial. Mesothelioma claims allow victims and their families to seek financial redress for the harm caused by asbestos exposure, using either the personal injury claim, or wrongful death lawsuit routes. However, navigating through these complex legal landscapes can seem daunting, and most people will need the help of an experienced lawyer.
This means that selecting the right legal representation, a team of solicitors experienced in mesothelioma lawsuits is crucial. With claims potentially worth more than £100,000 in the worst case, the expertise of a skilled mesothelioma lawyer can make all the difference to the outcome.
Let WardandRider Guide You Through The Process of Making a Successful Claim For Mesothelioma
We can guide you through the intricacies of asbestos-related disease claims, highlighting the types of claims, the claim process, and what potential compensation and benefits might look like for you and your loved ones.
Understanding Asbestos and Mesothelioma
Asbestos, a group of naturally occurring minerals, was heavily used in many industries for its remarkable heat resistance, strength, and insulating properties. However, as these minerals are composed of microscopic fibers, when airborne and inhaled, they can lead to severe health issues.
Among the most severe is mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen. Due to its latency period of 20-50 years, mesothelioma symptoms often appear long after initial exposure, complicating early diagnosis and treatment, and of course delaying any claim for compensation. Sadly, in some cases, compensation claims do not even start until the death of the affected person occurs.
Many Individuals Could Be Affected, Even Family Members
Even though the use of Asbestos in building materials was banned in the 1980s, it had been widely used for over 30 years, thus many older structures contain these hazardous fibres, with many individuals such as boilermakers, electricians, and shipbuilders being affected. However, family members of workers can also suffer from secondary exposure through asbestos-laden dust brought home on clothing.
There are legal obligations requiring employers to protect their workers from asbestos exposure by providing adequate safety measures and equipment. However, even with these precautions, the consequences of exposure can be devastating, leading to diseases like lung cancer, asbestosis, and pleural thickening, each associated with its own set of debilitating symptoms.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits
If mesothelioma results in death, the victim’s estate, usually represented by close family members, can file a wrongful death claim. This lawsuit seeks compensation for funeral expenses, medical bills incurred before death, and other cancer-related costs. It provides a way for families to gain financial relief during such a difficult time.
Trust Fund Claims
For cases where the responsible companies have gone bankrupt, mesothelioma trust funds have been established to provide compensation. These funds are specifically set up to ensure that victims still receive payouts even if the directly responsible entities are no longer financially solvent. Filing a claim against an asbestos trust fund can be a viable option if direct litigation is not possible.
Navigating These Claim Processes Is Not Easy
Navigating through these claims can be complex and requires the expertise of experienced mesothelioma lawyers to ensure all potential sources of compensation are explored and maximised. Whether it’s through settlements, jury verdicts, or trust funds, understanding the nuances of each claim type is crucial for achieving the best possible outcome.
The Claim Process Explained
Initiating a mesothelioma claim involves several critical steps, each aimed at ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. Here’s a straightforward guide to navigating this process:
Step 1: Legal Representation
The most crucial step is to engage the right legal representation from the very start of your claim. It is essential to select lawyers with experience of mesothelioma claims, such as the team at WardandRider.
Step 2: Documentation
Once engaged we will gather all essential documents which include medical records detailing your mesothelioma diagnosis, employment history to trace asbestos exposure, and any other relevant evidence that supports your claim.
Step 3: Filing the Claim
We will then file the appropriate claim based on your situation. This could be a personal injury lawsuit, a wrongful death claim, or a trust fund claim, depending on the circumstances of the asbestos exposure.
Step 4: The Investigatory Period
This phase involves detailed research such as interviews, locating witnesses, and compiling employment records to establish a strong foundation for your claim.
Step 5: Negotiation and Litigation
Whenever possible, we will seek to obtain an out of court settlement, thus avoiding any long drawn out court action. Our legal team have a wealth of experience allowing us to fight for the highest possible level of compensation on this basis, based on your circumstances, but if this fails we can then proceed to take the matter to court.
Potential Compensation and Benefits
Understanding the range and scope of potential compensation and benefits for mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure is crucial for victims and their families. Compensation typically covers extensive medical expenses, lost income, and other costs directly associated with the disease. Notably, the amount of compensation one may receive depends on several factors including the severity of the disease, the level of pain or suffering endured, any resulting disability, and the overall impact on the victim’s quality of life and finances.
Selecting the Right Legal Representation
As you can imagine, it is crucial to select the right legal representation, one that has the experience, track record and specialised knowledge in the area asbestos related industrial disease claims.
And this is just what you get once you engage WardandRider. Simply put, we have the knowledge and experience you need if you want to make that successful claim.
Key Reasons For Choosing WardandRider as Your Mesothelioma Lawyer:
- Expertise and Track Record: We have lawyers who specialise in mesothelioma and asbestos-related claims and have demonstrated success in these cases.
- No Win No Fee Agreement: We offer No Win No Fee services in the area of industrial diseases. This means that you pay only if they secure compensation for you, these monies being taken from that compensation. This arrangement alleviates the financial burden of legal fees upfront.
- Strategic Legal Approach: It is vital that your case uses a tailored strategy, one that will maximise the level of compensation, whilst considering all avenues including lawsuits and trust fund claims.
Why Use WardandRider for any Personal Injury Related Claim
Perhaps the most important factor is that we are a law firm and not an accident management company, which in turn means that our staff have more experience and legal knowledge. It also means that our primary focus is to get you the compensation you need and deserve.
Then there is the fact that we aren’t affiliated with an insurance company in any way, which means that we will do everything we can to get you the maximum compensation possible.
With us, one of our dedicated personal injury team will act as your direct point of contact, so you know exactly who you are dealing with. You will receive an unrivalled level of service as our personal injury experts are completely client focused and quality managed to the highest standard
Call us now on 024 7655 5400 or 0800 158 5592
FAQs
- What compensation amounts are typically awarded for asbestos-related breathing issues?
For individuals who have developed breathing problems due to asbestos exposure and now require the use of an inhaler, compensation can reach approximately £50,000. In cases where the individual suffers from wheezing but without severe impairment, the typical compensation awarded is around £30,000.
- Can compensation be obtained for lung cancer resulting from asbestos exposure?
Yes, victims of lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure may qualify for compensation, which can help cover medical expenses and lost income. Individuals could receive around £100,000, although the exact amount can vary depending on the specifics of the case.
- Is there a time limit for making Asbestos related claims?
As with many types of Personal Injury, there are time limits by which a claim must be started. In the case of Asbestos related claims, you have three years from the date your illness was diagnosed, or in the case of the death of a loved one, three years from the date Asbestos was named as the cause of death.
