Exposure to asbestos and asbestos-containing materials can have devastating effects. The onset of cancers related to asbestos exposure often doesn't appear until a number of years after the exposure takes place. This long latency period allowed for asbestos to be used without regulation for a long time.
Mesothelioma is one of the most common types of cancer related to asbestos exposure. Now that doctors understand that asbestos is the primary contributor to this disease, asbestos has been banned in a variety of applications. You can seek help covering the expenses associated with your mesothelioma by filing a legal claim.
1. Understand the statute of limitations.
Most legal proceedings are governed by a statute of limitations. This is the amount of time that an individual has to file a claim with the court. Since the exposure to asbestos occurs years before adverse symptoms appear, the statute of limitations for mesothelioma claims can be difficult to determine.
Most jurisdictions begin the countdown to a statute of limitations expiration as soon as an individual is diagnosed. Consult with an experienced mesothelioma claim expert like those with ASBESTOS TRUST FUND CLAIMS to determine how long you have to file your own claim.
2. Determine where to file your claim.
Since mesothelioma has become such a significant problem, there are many different agencies that can offer financial relief for patients diagnosed with this disease. It's important that you work with a mesothelioma consultant to evaluate the unique facts surrounding your case.
Your consultant can determine if you should file a lawsuit with the court or file a claim with a government agency (like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Social Security Administration). Knowing where to file your claim will ensure that you receive the financial help you need to manage the costs associated with mesothelioma treatment.
3. File on behalf of a loved one.
Even if you are not suffering from mesothelioma yourself, you can file a claim on behalf of a loved one who lost his or her life to the disease. Wrongful death lawsuits can be used by surviving family members to seek compensation for medical expenses, emotional pain and suffering, and loss of intimacy experienced as a result of a loved one's mesothelioma.
Although a wrongful death lawsuit cannot bring back your loved one, the monetary help received as a result of filing this type of claim can reduce the financial burden that remains due to your loved one's mesothelioma.