Get helpful answers to top legal questions, instantly.
Asbestos is a mineral that was used for decades to make auto parts, boilers, cement, insulation, pipes, roofing, ships, and countless other products. Tragically, we now know that asbestos can cause diseases like mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer whose symptoms often take 10-50 years to appear. As a result, people who develop an asbestos-related disease — and their loved ones — may qualify for compensation.
Why Take Legal Action?
By filing an asbestos lawsuit, you can pursue financial compensation and justice from the companies that caused you or a loved one harm.
Results Secured
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was prized for its durability and heat resistance. Unfortunately, asbestos is also the only known cause of mesothelioma, a fatal type of cancer found in the tissue lining the lungs, abdomen, heart, or testicles. People who develop an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma or asbestosis may be able to recover compensation by filing a lawsuit against the company or companies that made the asbestos products they were exposed to.
Though its use has declined over the past 30 years, historically asbestos has been a key component in the following:
For decades, if a manufacturer needed a product to be light, durable, and resistant to heat or electricity, asbestos would often be their first choice. That changed as evidence mounted showing that asbestos could cause mesothelioma, a deadly cancer whose symptoms can take 20-50 years to appear.
The people most at risk of asbestos exposure are those who work or worked in the industries where asbestos was most prominent, and their loved ones. These include:
(Please note that the above is not a complete list, and people who worked in other fields could also have suffered occupational exposure.) It’s also possible for someone to be exposed to asbestos secondhand. For example, a factory worker could bring asbestos fibers home on their clothes, unknowingly exposing and endangering their loved ones, who can inhale the fibers. Mesothelioma patients who were exposed to asbestos — whether it was firsthand or secondhand — may qualify for compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
There is not a requisite amount or duration of asbestos exposure that causes mesothelioma; even short-term or infrequent exposure can have devastating consequences. Though longer, more concentrated exposure increases the risk, a person does not necessarily even have to experience exposure firsthand to develop mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related disease.
Unfortunately, asbestos has not been fully banned in the U.S., though its use has declined dramatically over the past few decades. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prohibits the use of certain asbestos-containing materials, but asbestos can still be used to make clothing, roof coating, and vinyl flooring, for example. According to the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS), 67 other countries have national bans on asbestos use, including most of Europe and much of South America, as well as Algeria, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and South Africa.
If you believe you were exposed to asbestos — even if it was decades ago — and you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, consult a doctor right away:
A physician can use imaging tests, blood tests, and a biopsy to determine if you have mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease. If you are diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, contact an attorney who may be able to help you pursue compensation to cover medical bills and other losses.
Many asbestos product manufacturers knew the dangers of asbestos but failed to warn or protect workers. As a result, mesothelioma patients may be able to file a lawsuit against these companies seeking compensation for their suffering. An asbestos lawyer can determine if you qualify for a lawsuit, and how much money you might be owed. By filing a claim, people with asbestos-related diseases may be able to recover the following damages:
Most of these lawsuits are settled before going to trial. The average mesothelioma settlement is $1-1.4 million. Even if you don’t qualify for an asbestos lawsuit, you could still recover compensation through an asbestos trust fund or benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) if you’re a veteran. An attorney can help navigate these paths to justice, too.
If you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease and want to see if you qualify for compensation, you should contact an attorney who checks the following boxes:
The asbestos lawyers in our network don’t charge any upfront or out-of-pocket fees — they only get paid if they successfully resolve your case. That means there’s no financial risk to reaching out for a free case evaluation, and no reason to delay.
Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed: Amy E. GarrettPartner
Amy Garrett is a partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy with more than 22 years of litigation experience. Amy has helped the firm secure billions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for clients. Over the past two decades, she has gained a reputation as a litigator who advocates for her asbestos and complex litigation clients both inside and outside the courtroom.
Written by: LawFirm.com
LawFirm.com makes it easier to take legal action. We have information, lawsuit guides, and breaking news about drugs, products, and other issues that could affect you.
If you or someone you love has suffered an injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, please complete our form for a free case review. You may be eligible for compensation.
Find out if you qualify now for free. Call (866) 447-8466