What You Need to Know About Filing an Asbestos Lawsuit
Asbestos Removal Malibu, CA
Exposure to asbestos can lead to serious health concerns and consequences, but symptoms of an asbestos-related disease often don’t appear until decades later. Asbestos has been a known problem since the 1970s, but its convenience and cheap value have made it difficult to eradicate altogether. If you have been exposed to asbestos or contracted a disease that can be linked to asbestos, it’s important to know when and if a lawsuit is the right course of action. Call a contractor for asbestos removal in Malibu, CA from Nielsen Environmental right away if you’ve discovered asbestos in your home.
Diseases Linked to Asbestos
Asbestos is an incredibly durable, fibrous material that is easily torn apart and molded. When asbestos is disturbed or damaged, its miniscule fibers become airborne and can be unknowingly inhaled. The fibers can remain in the lungs for decades following the initial exposure, leading to tissue scarring and inflammation. Cancer and several diseases have been linked with asbestos exposure:
- Asbestosis: A chronic lung disease that involves severe tissue scarring
- Mesothelioma: A fatal tumor that grows on the lining of the lungs, heart and abdomen
- Lung cancer
- Pleural plaques: Toughened spots on the lining of the lungs
- Pleural effusion: Extra fluid around the lungs
- Pleural thickening: Abnormal thickening of the lining around the lungs
When to File a Claim
Laws differ depending on what state you are in, but generally expect to file a lawsuit one to five years after being diagnosed with a disease related to asbestos. Asbestos can take up to 10 to 40 years before showing negative impacts on the body, making it difficult to build a case simply on exposure to asbestos; proof of bodily injury from that exposure is necessary to build a case. Unfortunately, in cases such as fatal mesothelioma, a claim may be filed by the family if the victim has already passed away.
Personal Injury Lawsuit
A personal injury lawsuit is filed directly by the victim who has contracted a disease from asbestos exposure. Damages caused by the disease are claimed and filed against the company responsible for the victim’s exposure. The intention of the lawsuit is to gain compensation for the victim’s costs due to the disease.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit
This is filed by loved ones of a victim who has died because of an asbestos affliction. Similar claims are made as in a personal injury lawsuit, but with the intent of recovering funds for remaining medical bills and funeral costs.
The laws surrounding mesothelioma and other asbestos-related problems are complex and difficult to understand. No matter your situation or disease, seeking out an asbestos lawyer is essential to understanding the grounds of your case and easing the burden of a lawsuit as you proceed.
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