People who suffer from asbestos-related conditions, such as lung cancer or mesothelioma, find them dealing with huge challenges. After the physical and emotional suffering comes the financial strain. However, when you face this situation, know you’re not alone. Various support options are available to help you regain stability. One of the most common ones is to seek an asbestos settlement. Let’s find out more about what that option looks like and how you should act.
Understanding Asbestos Settlements
Asbestos settlements are an essential monetary reward you get from companies that use asbestos in their products. Companies kept asbestos risks a secret for decades and made huge profits in return. Now, they’re being held accountable. The purpose of asbestos lawsuit settlements is to financially compensate someone injured as a result of corporate negligence.
For most people, mesothelioma asbestos settlements run anywhere from $1 million to $1.4 million. That sort of money can certainly go towards paying for lost income, medical care, and all the other expenses piling up while you deal with your diagnosis. The best part is that many families start receiving those payments in as little as 90 days.
Why Take the Legal Route?
Going the legal route is not about the cash alone, but about finding justice. By filing an asbestos lawsuit, you can hold these companies accountable for the harm they’ve inflicted upon you or your loved one.
How Does the Process Work?
The process of an asbestos claim typically follows a series of steps. For instance:
- It all begins by seeking a free case review from a veteran asbestos lawyer. They interview you about your job history and diagnosis to confirm if you indeed have a case.
- Next up, they work with you directly to sift deeper into details, pulling in your work records and medical data. They look for finer details and collect evidence to ensure you end up getting the best compensation. Even if you have no idea about how you’ve been exposed to asbestos in the first place, they can still help with all the knowledge they have.
- Your lawyer will collect all details and file a lawsuit against the companies responsible for all the harm. They ensure they take everything to court well within legal deadlines (also known as statutes of limitations).
- Lastly, your legal team works with the other party to obtain a settlement that gives you the best compensation.
While most cases get settled out of court, your team will be ready to go to trial and fight for a verdict if necessary.
Settlements vs. Verdicts: Which Is Better?
If you talk about monetary rewards, you’re likely to get larger payouts when going for a verdict. However, in asbestos cases, settlements are usually preferred because they occur much quicker. In most cases, it takes over a year to get a case before a court, which is why going for a settlement is less risky and less stressful.
Endnote
It’s difficult enough to manage an asbestos-related condition, but claiming compensation should be another obstacle. That is where skilled asbestos lawyers can help. They take care of everything that goes into a claim, so you can focus solely on getting better. If you’re fighting an asbestos-related disease, be sure to have a free case evaluation to know your options.