How to Calculate Asbestos Compensation
Many families who are affected by asbestos-related diseases need access to compensation. These financial awards assist in paying for home care, transportation and other expenses.
An experienced lawyer can assist you to understand the various options available and decide which type of claim to make. An attorney can look over the work history as well as the health status, and asbestos exposure in order to record your claim.
Military Service
Patients suffering from asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma or cancer may qualify for compensation through the Department of Veterans Affairs. A mesothelioma lawyer experienced in VA claims can assist veterans begin the compensation process.
All branches of the military utilized it during the 20th century because of its fireproofing and heat resistance properties. However, Navy veterans who spent time on ships were particularly susceptible to exposure since asbestos was used frequently in boiler systems and insulation on naval vessels. Air Force veterans who worked with aircraft engine parts like rotors, fuel systems and hydraulics also were exposed to asbestos due to the material's use in these parts. Marine Corps veterans stationed in naval bases or barracks could also have been exposed.
Many veterans who were exposed during their service in the military didn't realize that this toxic mineral can cause mesothelioma, among other health issues. They did not file VA claims after being diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses.
A mesothelioma lawyer can assist veterans get VA benefits, including monthly compensation. A lawyer can look over a veteran's medical records and exposure history to determine whether they qualify for compensation.
Compensation amounts are determined by the level of the veteran and evidence of asbestos exposure during their military service. An attorney can help veterans prepare the paperwork needed to prove this connection.
Veterans with mesothelioma that is connected to service receive a monthly check based on their disability rating. Veterans with non-malignant lung conditions such as pleural plaques or asbestosis are eligible for smaller payouts. In certain instances, family members of a vet may be eligible for compensation.
In addition to compensation in addition to compensation, mesothelioma patients are eligible for free VA health care and help with the cost of their treatment. This support is vital for families who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The financial aid a veteran can get through VA benefits can ease the burden of mesothelioma therapies and allow them to focus on their treatment. A person suffering from mesothelioma should to discuss his options with an attorney as soon as possible in order to begin the compensation process.
VA Disability Benefits
A veteran who has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma may qualify for disability compensation. The VA has a range of programs designed to help disabled veterans. Compensation is dependent on a person's VA disability rating and how their medical condition affects their daily activities.
To receive VA disability benefits veterans must first prove that their condition is related to their military service. This involves providing an exposure history that is written out detailing the dates, times and locations they were exposed to asbestos during their time in the military. The VA must also examine medical records, and conduct an examination of the body that includes chest X rays, lab testing and lung function tests.
A mesothelioma lawyer who is experienced can assist veterans through the VA claims process. They can help them submit the proper forms and pinpoint the locations of their service-based exposure to asbestos. They can also connect them to medical professionals who can validate the diagnosis and provide evidence of asbestos exposure in their medical records.
Asbestos victims can also file a claim with one or more trusts set up by the companies that manufactured asbestos-containing products. In order to receive compensation from these trusts, it is different than applying for VA disability benefits. It's an option for many who are diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
No matter which path they decide to take regardless of the choice, a mesothelioma or asbestosis lawyer can help veterans obtain the justice they deserve. Compensation may be in the form of a lump-sum payment or a regular monthly benefit. They may also help you receive additional financial support from the government, for example an allowance for housebound people and Aid and Attendance benefits.
Veterans may appeal the decision of a VA mesothelioma determination that is reduced or denied. They can file an Supplemental Claim, ask for an additional level of review or appeal the decision to a Board of Veterans Appeals or a Veterans Law Judge. An attorney can explain the options and ways appeal to the VA. In certain instances there is the possibility of a trial being held that would result in a decision by a jury and compensation.
Asbestos Trusts
Trust funds established by asbestos-using companies may be used to compensate asbestos victims. When asbestos producers realized the dangers associated with their products and how they could cause harm to people, many declared bankruptcy to reduce their liability. In the process, these companies that were in debt set up asbestos trusts to pay medical claims made by their victims.
If someone seeks mesothelioma or other asbestos-related disease from a bankruptcy trust, they have to be able to describe the circumstances surrounding their illness and tie it to an asbestos-related product. An asbestos lawyer who is knowledgeable of law can help determine which trust to file a claim against. The lawyer will then assist gather and submit the necessary documents to prove that the symptoms of an asbestos victim are a result of a specific company, or product containing asbestos.
If asbestos victims submit a claim and the asbestos trust look into the claim and assign a value to the case. The trust may use the process of expedited review, which allows cases to be settled quickly, with a set payout amount. It can also use an individual review, which takes an even more thorough review of the evidence, and may result in a higher payout than offered by expedited review.

Many asbestos trusts have payment plans that can take months to to complete. During this time, the trusts may review other cases to determine if they should be deemed to be approved or rejected. This can be frustrating to mesothelioma sufferers, their family members and lawyers.
Many asbestos companies also utilize a percentage of payment that reduces the value of a claim. This is to ensure that the asbestos trusts do not run out of money before all victims are paid.
Asbestos sufferers who do not receive a payment from a bankruptcy trust may be able to file a lawsuit against the asbestos producer responsible for their exposure. The litigation process can be costly and time-consuming. Most asbestos victims prefer filing a claim through asbestos trusts, particularly when they've been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Employing an experienced attorney is the best way to secure the maximum compensation.
Compensation Damages
Compensation from asbestos settlements and awards could help victims, their families, and others with expenses like prescription drugs, home health travel expenses, and much more. The calculation of the value of your mesothelioma claim is complex and highly dependent on your specific circumstances.
Mesothelioma lawyers can utilize their experience to help determine the worth of your claim. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience will have a history of filing thousands of successful asbestos lawsuits and settlements for people affected by mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
There are two kinds of mesothelioma claims which include personal injury and wrongful death. Both seek financial compensation from companies who exposed asbestos-related victims in a negligent manner. The difference between the two is that a personal injury lawsuit is filed by an individual who has suffered injury and a wrongful death suit is filed on behalf of a person who died due to asbestos-related illness, like mesothelioma.
Certain mesothelioma cases go to trial, despite the fact that the majority settle. The decision whether to settle or go to trial is based on a variety of variables, including the amount of evidence the lawyer representing the victim has as well as the likelihood that the defendant will lose the trial. In most cases, defendants choose to settle instead of taking on the possibility of a huge verdict in court and the negative publicity that could be the result.
A mesothelioma settlement can provide compensation for the monetary value of the person's suffering and pain as well as future and past medical expenses and lost income and also for the loss of companionship and other losses in the family. Compensation can include punitive damages, depending on the severity of the mesothelioma disease or other asbestos-related diseases. Punitive damages are designed to penalize and discourage similar behavior.
Veterans are at greater risk of developing an asbestos-related disease. Danbury asbestos attorney account for around 30 percent of mesothelioma-related cases filed each year. The Department of Veterans Affairs aids those who are eligible for treatment for an asbestos-related illness and provides financial and medical assistance based on the disease severity. Contact the Veterans Affairs Assistance Office located in your area or call 1-877-824-6774 for assistance to make an VA Disability Claim. The law firm of LK has represented thousands of asbestos victims and their families. Our lawyers have recovered hundreds of millions in settlements and verdicts, and are recognized by defendants and insurers as the top national experts in mesothelioma litigation.