Sunday, January 31, 2010

Asbestos Settlement Facts.

By Thomas Goldman

An asbestos settlement can sometimes amount to more than tens of millions of dollars. Asbestos exposure can result in a cancer known as mesothelioma or sometimes other health problems. The scientific fact of a link between this chemical and mesothelioma was proven in 1960 so legal action is usually taken on the assumption that any employer should have made themselves aware of the problem and taken appropriate precautions.

The earliest asbestos settlement was made in 1929, and the number of such legal actions has increased since the link was proved in 1960. There are many results of the disease that can be claimed for as well as the disease itself. These can include things such as as travel to medical and healthcare facilities, loss of earnings, items purchased due to the disease, loss to other family members and compensation from care provided whether paid-for or not.

The disease of mesothelioma is most common in people working directly with asbestos, which includes shipbuilders, boilermakers and laggers because asbestos was often used as lagging to insulate boilers, also electricians, joiners, carpenters and builders who might cut or drill into asbestos insulation as they do their work, motor mechanics who have been exposed to asbestos in brake pads and clutches, pipe fitters and plumbers who come in contact with asbestos pipe insulation, as well as fire fighters, police officers, managers and other professions. Also, mesothelioma is sometimes contracted by people with secondary contact with asbestos, such as people washing the clothing of those who worked with asbestos, or even children playing on playgrounds where asbestos mine wastes were dumped.

It is often possible to get a legal professional to handle such case on a "no win no fee" basis so that any legal fees are taken as a percentage of the claim awarded. Most of the time an asbestos settlement is obtained before the case goes to a final court hearing, which means that most of the time the person suffering from the disease does not actually have to appear in court in person. Receiving state benefits doesn't usually prevent a claim from being made although can affect the result to some degree.

An asbestos settlement can really help with getting the best treatment for some patients, which can cost around a million dollars sometimes.

About the Author:

No comments: