Are You Responsible For An Asbestos Compensation Budget? 12 Ways To Spend Your Money
How to Calculate Asbestos Compensation Many families who are affected by asbestos-related diseases require access to compensation. These financial awards can be used to cover home care, transportation, and other expenses. A knowledgeable attorney can assist you in determining the best kind of claim for you. A lawyer can review the work history as well as the health status and asbestos exposure to record your claim. Military Service Patients suffering from asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma or lung cancer may be eligible for compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. A mesothelioma lawyer experienced in VA claims can assist veterans begin the compensation process. All military branches used asbestos throughout the 20th century because of its heat resistance and fireproofing properties. Navy veterans who worked on ships were at greater risk of exposure to asbestos, since asbestos was utilized in boiler systems and insulation. Air Force veterans who worked with parts of aircraft engines such as rotors, fuel systems and hydraulics also were exposed to asbestos as a result of the material's use in these components. Marine Corps veterans stationed in naval bases or barracks could have also been exposed. Many veterans who were exposed during their military service did not know that this toxic mineral could cause mesothelioma and other serious health issues. These veterans didn't file VA claims after being diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases. A mesothelioma attorney can help veterans to receive VA benefits, including monthly compensation. A lawyer can review the medical records of the veteran to determine his or her eligibility for compensation. The compensation amount awarded depends on a veteran's level of disability and proof of exposure to asbestos during military service. An attorney can assist a veteran in filing the appropriate paperwork to prove this connection. Veterans suffering from mesothelioma due to service are eligible for a monthly payment based on their disability rating. Veterans suffering from non-malignant lung ailments such as pleural plaques or asbestosis are eligible for smaller payouts. In certain cases the family members of a vet might be eligible for indemnity and dependency compensation. Patients with mesothelioma could also be eligible for free VA healthcare, and financial aid to cover their treatment. This assistance is essential for a family who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The financial aid veterans receive from VA benefits can alleviate the burden of mesothelioma treatments and let them focus on their own treatment. A veteran with mesothelioma needs to discuss his options with a lawyer as soon as they can to begin the process of obtaining compensation. VA Disability Benefits Veterans who have been diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma could be eligible for disability compensation. The VA offers a variety of programs designed to assist disabled veterans. Compensation is dependent on the individual's VA disability rating and how their medical condition affects their daily activities. A veteran must demonstrate their medical condition is related to their military service prior to being able to be eligible for VA disability benefits. This includes a written history of asbestos exposure that details the time, place and manner in which the individual was exposed to asbestos to asbestos during their military career. The VA must also review medical documentation and perform physical exams that include chest X-rays, laboratory tests and lung (pulmonary) function tests. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help veterans with the VA claims process. They can assist them in submitting the correct forms and determine the exact location of their service-related exposure to asbestos. They can also help them connect with medical professionals who can validate the diagnosis and provide evidence of exposure to asbestos in their medical records. Asbestos sufferers can also make a claim through one or more trusts created by companies that manufacture asbestos-containing products. The process of obtaining compensation from these trusts differs from VA disability benefits. It is, however, an option for a lot of patients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. A mesothelioma attorney or an asbestosis attorney can help veterans receive the justice they deserve, no matter which method they choose. Compensation may be in the form of a lump-sum payment or a monthly benefit. They can also help you receive additional financial support from the government, for example a housebound allowance and Aid and Attendance benefits. Veterans may appeal an VA mesothelioma ruling that is either denied or reduced. Centennial asbestos lawyer can apply for a Supplemental Claim, request a higher-level review or appeal the decision to a Board of Veterans Appeals or a Veterans Law Judge. A lawyer can provide these options and help appeal to the VA. In certain cases this could even involve a trial that could result in a jury verdict and award of compensation. Asbestos Trusts Trust funds established by asbestos-using companies can compensate asbestos victims. As asbestos manufacturers realized the dangers associated with their products and the potential to harm people, a lot of them declared bankruptcy to reduce their liability. These companies that were in debt set up asbestos trusts in order to cover medical expenses of their victims. When a person files for compensation from a bankruptcy trustee they must explain the circumstances of their condition and connect it to a specific product. A lawyer that is familiar with asbestos law can help in determining which bankruptcy trust to make your claim. The lawyer can help collect and submit the necessary documents to prove that the symptoms of the asbestos victim are a result of a specific company, or product containing asbestos. When asbestos victims file a claim, the asbestos trust will examine the claim and assign a value to the case. The trust can utilize a process known as expedited review, which settles cases quickly with a fixed amount of money. It also has a process known as individual review which examines the evidence in greater detail and may award a larger amount than the expedited review. Many asbestos trusts may have payment schedules that range from months to years. During this period the trusts will look over other cases to determine if they should be approved or rejected. This can be very frustrating for mesothelioma patients and their families as well as their attorneys. Many asbestos companies also utilize a percentage of payment that reduces the value of a claim. This is done so the asbestos trusts don't run out of money before all victims are paid. If asbestos victims do not receive a payment through bankruptcy trusts they might be able to start a lawsuit to sue the asbestos manufacturer who exposed the asbestos-containing product. However, the litigation process can be lengthy and costly. Many asbestos victims prefer to file a claim through asbestos trusts, especially those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. The best way to get the highest possible compensation is to work with a knowledgeable lawyer. Compensatory Damages Compensation from asbestos settlements and awards can help victims their families, as well as others with costs such as prescription drugs, home care as well as travel expenses and more. However, determining how much your mesothelioma case may be worth is complicated and is highly dependent on personal circumstances. Mesothelioma lawyers can use their experience to help you determine what your claim is worth. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience will have a track record of filing thousands of successful asbestos settlements and lawsuits for those affected by mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. There are two kinds of claims: personal injury claims and wrongful deaths. Both seek financial awards from companies that wrongfully exposed patients to asbestos. A personal injury lawsuit is brought by an injured person, while a wrongful-death lawsuit is filed on behalf of a person who has died from an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma. Some mesothelioma cases go through trial, despite the fact that the majority settle. The decision of whether to settle or to go to trial is contingent on a variety of variables such as the amount of evidence that the victim's lawyer has and the probability that the defendant will lose the trial. In the majority of cases, defendant companies choose to settle instead of losing a large verdict at trial and the negative publicity that might result. A mesothelioma lawsuit can compensate a victim for pain and suffering medical expenses, lost income and companionship, as as other losses for the family. Based on the severity of a person's mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, compensation could be accompanied by punitive damages to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future. Asbestos victims are at increased chance of developing an asbestos-related illness, especially veterans. This is why veterans make up about 30% of all mesothelioma cases that are that are filed each year. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers healthcare and financial aid to veterans who are diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases. Contact the Veterans Affairs Assistance Office located in your area or call 1-877-824-6774 for assistance to make a VA Disability Claim. The law firm LK has represented thousands of asbestos victims and their families. Our lawyers have recovered hundreds of millions in settlements and verdicts and are regarded by defendants as well as insurers as leaders in national mesothelioma litigation.