If you or a family member are diagnosed with mesothelioma, you can pursue compensation from the party or parties responsible for the exposure. A mesothelioma patient can file personal injury and trust fund claims. If the company responsible for the asbestos exposure went bankrupt, a plaintiff may have the option of filing a trust fund claim if the company set aside money in a trust for future asbestos claims.
To successfully pursue compensation after a mesothelioma diagnosis, it is best to retain a skilled lawyer. An attorney experienced in mesothelioma claims can guide you through the process and help you fight for the compensation you deserve. However, to ensure a successful claim, your mesothelioma lawyer will require certain information from you. This information is necessary to prove your case.
What Information Will My Mesothelioma Lawyer Need From Me?
To have a successful mesothelioma claim, you need to collect certain information. Information you need for a successful mesothelioma claim includes the following:
- Medical records pertaining to your mesothelioma
- Documents showing you worked for an asbestos company (if you did)
- Proof of asbestos exposure
- Testimony, such as testimony from coworkers, showing the cause of your asbestos exposure and the resulting mesothelioma diagnosis
- Financial records, such as medical bills and pay stubs, showing the financial hardship you have suffered because of the illness
- Service records (if you are a veteran)
- Records of treatment you received for your mesothelioma through the Department of Veterans Affairs (for veterans)
An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help you gather all the information necessary to prove your case. Your attorney can help you compile records of your employment history and documents that prove asbestos exposure, such as documents related to work sites. Your lawyer can even help you get witness statements from people who can confirm you suffered asbestos exposure and how you suffered the exposure. Witness statements are a critical component of mesothelioma claims.
Statutes of Limitations for Filing Mesothelioma Claims
It is vital to note that there is a time limit for filing a mesothelioma claim. State laws called statutes of limitations limit how much time you have to file a mesothelioma claim. If you wait too long to file a mesothelioma claim and the statute of limitations for your case expires, you may be barred from recovering compensation.
Different states in the United States have different statutes of limitations for mesothelioma claims, with the time ranging from one to six years. If, for example, the statute of limitation for mesothelioma claims in a state is two years, it means you have two years after your diagnosis to file a claim in the state.
If more than one company is to blame for your asbestos exposure and the companies are in different states, or your asbestos exposure occurred in different states, you may have the option of filing claims in multiple states. Work with a skilled attorney to determine where to file your claim, gather the necessary information, and ensure your claim or claims are filed on time.
Arizona Mesothelioma Lawyers
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our office to speak to one of our experienced Arizona mesothelioma attorneys about your situation. Our office can help investigate your case and determine if compensation can be sought from negligent parties to help pay for your medical treatment to help you and your family live a more comfortable life.
