Asbestos Lawsuit
What is Asbestos?
Many mesothelioma sufferers were exposed to asbestos in the workplace and are now filing lawsuits to seek recompense for their years in dangerous work conditions.
Asbestos is a group of minerals found in soil and rocks all over the world. The minerals are formed as tiny bundles of fibers. These tiny fibers can easily travel into the lungs through inhalation and embed themselves into the lining of the lungs, damaging cells and resulting in pleural mesothelioma.
Who Is Exposed to Asbestos?
Workers who have often been exposed to asbestos include:
- Factory workers
- Miners
- Construction workers
- Insulation workers
- Plumbers
Even if you work in another field, your exposure to asbestos may still be the result of a company’s negligence. Many older buildings used asbestos as insulation. Your mesothelioma may be the result of working in an older building or living in an older home, especially if the asbestos particles have been released into the air through a renovation. Even family members of those exposed to asbestos can develop mesothelioma since asbestos can remain on their loved one’s clothes when they come home from work.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits: Individual vs. Class Action
Many have participated in asbestos class action lawsuits instead of filing individually. A class action lawsuit is a claim that an entire group of people make together against an entity. However, claimants in a class action lawsuit have little if any control over the lawsuit, and any settlements are split evenly among all of the plaintiffs, a group which may number in the hundreds or thousands. Class action lawsuits may keep an individual out of court and simplify the system, but it does not guarantee a fair settlement. Many mesothelioma patients today prefer to file individually so they can better fight for a fair settlement specific to their individual case.
Asbestos Exposure Is Serious
Mesothelioma is a deadly disease, and a lawsuit can help recover compensation for asbestos exposure to go toward medical bills. Most individual cases reach fair settlements and never have to see a trial. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve.