Posted on February 27th, 2018
Financial compensation for asbestos exposure can be useful not only to people coping with life-altering illnesses but also to their spouses and dependents. Thus, legal remedies may be available for family members. In all cases, filing asbestos claims is a complicated and time-sensitive process and the help of an asbestos lawyer is crucial.
Throughout the last century, over 11 million people were exposed to asbestos in the workplace across the United States. As should have been expected, an important number of workers have later developed harrowing diseases such as mesothelioma or lung cancer, which often ended up claiming their lives. Since it may take up to 50 years from the time the first asbestos exposure took place for a disease to develop, more than 12,000 victims are still diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases every year in the U.S.
Current treatment options available for asbestos-related diseases can be expensive, debilitating, and a burden on the victim's loved ones. Victims of asbestos exposure and their loved ones have a legal right to seek compensation to help them pay for:
- Medical treatment, medical devices, home care aide services
- Transportation and travel costs
- Lost wages and other forms of lost income
Over recent decades, asbestos trust funds have been the primary source of compensation for victims of occupational exposure, as the majority of liable companies were forced to establish trust funds upon entering bankruptcy protection. Thus, victims of workplace asbestos exposure can benefit from the compensation they are entitled to in a considerably easier way compared to filing a lawsuit. With the assistance of a lawyer who specializes in asbestos cases, a person whose health is affected by asbestos can recover the maximum compensation he or she is eligible for within one month to one year.
In many families affected by asbestos cancers, spouses or children often take on the role of caregivers when their partners or parents become sick. The payouts from asbestos trust funds can help cover not only the ongoing medical bills, other expenses, and the patient's emotional distress but also can support spouses and dependents help better face the challenges of:
- Changes in family dynamics
- Changes in finances, since patients sometimes stop working, and caregivers may cut back on their jobs
- The stress associated with a serious illness
Veterans who suffer from asbestos-related cancer are entitled to VA disability benefits once they prove they were exposed to asbestos primarily during military service. Family members can also apply for dependency and indemnity compensation.
Spouses and dependents that are caring for a Veteran with asbestos-related disabilities may also qualify for:
- Support to help better care for the Veteran - and themselves
The spouse or dependent child of a Veteran or service member may qualify for certain benefits like:
- Health care
- Life insurance
- Money to help pay for school or training
Survivors of a Veteran or service member may qualify for added benefits, including:
- Help with burial cost
- Survivor compensation
There are numerous reasons why people injured by asbestos exposure may be reluctant to claim the money they deserve, such as fear of a tiring, endless legal process, or very poor health. Regrettably, many asbestos victims refused to pursue a claim for compensation during their lifetime, which could have granted them access to higher-quality treatment and healthcare.
It is worthy of note that, in such cases, the dependents of asbestos victims can recover compensation on their behalf by filing a wrongful death claim. The help of a lawyer with vast experience in asbestos cases is also crucial when it comes to wrongful death claims, as resources and skills are necessary to obtain the largest amount of money you qualify for.
If you lost a family member to a disease caused by occupational asbestos exposure, we strongly encourage you to seek compensation at your earliest convenience. The following people have the right to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of a victim of workplace asbestos exposure:
- Spouses or life partners
- Biological children, as well as adopted and step-children
- Parents
- Siblings
- Grandchildren
- Financial dependents
Why choose Environmental Litigation Group?
While money will never be able to replace the loss of a dear one, the financial compensation you will recover following the submission of a wrongful death claim can be very helpful. For many of our clients, compensation serves as a means of supporting the grandchildren of the deceased asbestos victim and paying for their higher education. However, you can use the compensation you will recover for anything you need.
If you intend to file a claim on behalf of a departed family member who suffered from a disease such as lung cancer or mesothelioma, the most important documents you need to provide are their work and medical records.
ELG Law attorneys and the legal team members will promptly take over your case after the first free consultation. Relying on over 30 years of professional experience, we will dedicate our efforts to achieving the best results for your case.
