Asbestos Litigation FAQ - Asbestos Law Firm
Frequently Asked Questions - Asbestos Litigation
- What is asbestos?
- What health hazards are associated with asbestos exposure?
- How commonplace are asbestos lawsuits?
- How long do claimants have to file asbestos claims?
- What is the difference between asbestos claims and mesothelioma claims?
- What is the difference between an and a mesothelioma law firm?
- Where can I find a mesothelioma law firm?
- Where can I find mesothelioma information?
1. What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a carcinogenic mineral that was commonly used industrially because of its insulating properties (resistant to heat or fire and certain chemicals). An estimated 100 million workers were exposed to asbestos throughout the 20th century in the United States alone. Asbestos was regulated under section 112 of the Clean Air Act in 1970 because of widespread concern over the health hazards associated with exposure, something that had been known by manufacturers since before World War II.
2. What health hazards are associated with asbestos exposure?
Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of malignant mesothelioma, a rare and incurable type of cancer, and asbestosis, a chronic inflammatory lung disease that severely scars parenchymal tissue of the lung. Asbestosis, while not directly fatal, can reduce total lung capacity, increasing the chance of heart failure (in severe cases). Individuals suffering from asbestosis are also at increased risk of developing malignant mesothelioma.
3. How commonplace are asbestos lawsuits?
Since the regulation of asbestos in 1970, asbestos lawsuits have become somewhat commonplace in tort law (civil law). The RAND (nonprofit research and development institution) Institute of Civil Justice has declared asbestos litigation to be the longest running mass tort in U.S. history. Through 2002, an approximate 730,000 asbestos claims had been filed against some 8,400 business entities. Defendant corporations and insurance companies have spent a total of $70 billion in asbestos-related legal expenses, $49 billion of which constitutes gross compensation for claimants.
4. How long do claimants have to file asbestos claims?
The rules that govern filing of asbestos claims can vary from state to state, but the typical statutory deadline for the filing of asbestos claims is one to two years following diagnosis of an asbestos-related disease. If asbestos claims are not filed before the statutory deadline, claimants might not be eligible to pursue asbestos litigation.
5. What is the difference between asbestos claims and mesothelioma claims?
Asbestos claims serve individuals injured as a result of asbestos exposure. Asbestos claims involve diseases such as asbestosis, pleural plaques, asbestos lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma. Mesothelioma claims are a type of asbestos claim. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, mesothelioma claims apply only to individuals suffering from malignant mesothelioma. For example, people suffering from pleural mesothelioma can file asbestos claims; however, people suffering from asbestosis cannot file mesothelioma claims.
6. What is the difference between an and a mesothelioma law firm?
Asbestos law firm and mesothelioma law firm are often confused. An asbestos law firm deals with all asbestos claims, such as mesothelioma lawsuits, asbestosis lawsuits and asbestos lung cancer lawsuits. Mesothelioma law firms specialize in the handling of mesothelioma claims. For example, someone suffering from pleural mesothelioma should contact a mesothelioma law firm, because they specialize in mesothelioma litigation.
7. Where can I find a mesothelioma law firm?
The Internet is an excellent resource for locating a mesothelioma law firm. You can search for a mesothelioma law firm that specializes in your type of malignant mesothelioma (pleural, peritoneal or pericardial mesothelioma) near your location. Click mesothelioma lawyer (Linked to Phhlaw.org) to contact a mesothelioma law firm right now.
8. Where can I find mesothelioma information?
If you are searching for mesothelioma information, there are a plethora of resources at your disposal. Medical journals, encyclopedias and the Internet are three resources that have readily available mesothelioma information. Click malignant mesothelioma (Linked to allaboutmalignantmesothelioma.com) to get mesothelioma information right now.