The Challenges of Making a Claim for Asbestos-Related Illness

If your doctor has told you that your cancer or lung disease was caused by the asbestos that you were exposed to decades ago, you probably assume your old employer and its insurance company will pay your medical bills and will pay damages to you and your family. After all, we know now that many companies made a choice to expose their workers to asbestos rather than use safer, but more expensive, materials.

Unfortunately, while there is money available to compensate asbestos victims in many cases, the battle to get the compensation you deserve will not be easy. You should not give up, but you should understand the issues that are likely to arise if you decide to file.

The most common issues faced by victims of asbestos

If you want to recover damages, you may be faced with any or all of these issues:

• Most people show symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses 20 to 50 years after being exposed. It may be difficult, if not impossible, to remember the names of all your former employers and worksites.

• There is a chance that the company that caused your illness has gone out of business. Even if it has, in some cases, you should still be able to collect damages.

• Some of the conditions that can result from asbestos exposure, such as colorectal cancer, can have multiple causes, and it is difficult to know how much of your risk was due to asbestos exposure and how much may be due to other things like diet and heredity.

• While particular conditions, such as lung disease, have a clear link to asbestos exposure, the defendants will argue that other factors, such as smoking, are responsible for your current condition.

If you have a medical condition that is often caused by asbestos exposure, such as colorectal or lung cancer or mesothelioma, you should contact a Florida attorney with experience in helping asbestos exposure victims. The longer you wait, the greater the chances are that you will be unable to trace it to the company or that the business will still have the money to pay your claim.