As the family member of someone who has died because of exposure to asbestos, it is important that you and your loved ones understand what benefits and supports may be available for you.
Family members may be able to collect compensation for items such as funeral bills or final medical expenses. You may also be able to seek out compensation for the exposure that has left your family without financial support or to compensate your family for the loss in general.
Making an asbestos-related claim
When your loved one dies, you may have a right to make a wrongful death claim against the company that exposed them to asbestos and led to their terminal illness and death. Some sources of compensation may include asbestos trust funds, personal injury claims and wrongful death claims.
How do you prove an asbestos-related death occurred?
To prove your case and get compensation for what your loved one went through, there are a few things that your attorney will do. They will:
- Talk to your loved one’s past coworkers and those they knew who are dealing with asbestos-related conditions. These individuals may be able to give testimonies to support your family’s claims.
- Look at medical records to see if there was a formal diagnosis for conditions like asbestosis or mesothelioma.
- Look into the autopsy, which can be used to look for signs of asbestos-related conditions like mesothelioma. Having an autopsy performed can reveal evidence that might otherwise be unavailable to the court.
- Take a deposition while your loved one is still alive. If your loves one is currently alive but expected to die from an asbestos-related illness, then your attorney can take a deposition and videotape their own testimony. This may later be used during settlement negotiations or, if necessary, when the case goes to trial.
Your family has already suffered because of the asbestos exposure that occurred. It’s necessary to consider starting a personal injury or wrongful death claim to get the fair compensation needed because of asbestos exposure leading to a terminal illness and death. Your family deserves answers and fair compensation for what you’ve gone through.