Asbestos Class Action: In the Same Boat

2007-03-08 10:33:40

( Legal )



ASBESTOS LIABILITY

The hazard of exposure to asbestos is now a widely-known fact. Exposure to asbestos is the only known culprit for causing malignant mesothelioma, a cancer of the tissues that line the lungs and other abdominal organs.

Over the years, more and more malignant mesothelioma cases have been reported. Of these malignant mesothelioma cases, more than two-thirds have had previous exposure to asbestos, or have worked with asbestos at some point in their lives or another.

Companies who use asbestos have known that the material is a health hazard. But they did not disclose this to their workers until much later. By that time it was too late for the exposed workers. Most have already been stricken with lung-related problems or worse, have been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma.

As a result of this non-disclosure, asbestos companies are liable for the numerous people who have become sick because of them. Consequently, asbestos lawsuits are being filed left and right.

BY YOURSELF OR AS A GROUP

If you or a loved one has been a victim of asbestos exposure, there are two legal options that you can take. One is to file an individual lawsuit or to take part in an asbestos class action. An asbestos class action is a lawsuit filed in behalf of a group of people who have had similar experiences.

An asbestos class action is decided by the court when enough number of people has filed analogous asbestos claims. The complainants are then invited through a written notice to take part in an asbestos class action. You are expected to reply to this notice because not doing so would be considered by the court as an act of consent by default.

If you decide not to join the asbestos class action and try the case on your own, you will have to shoulder all the costs that the litigation will entail and you will have no share in the compensation that the asbestos class action will receive in case it wins or was settled by the liable company.


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