Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. Many millions of Americans have been exposed to asbestos over the last several decades. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, the Williams Law Firm is ready to help you get the compensation you need. In order to secure compensation, there are certain records you and your New York mesothelioma attorney will need to gather in order to prove your case.
Medical records. Unfortunately, most mesothelioma victims are not diagnosed until 20 to 30 years until after they have been exposed to asbestos. You will still want to gather as much medical history as possible. This includes any and all treatment from the time of diagnosis moving forward as well as older medical records. Mesothelioma symptoms often look like symptoms of other illnesses and may have been present before the diagnosis.
Employment records. If the person diagnosed with mesothelioma worked in an industry in which they were exposed to asbestos regularly, proof of employment will be needed. Most companies have employment records, and the victim will likely have employment contracts or paystubs somewhere. Coworkers may be required to testify that the victim worked there, their job function, as well as about the presence of asbestos or asbestos-containing products.
Home-based asbestos exposure. If the exposure to asbestos was related to the victim’s home, proof will still be required. This could include a list of building materials from original records. You may also need proof of any remodeling that was completed on the home because remodels often lead to disturbing older asbestos and causing it to become airborne. If asbestos was removed from the building professionally, the removal company records will be necessary.
Documentation of funeral and burial expenses. If you have lost a loved one due to mesothelioma, you have the right to be compensated for certain expenses. Keep receipts of all expenses, contracts, and other documentation associated with your loved one’s funeral, burial, or cremation.
Military records. Many mesothelioma victims were exposed to asbestos while serving in the military. For these cases, you will want to produce all of your military records, including ones that show your time of service, locations you served, and the type of work you did in the military. If you have sought medical treatment through the Department of Veterans Affairs, those records will be necessary as well.
You may have much of this documentation readily available. However, this can be a confusing process. Some of the records may not be easy to obtain, especially if a company has gone out of business or been sold to another company. It may even be the case that a liable party tries to hide evidence of asbestos exposure to limit their accountability. At The Williams Law Firm, P.C., we have more than two decades of experience helping mesothelioma victims and their families receive the compensation they deserve. Let us help you gather the records you need so you can secure the compensation you are entitled to. When you need a mesothelioma attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by calling (855) 575-6376.
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