Asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and COPD, often manifest 10 to 60 years after the initial prolonged exposure. Many claimants are retired by the time they begin experiencing symptoms, and nearly all asbestos cases arise well after workers’ compensation claims deadlines and the applicable statute of limitations expire.
If you’re suffering from an asbestos-related disorder linked to your previous career, you have unique legal rights as an asbestos victim in Pennsylvania. Discuss your asbestos claims with the dedicated Sunbury workers’ compensation attorneys at Shollenberger Januzzi & Wolfe, LLP today.
Options for Recovering Financial Compensation for Asbestos-Related Diseases
In Pennsylvania, there are multiple options for recovering damages if your chronic lung condition or cancer is linked to asbestos fiber exposure. An experienced personal injury attorney can help determine which of the following avenues of recovery has the highest likelihood of success in your case.
Direct Product Liability Lawsuits
In some cases, claimants can directly sue the manufacturers and distributors of known asbestos-containing products. These products most commonly include:
- Insulation
- Cement
- Drywall
- Brake pads
- Electrical components
- Fireproofing
- Tiles
- Pipes
- Ductwork
- Shingles
- Adhesives
These lawsuits are phasing out, however, as the most serious offenders stopped producing these products decades ago. Some options for direct liability may remain in your case, however, so it’s always best to explore this possibility with a local personal injury lawyer.
Bankruptcy and Asbestos Trusts
Many companies that were subject to multiple asbestos lawsuits filed for bankruptcy protection. These include Johns-Manville, General Motors, Babcock & Wilcox, and Ownes Corning. If your asbestos-exposure injuries are linked to products produced by one of these companies, an experienced asbestos liability lawyer in Sunbury might help you claim damages from trust funds set up for future victims of asbestos exposure.
Workers’ Compensation
If no direct lawsuits or trusts are available, qualified workers’ compensation attorneys in Pennsylvania might help you obtain WC benefits under the Commonwealth’s ‘occupational disease’ exception. This allows workers who were occupationally exposed to asbestos, such as construction and auto mechanics, to file workers’ compensation claims related to lung diseases at any time if they worked in a hazardous occupation for at least 2 years in the 10 years prior to their disability. You might obtain both lost wage and medical benefits, including valuable settlements, from a former employer’s workers’ comp insurer.
Damages for Fatal Asbestos-Exposure Illnesses
Many diseases linked to asbestos fibers, including certain cancers and chronic lung conditions, are fatal. Some claimants die within months of discovering their potential claims. In these devastating cases, a compassionate wrongful death attorney might help Sunbury families pursue product liability and workers’ comp death benefits claims on behalf of their loved ones.
Dedicated Asbestos Victims Rights Lawyers in Sunbury
If you or a loved one worked in a hazardous occupation and developed an asbestos-related disorder, you have certain legal rights beyond those available to typical workers’ compensation and personal injury claimants. Call 717-229-6580 or click here to schedule a free asbestos consultation with the dedicated Sunbury asbestos recovery lawyers at Shollenberger Januzzi & Wolfe, LLP.