When you or a family member worked in an industry in which you could have been exposed to asbestos, you can be diagnosed with mesothelioma later in your life. If you are diagnosed with this illness, you may be able to take legal action to recoup your expenses and receive compensation for your condition. However, you have to do so before the expiration of the statute of limitations. The following are some things you need to know about mesothelioma lawsuits and the statute of limitations:

Why Is the Statute of Limitations Important?

The statute of limitations for any legal case is vitally important. The statute of limitations is essentially a deadline in which you have to file your case or you will not be able to move forward. If you know the statute of limitations for your case, your rights will be protected and allow you to properly hold those responsible for the illness accountable.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Mesothelioma Personal Injury Lawsuit?

When it comes to the statute of limitations in these cases, you have to check the guidelines in your state, as the timeline can vary. What makes mesothelioma cases different is that it has a latency period. You may be exposed to asbestos years before you actually present any symptoms. Therefore, there is no timeline after you are exposed to the asbestos.

Once you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, you have a certain amount of time to file your lawsuit. The statute of limitations can range from just a year to several. You should check with your personal injury attorney to get the statute of limitations for your state.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Claim?

In some cases, a person may pass away before they have the chance to file a personal injury lawsuit. There are some instances where the deceased did not know they had mesothelioma, and the family finds out upon death. If your family member passed away from mesothelioma, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of your family member.

In wrongful death lawsuits, the statute of limitations begins upon the time of death of your loved one. Again, your state will dictate as to how long you have to file a claim.

If you or a family member has mesothelioma and you want to pursue a legal claim, be sure to contact services such as Veterans Asbestos Alliance. You do not want to miss these crucial deadlines and miss out on your deserved compensation.