Proving long-term asbestos exposure comes with unique challenges. Asbestos-caused diseases, like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer, can take 20 to 60 years or longer to develop. As such, it’s more difficult to track down the companies responsible and establish liability.
Through a range of investigative strategies, asbestos attorneys obtain the evidence needed to meet filing deadlines and pursue compensation for victims and their families.
Gathering Work History Evidence
Employment records are a key piece of evidence in asbestos-related cases. Even if companies have gone out of business or changed ownership, attorneys can uncover records that link asbestos exposure to specific job sites or industries.
To reconstruct a person’s work history, legal teams may review:
- Social Security work history reports
- Union records
- Pension statements
- Former employer records
- Job site documentation
- Military records if exposure occurred during active duty
Identifying Asbestos-Containing Products
Determining which asbestos-containing products were present in a work environment is a necessary step in building an asbestos claim. Legal teams review historical product databases and industry records to identify these products.
Examples include:
- Insulation and fireproofing products
- Automotive components such as brakes and clutches
- Construction materials like caulk and siding
- Electrical equipment like circuit breakers and transformers
- HVAC equipment such as boilers and furnaces
- Industrial components like compressors and valves
Working With Medical Experts
Mesothelioma lawyers work with medical experts to scientifically prove causation, a necessary part of any personal injury claim.
Depending on your situation, your legal team will consult a pulmonologist, pathologist, oncologist, and occupational medicine practitioner. Each medical professional brings a unique perspective to the case.
Your legal team will gather all of your medical records, from your initial doctor’s visit through your most recent treatment. This collection typically includes:
- Physician notes and consultation reports
- Results from imaging scans like X-rays, CT scans, and PET scans
- Surgical reports and hospital records
- Pathology reports from biopsies
Including Witness Testimonies
Witness testimonies strengthen an asbestos case. Their insights help reconstruct the facts, clarify how the toxic exposure occurred, and, when applicable, explain the medical science behind these illnesses in a clear, trusted way.
- Medical professionals provide testimony about the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment, and establish that mesothelioma resulted specifically from asbestos exposure.
- Industrial hygienists testify about the types of asbestos-containing materials present at job sites, the working conditions, and whether adequate safety measures were in place.
- Occupational experts testify about where and how asbestos exposure occurred based on job duties, industry practices, and historical use of asbestos-containing materials.
- Toxicologists explain how asbestos fibers interact with the body and cause the cellular changes that lead to disease.
- Economic experts calculate the financial impact of a mesothelioma diagnosis, including lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and future medical expenses.
What’s more, former coworkers and supervisors can testify about working conditions, and close family members can speak about the victim’s work history and symptoms.
Work With a Team That Knows Asbestos Law
Navigating an asbestos lawsuit is complex, but you don’t have to face it alone.
The O’Brien Law Firm brings decades of experience handling asbestos cases and understands the urgency and care these claims require. Our attorneys are skilled at identifying exposure sources and implementing prosecution plans that best compensate clients through negotiating civil settlements, pushing cases to trial, and pursuing trust fund compensation. We manage every step with precision and compassion.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact us for a FREE consultation and explore your legal options.
