01. Filing Claims and Lawsuits in Arkansas
Filing Mesothelioma Claims and Lawsuits in Arkansas
Like other states, Arkansas has a variety of rules about asbestos, in addition to managing federal asbestos programs. Following is a brief summary of asbestos-related laws in Arkansas.
Asbestos exposure is an ongoing issue in Arkansas. Veterans, as well as those who have worked in power plants, chemical plants and construction, have experienced occupational asbestos exposure.
As a result of asbestos use in the state, many individuals have developed asbestos-related illnesses. Between 1999 and 2019, 333 Arkansas residents died from mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma lawyers may help Arkansas victims and their families seek fair compensation. Individuals negatively impacted by asbestos exposure should contact a mesothelioma attorney to discuss their options for filing a mesothelioma claim.
Attorneys have successfully negotiated large mesothelioma settlements for victims in Arkansas by filing personal injury and asbestos wrongful death lawsuits. Compensation from a mesothelioma claim or lawsuit may help patients pay for medical bills and other expenses.
Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Claim in Arkansas?
Those in Arkansas exposed to asbestos who later develop a related illness may be eligible for compensation. Additionally, families of those who died as a result of an asbestos-related disease may be entitled to compensation.
Several known Arkansas asbestos-exposure sites led to workers and other individuals being diagnosed with mesothelioma and related illnesses. For example, Fort Chaffee was a military base where many buildings were known to contain asbestos. Fort Chaffee was later demolished by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Other factories and plants throughout the state that contained asbestos include:
- 3M Company
- The Arkansas Power & Light Company
- The Gerber Plant
The state also received and used vermiculite from Libby, Montana, for construction and landscaping. Vermiculite from Libby was tainted with asbestos.
Residents of Arkansas who lived in the following cities and towns have filed mesothelioma lawsuits to protect their rights and to seek compensation from negligent manufacturers and distributors of asbestos:
- Alexander, AR
- Bella Vista, AR
- Benton, AR
- Bentonville, AR
- Conway, AR
- El Dorado, AR
- Eureka Springs, AR
- Fort Smith, AR
- Garfield, AR
- Havana, AR
- Hot Springs Village, AR
- Jacksonville, AR
- Little Rock, AR
- Mountain Home, AR
- North Little Rock, AR
- Quitman, AR
- Rogers, AR
- Ruby, AR
- Searcy, AR
- Sherwood, AR
- Stuttgart, AR
- Texarkana, AR
Deadlines for Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in Arkansas
To file an asbestos claim, asbestos victims can seek the guidance of a mesothelioma lawyer. An experienced attorney may help claimants understand the entire process and ensure they have all the required documentation to pursue compensation.
When filing a mesothelioma or asbestos claim, it’s important to do so within the state’s statutes of limitations. The timeline to file a claim typically begins at the date of diagnosis or from the date of death.
Additionally, it’s important to have documentation to prove exposure. Typically, required documents for mesothelioma claims include:
- Medical records, including physician reports and imaging scans
- Proof of employment or residence
- Financial records, including medical bills
Mesothelioma attorneys may assist clients with gathering evidence and proper documentation.
02. Arkansas Mesothelioma Law Firms
Mesothelioma Law Firms in Arkansas
Arkansas residents and workers impacted by an asbestos-related disease can seek legal help from local or nationwide law firms. Experienced mesothelioma law firms can help claimants understand their filing options for financial compensation. These firms can handle the filing process on the claimant’s behalf, enabling them to focus on treatment and time with their loved ones.
The following law firms can help people living in Arkansas receive compensation:
Working with a national law firm can have several advantages over working with smaller, local firms. Nationwide mesothelioma firms have decades of experience and access to many resources to build successful claims. Lawyers at these law firms have proven experience holding asbestos companies accountable and securing settlements for their clients.
National law firms understand the intricacies of asbestos laws across the country and can identify the most favorable jurisdiction to file your claim. It is not always ideal to file your claim in the state you currently live in.
Lawyers at national firms will also travel to you to make the process as easy as possible. They are dedicated to getting you and your family the compensation and peace of mind you deserve.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
03. Arkansas Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts
Mesothelioma & Asbestos Settlements in Arkansas
In Arkansas, many asbestos exposure victims have received settlements from past employers and other defendants by pursuing claims in court. Settlements compensate victims for medical bills that are related to their exposure. Compensation can also recover lost wages for missed time at work and the pain and suffering that comes with an asbestos-related illness.
We have listed below a few of the verdicts and settlements compensating victims of asbestos exposure in Arkansas:
Note: Each lawsuit is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in the future. Contact a reputable Arkansas mesothelioma lawyer to understand how much compensation you may be eligible to receive.
04. Asbestos Laws in Arkansas
Arkansas Asbestos Laws & Regulations
In Arkansas, there are several laws and regulations in place to protect workers and other individuals from asbestos exposure and diseases such as mesothelioma. While some of these laws are federally regulated by the EPA and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), others are enforced at the state level by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.
Arkansas laws in place to reduce the risk of unsafe handling and exposure to asbestos include:
- Inspection: Prior to demolishing or renovating any building, the owner or operator must conduct a thorough inspection to detect the presence of asbestos.
- Project design: Any renovation or demolition to a building where asbestos-containing materials are present must have a project design completed prior to starting work. This design must be in the form of a written document and must be maintained on-site while work is being performed.
- Licensing and certifications: Before engaging in any work pertaining to the movement or removal of asbestos-containing materials, workers must be certified and/or licensed in asbestos safety.
- Notification: The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality requires a notice of at least 10 business days before commencing work that involves asbestos-related activities. In the event work is government-ordered or of an urgent nature, notice must be submitted no later than the following working day after the work has begun.
Asbestos certification in Arkansas is obtained through the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. Different licensing levels exist for individuals conducting their own renovations and contractors who regularly work with asbestos and asbestos-containing materials.
In addition to state laws listed above, all asbestos workers are subject to federal laws pertaining to asbestos. Laws put forth by the EPA, including the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act and the Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Reauthorization Act, regulate how asbestos is handled and removed at worksites, schools and hospitals.
These laws include information about how asbestos should be handled when it does exist in the workplace and how employers may protect workers from exposure.
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