01. Filing Claims and Lawsuits in Delaware
Filing Mesothelioma Claims and Lawsuits in Delaware
Asbestos exposure may lead to the development of an asbestos-related illness, such as mesothelioma. Between 1999 and 2019, 209 women and 328 men died from mesothelioma in Delaware. There were 257 new cases of mesothelioma in the state between 1999 and 2017.
Delaware asbestos exposure victims and their loved ones may be eligible to file a mesothelioma claim for compensation. New Castle, Delaware, was among the top 10 jurisdictions for mesothelioma claims in 2020.
Two industries that led to asbestos exposure in Delaware were construction and manufacturing. A geological survey also found naturally occurring asbestos in Mount Cuba, located near Wilmington, Delaware.
If a Delaware worker or resident develops an asbestos disease from any of these exposure sources, they may be able to gain compensation. Asbestos victims and their families can work with a mesothelioma lawyer to determine if they are eligible to file a claim.
Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Claim in Delaware?
Individuals who lived or worked in Delaware may have been exposed to asbestos. Exposure may have occurred at work, in nature or at home. Delawareans continue to risk exposure and developing an asbestos-related illness. Asbestos disease patients may be eligible to make a claim. Surviving family members of victims may also be able to file mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuits to seek compensation.
Several jobsites exposed workers to asbestos in Delaware, including:
- DuPont Corporation plants and headquarters: DuPont is one of the largest chemical companies in the world and a primary employer in Delaware. The company regularly used asbestos in its chemical plants, exposing workers to the dangerous mineral.
- Dover Air Force Base: Many military sites and Air Force bases used asbestos in buildings and equipment. In fact, any buildings constructed before 1980 may contain the mineral. Asbestos has been confirmed at Dover Air Force Base.
Individuals faced exposure in towns and cities throughout Delaware. Delaware residents living in the following towns and cities have filed mesothelioma lawsuits to protect their rights and seek compensation from manufacturers and distributors of asbestos:
- Bethany, DE
- Delaware City, DE
- Lewes, DE
- Middletown, DE
- Millsboro, DE
- Milton, DE
- Newark, DE
- Newcastle, DE
- Seaford, DE
- Selbyville, DE
- Wilmington, DE
Deadlines for Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in Delaware
Delaware asbestos victims and their families may be able to file a claim following an asbestos-related diagnosis or death.
The first step toward filing a claim is to contact an experienced mesothelioma law firm. Mesothelioma attorneys can help Delaware asbestos victims choose a claim type, find supporting evidence and navigate the legal system. These professionals can help protect the rights of individuals negatively impacted by asbestos exposure. Dedicated lawyers will support patients and their families during the claims process.
Delaware requires claimants to file a claim before the statutes of limitations pass. A statute of limitations is a deadline that dictates how long after an incident a victim may file a claim. This time period is normally based on the date of the diagnosis or death.
Asbestos victims may be able to make a claim for compensation in other ways. For example, some bankrupt asbestos companies have established mesothelioma bankruptcy trust funds for victims of asbestos exposure and their families. Mesothelioma attorneys can help victims navigate the trust fund claim process and assist with filing claims.
02. Delaware Mesothelioma Law Firms
Mesothelioma Law Firms in Delaware
Individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness may be eligible to file a compensation claim in Delaware. Mesothelioma law firms can explain eligibility, filing options and how state laws may impact claims. Asbestos lawyers can assist with all aspects of the filing process, including investigating the claim and gathering needed documentation.
The following law firms can help people living in Delaware receive compensation:
Choosing a nationwide law firm can provide various advantages over working with a smaller, local law firm. Lawyers at national law firms have decades of combined experience litigating asbestos lawsuits. They have brought successful claims against large asbestos companies to secure settlements for their clients. These law firms are well-versed in asbestos laws across the country and can ensure your lawsuit is filed in the most favorable jurisdiction. They will also determine if additional compensation can be obtained by filing claims with asbestos trusts.
Because of their national reach, lawyers at these law firms are also able to travel to you. They can meet you in person to address your questions, concerns and needs. Their goal is to make the entire claim process as easy as possible and obtain the compensation you deserve.
03. Delaware Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts
Mesothelioma & Asbestos Settlements in Delaware
Mesothelioma victims and their family members may be eligible to receive compensation. Financial compensation can help individuals pay medical bills, recover lost wages and punish the parties responsible for their diagnoses.
As a reference point, we have provided below a sampling of settlements achieved on behalf of Delaware residents who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace:
Mesothelioma & Asbestos Verdicts in Delaware
Delaware mesothelioma victims and their family members have also received compensation through verdicts.
In 2018, a Delaware jury awarded the wife of an asbestos victim $40.625 million. The verdict included compensatory and punitive damages against Ford Motor Company, which amounted to $9.125 million of the total award. Ford appealed the decision multiple times. The claim ultimately reached the Delaware Supreme Court in 2019. The court rejected Ford’s appeal in May 2019.
Note: Each lawsuit is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in the future. Contact a reputable Delaware mesothelioma lawyer to understand how much compensation you may be eligible to receive.
04. Asbestos Laws in Delaware
Delaware Asbestos Laws & Regulations
In addition to federal asbestos laws, Delaware also has its own asbestos regulations in place. Delaware-specific asbestos laws and regulations are handled in Chapter 78, Title 16 of the Delaware Code, called “Regulations Governing Asbestos.” This code sets forth requirements for asbestos contractors, including how to handle and dispose of the mineral.
Anyone handling asbestos in Delaware must become certified in asbestos abatement. The certification instructs workers how to avoid asbestos exposure for themselves and others in the area. Asbestos operations in the state should only be performed by trained personnel.
Asbestos containment contractors and professional service firms must also comply with Delaware’s “Regulations Governing Asbestos.” These contractors are required to maintain records of abatement or asbestos exposure for at least 30 years.
Delaware corporations, workers and residents must also comply with all federal asbestos regulations.
Find Mesothelioma Doctors, Lawyers and Asbestos Exposure Sites Near You
