01. Filing Claims and Lawsuits in Indiana
Filing Mesothelioma Claims and Lawsuits in Indiana
Indiana residents exposed to asbestos may be eligible to file a mesothelioma claim for a resulting asbestos disease. Between 1999 and 2017, more than 5,700 people died from asbestos-related causes in Indiana. That includes deaths from mesothelioma, asbestosis and asbestos-related lung cancer. The highest asbestos mortality numbers were recorded in Lake County and Marion County.
After an asbestos-related diagnosis or death, patients may be eligible to file for compensation. Claims have been filed in more than 70 Indiana towns and cities, including Indianapolis, Bloomington and Evansville.
While many of these claims were filed by workers at mills, factories and plants throughout the state, some involve veterans. In Indiana, military exposure occurred at sites such as Grissom Air Reserve Base and Camp Atterbury Army Base.
Mesothelioma law firms can provide guidance to individuals in Indiana with an asbestos disease. Those who are seeking compensation should consult with an Indiana mesothelioma attorney as quickly as possible after receiving a diagnosis. Attorneys have successfully obtained millions of dollars in compensation for asbestos victims in the state.
Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Claim in Indiana?
Several industries used asbestos in Indiana, exposing workers throughout the state. This includes workers at auto manufacturing plants, oil and gas refineries, railroad companies, lighting companies, rubber manufacturing plants and steel mills. If these individuals develop a related illness, they may be eligible for financial compensation. Surviving family members may also be eligible to file a claim.
Residents of Indiana 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:
- Angola, IN
- Avon, IN
- Bedford, IN
- Bloomington, IN
- Bremen, IN
- Butler, IN
- Cedar Lake, IN
- Centerville, IN
- Charlestown, IN
- Chesterton, IN
- Columbus, IN
- Crown Point, IN
- Culver, IN
- Delphi, IN
- Dyer, IN
- Elkhart, IN
- Evansville, IN
- Fishers, IN
- Fort Wayne, IN
- French Lick, IN
- Granger, IN
- Griffith, IN
- Hartford City, IN
- Hobart, IN
- Huntertown, IN
- Huntington, IN
- Indianapolis, IN
- Jasper, IN
- Jeffersonville, IN
- Kewanna, IN
- Kingman, IN
- Lafayette, IN
- Lebanon, IN
- Marion, IN
- Markle, IN
- Martinsville, IN
- Michigan City, IN
- Monticello, IN
- Mount Vernon, IN
- Muncie, IN
- New Albany, IN
- New Palestine, IN
- Noblesville, IN
- Peru, IN
- Pittsboro, IN
- Plymouth, IN
- Rensselaer, IN
- Shelbyville, IN
- Sheridan, IN
- South Bend, IN
- Tipton, IN
- Valparaiso, IN
- Washington, IN
- Woodburn, IN
- Worthington, IN
Deadlines for Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in Indiana
Mesothelioma law firms can help patients in Indiana with filing a claim against former employers or other negligent parties. The attorneys at these firms can help claimants through each step, from preparing and filing documentation to negotiating settlement amounts.
Indiana courts typically require documentation to prove the validity of a mesothelioma claim. This may include documents proving:
- Financial hardship and loss of income
- Employment at an exposure site
- Medical records, including diagnosis reports and imaging scans
Additionally, claims need to be filed within Indiana’s statutes of limitations. These regulations vary by state and dictate how long after death or diagnosis a claim can be filed.
If the statute of limitations has passed, claimants may still be eligible for compensation from an asbestos trust fund. These funds are set up by asbestos companies to provide victims with compensation without the need for a lawsuit. Mesothelioma lawyers can help Indiana clients determine their eligibility for claims and trust fund compensation.
02. Indiana Mesothelioma Law Firms
Mesothelioma Law Firms in Indiana
Indiana residents may seek legal support from mesothelioma law firms. Former residents and workers in Indiana may be eligible to file a claim in the state. Experienced law firms can explain eligibility and filing options. They can also determine if this state is the best jurisdiction to file the claim in.
The following law firms can help people living in Indiana receive compensation:
When considering legal representation for your mesothelioma claim, it is beneficial to seek legal support from experienced nationwide law firms. These firms have the breadth of experience, knowledge and resources to build a successful case. Their lawyers have experience prosecuting large asbestos companies and holding them accountable for their wrongdoings.
Lawyers at these firms frequently travel across the country to visit claimants. This means you will not need to travel to discuss your case. They will come to you to address your questions and needs. Nationwide law firms aim to make the process easy for you. Their main goal is to secure the most favorable financial outcome for you and your family.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
03. Indiana Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts
Mesothelioma & Asbestos Settlements in Indiana
Many Indiana asbestos-exposure victims have filed claims against asbestos companies. With the help of a mesothelioma lawyer, claimants may be able to secure financial compensation.
Settlements can compensate asbestos disease patients for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. In the event that the patient has died, family members can pursue claims on behalf of their loved ones.
As a reference point, we have provided below a sampling of settlements achieved on behalf of Indiana residents who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace:
- $3.6 MILLION: Plant Worker – 63 years old
- $2.0 MILLION: Pipefitter – 76 years old
- $2.0 MILLION: Laborer/Office Worker – 79 years old
- $1.9 MILLION: Army – 62 years old
- $1.9 MILLION: Navy/Engineer – 66 years old
- $1.9 MILLION: Plant Worker – 71 years old
- $1.8 MILLION: Navy – 76 years old
- $1.7 MILLION: Navy/Plant Worker – 70 years old
- $1.6 MILLION: Plumber – 63 years old
- $1.6 MILLION: Navy/Installer – 67 years old
Mesothelioma & Asbestos Verdicts in Indiana
Mesothelioma lawsuits may also end in jury verdicts.
In 2001, an Indiana steel worker was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Two years later he filed a lawsuit against U.S. Steel. At the time, the company was the largest producer of raw steel in North America.
The plaintiff believed his exposure stemmed from his time working at U.S. Steel’s Gary Works plant in Gary, Indiana, from 1950 to 1981. The Indiana jury ruled in the plaintiff’s favor and awarded him $250 million. This amount included $50 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages.
Note: Each lawsuit is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in the future. Contact a reputable Indiana mesothelioma lawyer to understand how much compensation you may be eligible to receive.
04. Asbestos Laws in Indiana
Indiana Asbestos Laws & Regulations
Asbestos use and removal in Indiana are subject to state and federal asbestos laws. These laws exist to protect workers and the public from exposure.
Indiana state agencies that regulate asbestos include:
- The Indiana Department of Environmental Management Office of Air Quality
- The Indiana Department of Environmental Management Office of Land Quality
- The Indiana Department of Labor
These laws cover various aspects of asbestos use, handling and licensing. Indiana individuals and businesses are also subject to federal asbestos laws enacted by agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Indiana’s specific asbestos laws concern:
- Asbestos inspection, management and abatement: Indiana law prohibits any person without asbestos licensing from inspecting, working with or removing asbestos from various buildings. These buildings include any elementary or secondary school, facility subject to EPA regulations or residential dwelling with more than four units.
- Asbestos training: All asbestos workers in Indiana must undergo exams and training prior to licensing. Licenses are subject to periodic renewal.
- Asbestos surveillance: Known asbestos sites must be continually inspected and monitored by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
Individuals who are unlicensed and unfamiliar with asbestos regulations should never handle the mineral. To learn more about asbestos regulations, consult an experienced asbestos attorney.
These professionals are knowledgeable on federal and state regulations and can help ensure asbestos claims are up to date with the latest litigation trends and asbestos laws. For example, Indiana’s statutes of limitations for asbestos lawsuits changed in 2016.
Find Mesothelioma Doctors, Lawyers and Asbestos Exposure Sites Near You
