Mesothelioma Settlements - Average, Amounts, Factors
The value of a mesothelioma settlements vary widely. Individual factors which influence claim value include:
1) the age of the victim, 2) past earnings, 3) lost future earning potential, 4) number and needs of
dependents, 5) comparative responsibility (contributory negligence) if any, 6) past medical expenses, and 7) pain,
suffering and mental anguish. State and federal laws authorizing specific damages vary based upon the industry involved as defendant(s),
employment, and public policy prevailing in individual jurisdictions. Many other factors may also influence
mesothelioma settlement value.
Punitive damages (designed to deter future egregious conduct) may be authorized in limited circumstances
if the defendant acted with gross recklessness or wanton disregard for the rights and safety of others. The
best source of information regarding current mesothelioma settlements is from personal injury lawyers who
specialize and have a recent record of successful verdicts.
Typical Mesothelioma Settlements
In the southeastern US, jury verdicts exceeding one million dollars are becoming common. In the central
and Midwest regions of US, juries tend to more conservative. Also, rural areas also tend to be more
conservative than metropolitan areas. In July, 2004 settlement, Halliburton received approval from Judge
Judith Fitzgerald (bankruptcy) for a subsidiary company to pay 4.2 billion dollars for approximately 400,000
mesothelioma settlements - which equates to an average settlement amount of $10,000 per claim. One of the
primary motivating factors behind this settlement was based upon Vice President Dick Cheney's aggressive
support for new laws which would limit corporate liability for mesothelioma settlements and claims.
See also: Average mesothelioma settlements, regional variations, and value determination with lawyer search issues.
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