Those suffering from mesothelioma, lung cancer, or other asbestos diseases can pursue legal action against those responsible for their asbestos exposure. To win an asbestos lawsuit, your lawyer will gather evidence regarding your asbestos exposure to prove liability. This often includes testimony from witnesses who can provide details about the exposure and asbestos experts.
The types of witnesses called in an asbestos exposure lawsuit will depend on the circumstances of the exposure. In the discovery stage, your lawyer will collect as much information as possible about the exposure, including interviews with people who can corroborate the details of your encounters with asbestos. One of the most common sources of asbestos exposure is in the workplace, so your lawyer may ask former coworkers to give a deposition confirming your work history and the presence of asbestos on job sites.
Types of Expert Witnesses
Expert witnesses in lawsuits are brought in to testify on subject matter in which they have significant experience, knowledge, or education. A case may include relevant details about a topic that is not widely understood, and experts can provide important context for juries to understand the particulars of a case. Experts in an asbestos exposure case could include certified asbestos professionals or an industrial hygienist who knows the history of asbestos use in certain industries and what materials you may have handled.
An economic expert can also provide an important perspective in an asbestos exposure case. Painful symptoms from mesothelioma can prevent patients from working temporarily or permanently, resulting in lost wages. An economic expert can approximate how much you will lose from leaving the workforce and other economic impacts, such as the cost of hiring additional help. These details can influence the amount of damages awarded in an asbestos case.
In a case involving asbestos-related disease, medical experts can help a jury to understand how asbestos harms the body. When asbestos fibers become airborne, they can be inhaled or ingested and get lodged in the chest cavity, where they damage surrounding tissue for decades until tumors begin to form. Early symptoms of an asbestos disease can include persistent cough, pain or tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing, and chronic fatigue; they often mimic other respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia, the flu, COPD, or even COVID-19. It is important to understand that mesothelioma is a serious diagnosis with a very different impact on the body. To distinguish between the effects of other conditions and mesothelioma, a medical expert may be needed.
A pathologist can provide important details about the patient’s condition, including the number of asbestos fibers present in biopsied tissue and the pathology of the tumors. Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans are often a key part of diagnosing and treating mesothelioma, and a radiologist can help interpret the scans to show scar tissue caused by asbestos particles. Another specialist, such as a pulmonologist or oncologist, may be asked to weigh in on other aspects of the patient’s illness.
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, and physicians specializing in the treatment of mesothelioma have a much deeper understanding of the disease than most physicians. Additionally, many of these specialists have experience testifying in asbestos exposure cases, which gives them credibility in the courtroom and helps them present the information in the most effective way possible. Expert witnesses have different information to offer than your physician and can make a significant difference in your case.
Our Philadelphia Mesothelioma Lawyers at Shein Law Provide Comprehensive Representation
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos disease, contact our Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyers at Shein Law. Call 877-743-4652 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. Located in Philadelphia and Pennsauken, New Jersey, we serve clients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.