Asbestos Litigation Paralegal
Asbestos litigation paralegals help attorneys prosecute mesothelioma lawsuits against asbestos companies. These companies were responsible for putting asbestos that was dangerous in a variety of products. In many cases, years pass between exposure to asbestos and the development of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
In 1988, Vogel was a caseworker at Brobeck, an asbestos defense firm. The firm had an exclusive asbestos docket.
Preparation for Trial
A paralegal working in asbestos litigation is a vital member of an attorney's team, assisting in the pursuit of justice on behalf of people diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. A significant portion of the job of a toxic tort paralegal is helping attorneys prepare for trial, which involves extensive legal research and the preparation of many documents that are presented to the court by both plaintiffs and defendants.
A paralegal involved in asbestos litigation is accountable for the drafting of legal documents, such as motions and pleadings, as well as discovery requests, responses, and memos. Paralegals may also conduct computerized legal research as well as medical, scientific and technological literature research in order to prove a client's claim. They must be able to recognize and analyze data to assist their lawyers by analyzing medical records or corporate documentation.
Asbestos paralegals also create demand documents, medical chronologies and expense itemizations for mesothelioma cases. They are knowledgeable about the mesothelioma claims process and frequently deal directly with patients who are terminally sick and their families and must be sensitive to the situation.
To prepare for a trial, the attorney must use his or her research in law and medical knowledge to identify experts and write convincing testimony. A paralegal is also able to help prepare the jury selection process, which is a critical stage in the process of litigation. She can give suggestions on how to ask prospective jurors questions or disprove witness testimony.
When a trial has been scheduled, the asbestos litigation legal assistant assists attorneys in preparing courtroom logistics which include scheduling depositions and other court appearances. The paralegal could also serve as a liaison between the client and the paralegal, keeping them of the progress of their case.
One of the most important duties of an asbestos litigation paralegal is the protection of confidential attorney-client information. The law firm who employs the asbestos litigation lawyer must ensure that their employee does not share information about pending or future asbestos lawsuits with third parties. It is not uncommon for the employer to implement a procedure before hiring an employee that effectively screens them from involvement in such matters, which the court once described as a "cone of silence." The Harrison firm's main argument on appeal is that it did not know that Vogel possessed any specific confidences at Brobeck. The evidence does support the conclusion that the company did not make the proper diligence or take reasonable steps to safeguard confidential information.
Document Preparation
If a person is diagnosed with an asbestos-related condition such as mesothelioma, or another condition, they may seek compensation from the companies who exposed them deadly material. If you need assistance in filing an claim in New York, victims can get in touch with a mesothelioma lawyer. These firms are familiarized with the asbestos bankruptcy fund, and also the laws in New York to protect victims against unfair treatment.
The law firm will seek the assistance of paralegals lawyers and other professionals in order to prepare for the trial. This includes drafting legal documents and giving them to the court. It also involves the collection and review of medical records and preparing evidence for trial.
Asbestos litigation can be complicated, and it requires a team of professionals to support attorneys in each step of the process. Legal paralegals are a crucial part of this team, and often handle multiple cases at a time. A paralegal who is specialized in mesothelioma has a lot of responsibilities to complete and must be able work in a team and be able to work quickly.
For example mesothelioma paralegals at one firm might have to file numerous documents with the court and other parties, including subpoenas, motions or notices of hearings as well as other documents such as pleadings. Paralegals need to be familiar with all aspects of a case, and have strong organizational skills.
To prepare for trial, paralegals review medical records, analyze documents and research the details of each case. They must be acquainted with the company, product and the medical and scientific background for each evidence. This is an important job duty in asbestos or toxic tort cases, since having the right information can make a big difference at trial.
when asbestos litigation filed as an asbestos expert also includes contacting plaintiffs and asking them to respond to questionnaires. The questionnaires offer a wealth of information that can aid attorneys in their mesothelioma lawsuits. The questionnaires can also be used to determine asbestos-related illnesses and determine if a claimant qualifies for compensation. In New York, the statute of limitations (or deadline) for filing a claim for personal injury is three years following the date of diagnosis.
Interviewing Witnesses
Asbestos litigation is complex, and mesothelioma lawyers rely on paralegals for a large portion of the work behind the scenes. They interview clients, gather documents and information, research asbestos-producing companies, as well as medical and scientific records for patients. They also draft documents, and assist in filing, reserving or tracking asbestos bankruptcy claims.
A skilled asbestos litigation paralegal will also interview witnesses and prepare their evidence. They will collaborate with attorneys and the client to decide the types of questions that are appropriate to ask to get the most accurate information. They will schedule and coordinate the appearance of witnesses in a deposition, or in trial.
Asbestos paralegals must have a great deal of patience, since they typically spend significant amounts of time researching and preparing documents, as well as answering questions from the attorneys. They may also be required to conduct interviews with witnesses and clients, as well as working closely with insurance adjusters. It is essential that they remain professional throughout the entire process.
A paralegal could be handling a variety of cases within a firm which includes medical malpractice defense, wrongful deaths and insurance bad faith litigation. In some instances, they may also be involved in general liability or products liability claims involving asbestos.
Having extensive experience with asbestos litigation and toxic torts, Sara has performed investigations and gathered evidence in a variety of asbestos cases. She has prepared interrogatories and requests for production, researched companies, located officers and retrieved archived documents both locally and nationally. She has also collaborated with various insurance companies on the assessment of asbestos claims.
Krista is well-versed in mesothelioma's effects on asbestos-related diseases and other asbestos-related illnesses on a person's quality of life. She prepares medical chronologies for her attorneys and has experience preparing bankruptcy trust claims for mesothelioma. She is a fan of these types of cases as they require extensive research into the company, product and the medical and scientific history.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, contact a mesothelioma lawyer at Waters Kraus & Paul for assistance. Our mesothelioma attorneys hold asbestos producers and other responsible parties accountable for the role they played in causing these life-altering illnesses.
Preparing Exhibits
Asbestos litigation lawyers are crucial in constructing cases that assist victims suffering from mesothelioma, asbestosis or other asbestos-related diseases receive compensation from the responsible parties. They are involved in a variety of tasks behind the scenes to assist lawyers in pursuing maximum compensation, whether through insurance companies or mesothelioma trust funds.
Preparing exhibits for a trial is among the most important duties a paralegal can undertake. They could be medical records, documents or even video recordings of witness interviews. A properly prepared exhibit list is crucial to the success of a case as opposing parties frequently raise objections to the evidence. The most frequent objections are relevance and authenticity.
Joanne has worked in the legal field for more than 10 years and finds that her passion for organization, detail and precision are an ideal match for mass torts. She enjoys the repetitive nature of the work and is fascinated by the complex nature of asbestos litigation as well as other toxic tort litigation. She enjoys the challenge of finding the relevant details that can help a client's case especially when it involves researching medical, scientific and product histories.
She also enjoys the challenge of trial preparation and helping attorneys during depositions. Joanne's expertise in the field has led her to work with multi-national corporate defense firms on complex toxic tort cases, such as mesothelioma cases. She currently supports Husch Blackwell's asbestos and mass tort practice, collaborating on a range of materials, including Medicare documents discovery documents, court pleadings, and deposition preparation.
If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma or an asbestos-related disease, you could be eligible for financial compensation through an action against the accountable parties. You can file a personal injury claim or wrongful death lawsuit to claim compensation for losses related to your illness, such as loss of income and quality of life, medical bills, travel expenses funeral and burial costs, pain and suffering and much more. A seasoned New York mesothelioma lawyer can explain how these types of lawsuits differ, and offer guidance for the best way to submit an action.