How to Prove Asbestos Exposure for a Mesothelioma Claim?

Understanding how to prove asbestos exposure for a mesothelioma claim can make all the difference in whether compensation is approved or denied. As Mesothelioma may not appear for decades after exposure, victims may not have documentation or witnesses.

A diagnosis that ties the disease to a particular site of work or employer is more convincing when supported by the proper evidence, turning even challenging cases into successful ones.

Hire an Asbestos Exposure Lawyer

Wallace & Graham, P.A., founding attorneys Mona Lisa Wallace and Bill Graham have represented victims of asbestos for nearly 40 years, with landmark verdicts and investigations that have influenced current practices for proving these cases.

The firm’s in-depth knowledge of workplace records, industrial products, and professional witness testimony allows mesothelioma victims the strong start needed to prove exposure and fight for the compensation they deserve.

Gathering the Right Evidence to Prove Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure needs to be proven, with supporting evidence that can tie the diagnosis to a specific source. Since it may have happened decades ago, documentation is important. These records may include:

• Work and union records that detail job locations
• Supplier or product information that connects the asbestos materials to those locations
• Affidavits from coworkers or professionals who can attest to exposure
• Archival records of buildings or projects where asbestos was used

Using Professional Testimony to Strengthen Your Case

Medical professionals can testify about how asbestos fibers lead to disease, and occupational and environmental professionals can explain how exposure likely occurred. They translate complex science into a readable timeline of events.

With clear documentation in hand, they help give weight to each claim, clarifying not only where exposure occurred but also how it led to the mesothelioma diagnosis.

Creating a Clear Timeline of Negligence and Exposure

With all the evidence in hand, the next challenge is to connect the dots in a way that shows a complete and convincing story. This timeline explains not only where exposure occurred but also how it likely played out over the years. It also shows when companies were aware of the dangers of asbestos and their inaction. Important steps often include:

• Identifying the years when asbestos was most used at the job site
• Tracking shipments or suppliers listed for those years
• Connecting medical symptoms to the time of exposure
• Demonstrating company awareness and a lack of timely action

Overcoming the Challenges of Proving Asbestos Exposure

Time is often the most challenging factor in proving asbestos exposure. Many records may be lost or workplaces closed by the time symptoms develop, after many decades. With determination, exposure can be proven.

Investigation can turn to archived files, regional industry trends, and testimony from professionals who are familiar with job conditions from the past. By implementing systematic procedures with dependable assistance, victims can discover how exposure occurred, which enables them to achieve justice.

Preserving Evidence Before It’s Lost

Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer that can take decades to develop, which means that the sooner evidence is collected, the better. Job sites close or go out of business, records of exposure get thrown out, and old coworkers move or pass away.

Hold on to any information you can while it’s still available, such as medical records, employment history, or photos of older equipment that you worked with. That paper trail can be crucial, and it could be made up of details an investigator might think don’t matter, like the name of a coworker or the logo on a product’s packaging.

FAQs About Proving Mesothelioma Claim

What Kind of Proof Is Most Important in an Asbestos Exposure Claim?

The most important type of evidence in an asbestos case is strong documentation. Employment records, product documentation, and historical construction information can link a mesothelioma diagnosis to specific points of exposure.

The clearer those records show where asbestos was used and who provided it, the stronger the claim. Organized evidence creates a paper trail connecting a worker’s employment history to the negligence that caused the disease.

How Far Back Can Evidence Go in a Mesothelioma Case?

Asbestos exposure effects often take decades to manifest, so even records from the 1960s or 1970s can still be relevant. Old pay stubs, union membership cards, or tax forms can help to identify the location of a job site.

Investigators can sometimes use archived blueprints or product catalogs to confirm where asbestos-containing materials were used, thus proving exposure even after the original worksite has closed.

Why Do Medical Records Matter When Proving Exposure?

Medical documentation can prove that the illness was caused by exposure to asbestos fibers rather than some other cause. Pathology reports, imaging scans, and biopsy results provide the foundation for linking exposure to disease.

These records can be paired with job and product evidence to establish a clear pattern between the asbestos contact and the resulting mesothelioma diagnosis.

What Happens if Direct Evidence of Asbestos Use No Longer Exists?

Asbestos exposures can often be proven even if old records or facilities have been destroyed. Investigators can use witness statements, industry research, and substitute documentation such as supplier lists or insurance filings. By cross-referencing known asbestos-using companies and typical job duties, professionals can reconstruct likely exposure scenarios, allowing victims a path towards compensation and justice.

How Common Are Mesothelioma Diagnoses in the United States?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were approximately 2,669 new mesothelioma cases nationwide in 2022. Although the disease is rare, its link to decades-old asbestos exposure makes each proven case important. Each successful claim not only supports the victim but also documents how asbestos continues to affect workers generation after generation.

Contact an Asbestos Exposure Lawyer

Proof of asbestos exposure is time-consuming and requires patience. You want to be as thorough as possible, while still trying to find as much evidence as you can. An experienced asbestos exposure lawyer can put together a claim based on medical records, work history, and their own investigations.

Wallace & Graham, P.A., has been building and investigating claims for almost 40 years to find the evidence that links you to the companies responsible for exposure. We build cases to not only hold those parties responsible, but also to provide answers and closure for families who have waited years for those results.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation and hire an asbestos exposure lawyer.