Q: If a building was demolished in 2017 asbestos was found 4 people that worked there have died from cancer, what can I do?

A: Although seven - eight years have passed since the absestos affected the people, there may still be a possibility of a lawsuit if the connection to the events in 2017 with the cancer was only recently discovered.

Because the defendant will be a public entity (school) and perhaps one or more governmental entities, I would contact several very large law firms.

The type of case involving harm caused by asbestos exposure is generally referred to as a toxic tort case, specifically an asbestos litigation case or a mesothelioma lawsuit if it involves a diagnosis of mesothelioma, a cancer linked to asbestos exposure.

Key Categories of Asbestos Cases:

Personal Injury Claims:

Filed by individuals (or their estates) diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis.

The plaintiff seeks compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Wrongful Death Claims:

Filed by surviving family members after the death of someone due to an asbestos-related illness.

Seeks damages for loss of support, companionship, and funeral expenses.

Class Action Lawsuits:

Involve a group of plaintiffs with similar claims against the same defendants.

Less common in asbestos litigation due to the individual nature of exposure and damages.

Trust Fund Claims:

Claims filed against asbestos trust funds established by companies that declared bankruptcy due to asbestos liabilities.

Compensation is determined by established trust fund procedures.

Defendants in Asbestos Cases:

Common defendants include:

Manufacturers and distributors of asbestos-containing products.

Employers or property owners who exposed workers or tenants to asbestos.

Contractors or companies that failed to follow safety standards.

I am so very sorry for your loss, and I hope that this information will be of some help to you.

Before hiring any law firm, be sure to check reviews and ask for references. Try to get them to write out their plan of action, and timeline, before you sign a representation agreement. And if there is anything in the agreement you don't understand, ask for clarification and/or have a separate, independent attorney review and negotiate the agreement for you. This type of case can be worth a great deal of money, and you truly need to fully understand what you're signing before signing on with any law firm.