The PFAS lawsuit statute of limitations depends on your state. While time typically starts ticking on the date of your diagnosis in a standard personal injury case, it could differ in your PFAS case. A PFAS lawsuit lawyer can help you determine how long you have to take action.
What Is a Statute of Limitations?
A statute of limitations is a time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit. You need to act quickly to ensure that you file within the deadlines that apply to your case. If you fail to file to do so, you may not be able to recover the compensation you need and deserve, as the court will likely reject your case.
Some statutes of limitations are as short as one year. Some mass torts also have deadlines for opting in or out of the settlement. A PFAS lawsuit lawyer can help you determine what deadlines apply. Acting quickly also gives a lawyer ample time to build a robust case.
How Long Do PFAS Lawsuits Typically Take?
PFAS lawsuits can take longer than other injury lawsuits because they are mass torts. They often follow a different timeline than a standard injury lawsuit. They typically wait months or longer to allow potential plaintiffs to opt in or out. It can also take a long time to build a strong case. While an attorney should never tell you how long your case will take, they can give you an idea of what to expect.
You likely won’t need to be involved once you have joined a PFAS mass tort. Your attorney will keep you updated, but these cases will either be settled or go to court, where a jury will decide whether the plaintiffs (you included) deserve compensation. You likely won’t need to be involved in this process.
What Can a PFAS Lawsuit Lawyer Do for Me?
A PFAS lawsuit attorney will handle every aspect of your case for you. This could include:
- Gathering evidence
- Proving that you meet the necessary criteria to file a PFAS lawsuit
- Determining the best course of action for you
- Negotiating a fair settlement
- Representing you at trial
What Is the Average Settlement for a PFAS Lawsuit?
Every illness and situation is different, which means there is no average PFAS settlement. What you are able to recover depends on the specifics of your case. However, a lawyer can help you fight for:
- Medical bills, such as treatment costs, prescription medications, hospitalization, and co-pays
- Lost wages for any time you needed to take off due to your illness
- Diminished earning capacity if your illness required you to switch to part-time work, take a lower-paying job, or retire from the workforce
- Miscellaneous expenses related to your illness, such as paying someone to handle tasks you completed before your illness
- Pain and suffering
- Lost quality of life
- Mental anguish
A lawyer will investigate your case and determine what you might be eligible to recover. They will ensure that a settlement covers your losses.
What Can Impact the Value of Your PFAS Case?
Several different things can affect the potential value of your PFAS case, including:
- The severity of your illness: If doctors catch your cancer in the early stages, it can be easier to treat. For example, if doctors diagnosed you with Stage II cancer instead of Stage IV cancer, your medical bills and lost wages might be much lower. Ulcerative colitis might also lead to a lower settlement.
- How debilitating your illness is: If your illness keeps you out of work for months or forces you to retire, you can likely recover more than if you only needed to take a day or two off every few weeks for treatment.
- The results of a bellwether trial: A bellwether trial gives plaintiffs a better idea of how their case may proceed. If a bellwether trial results in a substantial settlement for all involved plaintiffs, your case may also receive substantial compensation.
Act Quickly, Get Connected With a PFAS Lawsuit Attorney Now
You don’t want to overstep your state’s statute of limitations for a PFAS lawsuit. Contact the Guardian Legal Network to get connected with a lawyer who can help you take the next steps and fight for the compensation and justice you and your family deserve.
Call us today to get started: (844) 207-0415.