Benefits of Hiring a VA-Accredited Attorney for Mesothelioma

Many U.S. veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma qualify for VA benefits, but understanding how to access them isn't always straightforward. At the same time, veterans may also have the right to pursue compensation from asbestos companies responsible for their exposure.

U.S. veterans can benefit significantly if the attorney they work with is both accredited by the VA and experienced in handling asbestos litigation. That’s where Ricky LeBlanc, Managing Attorney at Sokolove Law, comes in.

Ricky has years of experience leading the firm’s asbestos practice and is VA-accredited, making him one of the very few attorneys uniquely positioned to help veterans with mesothelioma.

We spoke with Ricky about what VA accreditation means, how attorneys assist veterans with mesothelioma claims, and why getting help early can make a difference for families battling this cancer.

Q: What is a VA-accredited attorney?

A: A VA-accredited attorney is a lawyer who has been granted legal authority by the Department of Veterans Affairs to help veterans with benefits claims and appeals.

While a general lawyer may be experienced, only attorneys, claims agents, or service officers with VA accreditation are legally allowed to help veterans with VA claims.

For U.S. veterans with mesothelioma, a VA-accredited attorney can help establish that asbestos exposure occurred during military service, gather the documentation needed to support a claim, and pursue the benefits they've earned.

To become accredited, attorneys must complete specialized training on VA law and procedures. We also have continuing education requirements to maintain that accreditation and stay current with changes in the VA system.

As a VA-accredited attorney and mesothelioma lawyer, I’m able to help veterans understand what benefits may be available, gather supporting evidence, and prepare claims in a way that gives them the strongest opportunity for approval.

Q: Why should veterans work with a VA-accredited asbestos attorney?

A: For veterans facing mesothelioma, the average VA-accredited attorney isn’t going to know anything about your exposure and how it’s impacted you. At Sokolove Law, we help veterans build and file VA benefits claims that show when, where, and how they were exposed to asbestos on the job.

We’re also able to file both VA claims and mesothelioma lawsuits against manufacturers of asbestos-containing materials simultaneously. This helps veterans recover the full compensation they're owed.

Most VA-accredited attorneys charge a fee for their services, but not us. We’ll help you file a VA benefits claim for free as we guide you through both the legal process and the VA system.

This kind of litigation has been going on for 40 years, and experienced mesothelioma lawyers already know which steps to take. We have records already in place and are already in contact with many manufacturers.

Most have acknowledged that asbestos was present and that exposure occurred. That helps us move quickly, avoid delays, and pursue every source of compensation available for veterans and their families.

Q: How do VA-accredited attorneys help veterans with mesothelioma?

A: If you're asking about VA-accredited attorneys with experience helping veterans with mesothelioma, the first thing we do is help establish that a veteran's asbestos exposure occurred during military service. Many veterans were exposed decades ago and don't remember every product they worked around. That's completely understandable.

From there, we gather the documentation needed to support a claim, like military service records, medical records, pathology reports, and other evidence linking the diagnosis to asbestos exposure.

We also assist veterans in securing the full VA disability benefits they're entitled to. The VA typically assigns mesothelioma a 100% disability rating, which may entitle eligible veterans to compensation exceeding $4,000 per month, as well as free or reduced-cost health care.

We can also evaluate a veteran’s eligibility for mesothelioma lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help identify which asbestos-containing products you were exposed to while serving in the military to support both legal claims and VA claims.

Helping veterans provide for their families is the most fulfilling part of my practice. These men and women have already sacrificed enough — my job is to make sure that sacrifice is recognized and that their families are taken care of.

Q: Can an accredited VA attorney ​help me pursue VA benefits and legal claims at the same time?

A: Only if the attorney is also experienced in asbestos litigation. VA-accredited mesothelioma lawyers, such as myself, understand how each claim can affect the other and can use our experience to support both types of claims.

VA disability benefits compensate veterans for service-connected illnesses, while mesothelioma lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims seek significantly more money from the companies responsible for the exposure.

Also, they're separate systems, so your legal claims are brought against the private manufacturers responsible for producing asbestos-containing products, not against the government or any branch of the military.

A general VA-accredited lawyer isn't going to know how to properly navigate a mesothelioma legal claim for you — meaning you might not get the full compensation you deserve.

I've seen firsthand how meaningful legal compensation can be for families. In some cases, veterans have recovered over $1 million through asbestos claims. Every case is different, but pursuing both VA benefits and legal claims gives families the best opportunity to secure the financial support they need.

Q: How much does it cost to work with a VA-accredited attorney?

A: We don't charge any VA-accredited attorney fees to help prepare and file VA benefits claims related to mesothelioma. We believe veterans should have access to these benefits without worrying about additional expenses.

Asbestos claims are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs or hourly fees. We are only compensated if we recover on your behalf, and our fee is a percentage of any recovery obtained through settlement, verdict, or trust fund claim.

That arrangement allows veterans and their families to pursue compensation without taking on more financial risk during an already difficult time.

Get Help From VA-Accredited Mesothelioma Attorneys

If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you don't have to navigate the VA claims process or the legal system alone.

Our team works with experienced VA-accredited mesothelioma lawyers like Ricky LeBlanc at top asbestos law firms who can help veterans pursue VA disability benefits, mesothelioma compensation, and other forms of financial support after a diagnosis.

The sooner you begin the process, the sooner you may be able to access benefits, compensation, and peace of mind for your family.

Call (877) 450-8973 or request a free case review now to see how our VA-accredited attorneys can help you get the benefits and compensation you deserve.