U.S. veterans and families facing lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure may be eligible to file personal injury lawsuits. Filing an asbestos lung cancer lawsuit can award compensation to cover medical bills and other expenses.
Top asbestos lung cancer lawyer Ricky LeBlanc serves as the managing attorney at Sokolove Law, a national law firm that has handled thousands of asbestos claims since 1979.
In his work at Sokolove Law, Ricky helps families impacted by asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer and mesothelioma get justice through the legal system. He’s also a VA-accredited lawyer and understands the process of filing for and securing veterans benefits.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center recently connected with Ricky to discuss legal options for U.S. veterans and loved ones impacted by lung cancer, the benefits of filing a lawsuit, deadlines to file, and much more.
Get a free case review now to learn how filing an asbestos lung cancer lawsuit could help you or a U.S. veteran you love afford expenses.
Q: Why Are U.S. Veterans At Risk of Developing Lung Cancer?
A: Older U.S. veterans likely risked exposure to asbestos while serving their country, which puts them at a higher risk of developing lung cancer.
Service members didn’t know the risks of asbestos, but today, we know that handling products like insulation or brake pads could release harmful asbestos fibers. If you breathed in these fibers, they could get stuck inside your body and cause long-term damage over time.
We've represented U.S. veterans facing asbestos-related diseases after working with asbestos components in shipyards, on ships, in motor pools, and in maintenance roles across every branch of the military.
People sometimes assume that asbestos is a thing of the past. But the reality is that asbestos can trigger lung cancer or mesothelioma up to 50 years or more after first exposure. Every year, we handle cases for U.S. veterans who were only recently diagnosed despite being exposed decades ago.
Q: What Does an Asbestos Lung Cancer Lawyer Do?
A: A lung cancer lawyer helps veterans, as well as their families, recover financial compensation from companies that hid the health risks of asbestos.
The average service member had no reason to believe that asbestos products used in U.S. Navy ships, bases, or vehicles were harmful. Historical records show that many manufacturers of asbestos-containing products concealed the dangers from the government and the general public to make significant profits.
If you or a loved one is now facing lung cancer after being exposed to asbestos decades ago, it's not your fault. You shouldn't have to bear the financial burdens yourself. Asbestos lawyers can fight to recover payouts for medical bills, travel expenses, in-home care, and other costs.
A common concern we frequently hear is: “I don’t remember how I was exposed.” At Sokolove Law, we maintain a database of records to help determine which asbestos-containing materials were used and when, allowing us to pinpoint your exposure and fight for justice on your behalf.
Q: How Much Do Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Lawyers Charge?
A: Our attorneys charge nothing upfront to file lung cancer or mesothelioma lawsuits, because we work on a contingency fee basis. Instead, we’re only paid if we can successfully secure compensation for you.
When someone contacts us, we’re able to review their case for free. This helps them better understand the potential benefits of filing and what to expect from them throughout the process, which is usually very little beyond providing basic information for the lawsuit.
From there, our asbestos lawyers handle the heavy lifting of filing a lawsuit and recovering compensation, without charging a cent until a payout is secured. Families can pursue financial compensation without any risk or financial investment.
Q: Will Filing a Lawsuit For Lung Cancer Impact My VA Benefits?
A: Lung cancer lawsuits won’t negatively affect VA benefits. They’re two separate processes.
Filing a lawsuit doesn’t involve the U.S. military or government. Instead, it demands compensation from the manufacturers of asbestos-containing materials that harmed you.
If you qualify for VA benefits, you’re completely in the right to pursue them after a lung cancer diagnosis. However, you should also understand that VA disability compensation won’t account for your pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, or other losses.
By filing a claim through the civil court system, we’ll work to get your family as much compensation as possible from all possible sources. And in many cases, you can recover VA benefits and asbestos legal compensation at the same time.
Q: How Do I Choose the Best Lung Cancer Law Firm?
A: When you're facing lung cancer, you'll want an asbestos law firm that has a national scope but will give your case the personalized attention it deserves, which is exactly what Sokolove Law provides.
We have licensed attorneys all over the country, allowing us to file claims in the best jurisdiction for your case. This can be very important as some areas could help you get compensation sooner than others.
At the same time, you’ll feel like you’re at a small office when you work with us. The legal team you’re assigned at the start of your case will be the same through the entire process, including at a trial, if necessary. This means your case gets the personalized care and attention but has the backing and resources of a national firm to ensure you get results.
Q: How Much Can I Receive From Lung Cancer Lawsuit Settlements?
A: Every lung cancer settlement is unique. How much compensation you could receive depends on factors like your medical costs, the type and stage of the disease, your asbestos exposure history, and more.
But it’s important to know that we’ll fight to pursue the highest lung cancer settlements possible. Past lung cancer clients have received payouts ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars in asbestos settlements and verdicts.
We’ll also prepare your case in the rare event that an asbestos lung cancer settlement isn’t reached, fighting for the compensation you need in court through a trial verdict.
Q: Can Lawyers Help Me Access Lung Cancer Compensation Trust Funds?
A: Your lawyers may be able to help you get compensation from asbestos trust funds as well as lawsuits following a lung cancer diagnosis. Trust funds are different from lawsuits.
Trusts were established after asbestos companies went to bankruptcy court. By filing for bankruptcy, the companies could no longer be sued, but they were required to put significant sums of money into trusts to pay the victims of their products, both those who were sick then and those who could still become sick later.
Today, billions of dollars are potentially available across dozens of trusts. Our asbestos attorneys can determine if you’re eligible for lung cancer trust fund compensation and file claims on your behalf while also pursuing money from lawsuits if you’re eligible.
And, similar to filing a lawsuit, accessing lung cancer settlement fund claims won’t affect your VA benefits, giving families like yours one less thing to worry about.
Q: What Is the Lung Cancer Lawsuit Statute of Limitations?
A: Every state imposes a legal deadline called the statute of limitations for filing personal injury lawsuits. The statutes vary, but in many states, you only have a few years to file.
In cases related to lung cancer or other asbestos-related diseases, the clock begins ticking at the date of diagnosis or a loved one’s death. So, even if you were exposed to asbestos decades ago, you may still have time to file if you were recently diagnosed.
Since Sokolove Law is a national law firm, we can determine which statutes apply no matter where you live and help you file before time runs out.
It’s very unfortunate, but the number 1 reason we’re not able to help a potential client is that the statutes passed in their case. Don’t let this be you. It costs nothing to reach out and learn your options.
Even if you’re on the fence or choose not to file later on, you can still get a free case review now just to find out.
Q: Can I File Class Action Lawsuits for Lung Cancer?
A: It's usually in your best interest to file an individual personal injury lawsuit for asbestos lung cancer instead of a class action. Class action lawsuits combine many claims in which people were harmed in similar ways into a single filing.
When the class action lawsuit is resolved, each person gets the same amount of compensation. However, your lung cancer diagnosis and asbestos exposure history aren’t going to be the same as someone else’s, so class actions typically aren’t the best option.
Pursuing an individual lung cancer or asbestos lawsuit tailored to your specific medical and financial needs allows your attorneys to fight for full compensation on your behalf.
Find an Asbestos Lung Cancer Attorney Near You
U.S. veterans affected by asbestos-related lung cancer deserve financial compensation and justice after a preventable diagnosis.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center is proud to partner with veteran asbestos exposure law firm Sokolove Law to help veterans and their loved ones get the financial support they deserve for their service.
Sokolove Law asbestos lawyers like Ricky LeBlanc:
- Charge no upfront fees
- Have secured over $5.7 billion for families
- Help clients in all 50 states
Call (877) 450-8973 or get a free case review to find experienced asbestos lung cancer attorneys who may be able to assist you or someone you love right now.
