Regardless of how you got mesothelioma, you will need to hire a lawyer who has expertise in handling cases of negligence in which employees, their family members or service veterans were exposed to asbestos and later came down with mesothelioma.
Finding A Mesothelioma Lawyer
Your mesothelioma attorney should work for a national mesothelioma law firm that has successfully tackled many past cases. A good mesothelioma lawyer will be able to understand the complex legal issues around the exposure to asbestos.
They can help you track down where and when you were exposed to mesothelioma. They will also be able to help you find out who is responsible for the development of your disease.
You don’t have to pay any money to see a mesothelioma lawyer. Mesothelioma lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means they are only paid once you receive compensation. They receive a certain percentage of the money you are rewarded. If your case is lost in a trial verdict, you aren’t responsible for paying the lawyer anything. You should find out beforehand what percentage your lawyer is expecting before hiring them.
Another aspect of a good mesothelioma lawyer is one who understands the specific challenges faced by mesothelioma patients. A good mesothelioma lawyer will help manage all legal issues while you’re focusing on treatment.
Find an attorney who communicates well with you. They can update you about negotiations in your lawsuit. Your lawyer should be able to handle your lawsuit without your help. But they should be there whenever you need them.
Reasons to File an Asbestos Lawsuit
Most people develop mesothelioma as the result of corporate wrongdoing. Most mesothelioma cases are due to the negligence companies that exposed their employees to asbestos. Your lawyer should represent your right not only to compensation, but to justice.
It was well known that asbestos was both toxic and dangerous to breathe in as early as the 1930’s. In spite of this knowledge, companies used asbestos extensively throughout the middle and latter part of the 20th century. They exposed millions of workers and veterans to the substance. These businesses put their profit margin ahead of the health and well-being of their employees. A good mesothelioma lawyer will be able to hold these companies accountable for their neglect.
Another reason to file a lawsuit is to get financial compensation. Money from a settlement can cover lost wages and treatment expenses.
Most mesothelioma lawsuits end in an out-of-court settlement. Most settlements come out to $1 million or more. Connect with a national firm now who can help.
Why You Need a Legal Specialist
It is just as important to select a good mesothelioma lawyer as it is to select a mesothelioma specialist. Mesothelioma claims are not the same as regular accident claims. In regular personal injury claims, injuries due to neglect are usually recent. In mesothelioma claims, the damage was done a long time ago when the patient was first exposed to asbestos.
Mesothelioma lawyers have unique resources to gather past evidence against asbestos companies. For instance, mesothelioma lawyers have product handbooks to determines which products were the source of your asbestos exposure. They also have contacts in the industry that can speed the process of gathering evidence.
You may be tempted to use your own lawyer. This is not a good idea unless your lawyer is part of a major law firm that handles a lot of mesothelioma lawsuits. Mesothelioma cases are incredibly complex, and finding an attorney in your immediate area isn’t very common. In addition, you may have been exposed to asbestos in a different state. If this is true, you will need an attorney who understands the regulations and laws in the state where you were exposed.
Most good mesothelioma lawyers have licenses to practice in several different states. They also have experience working through the court system in that state. This ensures your lawsuit isn’t slowed down by unfamiliar red tape.
A good mesothelioma lawyer knows how to collect the information necessary to file a claim. If they have handled many other mesothelioma claims, they will immediately know information they need to collect. By doing so, your case can get in front of a judge or a negotiator for the company as soon as possible.
What to Look for in a Mesothelioma Lawyer
Below are some of the basic factors to consider when hiring a mesothelioma lawyer.
- Success rate. Before hiring an attorney, you will want to know the attorney’s good track record. You should find out how many verdicts and settlements have been in your lawyer’s favor. You also want to know the average settlement amount the lawyer has secured for previous clients.
- Ability to travel. Most mesothelioma patients can’t afford to travel out of state to see a top lawyer. That’s why your lawyer should have the ability to travel to you. Mesothelioma cases are often filed in more than one state, and your lawyer may not have offices in your home state.
- Familiarity with trust funds. Many mesothelioma claims are settled by means of asbestos trust funds. These trusts are set up by companies that were bankrupted by asbestos lawsuits. Your lawyer should have experience with these trust funds. People filing claims with a trust fund may even get their compensation faster than through a lawsuit. But they need a lawyer to file a claim.
- Trust. You should be able to trust your lawyer to handle all aspects of your case. Mesothelioma cases vary from person to person, so it is unpredictable how much money you will receive from your claim. You should feel comfortable knowing your lawyer will get you the best settlement possible.
How Your Mesothelioma Lawyer Can Help
The best mesothelioma lawyers counsel their clients on the best decisions to make. First, your lawyer should inform you of all your legal options. You have the final say in every decision and your lawyer will advise you on the best course of action based on his or her previous experience.
For example, some plaintiffs decide to take their lawsuit to court. This is rare. Most people take an out-of-court settlement because it’s safer and faster. But trial verdicts often result in a larger amount of compensation. So a good lawyer may look at the facts of your case and decide a trial is nearly 100 percent certain to be decided in your favor. Additionally, if you have a good prognosis, you likely have more time to invest in going to trial. A lawyer may advise a patient with a poorer prognosis to accept a settlement so they can get compensated faster.
Verdicts usually generate a much larger payout than settlements. According to Mealey’s Litigation Report, “The average verdict amount for other cancer claims from 2001 to 2006 was $11.3 million.” While a verdict could result a payout that’s 10 times larger than a settlement, there’s no guarantee you will win a trial verdict. Good lawyers recommend taking a settlement in more than 90 percent of lawsuits.
Getting the Best Lawyer
For some people, choosing a mesothelioma lawyer is easy. They pick the most experienced lawyer from the most experienced law firm. These lawyers will do everything to maximize their payout for their own sake. But the best mesothelioma lawyers also understand your emotional situation. They take into account your prognosis and current financial needs when taking on your case.
When choosing your lawyer, remember:
- You shouldn’t pay anything until you’ve won your claim.
- Your lawyer should be part of a national law firm.
- You should feel comfortable trusting your lawyer.
Mesothelioma claims can go in several directions. The claim can end in a settlement or a verdict. Or your compensation may come from an asbestos trust fund. The best lawyer will find the right compensation for you and your family. Get connected with the best lawyers now.
