You have lots of important decisions to make after a mesothelioma diagnosis. One of the most important of them is how to figure out what caused your illness and what to do about it. A top mesothelioma lawyer can pinpoint the source of your cancer and help you pursue justice and compensation.
What Is a Mesothelioma Lawyer?
A mesothelioma lawyer is an attorney who specializes in asbestos law. The best mesothelioma lawyers are certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help provide the best legal help for veterans.
Beyond being familiar with asbestos laws and regulations, a mesothelioma lawyer also knows what benefits are available for veterans with mesothelioma and how to help their clients access these resources.
Types of Claims Handled by Mesothelioma Lawyers
There are two main types of lawsuits that a mesothelioma lawyer handles:
- Personal injury lawsuits are filed on behalf of clients who were exposed to asbestos and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related disease.
- Wrongful death lawsuits allow the families of late mesothelioma victims to file claims against the asbestos companies responsible for causing their loved ones' death.
We can connect you with top lawyers who have decades of experience filing mesothelioma lawsuits on behalf of veterans and their families. Get started today.
What to Look for in a Mesothelioma Lawyer
Below are important qualities to consider when hiring a lawyer for mesothelioma.
Specialization in Asbestos Law
To increase your chances of recovering mesothelioma compensation, you should make sure your lawyer works almost exclusively on asbestos cases.
Your mesothelioma lawyer needs to know:
- The relevant state and federal asbestos laws, including statutes of limitations
- How to track down and verify asbestos exposure from as far back as 50 years
- Which bankrupt asbestos-based product manufacturers have established trust funds
- The various treatment costs for different diagnoses, including projected future costs
- Which benefits you may be entitled to through the VA or other organizations
Mesothelioma attorneys have access to asbestos-related resources that are not typically available to general practice lawyers.
The combination of this dedicated knowledge and a proven track record of success handling similar cases is what makes a mesothelioma lawyer best equipped to pursue the compensation you may deserve.
No Upfront Fees
You shouldn’t have to pay your mesothelioma lawyer anything upfront. Your first contact with an asbestos attorney should start with a free consultation.
Further, there should be no charges for court or filing costs. You shouldn’t need to spend a single dollar to find top-notch representation for your mesothelioma lawsuit.
Most personal injury lawyers — including top asbestos lawyers — get paid on a contingency fee basis. This means they keep a portion of whatever money you're awarded through a mesothelioma settlement or verdict to cover the costs of filing your lawsuit.
In other words, your mesothelioma lawyer will work on your behalf and get paid only a portion of the compensation they may recover for you.
Download our Free Attorney Checklist today to make sure you're asking the right questions when interviewing prospective mesothelioma lawyers.
National Reach With Local Support
Most asbestos victims can’t afford to travel out of state to see a top mesothelioma lawyer. That’s why your attorney should be part of a national mesothelioma law firm with the resources to travel directly to you.
Many of the best mesothelioma lawyers work with legal teams across the country. Even if your primary mesothelioma attorney isn’t located nearby, they should have relationships with local lawyers who can meet with you.
Experience With Asbestos Trust Funds
Your mesothelioma lawyer should be familiar with asbestos trust funds as another potential source of compensation.
When the dangers of asbestos became public knowledge, many companies that made and sold asbestos products went bankrupt. Bankruptcy makes it impossible to sue a company or individual. However, federal judges forced asbestos companies to set aside a total of $30 million for current and future victims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.
Filing trust fund claims with the help of a mesothelioma lawyer may help you access compensation faster than through a lawsuit. In fact, many clients begin to receive trust fund payouts in 90 days or less.
Take the first step toward accessing trust fund compensation today.
Track Record of Success
Before hiring a mesothelioma attorney, you should know if they have a proven track record of successful lawsuits. Be sure to ask how many verdicts and settlements have recovered for their clients in past mesothelioma cases. You can also ask them for examples of mesothelioma settlements they've secured.
The mesothelioma lawyers at our partner firm, Simmons Hanly Conroy, have more than 20 years of experience fighting on behalf of asbestos victims and their families. Connect with one of the firm's experienced mesothelioma attorneys today.
Reasons to Work With a Mesothelioma Lawyer
Many patients develop mesothelioma as a result of corporate wrongdoing. Negligent companies that exposed their employees to asbestos-containing materials should be held accountable. A mesothelioma lawyer may be able to help you attain justice for you or a loved one.
The harmful effects of asbestos were well known as early as the 1930s. In spite of this, companies continued to use asbestos-containing products extensively throughout the middle and latter part of the 20th century. They exposed millions of workers and veterans to this cancer-causing mineral in the process.
These businesses put their profit margin ahead of the health and well-being of their employees and their families. A reputable mesothelioma lawyer can help hold these companies accountable for their neglect.
Another reason to work with a mesothelioma lawyer is that they can help you pursue financial compensation. Money from a mesothelioma settlement can help cover medical bills, treatment expenses, lost wages, and more.
Mesothelioma settlements award victims of asbestos exposure $1 million to $1.4 million on average.
Video Summary: VA-accredited attorney Eric Hall explains how veterans can access financial compensation. As of 2023, the VA pays $3,500+ per month in disability to veterans with mesothelioma. Call (877) 450-8973 to learn more and file for compensation. View Transcript
Any veteran who has mesothelioma as a result of their exposure to asbestos while serving in the military is entitled to VA compensation. Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of their service in the military are likely to receive a benefit of $3,500 of monthly income, tax-free to the veteran.
In addition to VA benefits, there are other types of compensation that are available to veterans who have been exposed to asbestos and developed mesothelioma. We encourage veterans to call and find out how we can help them.
Find Top Mesothelioma Attorneys Near You
Filing a successful mesothelioma lawsuit requires a comprehensive understanding asbestos litigation. This is where a mesothelioma lawyer comes in.
A qualified mesothelioma attorney can:
- Track down where and when you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos
- Identify which company or companies are responsible for your exposure
- File a mesothelioma lawsuit and asbestos trust fund claim(s) to help you get fairly compensated
Find some of the top mesothelioma lawyers for veterans today.
FAQs About Mesothelioma Lawyers
Will my asbestos attorney sue the U.S. government or military?
No, your attorney will not sue the military.
It’s true that many veterans were exposed to asbestos during their service. Asbestos is a good insulator and has flame-resistant properties, which makes it a good fit for use in military bases and equipment. It was especially useful for ships and in other areas where a fire or explosion could be catastrophic.
Your exposure may have happened while you were in the armed forces, but it only happened because product manufacturers hid the dangers of asbestos from you, the public at large, and the military itself.
To help make things right, the government has made many benefits available to veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their service. Filing a lawsuit with the help of a mesothelioma lawyer is a way to force the manufacturers of asbestos-based products to make things right, too.
How much compensation can a mesothelioma lawyer get me?
Compensation amounts vary from case to case, but recent legal reports show the average payout from a mesothelioma settlement is $1 million to $1.4 million. Most mesothelioma claims — 95% to be specific — end in a settlement rather than going to trial.
If my family member died from mesothelioma, can I file a lawsuit?
Yes, if an immediate family member dies from mesothelioma, you can file a wrongful death suit. These cases must be filed within a certain amount of time after death, so be sure to reach out to a mesothelioma lawyer soon to discuss your legal options.
How much do the best mesothelioma attorneys cost?
You shouldn’t have to pay anything upfront to work with a mesothelioma attorney.
If your lawyer fails to recover money for your illness, it will cost you absolutely nothing. Even if the law firm spends years working on your case, you won’t owe them a single dollar if they don’t get you some form of payment for your suffering.
If you do get compensation, your attorney and their team will keep a percentage to cover their costs and overhead.
