If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you’ll have lots of important decisions to make. One of the most important decisions is how to figure out what caused your illness and what to do about it. A top mesothelioma lawyer can help more than you think.
What Is a Mesothelioma Lawyer?
A mesothelioma lawyer is an attorney who specializes in asbestos law. Usually, mesothelioma lawyers are certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help provide the best legal help for veterans.
A mesothelioma lawyer doesn’t just know the law. They also know what benefits are available for veterans with mesothelioma and how to connect clients with 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 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.
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, but judges at the time recognized the injustice this could lead to.
As a term of entering bankruptcy, courts required asbestos companies to create trust funds to pay victims diagnosed with mesothelioma and other related illnesses. Mesothelioma lawyers know the ins and outs of getting compensation from these trust funds.
Being able to work with trust funds is just one skill you should look for when you're trying to find a top mesothelioma lawyer for veterans.
What to Look for in a Mesothelioma Lawyer
Below are important qualities to consider when hiring a mesothelioma lawyer.
Specialization in Asbestos Law
To increase your chances of recovering 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
- The different asbestos trust funds companies paid into
- How to track down and verify asbestos exposure from as far back as 50 years
- The various treatment costs for different diagnoses — including projected future costs
- Which benefits you may be entitled to through the VA or other organizations
There are a lot of resources available to a lawyer who specializes in mesothelioma that would simply not be available to a general practice lawyer. Combining those resources with multiple years of experience and a track record of success is the best way to make sure you get the compensation you may deserve.
No Upfront Fees
You shouldn’t have to pay a mesothelioma lawyer any upfront costs.
Your initial consultation and case evaluation should be free. 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.
If an attorney you’re considering is trying to charge you money, you should find another attorney.
Most personal injury lawyers — including top asbestos lawyers — get paid on a contingency fee basis. This means they keep a portion of what you get as a settlement or verdict to cover the costs of filing and representing you.
In other words, your lawyer will work on your behalf and get paid only a fraction of the compensation they recover for you.
To help ensure you're hiring the right lawyer, consider what questions to ask and what the answers should be.
National Reach With Local Support
Most mesothelioma victims 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 claims are often filed in more than one state, and a lawyer who doesn’t specialize in these cases may not have offices near you.
Many of the best mesothelioma law firms work with local representatives in different states across the country. Even if the primary lawyer working on your case isn’t located nearby, they will often have contacts in your area.
Experience With Asbestos Trust Funds
Many mesothelioma claims are filed with asbestos trust funds. These trusts are set up by companies that were bankrupted by asbestos lawsuits. Your lawyer should have years of experience with trust fund claims.
Victims of asbestos exposure who file trust fund claims with the help of a mesothelioma lawyer may even get their compensation faster than through a lawsuit — many in 90 days or less. Start the process today.
Track Record of Success
Before hiring an attorney, you should know if they have a proven track record. You should find out how many verdicts and settlements have been in your lawyer’s favor. You will also want to know the average mesothelioma settlement amount their legal team has secured for previous clients.
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 should be held accountable through mesothelioma lawsuits. Depending on your situation, your lawyer may be able to help you pursue both compensation and justice for this wrongdoing.
It was well known that asbestos was both toxic and dangerous to breathe as early as the 1930s. In spite of this, companies used asbestos-containing products extensively throughout the middle and latter part of the 20th century. They exposed millions of workers and veterans to the substance in the process.
These businesses put their profit margin ahead of the health and well-being of their employees and their families. A good mesothelioma lawyer can help hold these companies accountable for their neglect.
Another reason to work with a lawyer is that they can help you pursue mesothelioma compensation. Money from a settlement can assist with treatment expenses, lost wages, and more
Video Summary: VA-accredited attorney Eric Hall explains how veterans can access financial compensation. As of 2023, the VA pays $3,800+ 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.
Finding the Right Mesothelioma Attorney
Your mesothelioma attorney should work for a national mesothelioma law firm that has successfully tackled many past cases. A good mesothelioma lawyer understands the complex legal process involved in asbestos cases.
They can help you track down where and when you were exposed to asbestos. A mesothelioma attorney can also help you find out who is responsible for the development of your mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illness.
A top mesothelioma lawyer will fight for the compensation you and your loved ones may be entitled to. Get connected with legal help 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 military, but it only happened because the asbestos companies hid the dangers from you, the public at large, and the military itself.
The government has made many benefits available to veterans in an effort to make its contribution to asbestos exposure right. A lawsuit is you and your attorney getting the companies and their successors to make it right, too.
How much compensation can a mesothelioma lawyer get me?
Amounts can vary a lot from case to case, but recent reports show the average payout from a mesothelioma settlement is $1 million to $1.4 million. Most claims — 95% or more — 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.
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.
