Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis can be an overwhelming experience. You’re likely to have many questions for your doctor regarding treatment, prognosis and other topics.
As you learn more about mesothelioma, you may realize your questions regarding the disease aren’t just medical-related.
The only cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure, and the corporations responsible for producing and distributing asbestos-containing products and materials knew about the health risks associated with the substance. Yet, they did not disclose the dangers. The companies’ failure to warn is one of the reasons people with mesothelioma are entitled to compensation from the corporations that put them in danger.
Knowing where to turn for legal help can be overwhelming, though. If you’re interested in filing a mesothelioma compensation claim, how do you know which law firm or lawyer should handle your case?
Preparing a list of questions for your primary physician or mesothelioma specialist is understandable — and encouraged. Doing the same when looking for a mesothelioma lawyer is also welcomed by the top law firms. Here are eight questions to ask each attorney you meet with to help you find the best mesothelioma lawyer.
Why Should I Work With an Attorney Specializing in Mesothelioma and Asbestos Claims?
Mesothelioma cases are unique from other personal injury or wrongful death claims. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure, but the disease takes 20-50 years after exposure to form and begin spreading.
Due to the long period of time between exposure and the cancer forming, you need a legal expert in your corner who can look through your life to uncover specific instances of asbestos exposure, which are often related to your work history and use of certain products. Mesothelioma lawyers have access to extensive databases to know the exact details about asbestos products and the manufacturers responsible.
A mesothelioma lawyer will also know the types of compensation claims applicable to your situation. In some cases, you can file a lawsuit against the companies responsible for your mesothelioma and take them to court. In other cases, the companies may have claimed bankruptcy and have now established an asbestos trust fund to compensate you quickly.
Working with an attorney who does not specialize in mesothelioma and asbestos claims may not be the best choice as they likely won’t know about the intricacies.
What Will My Mesothelioma Lawyer Do?
Since many victims were exposed to asbestos while working jobs in construction, insulation, plant manufacturing, the military and more, your mesothelioma lawyer will examine your work history, your spouse’s work history and your parents’ work histories to link industries and certain work sites with the presence of asbestos.
Your lawyer will also look through your family’s history of using specific products that contained asbestos, such as talcum powders like Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder. To gather all of this information, your lawyer will coordinate a meeting and travel directly to you, so you are not inconvenienced by traveling for unnecessary meetings.
Aside from determining your asbestos exposure history, your attorney will help guide you through the case process by determining the type of claim and how many claims to file, where to file claims, filling out all required paperwork, compiling the necessary evidence, and putting your case together. With the help of an experienced mesothelioma lawyer, you won’t need to do much work for your case, if any at all.
How Long Has Your Firm Represented Mesothelioma Patients?
When seeking any type of legal assistance, you always want knowledgeable and experienced attorneys on your side. Mesothelioma legal claims and asbestos lawsuits have special circumstances and small, important details that are different from typical personal injury or wrongful death cases.
It’s important to ask how long the law firm has represented people with mesothelioma and victims of asbestos exposure to understand the extent of their expertise. Trusting your case with lawyers who specialize in asbestos litigation — and who regularly work with mesothelioma patients — is much more comforting than relying on a law firm with little to no experience in these types of cases.
Has Your Law Firm Contributed to or Been Involved With Nonprofit Organizations Benefiting Mesothelioma Patients?
Mesothelioma is a deadly disease, one that impacts not only the person diagnosed with the cancer but also their loved ones. You’ll likely want to work with a law firm that genuinely cares for and wants to help those affected by mesothelioma.
Why Should I Hire You or Your Law Firm Instead of A Local One?
Choosing a national mesothelioma law firm to handle your case has several benefits. For starters, national firms are licensed to file claims and lawsuits in multiple states. Rather than just filing with your local court system, national law firms and lawyers can file multiple mesothelioma claims across the country.
Typically, there is more than one liable party involved in a mesothelioma claim, which means there is often more than one applicable jurisdiction for the claim. National mesothelioma lawyers can file claims in more than one state and will usually know which state(s) will likely process your claims quickly, allowing you to receive substantial compensation.
A local firm likely does not have attorneys licensed to practice in multiple states, which also means they likely won’t have knowledge of the court systems in other areas of the country. This may limit where you can file your claim(s), how much compensation you can receive, and how quickly your claim(s) pays out.
How Will Your Law Firm Gather Information Regarding My Asbestos Exposure?
Working with a law firm that knows exactly how to navigate the extensive research and in-depth investigation required to determine the specifics of your asbestos exposure is crucial. National mesothelioma law firms often have access to valuable resources for determining your asbestos exposure along with a team of experienced mesothelioma lawyers and knowledgeable staff to handle your case with care and determination. They will thoroughly review all possible incidents of asbestos exposure and uncover the specific details associated with your exposure history.
As someone living with and fighting cancer, you should focus on your quality of life, treatment, and spending time with loved ones. You should never worry about the details of your mesothelioma claim, which is why it is essential to find a law firm that you can trust to handle the intricacies of your case.
Have Any National Organizations Recognized Your Law Firm’s Work?
Certain law firms are more prestigious than others as they may have a more successful reputation. Choose legal representation with a track record of successfully helping victims receive the compensation they rightfully deserve.
Their success should include winning trial cases and major verdicts, securing settlements, and navigating asbestos trust fund claims to retrieve compensation through bankruptcy trusts. Another characteristic of a reputable law firm is award-winning lawyers who are recognized by their peers and others with prestigious honors.
How Much Will Your Law Firm’s Services Cost?
The most obvious question and often a big reason victims are hesitant to pursue legal action is the cost of legal services. The answer from the lawyer you choose should be “nothing upfront.”
The best mesothelioma law firms and attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means they receive payment only if they secure compensation for your claim. Once compensation is secured, the legal team will receive a percentage of the compensation to pay them for their services.
Victims of asbestos exposure and their families should never be expected to pay anything out-of-pocket, so find a quality law firm that works on a contingency basis. Additionally, you won’t have to pay the firm anything if you don’t receive compensation. Attorneys who work on a contingency basis have an incentive to attain maximum compensation for their clients.
You may have other questions to ask attorneys and law firms, but these are a must for anyone seeking mesothelioma representation. Before selecting a lawyer, speak with a representative from Mesothelioma Guide. Our patient advocates can help you find the best legal assistance that best fits your case.
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