Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit can bring much-needed financial support to you and your loved ones. It’s often less stressful than most people realize. If you are a victim of asbestos exposure, you should know how to file a lawsuit.
Written by Retired LCDR Carl Jewett
Fact Checked by Troy Walton
Important Facts About Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Filing a lawsuit is the most well-known legal action for people with mesothelioma. Here is a summary of the process:
- The American court system usually favors mesothelioma victims.
- You can file multiple lawsuits if more than one company is responsible.
- Most lawsuits end in settlements and don’t cause stress.
- A national lawyer or law firm will help the most with a lawsuit.
Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit
Following their diagnosis, mesothelioma patients often face numerous struggles. They include treatment, financial instability and difficult conversations with loved ones. The idea of filing a lawsuit appears to be an unnecessary stressor.
However, the companies that caused asbestos exposure should be held responsible. Fortunately for you and other victims, filing a lawsuit requires little work from the patient or their family.
For decades, many manufacturers hid the dangers of asbestos, the mineral that causes mesothelioma. For this reason, most patients and their families are eligible for compensation.
When handled by an experienced law firm, most legal claims end in a successful settlement. The American court system has been sympathetic to the victims of malicious corporate greed.
How to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit
Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit involves a three-step process. Follow this procedure if you’re wondering how to increase your chances of a successful result and maximum payment:
Connect with a lawyer who has experience with mesothelioma lawsuits. Not all attorneys have experience with asbestos litigation. They may advertise themselves as experts, but mesothelioma lawsuits are vastly different from all other types of personal injury cases.
Learn how and where you were exposed to asbestos. This step is essential to filing a lawsuit. Without proof linking your cancer to individual instances of asbestos exposure, your lawsuit likely won’t succeed. Talking with a mesothelioma lawyer makes this step much easier.
File claims in multiple jurisdictions and against all responsible parties. Casting a wide net helps in two ways. First, you’ll have more opportunities for a successful lawsuit. Second, you’ll likely receive a larger payment amount in the end.
Benefits of Filing
The main reason for filing a lawsuit is receiving mesothelioma compensation. This helps cover financial instability caused by lost wages, medical costs and other life changes. This money also helps patients receive treatment options that would otherwise be unavailable to them.
Most successful mesothelioma lawsuits are settled outside of court. The legal process for these cases usually isn’t dragged out, and few reach the trial phase. Victims who settle their cases often receive compensation in a timely manner.
An experienced attorney from a national asbestos law firm will travel to meet their client and take on almost every aspect of the case.
Mesothelioma Lawsuit Process
What to Expect From a Mesothelioma Lawyer
Once a patient has found the best treatment available, the next step is finding top legal representation. Just like certain doctors specialize in specific treatment, some attorneys specialize in representing the victims of asbestos exposure. Patients should never compromise on the quality of their legal representation.
A great mesothelioma law firm:
- Has years of experience helping people affected by mesothelioma
- Knows how to investigate your history of asbestos exposure
- Can trace exposure to specific companies’ wrongdoing
- Works on a contingency basis and doesn’t get paid until you do
- Represents clients around the country and will travel to you
- Minimizes client stress by doing most of the work
- Provides frequent updates on your case
A national law firm is more capable than local ones of fully investigating your claim. They will find all liable asbestos companies and determine where to file a lawsuit.
Experienced law firms will usually move a case to a jurisdiction that is more favorable to their client. This helps in terms of the amount they will receive and the speed of receiving the compensation. Contact the top mesothelioma law firms with our free case evaluation form.
Common Questions About Mesothelioma Lawsuits
How Long Do Mesothelioma Lawsuits Take?
Each lawsuit is different and will require a unique amount of time. However, the top mesothelioma lawyers and law firms can expedite and finish your case in just a matter of months.
Do All Mesothelioma Lawsuits Go to Trial?
No. Nearly all cases end in a mesothelioma settlement. The at-fault companies want to avoid costly trials.
Can I File a Lawsuit Against a Bankrupt Company?
No, but you can still receive compensation in the form of asbestos trust funds. These funds are specifically for victims of mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases when the at-fault companies are bankrupt.
How Much Money Will I Receive From a Lawsuit?
The amount of your mesothelioma compensation depends on numerous factors, which make up your mesothelioma case value. This estimation varies for each person.
How Will I Pay My Attorney?
The best mesothelioma attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means you won’t have to pay any hiring costs. They’re only paid if your claim succeeds.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
Mesothelioma cases have a statute of limitations (SOL), meaning there is a limit to how long you can wait to file. Statutes'deadlines vary based on where you live, where the exposure happened and several other factors.
Can Veterans File a Lawsuit?
Yes. Veterans with mesothelioma can file both Veterans Affairs claims and lawsuits against the responsible asbestos manufacturing companies.
Last Edited: January 22, 2021.
