Mesothelioma and Asbestos Lawyers
Asbestos poses an ongoing risk to workers and those who have been unknowingly exposed.
As cases of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers rise, individuals who were unaware of the exposure, or who suffered due to negligence, have been seeking out litigation to receive adequate compensation.
Some lawyers specialize in these cases that have good backgrounds in law and hefty track records of success to back them up. These attorneys make it their mission to help individuals and families who are struggling with mesothelioma fight for fair compensation for their troubles.
Why Hire a Mesothelioma Lawyer?
Attorneys who specialize in mesothelioma litigation are well versed in what it takes to get the kind of compensation you deserve. These cases are easy to fight for as you have a legal right to medical aid and other forms of payment if your company has been negligent.
Asbestos-related cancers are 100% preventable, and these businesses typically are aware of the problem.
It is important to employ a lawyer that is well-versed in the subject matter and knows how to utilize the tools at their disposal to prove your case is viable. They are educated on the subject and have enough experience to prove that there has been negligence on the employer’s part and will be able to negotiate for fair compensation.
Aside from their specialization, you’ll want to ensure that whatever attorney you choose to represent your case has more than adequate experience and is a representative from an accredited firm. They know how difficult it can be for a family who is already struggling with mesothelioma, to not be able to afford the medical bills. Being so well-versed in the subject and experienced with the fight, they provide compassion and understanding for your plight that other lawyers may not be able to provide.
Perks of Hiring a Mesothelioma Attorney
In addition to their competence and experience with these kinds of cases, most of these specialists will offer certain incentives for you to choose them to represent you.
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Free ConsultationsMost of these lawyers know that if you’re seeking out their help, you’re in a vulnerable spot financially. If you or a loved one has been affected by the negligence of an employer and you’ve become the victim of mesothelioma or an asbestos-related illness, they want to help you. They can help you assess your options and either take on your case or direct you towards the next best step. These consultations are done at no cost to you.
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Availability
Due to this issue being so widespread, it shouldn’t be difficult to find a lawyer that specializes in mesothelioma litigation near you. If there aren’t any practices near you that handle these cases specifically, you may be able to reach out and find one willing to travel to you. If your case is big enough and there is enough evidence to support it, they may just be willing to work with you even if they aren’t local.
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Communication
Cancer can already be such a difficult subject, but if your cancer was caused by negligence on behalf of an employer or even landlord, you’ll want to be able to discuss things openly with your lawyer. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing with them the difficult details of your health, or feel they can’t answer any tough questions you might have, they likely aren’t right for you. The right lawyer will be easy to talk to and make you feel comfortable with their competence and compassion.
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Tools
With the prevalence of asbestos-related illnesses and litigation being sought by patients all over the country, there are resources available to these lawyers to help them prepare your case. They can access sensitive company information to find the source of negligence, as well as consult with specialists who can help back up your diagnosis and provide thorough evidence.
You should be able to choose your attorney similarly to how you would choose a specialist for your health.
You want someone comfortable with and knowledgeable of the subject, lauded in their field, and who you can trust to take your case seriously. If you don’t feel they are capable enough to take your claim, then they likely aren’t. Trust your instincts and go with someone who you know will devote their time and energy to ensuring you get what you need.
What Can Be Compensated For?
If you’re seeking out compensation, you’ll likely want to know what all will be able to be covered by that payout. You will be able to discuss with your legal defense what exactly they can get covered by your settlement.
Typically patients will seek compensation for:
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Lost Pay
Likely if you’ve contracted mesothelioma or another form of cancer, you’ll be forced to miss work for appointments or poor health. Some settlements will cover your loss of wages, especially if you can prove that your illness is due to company negligence.
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Cost of Treatment
Cancer treatments can be incredibly expensive, and if your employer is the cause of your illness you can likely receive compensation for the cost. Asbestos-related illnesses are 100% preventable, so your treatment should be able to be covered by those at fault.
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Travel Expenses
If you’re having to seek out a mesothelioma specialist and that requires travel, you may be able to get your expenses covered in your settlement.
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Burial and Funeral Costs
If your loved one has passed away due to mesothelioma or a related illness, the individuals or companies at fault should be required to help pay for the cost of their funeral and burial. Some settlements may even require that those at fault cover all medical bills for treatment or appointments after the individual has passed on so the family does not have to pay off that debt.
What Claims do These Attorneys Handle?
Mesothelioma lawyers will typically handle a number of claims and will be able to guide you on the best way to seek out financial reimbursement. They can either help you with pursuing a mesothelioma lawsuit or find compensation through a fund dedicated to helping compensate those who have been affected by mesothelioma.
Some lawyers may lead you through a personal injury lawsuit. If you believe that your illness has been caused by a company or several companies, you can file a personal injury claim and see if it is viable for settlement.
If you are a loved one that is seeking out compensation to make up for the wrongful death of a family member who suffered from mesothelioma, you can file a settlement claim. If a company or individual is at fault for exposing your deceased loved one to asbestos, they may be required to pay medical bills and funeral costs for the deceased and their family.
Due to a large number of mesothelioma compensation cases, there are a great many that never manage to see a trial. These cases are typically settled out of court and can compensate the individual on a smaller but more expedient scale than a full-blown lawsuit would be able to.
There are also asbestos trust funds that have been put in place by bankrupt companies to settle out mesothelioma and asbestos cases.
A proper mesothelioma attorney can guide you through the application process and hopefully get you the kind of compensation you deserve.
Mesothelioma Law Firms
It can be difficult to determine if you have a viable enough case to seek financial compensation. A proper attorney can help you determine the value of your case and seek the kind of settlement you deserve. There are certain firms that have a proven track record for winning settlement cases for mesothelioma and other related injuries.
To properly do your research, you may want to reach out to a few different firms and do a free consultation to talk through your specific needs.
Eligibility
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or a related illness, it is your legal right to pursue financial reimbursement for the damages. If a loved one has passed on due to one of these illnesses, you may also be able to file a suit for their wrongful death to be compensated for their medical or funeral expenses. Most attorneys will go over your eligibility, the viability of your case, and the likelihood of receiving adequate compensation from the company or companies responsible.
If you are planning on seeking out legal help, you’ll want to do it as quickly as possible as there are limitations on what a mesothelioma attorney can do with you if you wait too long or are past the statute of limitations.
Example of a Mesothelioma Settlement
There have been some mesothelioma and asbestos cases that have received large amounts of media attention due to their unique nature and high payout.
Johnson & Johnson – $100 Million
There have been over twenty thousand lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson for their baby powder which has been linked to mesothelioma and other types of cancer. Over 33k bottles of baby powder were recalled due to the concern after asbestos was found in their product. Traces of asbestos in the talc product have been linked to these forms of cancer and after over fifty years of usage, the results are starting to become clear.
This payout of $100 million is the settlement to over one thousand lawsuits that have been filed against the company for asbestos concerns.
What Else Should You Know?
Before you go ahead and start working towards a mesothelioma lawsuit, you’ll want to do your research to not only find the best lawyer for your case but to go over your state’s rules and procedures for dealing with asbestos claims.
It is important to note that these rules and regulations vary from state to state, so what may work in New York may not work in Florida.
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California
Their take on asbestos law is to favor the victim and work towards expedient solutions. They will help get your case fast-tracked and moved to trial as quickly as possible so you can work towards getting your settlement.
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Texas
With the heavy influx of cases, Texas has made it a bit more difficult to file a claim for mesothelioma or asbestos-related injuries. They have specific criteria for filing and have changed the procedures for moving litigation along.
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Arizona
With so many naturally occurring deposits of asbestos as well as mining, military bases, and power plants, it is incredibly easy to be exposed to asbestos in Arizona. With that much prevalence, it is easier to get your case looked at here but it can be fiddly if you don’t fall within the right time frame.
Once you’ve made sure that your state will take your claim, you’ll want to consult with your lawyer right away to check the viability. It is important for this reason to do your research into your lawyer and see if they’ve taken cases that are similar to yours. They may not boast about it on their websites, but even a simple email or phone call can get you answers to whether or not your case seems like something they’d be interested in.
While bigger-name law firms might be more versed in this kind of work and have cases to prove their success, they may not be willing to take on a smaller individual case. With that in mind, you may want to seek out lawyers who have the same credentials as big names, but who take on smaller cases.
Even though they may seem intimidating, law firms like Weitz & Luxenberg who have experience with large settlements, also are willing to take on smaller clients who need personal attention while they are navigating through the difficulties of fighting for their health and wellness. These larger firms have lawyers on staff who can provide personal attention and peace of mind to win your settlement.
