How to Find the Best Mesothelioma Lawyer or Law Firm
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer
or any other illness caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos, there
are many decisions you must make. Of course, your top priority will be
taking care of yourself and focusing on the medical aspects and mesothelioma treatment
choices. You will also have to deal with an array of issues, such as
how much will it cost to treat your asbestos-related illness and how
will it affect your family. In the first few days, you might not even
think about hiring a mesothelioma lawyer because of your pressing
emotional and medical concerns.
If you or a loved one
has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer,
keep in mind that you may be entitled to substantial compensation. We invite you to use our Asbestos Attorney Locator Tool to find a top mesothelioma lawyer in your area. With over $30 billion currently in asbestos trust funds, now is the right time to take the first step in determining what you may qualify for.
Hiring the Best Mesothelioma Attorney
If
this is the first time that you have needed to hire an attorney, you
need to know that asbestos and mesothelioma cases should not be handled
by just anyone with a law practice. Like car accident or nursing home
abuse lawyers, asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys specialize in a
narrow niche of personal injury law, with a unique focus on
asbestos-related lawsuits.
This field is extremely
complex and requires knowledge about the asbestos industry, knowledge of
mesothelioma treatments, exposure to asbestos, and investigative
methods to determine who is at fault. The average personal injury lawyer
might have a general idea about cases related to asbestos, but may not
have the experience or skill sets to handle your case in a way that an
accomplished mesothelioma lawyer can. A mesothelioma attorney has the
right tools and experience to help you deal with the complexities of
your case and to help you win fair compensation for your
asbestos-related illness.
Keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all mold which produces mesothelioma and asbestos lawyers.
Every individual lawyer has a unique method of handling cases, and each
law firm has its own set of legal strategies in dealing with asbestos
law. Some lawyers have dealt with cases such as yours for years and
understand first-hand about the disease, including the harsh symptoms of mesothelioma and what victims have to live with on a daily basis.
On
the other hand, other attorneys are newcomers to the world of
mesothelioma law, and although they may have asbestos-related training,
they lack the experience of actual cases. Choosing the right lawyer to
handle your case can be a challenge, especially if you’re stressing over
your illness, your bills, and how this is affecting your loved ones.
However, as previously mentioned, if you arm yourself with knowledge and
options, finding a good lawyer doesn’t have to be difficult.
Steps To Finding The Best Lawyer or Law Firm
Choosing
a mesothelioma attorney is not a task that should be done in haste. You
should never hire a lawyer just because a law firm’s TV ad was loud and
flashy. There are many attorneys and law firms competing to handle
asbestos or mesothelioma cases, but some are inexperienced newcomers who
might not be able to handle your case properly. You need to separate
the good lawyers from the not-so-good ones. But with so many law firms
and attorneys out there, how do you find the right one?
1: Research
The
first step is to do research on mesothelioma and asbestos attorneys.
This sounds easy enough, but it requires time, patience, and energy.
These three assets might be in short supply, especially when you are
tired and don’t feel well, yet it’s important to make sure you seek out
the mesothelioma law firm
for your particular case and needs. Even if they don’t, they can help
you conduct Internet searches and make lists of law firms or attorneys
who may be qualified to handle your case.
Whether you conduct your
own research or delegate it to others, look for attorneys with the
right qualifications and established histories of dealing with asbestos
law. Don’t make a list that’s too long. Select a manageable number of
prospective mesothelioma law firms and ask for a case evaluation as
quickly as possible. If a law firm can’t evaluate your case in a timely
manner, there is a chance they may be too busy to take on your case.
With cases as sensitive as mesothelioma lawsuits, you’ll need an attorney who not only has the experience, but also the time and effort to dedicate to your case.
2: Internet
Looking
on the Internet is a convenient and relatively simple method to find
the best attorney. The search terms “asbestos lawyer” and “mesothelioma
attorneys” yield literally thousands of search engine results. Though
the sheer number of lawyer websites is staggering, you can figure out
the better ones simply by reading the information provided on home pages
and FAQ sections. An experienced mesothelioma law firm’s website should
provide you detailed information regarding all aspects of
asbestos-related diseases, state statute of limitations, pertinent
information regarding lawsuits, and answers to important questions you
may have.
3. Comprehensive Websites
If the
information is well-written, free of hyperbole, and covers detailed
information, add the firms’ names to your list of possible choices.
Steer clear of websites belonging to attorneys who make exaggerated
promises about how much you will win if you retain them to handle your
case. Although it’s important to seek out a law firm’s track record of
previous successful mesothelioma lawsuits, no law firm can guarantee
exactly how much you’ll win.
Keep in mind, however, that although
mesothelioma legal cases were relatively obscure until the number of
documented mesothelioma cases rose in the 1990s and 2000s, they are
usually lucrative.Yet, there are an array of factors that affect each
case, such as the stage of the disease, how you long you were exposed,
and much more. Therefore, it’s not possible for a mesothelioma law firm
to promise you a set amount of money beforehand. The best lawyers will
never make you false promises of how much compensation you can win.
Key Points in Finding the Best Law Firm
- Knowledgeable in all aspects of state and federal asbestos laws
- Extensive knowledge of all asbestos-related diseases, such as malignant mesothelioma and asbestosis
- Training on how to handle families with lost loved ones and/or victims going through emotional trauma
- Proper investigative skills in order to research prior company records, and if applicable, previous lawsuits against the defendant
- A professional law firm typically offers a no-obligation consultation in order to determine if they can successfully handle your case
Additional Tips:
Get Client References:
If you want to find out how well mesothelioma lawyers handle their
cases, ask for testimonials from some of their clients. Prospective
hires will provide you with a list of satisfied clients who have cleared
the attorneys to give to their names and contact information. You
probably will see only positive feedback, but you can get a good feel
for how successfully the lawyers handled previous cases.
Get a Consultation:
Once you have a short list of attorneys that fit the needs of your
asbestos lawsuit, begin contacting them and ask for a pre-screening. The
initial contact can be made on the Internet via the attorneys’ websites
or by phone. The consultation, however, is best done in person because
this is when the attorneys evaluate your case. During this evaluation,
the asbestos lawyers will advise you on your case’s validity, your
chances of getting a settlement, and how much of a percentage of the
award they will get if you win. Keep in mind, as aforementioned, the
best mesothelioma lawyers will usually offer you a free, no-obligation
consultation before taking on your case.