Mesothelioma Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a qualified attorney can help you sort out your legal options. Mesothelioma lawsuits filed on behalf of the victim can hold manufacturers and employers accountable for negligently providing dangerous products and working conditions to employees. However, it is important to file your mesothelioma case as soon as possible to ensure that you are within the statute of
limitations for your state.

A statute of limitations refers to a set amount of time in which a legal claim must be filed in order to garner a positive settlement or verdict. The statutes of limitations vary by state, but generally the suit must be filed within two years of being diagnosed with mesothelioma. In cases of wrongful death, the claim typically must be filed within two years of the victim’s passing. Because the statutes of limitations are different in each state, it is imperative that you talk to an attorney knowledgeable in this area of litigation for legal assistance.

Obtaining the legal representation of an attorney experienced in asbestos law and litigation can significantly increase the victim’s chances of recovering a favorable settlement or verdict. A mesothelioma lawyer can help you determine when and how you were exposed to asbestos and which asbestos companies to name in your lawsuit. Once it is proven that the mesothelioma victim was exposed to asbestos, the case becomes more difficult to defend, leading the majority of mesothelioma lawsuits to end in settlements.

Since so much is at stake, selecting the right mesothelioma lawyer is very important. According the Wall Street Journal, lawyers say a typical mesothelioma award in a mesothelioma settlement is $1 million, and attorneys get 40% of this amount. If the case actually goes to trial, the average award was $6 million in 2001, which was triple the amount awarded just two years earlier. So, mesothelioma attorneys are very eager to find mesothelioma patients. And it's vital that patients select the mesothelioma attorneys that are best for them.

A Brief Background on Your Legal Rights Regarding Mesothelioma

Companies that manufacture products that contain asbestos have known for over 60 years that asbestos can cause serious diseases.
Unfortunately, because many of these companies wanted to increase their profits, they kept this information quiet, thereby seriously endangering their workers.
There are now laws that help protect the workers who have been harmed by their exposure to these asbestos-related products.
However, since representing mesothelioma can be so profitable to attorneys, it is important that people who have mesothelioma be especially careful selecting attorneys who are really qualified to represent them.

Important Questions to Ask When Selecting a Mesothelioma Attorney

Question #1 to Ask When Selecting a Mesothelioma Attorney:
What is your personal experience in representing mesothelioma patients? Your goal is to find out how many cases the attorney has actually handled.
You also want to know: how many of these were settled, and how many of these went to trial? What were the results of each case?
You should ask the same questions about his or her law firm. You're goal is to find out about the firm -- is this an area the firm specializes in?

Question #2 to Ask When Selecting a Mesothelioma Attorney:
Next, you want to ask if the lawyer intends to actually handle your case him or herself. Many attorneys simply refer these cases to another law firm and receive part of the fee in exchange. This may not be in your best interest.

Question #3 to Ask When Selecting a Mesothelioma Lawyer:
A very important question to ask is how expenses and attorney fees will be handled for the case. The process is not fast -- preparation for the trial and then the trial itself -- will take many months (or even years).
During this time, there will be thousands of dollars of initial costs associated with preparing for the trial, such as travel, hiring expert witnesses, depositions, etc. Ordinarily, the attorney who represents you advances these initial costs that are associated with the preparation and trial.
Most attorney fees in these cases are based on contingency fee contracts. This means that the lawyers receive a percentage of the amount the victim recovers if the suit is successful. If the suit is not successful, then the attorneys earn no fee.

Question #4 to Ask When Selecting a Mesothelioma Lawyer:
The next thing to ask is what is involved in this kind of lawsuit. You want to get an overview of the process, and what your role will be in it. You also want to get a sense of how good a communicator the attorney is.
Finally, a lot is at stake financially in these lawsuits. Therefore, it is ordinarily a good idea to interview a number of attorneys before you make a final decision about who will represent you. Consider trying to get at least two or three recommendations so you can make the best decision for you..

Finally, here are three warning signs that an attorney may not be right for you:

1. The lawyer is hard to reach, does not return calls promptly, or your calls are returned by someone else.
2. The lawyer seems uninterested in your opinions.
3. The lawyer asks you questions that make you doubt their competence or experience.

Here are experienced mesothelioma law firms you can contact for more information:

California - Paul, Hanley & Harley
If you are a resident of California and were diagnosed with mesothelioma please call Jerry Neil Paul of Paul, Hanley & Harley. Paul, Hanley & Harley has garnered many of the most significant California verdicts and they are dedicated to helping victims of mesothelioma. Call: 1-800-281-9804.

Midwest - The Maune Raichle Law Firm
Would you like free information on mesothelioma or legal representation? If you or someone you know has mesothelioma and lived or worked in the Midwest, call The Maune Raichle Law Firm or visit our website. We handle only mesothelioma cases. Call us at 1-800-358-5922.

New York and New Jersey - Levy Phillips & Konigsberg LLP ("LPK")
If you or someone you know has mesothelioma and has ever lived (or performed any work) in NY or NJ, call LPK for a free consultation, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (1-800-637-6529) or visit their website. LPK has over three decades of experience, including many top mesothelioma jury awards in NY and NJ.