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Why Should I Hire a Mesothelioma Lawyer?
Many mesothelioma patients hire a mesothelioma lawyer to pursue justice and compensation from the companies that made the asbestos products they were exposed to. In addition to holding these companies accountable, mesothelioma lawsuits may result in a settlement to cover the cost of lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
- An asbestos trust fund
- A settlement reached from a mesothelioma lawsuit
- A verdict rendered by a jury in a mesothelioma trial
- A U.S. military veteran’s access to VA benefits
A mesothelioma lawyer will work with eligible victims and families to determine the best route for seeking financial security.
What Does a Mesothelioma Lawyer Do?
Mesothelioma lawyers specialize in asbestos cases. They fight for justice on behalf of clients who were exposed to asbestos and developed deadly diseases like mesothelioma as a result.
The laws that govern asbestos cases are complex and vary state by state. Experienced mesothelioma lawyers have a comprehensive understanding of the history of asbestos liability cases and state laws.
Most successful and reputable mesothelioma lawyers work with well-established law firms that practice nationwide. This allows them to file mesothelioma lawsuits in the state or jurisdiction that is best-suited to the specific factors in a given case.
A mesothelioma lawyer will work with a victim to:
- Build a strong case by gathering evidence, including medical records, work history, and proof of past asbestos exposure
- Make sure a mesothelioma lawsuit is filed before the state’s deadline passes
- Engage in negotiations with the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products (the defendants) with the goal of reaching a favorable settlement on behalf of their client (the plaintiff)
- Present the case at trial, if a settlement agreement cannot be reached
How Do I Choose a Mesothelioma Lawyer?
The best way for mesothelioma patients and their loved ones to secure the most compensation in the shortest amount of time is to hire an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. While many attorneys are happy to file mesothelioma lawsuits, only a select few specialize in these cases.
Look for a mesothelioma lawyer with the following qualities:
- Works with a well-established mesothelioma law firm that has decades of experience and a nationwide presence
- Has a long track record of securing successful outcomes in mesothelioma lawsuits, including verdicts and settlements
- Has considerable resources, including databases with detailed information on job sites associated with asbestos exposure, and warehouses of evidence from previous cases
- Can connect you with top mesothelioma doctors
Choosing a qualified mesothelioma lawyer is easier with a trusted legal resource like LawFirm.com. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of the best mesothelioma lawyers in the country.
How Much Does a Mesothelioma Lawyer Cost?
Mesothelioma lawyers work on a contingency-fee basis, which means their clients don’t pay any upfront or out-of-pocket costs associated with the lawsuit. Instead, a mesothelioma lawyer only gets paid if the case is successful in securing compensation for mesothelioma victims and their families.
Mesothelioma patients often find themselves overwhelmed financially because they’re unable to work, or to provide for their families. On top of lost income, they also incur frequent hospital visits and treatments leading to steep medical bills that can add up to tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Thankfully, experienced mesothelioma lawyers understand the precarious financial situations in which these families find themselves. That’s why if a lawsuit does not result in a favorable settlement or jury award, the mesothelioma lawyer does not charge a fee.
What Types of Claims Do Mesothelioma Lawyers Handle?
The best mesothelioma lawyers are well-equipped to handle a wide variety of asbestos claims. When it comes to representing victims in a mesothelioma lawsuit, there are four main paths to compensation:
- Asbestos trust funds
- Personal injury lawsuits
- Wrongful death lawsuits
- VA (Veterans Affairs) benefits
Please note that pursuing one path does not necessarily prohibit a mesothelioma patient from also pursuing another. For example, a U.S. Navy veteran could potentially be owed compensation from an asbestos trust fund and benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Asbestos Trust Funds
Facing a growing number of asbestos lawsuits, many manufacturers of asbestos-containing products went bankrupt. As part of their bankruptcy agreements with the courts, these companies were ordered to establish asbestos trust funds. In total, these trust funds are worth an estimated $30 billion.
The purpose of asbestos trust funds is to pay victims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases (such as asbestosis or lung cancer). Depending on their asbestos exposure history, eligible victims may be able to access compensation from multiple trust funds with the help of a mesothelioma lawyer.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
Mesothelioma patients and their loved ones may be able to pursue justice and compensation from the companies responsible for exposing them to asbestos and causing their cancer. Known as personal injury lawsuits, these claims seek to hold companies accountable for failure to warn or failure to provide a safe working environment.
Personal injury lawsuits can result in compensation awarded to a victim or their family through an out-of-court settlement or trial verdict. Over 90% of these cases are settled before they reach the trial stage, with the average mesothelioma settlement amount being $1-1.4 million.
Notable mesothelioma settlements and verdicts secured through personal injury lawsuits include:
- $10.2 million for a U.S. Navy veteran in Washington
- $9.5 million for a construction worker in California
- $6.5 million for a U.S. Army veteran and oil field worker in Louisiana
- $1.2 million for a Missouri woman who suffered secondhand asbestos exposure
- $1 million for a pipe supplier in Oklahoma
Wrongful Death Lawsuits
After a person passes away from mesothelioma, their immediate family members or estate representatives may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for past medical bills, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and other damages. These lawsuits aim to prove a victim’s death was caused by asbestos exposure that could have been prevented.
Similar to personal injury lawsuits, wrongful death lawsuits can either be settled out of court or proceed to trial for a verdict rendered by a jury. The compensation secured in a wrongful death lawsuit is paid out to the deceased’s family or estate representatives.
VA Benefits
Roughly one-third of all mesothelioma victims are U.S. military veterans. During their service, many veterans were exposed to asbestos on a regular basis, which ultimately led to their disease.
VA-accredited mesothelioma lawyers can help eligible veterans access VA benefits, including VA health care, disability pay, special monthly compensation, and pension.
In addition, U.S. veterans may be eligible to pursue additional mesothelioma compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit or asbestos trust fund claim. Importantly, mesothelioma lawsuits are filed against asbestos product manufacturers, not the U.S. military or government.
How Do I Get Started?
LawFirm.com partners with some of the most experienced mesothelioma lawyers across the country. The attorneys we work with charge no upfront or out-of-pocket costs, only accepting payment if your case succeeds in securing compensation.
To start the process of potentially hiring a mesothelioma lawyer, contact LawFirm.com today for a free legal consultation. A top mesothelioma lawyer will listen to your story and determine if you can pursue compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit.
These cases are time-sensitive, so don’t wait – contact us today.
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