11 Reasons You May Need to See a Mesothelioma Attorney

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that is almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it’s important to seek legal guidance quickly to understand your compensation options. Do not delay speaking with an experienced mesothelioma attorney who can explain your legal rights and build a strong case for financial recovery through settlements or jury verdicts.

This article outlines the many key reasons why partnering with a skilled, passionate, and dedicated mesothelioma lawyer right away can significantly impact your pursuit of justice. Financial recovery can offer stability and resources for medical treatment, helping families support their loved ones in this challenging time.

Understanding Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma is a cancer that forms in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. It is caused by inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers. Asbestos was heavily used in industries like construction, shipbuilding, and even in the navy and military from the 1940s to the 1980s. Workers and officers were often exposed through direct handling and being around asbestos-containing material. Significant environmental and secondary exposure also occurred as they carried fibers home on their clothes, exposing family members.

Now, many years later, workers and army/navy officers are being diagnosed with mesothelioma, reflecting the disease’s long latency period. These people and their families do not just suffer emotionally but also financially, which is why asbestos trust funds set up by certain companies to compensate for their negligence are crucial in helping these victims and their loved ones. However, victims or their families need to file a claim in order to receive compensation from these funds or directly from the responsible parties. Veterans can seek help from the Mesothelioma Veterans Center to file a claim, but civilians need to hire an attorney to seek the compensation they deserve.

The Role of Mesothelioma Attorneys

Mesothelioma attorneys have a deep understanding of mesothelioma law. They know the details of past asbestos exposure and mesothelioma outcomes and are skilled at managing the legal steps for financial compensation. With their extensive knowledge, these attorneys can effectively handle the challenges these cases bring. Their expertise makes them a strong ally in fighting for victims and their families.

Reasons to Consult a Mesothelioma Attorney

1. Legal Expertise and Rights Explanation: Mesothelioma cases require dealing with complicated legal rules. Attorneys can explain the legal rights of victims in comprehensive or easy-to-understand terms. They outline all the available options so victims can make fully informed choices on how to proceed with their case.
2. Claim and Compensation: Mesothelioma lawyers are skilled in investigating a victim’s past asbestos exposure and correctly estimating the claim’s worth using past court decisions and settlement amounts. It enables them to create a comprehensive claim demand that maximizes compensation for financial damages like medical bills and lost wages/income and more personal damages like the suffering and pain the victims and their families have to endure.
3. Emotional Support and Guidance: Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis is emotionally devastating. Victims and family members often experience shock, anger, sadness, fear, and confusion. A good attorney will listen carefully, answer questions, explain what’s coming next, and give honest opinions, helping victims manage their feelings better. They become trusted advisors and a shoulder to lean on throughout the legal journey. Hence, their support eases some of the emotional trauma victims face.
4. Managing Time-Consuming Tasks: The avalanche of paperwork, phone calls, document collection, appointments, and other obligations that mesothelioma patients and families must manage can become overwhelming. Lawyers take care of these demanding tasks by handling talks with insurance companies, employers, asbestos trusts, and others involved. They also compile all required documents and fill out claim forms.
5. Evidence-Building and Investigation: Attorneys use their investigative resources and knowledge of industry practices to dig deep into a victim’s background and identify all probable sources of asbestos exposure. This includes detailed talks with the victim about their work history, reaching out to many former employers and colleagues, and getting work-related documents. Their persistent evidence-gathering strengthens the claim.
6. Litigation Strategy Management: Given their complexities, mesothelioma cases frequently proceed to trial. Lawyers manage every part of the court case, from submitting required documents, gathering extensive evidence, and presenting strong arguments in court to hiring well-known expert witnesses.
7. Addressing Bankruptcy Claims: Many companies that used asbestos in their products/operations have long since filed for bankruptcy. Mesothelioma lawyers are skilled in making detailed claims to the trust funds these companies created for paying victims. This trust fund route provides an important avenue for additional compensation.
8. Financial Resources for Treatment: Mesothelioma treatment can be extremely expensive, with costs quickly running into hundreds of thousands of dollars or more. Attorneys know the big financial challenges victims face and work to get money for treatment quickly through settlements or court decisions. They can also assist in evaluating health insurance options and identifying programs or clinical trials that may provide financial assistance for treatment.
9. Contingency Fee Representation: Most mesothelioma attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means victims don’t have to pay anything at first, and the lawyer only gets paid a part of the final settlement or court award. Contingency fee arrangements ensure victims have access to high-quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation.
10. Navigating Complex Legal Procedures: Mesothelioma attorneys help and support victims in every detailed step of the legal process – from filing the initial lawsuit paperwork to making court appearances, engaging in settlement discussions, navigating appeals if necessary, and more.
11. Access to a Network of Resources: Attorneys work with medical experts, researchers, disease specialists, asbestos exposure analysts, economists, job experts, and more to build the best case possible. Their professional network boosts a claim’s credibility and maximizes the chances of a successful outcome.

Additionally, it is very important for mesothelioma victims to use every possible legal option to get compensation. This effort includes claims against asbestos bankruptcy trust funds, lawsuits against responsible companies, and applying for Veterans Administration benefits if the victim served in the military. A dedicated attorney examines every option to maximize recovery, actively pursuing every possible claim for the victim. Their main goal is to get the victim the full compensation they deserve.

Conclusion

Dealing with a mesothelioma diagnosis involves difficult legal and procedural challenges for victims and their families. Hiring a knowledgeable and experienced attorney allows victims to focus on their health while the attorney takes on the many responsibilities related to investigation, evidence, court cases, and filing claims. Their extensive knowledge in properly valuing claims, gathering evidence, handling complex cases, and actively seeking all compensation options gives victims hope and support in their fight for justice.