Although there are a wealth of mesothelioma law firms genuinely invested in seeking justice for asbestos victims, the unfortunate truth is that there are also some legal professionals who are purely interested in profit—sometimes at the expense of innocent families. This type of situation occurs in all fields, but here at Mesothelioma Hope, we want to focus on how you can avoid legal scams and find high-quality legal expertise.
Types of Mesothelioma Legal Scams
Pursuing legal justice is a process that has been valuable to countless families affected by asbestos-related illness. The possibility of receiving compensation in these cases can give patients and their families a better chance of managing medical bills, transportation costs and lost income. But those seeking legal advice should be wary of scams and gimmicks that can cost them money and prevent them from getting the results they deserve.
In fact, experts have dedicated their time to uncovering common law firm marketing gimmicks that prospective clients should avoid preventing being scammed. According to experienced attorneys, the following promises are red flags and could signal that a law firm does not have your best interests in mind:
“No Lawsuits Required”
While enticing, this guarantee oversimplifies matters. While a lawsuit is not always required for patients to receive compensation, it’s sometimes the best course of action. Filing a lawsuit does not always mean your case will go to trial, but the idea of a lawsuit itself should not be a deal-breaker. A good, qualified mesothelioma lawyer should be open to the possibility of a lawsuit and should assess your individual case before providing advice on how to proceed.
“A Federal Mesothelioma Compensation Claim Center”
No compensation claim center should declare a connection to the federal government, and if you see this phrase anywhere, you should be wary. Currently, the federal government does not sponsor any websites associated with mesothelioma compensation claims. Firms act privately on behalf of mesothelioma patients, and the government doesn’t endorse any one firm or claim center.
“Get Medical Treatment First, Then Seek Legal Advice”
While this piece of advice may stem from good intentions, it’s a sign that the law firm may not be as well-informed about the nature of mesothelioma as they should be. There are many reasons why it’s important to act quickly when exploring your legal options as a mesothelioma patient or family member of a patient. Of course, the low life expectancy associated with mesothelioma means that the sooner you can begin the process, the likelier you are to live to see the outcome you’re entitled to. Additionally, there are statutes of limitations for filing claims. The specific time limitations vary based on the state you live in, but most range from 1-5 years after diagnosis or wrongful death.
While it is of course highly important that you attend to your health and medical needs first, it’s also crucial to speak to a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as you can. Doing so can help you improve your financial situation so that you can access a greater range of opinions and treatment options. Whether you need to fund surgery, travel for consultations or stay near a world-class mesothelioma center, obtaining the legal compensation you’re entitled to can help you get the care you need.
Seeking Justice From Honest, Specialized Attorneys
Mesothelioma Hope is dedicated to helping families affected by asbestos-related illness find the legal help that benefits them the most. We want to ensure that your legal needs are taken care of by experienced, well-intentioned and competent professionals who have your best interests in mind. Finding such legal help involves researching firms in-depth and looking at their past achievements, keeping in mind that more experienced firms often yield better results for their clients.
It’s also important to make sure that any lawyer overseeing your mesothelioma case has secured compensation for other mesothelioma patients in the past and has a strong understanding of the illness.
While parallels can be drawn between mesothelioma legal cases and other personal injury or wrongful death suits, the rareness of this disease means any involved lawyers should be well-acquainted with it and with asbestos-specific litigation.