If you or someone you love is dealing with a mesothelioma diagnosis, you’ve likely heard about legal compensation options. These can be extremely helpful to families juggling medical and other costs, but it’s important to recognize the difference between legitimate law firms and bad actors.
Mesothelioma scams involve attorneys or law firms that use misleading marketing tactics to attract patients and families. These practices can create false expectations and add unnecessary stress during an already difficult time.
When you work with legitimate mesothelioma lawyers, asbestos legal claims can award $1 million or more. Although scams exist, most mesothelioma attorneys are legitimate professionals with proper credentials who focus on helping you navigate the legal process.
In the tips below, learn how to avoid a mesothelioma attorney scam and find an established law firm with a proven record of helping families affected by asbestos exposure.
What Are Mesothelioma Scams?
Mesothelioma legal scams occur when law firms act in bad faith by using exaggerated or inaccurate claims to convince you to hire them. These tactics may include misleading advertisements, unrealistic promises, or unclear explanations of how your case will be handled.
Once you know what to look for, many asbestos scams are easier to recognize. In many cases, you can identify the difference between an inexperienced or dishonest firm and a reputable mesothelioma lawyer with basic research.
Mesothelioma Hope has partnered with Simmons Hanly Conroy, a national mesothelioma law firm that has spent 25+ years helping families get compensation for an asbestos-related illness.
“I always thought it was a scam, but I found out it wasn’t. Simmons Hanly Conroy operated so fast. They were real people and came to my house. They treated me like a person and not a number. It was really a great experience.”
Common Legal Scams Involving Mesothelioma Claims
Misleading legal advertisements can appear in many places, including billboards, television commercials, and online ads. Some of these promotions use broad or unclear claims that may not reflect the firm’s actual experience with mesothelioma cases.
These practices can discourage patients and families from pursuing compensation that can help cover the high cost of mesothelioma treatment and other expenses.
Below are some of the most common mesothelioma lawsuit scams to watch for.
Aggressive Claim Mill Law Firms
The terms “claim mill” and “settlement mill” apply to law firms that advertise aggressively to attract a large number of clients. These firms often use billboards and wide-reaching television ads to attract as many people as possible.
Generally, their goal is to settle mesothelioma lawsuits with little effort and to earn as much money for themselves as they can.
By working with mesothelioma scam mills, you and your family could receive much less than had you worked with a law firm that specifically handles asbestos cases. You could even walk away with nothing.
Here are some qualities of claim mill firms to watch out for:
- They may promise results in a timeframe that is unrealistic and not aligned with the average timeline for mesothelioma payouts.
- Claim mills seem to cater to quantity over quality, using marketing tactics that quickly attract many clients rather than devoting their full attention to each.
- They charge upfront fees for their services. Reputable law firms work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront, and there’s no financial risk to you.
Simmons Hanly Conroy always works to retrieve the highest payouts possible for mesothelioma patients and their families without cutting corners. Many past clients have received $1 million or more with the firm’s help.
“When I first did it, the first thing I thought of was ambulance chasers. I quickly learned it wasn’t anything to do with that. It’s been an incredible journey with Simmons Hanly Conroy.”
False Claims About Trust Fund Payouts
Some mesothelioma scams involve asbestos trust funds, which manufacturers of asbestos-containing products set up to avoid lawsuits but still stay in business.
These trusts contain over $30 billion today. With help from a reputable lawyer, you may qualify to receive payouts from these trusts. But beware of those who claim to guarantee a specific amount of trust fund or lawsuit compensation within a specific time frame.
Simmons Hanly Conroy can typically help mesothelioma patients get compensation from trust funds quickly. However, every case is unique, and there’s no way to guarantee how much you’ll receive — or when.
What our partner firm guarantees is that they’ll fight to get clients the most money in the shortest time possible.
Extravagant Claims With No Proof
Any law firm can make extravagant claims about the amount they’ll gain for clients, even if they’ve never actually won those settlements before. This marketing tactic is a deceptive way to inflate their reputation and attract clients they aren’t qualified to represent.
If you see a law firm making promises that seem too good to be true, it’s crucial to do research and confirm that they’ve had these successes with past clients. In most states, when a law firm wins a major case, the information becomes public.
Some of Simmons Hanly Conroy’s many case results include:
- $40 million for a U.S. Navy veteran with mesothelioma
- $24.4 million for a janitor exposed to asbestos at an Avon talc facility
- $4 million for a union laborer in Illinois with peritoneal mesothelioma
- $12 million for an Illinois laborer with pleural mesothelioma
- $10 million for a boiler tender diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma
- $8 million for a Texas plumber and pipefitter with pleural mesothelioma
- $34 million for an auto mechanic who worked in California
Many of these cases made headlines across the country, showing that Simmons Hanly Conroy is not only reputable but one of the most experienced mesothelioma law firms in the nation.
Finding the right attorney starts with asking the right questions. Download our Free Attorney Checklist to make the process easy and stress-free.
Connection to the Federal Government
Another dishonest marketing tactic you may see from some lawyers is claims that they work with the government or that they’re “federal government attorneys.”
To potential clients suffering from mesothelioma, seeing a lawyer who is associated with the federal government implies they have additional privileges or connections that may help them win their case.
However, these claims are always false: The government doesn’t have attorneys on staff to handle private mesothelioma lawsuits.
If you see that an attorney advertises with a connection to the federal government, it’s an immediate red flag that you should take your search elsewhere.
4 Tips for Preventing Mesothelioma Scams in 2026
By following simple tips and using your best judgment, you can avoid fraudulent claims and other scams from bad actors.
Follow these tips to protect yourself from mesothelioma scams:
- Research the law firm’s background and experience. Look for real case results, experience with asbestos cases, and clear information about the attorneys you’d be working with. Reviews and professional profiles can help you get a better sense of a firm’s track record.
- Avoid paying any upfront fees. Most reputable mesothelioma lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means they only get paid if compensation is recovered. If a firm asks for money upfront, that’s something to question.
- Pay attention to the firm’s website and communication. Established law firms usually provide clear contact details, secure websites, and straightforward explanations of their services. Be cautious if the information feels vague.
- Check attorney credentials and licensing. You can confirm whether an attorney is licensed and in good standing through your state bar association. This extra step can help you feel more confident about who you’re working with.
By staying vigilant and spotting red flags before filing a claim, you can ensure your legal experience is legitimate and more likely to lead to a favorable outcome.
Connect With Trusted Mesothelioma Attorneys Today
Mesothelioma Hope is dedicated to helping patients get the medical and financial support they need after a diagnosis. With Simmons Hanly Conroy as our partners, you can rest assured that you’re getting the best legal representation.
With over $10.3 billion in compensation secured for families affected by mesothelioma, you can guarantee you’re working with a reputable law firm when you work with Simmons Hanly Conroy.
Reach out to our team to:
- Connect with lawyers at Simmons Hanly Conroy
- Learn how you may have been exposed to asbestos
- Pursue compensation for medical expenses
- Get free resources to support you or a loved one
Call (866) 608-8933 today or get a free case review to find the support you and your family deserve.
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