Mesothelioma scams stem from untrustworthy attorneys looking to profit off the suffering of patients.

The average mesothelioma lawsuit typically awards $1 million or more when patients work with trustworthy lawyers. Most mesothelioma attorneys are legitimate, practicing law with the proper credentials, and motivated to genuinely help their clients.

Learn the red flags associated with mesothelioma legal scams, review tips on avoiding them, and get help connecting with trusted asbestos attorneys who have recovered billions of dollars for other families.

What Are Mesothelioma Scams?

Mesothelioma legal scams occur when law firms act in bad faith and convince cancer patients to work with them through exaggerated or outright false claims and marketing tactics.

Luckily, the red flags of an asbestos scam are easy to see when you know what to look for. You’ll find that the difference between a scammer and a reputable, experienced lawyer is often easier to spot than you realize.

Mesothelioma Hope has partnered with Simmons Hanly Conroy, a reputable and national mesothelioma law firm that has helped thousands of patients access the legal system to get the compensation they deserve. The firm’s attorneys stand ready to help you, too.

“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.”

Dennis Ray, mesothelioma patient

With a proven track record of helping asbestos victims get the justice they deserve, our trusted legal partners are ready to hear your story. Start the conversation now with a Free Case Review.

Common Legal Scams Involving Mesothelioma Claims

Scammers are so adept at using lies to tempt clients that it’s almost impossible to escape them. They’re on billboards, TV commercials, and in online ads.

Mesothelioma scams like these prevent patients and families from pursuing much-needed compensation for medical bills that they could secure with a reputable law firm’s help.

Learn about some of the most common mesothelioma scams that are still happening today.

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 earn as much money as they can for themselves.

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.”

Jimmy Johnson, mesothelioma survivor

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 claiming to guarantee a certain amount of trust fund or lawsuit compensation in 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 firm can guarantee is that they’ll fight to get our clients the most money in the shortest time frames.

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 serves as a deceitful 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.

Generally, in most states, when a law firm wins a major case, it becomes public knowledge.

For example, Simmons Hanly Conroy has recovered the following amounts for mesothelioma clients:

  • $250 million for an Indiana steelworker diagnosed with mesothelioma
  • $3.9 million for the family of a Virginia auto mechanic with pleural mesothelioma
  • $4 million for a union laborer in Illinois with peritoneal mesothelioma
  • $8 million for a Texas plumber and pipefitter with pleural mesothelioma
  • $10 million for a boiler tender diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma
  • $12 million for an Illinois laborer with pleural mesothelioma
  • $40 million for a Washington U.S. Navy veteran with mesothelioma

Some 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 get the answers you need when meeting with a lawyer.

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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 associate themselves with the federal government implies they have extra privileges or connections that may help them win the case.

However, these claims are 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 2024

By following simple tips and using your best judgment, you can avoid fraudulent claims and other scams from bad actors.

Follow these tips to keep yourself safe from mesothelioma scams:

  1. Do thorough research on the law firm you choose.
  2. Don’t send any money to file a claim.
  3. Make sure you’re on safe and secure websites.
  4. Verify the lawyer’s credentials to ensure they’re legitimate.

While there are some dishonest lawyers out there, it’s important to know there are upstanding, reputable attorneys as well. Generally, it’s easy to find proof of their accomplishments with a little online research.

For example, Simmons Hanly Conroy is well known throughout the country, with a track record of successful cases you can review as proof of their commitment and expertise.

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 Reputable 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 top-quality, experienced representation every step of the way.

With over $9.6 billion in compensation secured for mesothelioma patients, 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 to 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.

Get a Free Mesothelioma Case Review
  • Over $30 billion available
  • No cost to file a claim
  • Avoid going to court

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Shara Fisher
Shara Fisher Senior Paralegal
17+ years providing legal help to mesothelioma victims
Laura WrightWritten by:

Lead Editor

Laura Wright is a journalist and content strategist with more than 16 years of professional experience. She attended college at the University of Florida, graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2008. Her writing has been featured in The Gainesville Sun and other regional publications throughout Florida.

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References
  1. Congress.gov. (February 23, 2021). “H.R. 1215 – Fraud and Scam Reduction Act”. Retrieved October 30, 2024 from https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1215.
  2. Consumer Advice. (March 5, 2024). “How to Avoid a Scam”. Retrieved October 30, 2024, from https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-scam.
  3. Federal Trade Commission. (N.D.). “Recognizing Scams”. Retrieved October 30, 2024, from https://oig.ftc.gov/ftc-imposter-scams.
  4. International Association of Better Business Bureaus. (N.D.). “BBB’s Scam Tips”. Retrieved October 30, 2024 from https://www.bbb.org/all/scamtips.
  5. U.S. Department of Justice. (September 13, 2018). “Justice Department Files Statement of Interest in New Asbestos Trust Proposal”. Retrieved October 30, 2024, from https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-files-statement-interest-new-asbestos-trust-proposal

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