A mesothelioma diagnosis raises important questions, including what your legal options are and how the process works. With treatment top of mind, the idea of contacting a law firm can feel like too much — but pursuing compensation may be a lot easier than you imagined.
To help answer some of the most common questions families have, we spoke with Brett F. Fuller, a national mesothelioma attorney at Simmons Hanly Conroy. Brett is based in the firm’s New York City office, but his work takes him across the country.
He is personally involved in every stage of the legal process and currently leads over 100 active mesothelioma cases nationwide.
“Brett, my lawyer, flew out to Scottsdale and sat with me and my sister while I was going through chemotherapy. He was so patient and kind, just a nice person. So it was Brett who persuaded me that a lawsuit was the way to go.”
In this conversation, Brett explains how he addresses clients’ concerns about filing a lawsuit, what his team does to prove asbestos exposure, and the benefits of a national law firm for mesothelioma cases.
How does your experience with mesothelioma influence your work?
Mesothelioma isn’t something I only know from case files. I sit with my clients, often in their living rooms or during treatment, and listen to their stories, what they’ve gone through, and how this diagnosis has reshaped their lives.
In those moments, I’m not just their attorney. I’m there to help steady the ground beneath them, to shoulder some of the uncertainty and guide their families through what can feel like an overwhelming and frightening time.
I know how isolating it can feel, especially when no one around you has ever dealt with mesothelioma before, because I’ve done this for so long and have helped so many families. It’s part of why I stay so involved in my cases.
I don’t want clients to feel like they’re being passed off or treated like a number. I want them to feel heard, respected, and supported from the first time they speak with me.
Why do some families hesitate to start a mesothelioma lawsuit?
Almost every client tells me some version of the same thing early on: “I’m not someone who sues people.” Many families were raised to keep their heads down, work hard, and not complain. The idea of filing a lawsuit feels uncomfortable or even wrong to them.
I’ve also spoken with clients who worry they don’t “deserve” compensation or feel guilty about asking for financial help. Others assume the process will be aggressive, complicated, or emotionally draining, and they just don’t have the energy for that while dealing with treatment.
What I try to explain is that this isn’t about blame or greed. In my experience, mesothelioma cases are about accountability. Companies knew asbestos was dangerous and continued to use it without proper warnings.
When families understand that, the lawsuit starts to feel less like conflict and more like a way to protect themselves and their loved ones and hold the right parties responsible.
What makes working with a national mesothelioma law firm different from a local firm?
One of the biggest differences is perspective. A national firm has seen how asbestos exposure patterns repeat across industries and states. We have access to extensive databases built from years of litigation. These records show which products were used at specific job sites, during certain time periods, and by which companies.
Many of my clients worked in multiple states or were exposed somewhere entirely different from where they were diagnosed. I’ve handled cases involving job sites spread across the country, multiple employers, and manufacturers that no longer exist. A national mesothelioma law firm already understands how to navigate those complexities.
Instead of guessing where a claim should be filed, we know which jurisdictions and legal strategies are most likely to produce strong results. That kind of experience can make a real difference for families.
What if I don’t know how I was exposed to asbestos?
Most people don’t. I often hear clients apologize for not remembering details from 30 or 40 years ago, or they assume that without a clear answer, they won’t have a case.
In reality, that’s not a problem. I’ve worked with clients whose exposure came from places they never suspected. In one case, my client was exposed through chemistry equipment during college, something she never even suspected contained asbestos.
Another client of mine spent years working around stage equipment and in older music venues that contained asbestos. He toured the world with well-known bands at very famous venues, but he was never warned about exposure risks. I’ve also represented families affected by secondhand exposure.
As an attorney, I really try to ask the right questions and piece together the history to prove asbestos exposure. I love seeing the sense of relief and understanding that happens when clients see their story lead to concrete results.
Can I pursue mesothelioma compensation if I’m not the person who was diagnosed?
In many situations, families can pursue compensation on their loved one’s behalf. I frequently work with spouses, children, and other family members who help a loved one through treatment or manage legal matters on their behalf.
Caregivers and legal representatives may also participate in the process. In some cases, the person with mesothelioma is too sick to handle legal details while going through treatment, so a family member steps in to move the case forward.
Another unfortunate instance we help with a lot is families reaching out after their loved one has passed away, wanting to know whether a claim can still be filed. Each situation is different, but there are usually options available.
My role is to explain who can pursue compensation and guide families through the process in a way that respects what they’re already dealing with.
Will I have to travel for my mesothelioma lawsuit?
You will almost never be expected to travel for your case. Even though I am based in New York, I travel to clients in all 50 states so the legal process fits around treatment and family needs.
I’ve met clients in their homes, rehabilitation facilities, and hospitals. In one case, I went to meet with a client while she was receiving chemotherapy because leaving the hospital was not an option for her at the time. We scheduled the meeting around her care and kept it short, so she could rest.
My focus is always on protecting the patient’s health. Families should never feel pressured to travel or rearrange medical care for legal reasons. The legal process should support what you are already dealing with, not add to it.
What amount can I expect from a mesothelioma settlement?
Every case is different, and there’s never a guarantee of compensation. Many mesothelioma settlements are over $1 million, with payouts coming from multiple sources of compensation.
In one case I handled, a pleural mesothelioma patient received a settlement of over $5 million after we identified multiple sources of nontraditional asbestos exposure. Results like this depend on factors like where and how exposure occurred and which legal options are available.
Mesothelioma lawyers work to evaluate each case individually, explain the possible outcomes, and pursue the strongest result supported by the facts and the law. Supported by such strong evidence, companies often have little choice but to reach a fair settlement.
How can families use compensation from a mesothelioma lawsuit?
Families can use compensation in whatever way makes the most sense for them. There aren’t rules about how the money has to be spent, and needs can change quickly after a diagnosis.
I’ve seen clients use settlements to pay off medical bills that piled up during treatment. Others have used the money to cover travel, afford care that insurance didn’t fully cover, take care of their children’s bills, or simply take some financial pressure off while focusing on their care.
For many families, compensation is simply about being able to access the treatment they need and having one less thing to worry about during an already difficult time.
Get Help From National Asbestos Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers
Taking legal action can help you get answers, financial stability, and a sense of accountability after an asbestos exposure that should never have happened. Having clear information and trusted guidance can make a meaningful difference, even during a difficult time.
Simmons Hanly Conroy is a national mesothelioma law firm with 25+ years of experience representing families affected by asbestos exposure. The firm has recovered over $10.3 billion for clients in all 50 states.
“I still occasionally will message Brett, the lawyer who worked with us, just, ‘Hope you’re having a great whatever,’ because he cared about us. This is not just his job, this is a passion of his. He knows what the family goes through.”
Call us at (866) 608-8933 or request a free case review to learn whether you qualify for compensation and what legal options may be available to you.
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