Asbestos Lawyers

Why Hire an Asbestos Attorney?

There are many levels of asbestos litigation, and each one requires specialized knowledge and resources.

It’s important to work with a lawyer who has an established history holding companies accountable for wrongful asbestos exposure and filing successful claims for compensation.

Fortunately, asbestos lawyers handle these types of cases on a regular basis, and they can use this experience to fight for you.

Top asbestos attorneys provide clients with unique benefits, including:

• Free case reviews. The best asbestos lawyers will review your case for free to see if you can file a claim. During this initial conversation, the asbestos attorney can explain all of your legal options without any obligation for you to work with them.
• No upfront fees. Asbestos attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means they do not get paid unless they secure compensation for your case. If your lawyer does not obtain compensation for your asbestos-related illness, you do not have to pay them.
• Focused expertise. Asbestos law is constantly changing. Compared to general personal injury lawyers, asbestos exposure lawyers are usually more knowledgeable of the latest laws and procedures pertaining to asbestos litigation.

When speaking to a prospective asbestos lawyer, it’s important to ask whether they offer these benefits. Get help preparing for your conversation by downloading our free questions checklist below.

What to Look for in an Asbestos Lawyer

If you are interested in filing a lawsuit, the first step is to find an experienced mesothelioma attorney who can confidently handle your case. The lawyer you decide to work with should have each of the qualities outlined below.

History of Past Success

A prospective asbestos lawyer should be able to demonstrate how they’ve already helped other victims.

Qualified asbestos attorneys should be able to tell you:

• How many asbestos victims their legal team has helped
• How much compensation they’ve secured for past clients
• How long it’s taken previous clients to receive financial compensation

If the asbestos lawyer you’re considering doesn’t have a proven track record of helping other victims successfully receive compensation, it may not be in your best interest to work with them.

Access to Asbestos Resources

Asbestos lawyers typically have their own databases where they can pull information to build and strengthen your case.

Some resources that asbestos lawyers have access to include:

• Lists of asbestos products and their manufacturers
• Information on whether manufacturers are still business or have filed for bankruptcy
• Known occupational and military asbestos exposure sites
• Testimonials from other victims of asbestos exposure
• Where and when asbestos-containing products were made, used, and sold

With these resources, asbestos lawyers can usually build a much stronger case than other types of attorneys who don’t specialize in mesothelioma claims.

Nationwide Reach

Experienced asbestos lawyers tend to work at national law firms that manage cases for clients around the country.

This national reach is very helpful because:

• National firms will typically fly their asbestos attorneys out to visit you in person — no matter where you’re located — so you don’t have to travel.
• An asbestos lawyer with a national firm can file your asbestos lawsuit in the state court system (jurisdiction) that is most likely to secure the best outcome for your case.
• Lawyers at national firms usually have a professional network of other attorneys across the U.S. who can help determine when, where, and how you were exposed to asbestos.

Overall, an asbestos lawyer’s nationwide resources may allow their clients greater access to legal assistance than they would receive working with a local practice.

Knowledge of All Your Legal Options

Having quick access to key information not only allows asbestos lawyers to build a strong case but may also give victims more legal options to receive compensation.

Asbestos lawyers can help determine:

1. If you should file a personal injury lawsuit or a wrongful death lawsuit
2. Which manufacturers have shut down and which are still in business
3. How many manufacturers can be sued (if any)
4. Additional methods for you to access compensation, such as veterans benefits and trust fund claims

A general personal injury lawyer who doesn’t specialize in asbestos exposure may never think to address these questions. Instead, they may only file claims with a limited number of manufacturers or trusts — when you could actually seek compensation from many more.

Experience with Asbestos Trust Funds

Asbestos lawyers may also be able to get you financial compensation through asbestos trust funds.

When a company declares bankruptcy, it no longer can be sued. Because of this, many manufacturers of asbestos-containing products filed for bankruptcy to avoid paying victims who filed lawsuits against them.

Ultimately, these defunct manufacturing companies were forced to establish trust funds due to a high volume of asbestos-related lawsuits filed in the 1980s.

Thanks to the creation of asbestos trust funds, bankrupt manufacturers are now forced to pay money to victims of asbestos-related diseases. More than $30 billion is available in these asbestos trust funds as of today.

An asbestos lawyer can determine which asbestos trust funds you qualify for and file claims with these trusts to help you recover compensation for medical bills and other expenses.

Understanding of State Laws

Every state has statutes of limitations that determine how long you have to file an asbestos claim. The best asbestos attorney will have in-depth knowledge of this unique legal landscape.

For example, certain states require plaintiffs to file a claim within one year of their diagnosis, while other states allow several years to pass between a diagnosis and the filing date.

A dedicated asbestos attorney will know how to navigate your state’s specific laws so your claim has a better chance of being successful.

Settlements and Verdicts Recovered by Asbestos Lawyers

Asbestos lawsuit compensation can vary based on whether the parties reach a settlement (out-of-court payout) or proceed to trial in search of a successful verdict. Some asbestos cases have resulted in millions of dollars paid to victims or their family members.

A few notable asbestos verdicts include:

• $250 million for an Indiana steelworker
• $60 million for a New York laborer
• $40 million for a Washington Navy veteran
• $34 million for a California mechanic

Asbestos lawsuits that settle out of court award between $1 million and $1.4 million on average.

On average, lawsuits that go to trial award between $5 million and $11.4 million to asbestos victims.

Your asbestos lawyer can help negotiate a settlement on your behalf or advise whether you should take your case to court. Get a free consultation to learn more about your legal options.

Asbestos Lawyers Specializations

Some asbestos exposure lawyers can file claims of any nature, while others focus on particular areas of asbestos law.

Asbestos lawyers may specialize in one or more of these areas:

• Mesothelioma: While there are many types of asbestos-related diseases, some asbestos attorneys solely handle mesothelioma cases and are experts in claims involving this deadly cancer.
• Medical Discovery: Certain attorneys and law firms specialize in identifying where the victim was exposed to asbestos while collecting evidence to support a claim.
• Occupational Exposure: Most asbestos exposure happens in the workplace, and some attorneys take a special interest in holding the offending company or companies accountable for exposing employees to this harmful substance.
• Military Asbestos Exposure: Those who were exposed to asbestos while serving their country and developed health issues as a result can work with a specialized lawyer to obtain veterans benefits.

Be sure to ask any lawyer you’re considering if they have experience handling a specific aspect of asbestos law. Their area of specialization could be an asset to your case.

Connect With an Asbestos Attorney Today

Working with an asbestos attorney is the best way to seek compensation for medical treatment and other expenses associated with your illness.

Many victims are not diagnosed until their asbestos-related disease has advanced into later stages, sometimes leaving them with months to live. Skilled asbestos lawyers have the years of experience — and extensive support network — to pursue a legal claim as quickly as possible.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, get a free case review now. Our team is standing by to help you determine your legal rights.