Asbestos Lawyer

People exposed to asbestos often develop serious illnesses such as lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. They need legal help to pursue compensation from negligent product manufacturers. A skilled asbestos lawyer has the training, experience, and resources to file successful claims that bring financial relief to victims and their loved ones.

Legally Reviewed and Fact-Checked By: Melissa Crowe Schopfer

Why Hire an Asbestos Lawyer?

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be devastating, leaving the asbestos victim and their loved ones sad, confused, and overwhelmed. An asbestos lawyer can help mesothelioma patients regain control and seek financial assistance by filing a claim against all responsible parties.

A mesothelioma lawyer meets with clients to discuss the details of their case
Asbestos lawyers can usually build a much stronger case than other types of attorneys who don’t specialize in mesothelioma claims.

There are different types of asbestos litigation, and each one requires specialized knowledge and resources. It’s important to work with an asbestos lawyer who has an established history of holding companies accountable for wrongful asbestos exposure and filing successful mesothelioma claims.

Fortunately, asbestos lawyers handle these types of cases regularly. As a result, they can use their experience to fight for you and your family and are more likely to win your case than a general personal injury attorney.

“Attorneys specializing in a particular field generally have a higher rate of winning cases in court or settling successfully. Specialized lawyers who see the same case types day in and day out can offer a much higher success rate based on experience and dedication.”

– The National Law Review

Additionally, top asbestos attorneys provide clients with unique benefits, including:

  • Free case reviews. The best asbestos law firms 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.
  • 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, lawyers who center their work on asbestos exposure are usually more knowledgeable of the latest laws and rulings about asbestos litigation.

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

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What to Look for in an Asbestos Lawyer

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

History of Past Success

A qualified asbestos lawyer should be able to show how they’ve already helped other asbestos disease 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 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 in business or have filed for bankruptcy
  • Known occupational and military asbestos exposure sites
  • Testimonials from other victims of asbestos exposure
  • Information on where and when asbestos-containing products were made, used, and sold

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

Did You Know?

Very rarely is one company responsible for a mesothelioma victim’s asbestos exposure. Victims were often exposed to asbestos-containing products from several companies over the course of their lives. An asbestos lawyer can help you identify these companies.

Nationwide Reach

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

This national reach is beneficial 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 result in the best outcome for your case.
  • Experienced mesothelioma 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.

An asbestos lawyer’s nationwide resources often provide their clients with greater access to legal assistance compared to a local law practice’s general resources.

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.

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Asbestos lawyers can help you answer these questions:

  1. Should you file a personal injury lawsuit or a wrongful death lawsuit?
  2. How many asbestos product manufacturers can you sue (if any)?
  3. Which asbestos companies have shut down, and which are still in business?
  4. Are there successor companies that may be responsible for your asbestos exposure?
  5. What additional methods are available 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 can no longer be sued. Because of this, many manufacturers of asbestos-containing products filed for bankruptcy to avoid paying asbestos 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 have money set aside to pay victims of asbestos-related diseases. Today, more than $30 billion is available in these asbestos trust funds.

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

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Understanding of State Laws

Every state has statutes of limitations that determine how long you have to file an asbestos claim. 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.

Did You Know?

Some states that process a high number of asbestos lawsuits require claims to meet additional standards to be considered.

The best asbestos attorney will know how to navigate your state’s specific laws, so your claim has a better chance of success.

Settlements and Verdicts Recovered by Asbestos Lawyers

An asbestos lawyer speaks with a husband and wife

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 2022 asbestos settlements include:

  • $7.8 million to a Maine maritime engineer with pleural mesothelioma
  • $6.5 million to a mechanic with pleural mesothelioma
  • $4 million to an industrial laborer
  • $2 million to an Illinois garment factory worker
  • $2 million in a talc and baby powder case to a woman with peritoneal mesothelioma

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

Lawsuits that go to trial typically 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 Lawyer 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 many types of asbestos-related diseases exist, some asbestos attorneys handle mesothelioma cases and are experts in claims involving this deadly cancer.
  • Medical Discovery: Certain attorneys and law firms specialize in identifying where a victim was exposed to asbestos while collecting evidence to support a claim.
  • Occupational Exposure: Most asbestos exposure happens on job sites. 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 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 Lawyer Today

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

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 an extensive support network — to pursue a legal claim as quickly as possible.

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

Asbestos Lawyers FAQs

How can I find asbestos lawyers near me?

You can find asbestos lawyers by contacting us right now. Our team can perform a free case evaluation and connect you to nearby asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys best equipped to handle your claim.

How do I sue for mesothelioma?

An asbestos mesothelioma attorney can help you file a legal claim seeking financial compensation from the company or companies that caused you to be exposed to asbestos.

There are 2 types of mesothelioma lawsuits:

  • Personal injury lawsuit: This type of lawsuit is filed if the mesothelioma victim is still living. If your asbestos lawyer successfully proves that a product manufacturer failed to warn you about the dangers of asbestos exposure, you’ll be compensated for your injury.
  • Wrongful death lawsuit: When a loved one dies from mesothelioma, their family or estate can sue for wrongful death. The money recovered from a successful wrongful death suit can help cover medical bills, funeral and burial costs, lost wages, and more.

How much is a mesothelioma case worth?

Each lawsuit is different, but the average settlement for a mesothelioma case is between $1 million and $1.4 million, according to Mealey’s® Litigation Reports.

The average mesothelioma verdict ranges between $5 million and $11.4 million, but some cases can award even more. The largest mesothelioma verdict to date awarded $250 million to an Indiana steelworker.

How can I use mesothelioma compensation?

There is no restriction on how a mesothelioma patient can use compensation recovered from an asbestos claim.

Compensation from an asbestos or mesothelioma lawsuit can help pay for:

  • Housing
  • Living expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Medical expenses
  • Medications
  • Travel and transportation
  • Treatment
  • And more

While compensation cannot undo the damage caused by your illness, it can help ease financial stress and force the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products to take responsibility for their actions.

Why should I choose a law firm that specializes in asbestos cases?

Law firms that specialize in asbestos cases are best positioned to obtain maximum compensation for clients.

Attorneys who specialize in one area of the law — like asbestos litigation — are more likely to win in court or settle successfully, according to The National Law Review.

That’s because asbestos attorneys have the experience, knowledge, and resources to help asbestos victims and their families get the financial aid they need to pay for mesothelioma treatment and other expenses.

While a general personal injury firm in your town may tell you that they can handle your asbestos case, they may not be able to obtain as much compensation as a law firm that focuses solely on asbestos cases.

How do I prove that I was exposed to asbestos?

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, asbestos lawsuit lawyers can help you identify the asbestos products and companies responsible for your asbestos exposure.

Call (866) 608-8933 today for a free legal consultation.

Melissa Crowe Schopfer, Simmons Hanly Conroy AttorneyReviewed by:Melissa Crowe Schopfer

Shareholder, Simmons Hanly Conroy

  • Fact-Checked
  • Legal Editor

Melissa Crowe Schopfer is a shareholder at Simmons Hanly Conroy. Over the past 10 years, Melissa has worked on over 500 cases and recovered more than $100 million in settlements and trial verdicts on behalf of her clients. She has represented families impacted by mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases in almost every state.

  • Asbestos Trial Team Leader
  • Practicing Attorney for 15+ Years
  • Has Recovered Over $100 Million
Written by:

Lead Editor

Laura Wright is a journalist and content strategist with more than 15 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.

References
  1. American Bar Association. “When You Need a Lawyer.” Retrieved January 4, 2023, from https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/law_issues_for_consumers/lawyerfees_contingent/

  2. Lexis Legal News. “Asbestos Verdicts & Settlements: January 2021 – December 2021.” Retrieved from: https://www.lexislegalnews.com/articles/80615/asbestos-verdicts-settlements-january-2021-december-2021. Accessed on January 4, 2023.

  3. The National Law Review. “Law Firm Specialization: Why It Matters.” Retrieved from: https://www.natlawreview.com/article/law-firm-specialization-why-it-matters. Accessed on January 4, 2023.

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