What Does a Mesothelioma Lawyer Do?
A mesothelioma lawyer’s job is to help victims and surviving family members take legal action for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.
Manufacturers of asbestos-containing products hid the dangers of this mineral while millions of Americans were exposed and developed serious diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.
A mesothelioma attorney can help hold these corporations accountable and force them to acknowledge the pain and suffering they’ve caused.
How Can Hiring a Lawyer for Mesothelioma Help Me?
A mesothelioma lawyer can help you by:
- Exploring compensation options that can help your family
- Building a case against the manufacturers that caused your illness
- Handling every step of the legal process on your behalf
- Getting justice for you or someone you love who’s been harmed by asbestos exposure
Get connected with a top mesothelioma attorney today by requesting a free case review.
Types of Legal Claims Mesothelioma Lawyers Handle
Mesothelioma lawyers handle different types of asbestos claims. A mesothelioma lawyer can help you decide which claim(s) to file based on the specifics of your case.
- Personal injury lawsuits are filed by mesothelioma victims to seek compensation from the companies responsible for their illnesses.
- Wrongful death lawsuits are filed by spouses, family members, or estate representatives to pursue compensation on behalf of the mesothelioma victim after their death.
- Asbestos trust fund claims allow victims to access compensation that’s alrady been set aside by product manufacturers who went out of business.
- VA benefits allow veterans with mesothelioma to get monthly payments and medical care from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Those who already receive VA benefits can still file a mesothelioma lawsuit or asbestos trust fund claims to pursue additional compensation.
More than $30 billion is available in asbestos trust funds as of October 2023. Mesothelioma Hope can help you access some of this money without going to court. See if you qualify for trust fund compensation right now.
Compensation Recovered by Mesothelioma Lawyers
A mesothelioma lawyer can pursue financial compensation for their clients through a settlement or trial verdict. Most mesothelioma victims receive a settlement and never have to step inside a courthouse.
On average, mesothelioma settlements award clients between $1 million and $1.4 million.
If a settlement can’t be reached, the case will go to court, where a judge or jury will decide whether to award the victim compensation through a trial verdict. The average mesothelioma trial verdict ranges from $5 million to $11.4 million.
Notable compensation amounts secured by mesothelioma attorneys include:
- $250 million verdict for an Indiana steelworker with pleural mesothelioma
- $107 million verdict for the family of a California janitor who died from pleural mesothelioma
- $60 million verdict to the family of a late New York laborer with pleural mesothelioma
- $12 million settlement for an Illinois laborer who developed pleural mesothelioma
- $8 million settlement to a pipefitter from Texas with pleural mesothelioma
- $3.64 million for a delivery worker in Arizona with peritoneal mesothelioma
- $3.26 million for an Illinois insulator who developed peritoneal mesothelioma
Many clients start receiving compensation within 90 days. Get a free consultation from our partner law firm, Simmons Hanly Conroy, to learn more about taking legal action for mesothelioma.
5 Things to Look for in a Mesothelioma Lawyer
Top asbestos lawyers have specific qualities that allow them to build the strongest possible claim for your illness. Read about the five things you should look for in a lawyer below.
1. Free Legal Consultation
An experienced lawyer should offer a free consultation where you can share your story and describe how mesothelioma has impacted your family.
Afterward, the lawyer should be able to explain your legal rights in a way that is clear and easy to understand. You won’t be obligated to work with them, and anything you share will be kept confidential.
This free consultation is also your opportunity to get to know the lawyer and the law firm. Think of it as a friendly conversation where you can share your concerns, ask questions, and learn whether they’re the right person to take your case.
2. No Upfront or Out-of-Pocket Costs
Top mesothelioma attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. In other words, they only get paid if they secure compensation for you or your family. This means there’s no financial risk to taking legal action.
Mesothelioma lawyers can secure compensation for you or your loved ones quickly and easily following a diagnosis. Trial lawyer Daniel P. Blouin breaks down the qualities that the best lawyers have. Call us today at (866) 608-8933 to get help finding top lawyers near you. View Transcript.
Duration: 1 min 35 sec
Finding the right attorney for your mesothelioma case is vital. Trying a mesothelioma case is like trying to catch a great white shark. You cannot have a lawyer going out fishing with shoestring and a safety pin. You need to have all the preparedness in a law firm. You need to have lawyers with a vast amount of experience. You need to have lawyers with relationships with the other side so you can come to an agreeable settlement before all the trials, before all the work. You need to have a huge army of attorneys that can do the research, that know the products, that know the history, that can access the corporate histories of the companies that we’d be litigating against. And so in finding the right attorney, you need to take all that into account. You need to have a firm that is powerful enough to take on some of the largest corporations in this country. You need to have lawyers that you trust. You need to have a firm that doesn’t process you, the client, just as a cog in a machine or a widget that they’re trying to profit off of. You need people that care about you. That’s what I’d want, and that’s what we try to deliver to our clients. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, Mesothelioma Hope and Simmons Hanly Conroy can help.
3. Extensive Experience Filing Lawsuits & Asbestos Claims
Your mesothelioma attorney should have a well-established history of representing mesothelioma clients in lawsuits and filing asbestos trust fund claims on their behalf.
The best mesothelioma lawyers are also well-versed on the statute of limitations (filing deadlines) in each state and jurisdiction. This expertise means they’ll know when and where to file your legal claim to get the most amount of money in your case.
4. Employed by a National Mesothelioma Law Firm
When you’re represented by an attorney from a national mesothelioma law firm, you’ll have an entire team of highly trained professionals in your corner.
You can expect to have access to:
- Several asbestos attorneys
- Investigators
- Medical experts
- Nurses
- Paralegals
- Support staff
These dedicated experts will help ensure you receive the very best legal representation and support throughout the entire process.
5. Access to Specialized Resources
The best mesothelioma lawyers can quickly and easily access extensive asbestos company records, comprehensive medical data, and other vital information that can strengthen your claim.
With their wealth of information, these lawyers can give you the best chance to receive the compensation you deserve.
Use our Free Attorney Checklist to help you choose the best mesothelioma lawyer for your case.
What Happens When I Work With a Mesothelioma Lawyer?
Your lawyer and their team will dedicate themselves to your legal claim so you can focus on getting treatment and being with your loved ones. Although no two cases are the same, most mesothelioma claims follow a similar process.
1. Identify the Companies at Fault
An experienced mesothelioma attorney can track down when and where you were exposed to asbestos — even if you don’t remember. Most mesothelioma cases result from asbestos exposure that happened 10-50 years ago.
“We typically file suit against product manufacturers and property owners for the breach of their duty: for exposing our clients to asbestos through the sale of their products or through the delivery of their products.”
Top mesothelioma attorneys have access to databases that list thousands of companies, asbestos-containing products, and job sites. A mesothelioma attorney can use this information to identify which corporations should be held liable in your case.
2. File Your Mesothelioma Claim
A mesothelioma lawyer will discuss all of your legal options and determine the best type(s) of claim to file.
You may be eligible for compensation from more than one asbestos company, increasing the value of your claim.
The best mesothelioma lawyers will know when to file your claim based on any statutes of limitations that could limit your ability to take legal action.
3. Get Compensation for Your Family
Most mesothelioma lawyers pursue compensation through mesothelioma settlements and/or asbestos trust fund claims.
Mesothelioma compensation can be used for:
- Daily living expenses
- Funeral costs
- Home health care
- Loss of income
- Medical treatments
- Travel costs
- And anything else you see fit
More than 99% of mesothelioma claims result in an out-of-court settlement with an average payout of between $1 million and $1.4 million.
Mesothelioma settlements also give clients and their families access to compensation sooner, often in as few as 90 days.
How Can I Find Mesothelioma Lawyers Near Me?
Mesothelioma Hope makes the process of finding a lawyer easy and stress-free.
We have access to top mesothelioma attorneys in all 50 states who will treat you like family and help you get justice and compensation as quickly as possible.
“My mesothelioma lawyer treated me like I was somebody special, like I was their grandpa or maybe their dad or one of their brothers. No, closer than their brother.”
Find a local mesothelioma attorney using the dropdown menu below, or get a free legal consultation right now to connect with a lawyer directly.
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FAQs About Lawyers for Mesothelioma
What is a mesothelioma lawyer?
A mesothelioma lawyer is a legal professional who specializes in asbestos legal claims and represents people harmed by mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma lawyers fight for asbestos victims’ legal rights and help them seek justice and compensation for their life-changing illness.
By partnering with a mesothelioma lawyer, you can gain not only legal expertise but also a compassionate ally who understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll this disease takes on you and your loved ones.
When should I contact a mesothelioma attorney?
You should reach out to a mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with this cancer.
Do not wait as statutes of limitations set narrow time frames for filing a mesothelioma claim.
Contacting a mesothelioma attorney now will help keep you from missing any important deadlines to pursue compensation.
What if I can’t afford a mesothelioma attorney?
It doesn’t cost anything upfront to hire a mesothelioma attorney.
The best mesothelioma lawyers take clients on a contingency fee basis, which means that they only get paid an agreed-upon percentage of any compensation you receive from a settlement or verdict.
Don’t let financial worries prevent you from seeking the legal representation you need and deserve. Call us today at (866) 608-8933 to learn more about your options and take the first step toward seeking compensation.
How do I choose a mesothelioma lawsuit attorney?
Choosing a lawyer with extensive experience handling mesothelioma claims will give you the best chance of receiving financial compensation.
These lawyers have specialized resources to pinpoint the details of your asbestos exposure and identify which companies to file claims with.
Be sure to ask about your lawyer’s past successes with mesothelioma cases similar to yours.
How can I find a mesothelioma lawyer near me?
Mesothelioma Hope can help you find lawyers in your area who have a successful track record of helping victims and their surviving loved ones access compensation.
Request a free legal consultation to share your story, get your questions answered, and learn what you can do next.
How long does it take to get a mesothelioma settlement when you work with a lawyer?
It depends. Some victims start to receive compensation payouts within 90 days.
Your mesothelioma lawyer will keep you updated throughout the legal process so you and your family fully understand the payout timeline.
