Research indicates that 27 million American workers were exposed to asbestos during 1940-1980. Many of them developed severe health concerns in the future.
Image by LEANDRO AGUILAR from Pixabay
Asbestos-containing products still jeopardize the physical well-being of people in the 21st century, even though we’ve become more familiar with the dangers of this mineral. Today, plumbing, construction, and chemical production industries are at higher risk since workers in these fields often come into contact with asbestos.
Similarly, 30 million American households utilize consumer products containing asbestos. Now, what to do when you’ve been suffering from an asbestos-related disease? We’ll explain here how to claim your rights legally today.
Hiring a lawyer for asbestos-related diseases
In the 20th century, people didn’t have much information about asbestos and its dangers. This toxic substance is a heat-resistant, naturally-occurring, fibrous-like mineral. Asbestos was widely utilized in roofing, coating, and insulation.
However, several countries have now made it illegal to use asbestos for construction and fireproofing. This mineral causes a range of diseases that include asbestosis, lung/throat cancer, and the scarring of lung linings.
However, one of the deadliest asbestos-related ailments is mesothelioma. It is a rare cancer in a person’s chest and stomach lining (mesothelium). Patients diagnosed with this cancer often live for 4-18 months.
And often, employers may be responsible for endangering their workers. If this is the case with you, we suggest getting a legal expert to receive compensation from your former employer.
It’s difficult filing a claim alone without anyone’s professional assistance. You can employ the services of a well-experienced mesothelioma lawyer and asbestos exposure attorney to represent you.
But how do you find the right person to fight on your behalf against a company? We will explain how to discover the perfect lawyer/attorney you can trust.
After winning this lawsuit, the compensation you’ll receive will cover different expenditures such as lost wages, medical expenses, and therapy. Even if the patient has passed away, their family members can hire a cancer lawyer.
Now, here’s the proper procedure to choose the most resourceful attorney to ensure your case’s a success:
- Check their qualifications
Is the attorney qualified enough to win this case? While searching for a mesothelioma attorney, you shouldn’t neglect the importance of verifying that person’s credentials.
You don’t want to deal with someone who isn’t well-qualified or highly educated. Today, lawyers have received many certificates besides their degrees that enhance their knowledge, making them well-versed in the legal world. Compare the educational credentials of several attorneys to decide who deserves your case.
- Ask about the experience
It’s vital to select a lawyer with years’ worth of experience handling asbestos-related lawsuits, especially those focused on mesothelioma. You can visit each attorney’s website to learn about their track record.
Many lawyers furnish their digital platforms with testimonials from past clients to help future claimants make a well-informed decision. Sometimes, they disclose how much monetary compensation they helped a client win. This information can help you select a lawyer you can trust.
- Learn about damages
We’ve mentioned how mesothelioma victims or their families require monetary compensation to pay for medical expenses. Moreover, you also deserve compensation for the salary you lost by not working during your illness.
An expert lawyer can get you some further payment for your sufferings due to mesothelioma, along with any punitive damages that happened. Ensure you’ve learned about all the claims this lawyer will help you recover.
- Check their networking
We suggest choosing a legal firm with an extensive network of lawyers spread across the nation. Many claimants are content with a firm with a licensed asbestos attorney present in almost every state.
Since you may have been working in another state, a well-organized team of attorneys ensures your claim is litigated expertly for an assured victory.
- Ask for suggestions
Contact your family or friends for suggestions about a mesothelioma attorney. Moreover, ask your current or previous colleagues about whether they’ve brought an asbestos-related lawsuit in the past.
Research indicates over 90% of Americans believe in suggestions from word-of-mouth marketing. Also, search online for legal firms with offices or branches nearby. This strategy lets you collect the names of some possible candidates for the case.
- Get a free review
Mesothelioma lawyers can review your lawsuit free from their perspective. An expert paralegal can listen to your case and suggest some good options. A well-reputed legal firm will be available for you 24/7.
You can easily make up your mind about which lawyer seems perfect for this case. This service allows you to review your options and evaluate the legal acumen of each firm you’ve contacted. Select your representative carefully.
- Interview many lawyers
Avoid selecting the first lawyer you’ve contacted. We strongly advise interviewing several attorneys and shortlisting the names of people with whom you’re willing to collaborate.
Buckle yourself when you are looking for possible candidates. Then continue narrowing down their names until you’ve made a list of legal professionals who seem worthy. After that, it’s time to interview these legal experts and shortlist one who appears like the perfect person for this job.
- Look for contingency
How much money can you spare for the lawsuit? Usually, lawyers charge based on billable hours. Many Americans can’t afford these hefty prices.
Thus, attorneys are often willing to work on a contingency for the sake of receiving more clients. It means the lawyer gets a percentage of the money you receive after winning the lawsuit. There aren’t any upfront charges, and claimants are liable for paying the attorney when they have recovered the compensation.
This clause is helpful for people with limited financial resources.
- Their soft skills matter
You can’t employ a lawyer’s services based on experience alone. An attorney’s technical know-how and the firm’s resources are essential considerations. However, it’s crucial to evaluate their soft skills to ensure you’re willing to work with this person. Sometimes, the claimant’s personality mismatches with their attorney’s behavior. You must connect and collaborate with this team of lawyers by creating a bond of mutual understanding. We advise choosing an attorney whose attitude you can tolerate.
- What sort of cases do they handle?
What sort of cases do these lawyers handle for you? These mesothelioma attorneys can utilize their experience to seek justice on your behalf and get compensation for your troubles. But they are also well-versed in handling different types of cases for a claimant. Here are some examples for people:
- Personal injury lawsuits
- Wrongful death lawsuits
- Mesothelioma trust fund claims
- Veteran Affairs (VA) service-related claims
Conclusion
Experts who have mapped the death toll of asbestos-related disease estimate 12,000-15,000 people in this country alone are killed by this mineral every year. Similarly, mesothelioma causes 2,500-3,000 deaths every year among Americans. We suggest victims and their families get some legal help from lawyers to claim some compensation for their sufferings. Here’s how you chose the best one. Ask around for recommendations. Contact each firm for a free case review, after which you should interview these lawyers. Ensure they have the required resources to handle your case with a nationwide network of attorneys at their disposal too. That’s how you can pick the right lawyer now.
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