Many people don’t realize this, but their surroundings are rampant with various toxicants and harmful substances. Among these toxic substances, asbestos is a deadly carcinogen that most people don’t know about, unfortunately. And its exposure leads to fatal cancer known as mesothelioma. Suppose your workplace or a consumer product led to asbestos exposure. In that case, you’ve all the rights to take the negligent party to court. 

An asbestos or mesothelioma claim is a lawsuit filed to demand compensation from the companies responsible for asbestos exposure of a person or the resultant death of your loved one. Mesothelioma claim entitles you to get paid for your damages in the form of loss of work and livelihood, medical expenditures, pain and agony, and travel costs, to name a few. Upon filing a mesothelioma claim, you have two options to get your compensation, either in the form of a settlement or a court verdict. In a settlement, a person receives compensation without a court trial. In a court case, you gain compensation through a court verdict made by the judge. 

Why hire a mesothelioma lawyer?

Regardless of the options available to a victim, the need for hiring an experienced lawyer is indispensable. A qualified lawyer will help you understand your situation, the options available to you, and the best way to file a claim. With a specialized mesothelioma attorney by your side, your chances of receiving a large sum of money increase. Moreover, since you’ll have limited knowledge about mesothelioma, it’s only viable to hire lawyers who specialize in this domain. So, before taking matters into your hands, consider approaching a mesothelioma law firm to ensure you get your rightful compensation. 

Moving on, let’s discuss some things you should consider while hiring a mesothelioma attorney. 

• Experience in handling similar cases

The foremost thing you should check is whether the attorney possesses experience handling asbestos and mesothelioma-related cases. An experienced lawyer might have already worked on a case similar to yours. As a result, you’ll feel more at ease and assured of your success. Some lawyers have experience fighting a variety of personal injury claims alongside mesothelioma. These lawyers may not be as perfect as those who have dedicated their legal practice to representing mesothelioma victims only. 

Therefore, it’s preferred to approach those specializing in mesothelioma cases only. A specialized lawyer is knowledgeable in all aspects of mesothelioma and asbestos exposure cases. They are also well versed in state and federal laws catering to such matters. 

• Contingency fee arrangement

It’s challenging to pay an attorney’s fee for someone diagnosed with mesothelioma and struggling with mounting treatment costs. Therefore, it’s not in your best interest to contact a mesothelioma attorney who charges upfront fees for representing a client. 

On the contrary, some lawyers do not charge out-of-pocket fees from the victims and work on a contingency fee plan. They ask for payment when the person has already received a reasonable settlement amount at the end of the case. The contingency fee depends on the case you’re pursuing and several other factors.  So, ensure to ask your lawyer about their payment plan and the percentage of the total they charge. 

• Maximum settlement amount

Different lawyers have won different settlement amounts for their clients. Some have been able to get as much as $10 million. Therefore, you must consider this factor about your prospective lawyer. This way, you can estimate the amount they can win for you and whether it will be enough to meet your expenses. 

Most mesothelioma lawyers prefer a settlement over a court case because it takes relatively less time. Moreover, there is no surety of receiving compensation when you go to court as the case can also go against you. 

• Resourcefulness

Lawyers associated with major law firms have a range of resources at their disposal that they utilize to win cases. The resources include databases of companies making asbestos products, the products containing asbestos, the situations leading to your asbestos exposure, networks, and contacts. All these resources are used to gather evidence, investigate the claims, and make a strong case that goes in the victim’s favor. 

Law firms with a national presence can also send their representative across the country to talk to you and take your statement. 

• Compassion

Indeed, any person fighting a deadly disease wouldn’t want to work with someone who fails to understand their pain and is rigid in their approach. Therefore, judge your lawyer on their behavior with you. Are they caring and understanding towards you? Do they value your opinions and keep you informed about every matter? A lawyer with a long history of fighting asbestos claims will also understand the pain and suffering of the victims. 

Analyze their responses when you discuss your limitations with them. Are they willing to work with your family and friends in your absence? Are they confident enough to do all the labor going through each step of filing and fighting a legal claim? If so, you might want to stick to them. 

• Reputation

Nowadays, every law firm focuses on building its reputation. For this purpose, they exercise transparency, abide by the laws, and ensure client satisfaction. Therefore, before engaging with a lawyer, ask around about their work. See what people and those in the legal community say about them. Are they seen as reliable and trustworthy? 

Also, determine how their work impacts the community. Most experienced and socially responsible law firms invest in seminars, research, and asbestos awareness campaigns. They are also recognized and respected in their peer groups for their excellent work. 

Conclusion

For someone battling mesothelioma, navigating their way through legal work is nothing short of daunting. And that’s precisely why it’s indispensable to hire the services of an experienced mesothelioma law firm. They’ll help you through each stage, ensuring you win the rightful compensation. However, when hiring a mesothelioma attorney, you’ve to consider specific factors. Check whether they possess experience in this domain, are trustworthy, can help attain sufficient settlement, and are passionate enough to pursue your case.

Once you have found a lawyer well-versed in asbestos-related cases, you can rest assured of the success of your lawsuit.