Legal Options

Legal Options

It is important to know your legal rights when you or someone you love is diagnosed with mesothelioma. Experienced attorneys recognize how this type of cancer can affect you and your loved ones physically, emotionally and financially. We are here to help you understand your legal options with a qualified mesothelioma lawyer who can help deliver the compensation you deserve.
Lung Diagram of Pleural Mesothelioma
If you are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma or lost a family member to the disease, you have grounds to make a legal case against the manufacturer or company who knowingly exposed you or your loved one to asbestos.
Exposure can be prevented. Medical researchers and product manufacturers have known this for nearly a century and yet too many kept quiet and chose not to inform the public — or their own employees — about the severe health consequences of working around asbestos.
The World Health Organization estimates that 125 million workers worldwide have been exposed to asbestos. In the U.S., about 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma annually, most of whom have pleural mesothelioma.
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Hiring a Lawyer

The reality of asbestos litigation is that not all cases are created equal. This is why it’s important to consider talking to an attorney if you have been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. You usually only have between one and four years after your initial diagnosis to file a claim.
Qualified mesothelioma attorneys can help you understand litigation procedures and file a timely legal claim. They can also see your claim through the case process and possibly improve your chances of obtaining compensation.
Diagnosis Time Window
Depending on court rules and individual case circumstances, an attorney may be able to get your pleural mesothelioma case fast tracked for trial.
Once you find a qualified, experienced mesothelioma lawyer, you will work together to determine when and how you were exposed to asbestos, how much and how long you were exposed, what injuries occurred because of exposure, and who to hold accountable — all of which is needed to make a strong case.
Should you pass away before your case is resolved, they can work with your family or estate to continue pursuing legal claims against those who caused your injuries. They may be able to obtain compensation to help provide for your family, assist with remaining medical bills and address other losses.
Contact us today for more information about pleural mesothelioma attorneys who can help explain your legal options. Most of these attorneys offer free consultations. Once you hire an attorney, they are usually paid a percentage of any compensation you may obtain.
Courtroom

Filing a Claim

Asbestos lawsuits begin with filing a document called a complaint or petition. But filing a complaint involves preparation that is best done with the assistance of an experienced pleural mesothelioma lawyer.
An attorney can help by first determining whether you are eligible to file an asbestos personal injury claim. Each state limits the amount of time available to file a lawsuit through laws known as statutes of limitation. An attorney can help determine where to file your lawsuit, which isn't necessarily in the state where you live. They can also find the statutes of limitation that govern how much time you have to file a claim.
Determining when and where you can file requires careful analysis of a number of factors that are specific to your case. These factors include when and where you were exposed to asbestos and the identity and location of the defendants. Some states also require claimants to reach a certain stage of severity in their illness before they can pursue their legal claim. So it will be necessary to review your medical history, as well as your asbestos exposure and work history before filing your complaint.
Since time is of the essence, it's a good idea to contact a pleural mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible to start the case process. Your attorney will gather facts and organize them into a complaint that follows the courts procedural requirements. But fact gathering does not end with the filing of a complaint.
Files

Obtaining Mesothelioma Compensation

Litigation claims are the most common source of mesothelioma compensation. The only way to obtain compensation this way is to file one of two claims:
  • A personal injury lawsuit (exposure on the job)
  • A wrongful death lawsuit (the death of a loved one)
Other sources of compensation include:
A plethora of companies and manufactures responsible for mining asbestos or selling asbestos-containing products have filed for bankruptcy because of the vast amount of asbestos lawsuits against them in the past. In many cases, these companies were legally obligated to create an asbestos trust fund so they would be able to compensate people who develop a related disease.
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Tips for Finding the Right Lawyer

Finding the right lawyer for your case is just as important as finding the right specialist to oversee your care. Given the rarity of pleural mesothelioma, a general practice lawyer will not have the expertise needed to successfully win your case. Seeking a lawyer who specializes in mesothelioma is imperative to your legal success.
Some factors to consider when looking for the right lawyer include:
  • Experience in handling mesothelioma cases
  • A good reputation for successfully handling these cases
  • Knowledge of past landmark asbestos cases
  • Focuses only or at least mostly on asbestos-related cases
  • Understands the intricacies of the disease
  • Knows how this disease affects you and your family
  • Gives you an estimate of the amount of money you may walk away with, but keep in mind that it is impossible to make any guarantees

The Mesothelioma Lawsuit Process

Filing an asbestos-related claim can seem overwhelming. It may be hard to know exactly where to begin, how the process works and how long it can take, especially when time is of the essence. But mesothelioma attorneys are available to manage your case at each stage so that you can focus on your health and time with loved ones. Here is an overview of what you can expect from the legal process, start to finish.
  • 1

    Step 1: Preparation

  • 2

    Step 2: Filing a Claim

  • 3

    Step 3: Responses

  • 4

    Step 4: Discovery Phase

  • 5

    Step 5: Settlement or Trial

  • 6

    Step 6: Appeals

Step 1: Preparation

Although your lawyer will do most of the leg work for you, it is a good idea to arrive at your initial consultation as prepared as you can be. This will help the process move faster and determine if you can move forward with your case.
Gather any medical records that show your diagnosis, and when and where you were exposed to asbestos. Also have your work history readily available, including the company name, address, phone number, your occupational title and role, a detailed report of your job description and years of employment. Always make sure to keep records of all medical bills and other related expenses because this will help determine how much you may be compensated.
Don’t worry if you can’t gather all of this information, your lawyer will assist you with any trouble you may have during the process. Once your lawyer has all the necessary information to make a case, the claims process can begin.