Each year, approximately 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma — a deadly form of cancer that appears in the thin layer of tissue that covers the majority of your internal organs.
The cause of asbestos is usually quite clear: asbestos exposure, a toxic mineral that has been used in a variety of materials ensures it is fireproofed. Often, when a patient is diagnosed with asbestos it is because the company they were working for was negligent and unknowingly or without disclosure, exposed their employees to the mineral.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, your first concern will be obtaining quality medical care. After that, however, you should concentrate on finding an attorney who can help you file a lawsuit or claim against the company, so you can get the compensation you need to cover your medical bills and secure the financial future of your family.
When you begin your search for the right attorney to meet your needs, here are five questions that you should be prepared to ask.
- Ask about their experience.
Asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys are a specialized area of practice, so you want to be sure you are going to court with an experienced attorney. When you meet for a consultation, be sure to ask about that experience — how many cases they’ve won, how many they’ve lost, how many cases they’ve tried vs. settled, and what is an estimate of how much they’ve recovered for their clients. - Ask about the case’s timing.
If you are in poor health, seeing the completion of your mesothelioma and the payout of your settlement is a priority so that you can ensure your family is taken care of in the event of your death. That makes questions about the timing of your case essential. These questions include:
- How long will it take to prepare your case?
- How long will it be before your case is filed?
- What will affect the timeframe of the case?
- If you have to go to trial, how long does that process typically take?
- How long does it take to receive your settlement once the case has been finalized?
- Ask about fees.
The top mesothelioma lawyers charge a contingency fee for their representation. When you win the case, they receive a percentage of the settlement or payout, as well as any additional costs to prepare your case. These fees typically include filing fees, cost of serving documents, deposition transcription fees, and charges for obtaining medical records. As part of this discussion, it is important to confirm whether you are liable for any costs if you receive no settlement.
Hiring a mesothelioma attorney is an important step to getting justice for your asbestos exposure. The process, however, can be overwhelming if you are not prepared. But, if you go in with a list of questions that need to be asked, it will help you find that lawyer that finds your needs and that you are comfortable with.