If you or one of your loved ones has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and you are considering filing a lawsuit against the companies whose actions caused or contributed to your illness, then you are to be congratulated.
Making this decision is difficult, as many people prefer not to get involved with a legal process when they are in the midst of dealing with such a traumatic disease, but you have made the right choice.
Mesothelioma is an expensive condition to treat, it robs the patient of their vitality, can cause pain and suffering, and disables them and prevents them from working or continuing to plan an active role in supporting their family.
Because mesothelioma is a terminal illness it also often means that the patient’s loved ones will be left without their main provider.
Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit addresses and takes care of many of these issues. Mesothelioma patients who have filed these suits have won jury awards or received settlements that have allowed them to be confident about their ability to pay their bills and about their family’s financial security.
The Right Attorney is Crucial
Now that you have decided to file a mesothelioma case it is very important that you go about the process of choosing the law firm and attorney that is going to represent you very carefully. Many law firms claim to be able to represent mesothelioma patients, but the truth is that mesothelioma cases are highly complex and the laws pertaining to them can differ from state to state.
If you choose an attorney who has not properly educated themselves about the nuances of the law, or who does not have a track record of successful cases that he’s represented, then you run the risk of losing substantial amounts of money that an experienced mesothelioma attorney would have known how to get for you.
Choosing a mesothelioma attorney requires the same kind of attention that you would pay to interviewing a critical employee or selecting a caretaker for your child; this person has a great deal of your future in their hands, so make sure that you ask all of the pertinent questions about their background and experience.
Here are just a few of the questions that you want to ask:
• How many years has your firm been representing mesothelioma cases?
It is important that a mesothelioma firm has been trying mesothelioma cases for a long enough time that they have built up a network of expert witnesses, as well as the resources that mesothelioma patients and their families need for their quality of life. Representing mesothelioma victims means far more than trying a case in court.
A mesothelioma law firm should have extensive knowledge of the disease, of the various treatments being offered, and of the support groups and networks available to the client and their loved ones.
• How many mesothelioma cases have you handled?
This is a key question; if a law firm that claims to have expertise in mesothelioma hasn’t handled several cases then they do not have enough experience to maximize your outcome for you.
• What were the outcomes of the cases that you’ve handled?
Any law firm that has represented a number of mesothelioma cases should have a list of settlements and jury awards that they can point to with pride; they should also be able to provide you with testimonials from previous clients who were satisfied with the results that they achieved on their behalf.
• Are you able to handle cases nationally, or just in your local area?
Mesothelioma cases can be filed all over the country, and the decision as to where it is filed is something that an experienced mesothelioma attorney will be able to advise you on.
It is very important that your mesothelioma attorney is fully familiar with the laws as they pertain to mesothelioma cases in whatever state your case will be filed in, as each state has its own rules and guidelines regarding the timing of filing.
In addition to making an informed decision about a mesothelioma law firm, you should also keep in mind that it is important to choose a firm that has more than one attorney for you to work with.
It is important that you have a good rapport with your mesothelioma attorney, as you will be working with them frequently on matters that are critically important to you and your family, and which also can be extremely emotional.
Make sure that your attorney is somebody that you not only feel that you can work well with and communicate with, but also that he or she is somebody that you trust.
The attorneys at Danziger & De Llano have been representing mesothelioma clients for decades; we have a proven record of success and a reputation for being compassionate and caring. Call us today for more information on our firm, and to set up a free consultation to discuss your case.
