Mesothelioma is one of several different very serious illnesses that have been determined to have been caused by exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is a mineral found in nature that was widely used in the United States and all around the world in a variety of industrial settings, with its use hitting its peak during and immediately following the industrial revolution.
In the United States, asbestos use was particularly popular in the years during and following World War II; this is because its insulating properties were extremely useful for battleships and other military applications.
Unfortunately, workers who were exposed to asbestos during those years are now being diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases, and mesothelioma is the most serious of them all.
Those who are diagnosed with this always fatal disease have a life expectancy from time of diagnosis of approximately two years, though some do live longer with aggressive treatment.
Though many of the factory owners and employers from companies that utilized asbestos were aware of its dangers, they chose not to alert their employees or go to the expense of providing protective gear that could have saved many lives.
As a result, there have been a large number of mesothelioma lawsuits filed against these companies, and many mesothelioma victims and their families have been awarded very large sums of money as compensation for their injuries.
If you are a mesothelioma victim and you are considering filing a lawsuit against the people responsible for your illness, it is important that you don’t rush into choosing a mesothelioma attorney or law firm.
There are many things that you need to consider before making a selection, as the skill and experience of your attorney can make a very big difference in the amount of the award that you receive.
How Many Mesothelioma Cases Have they Handled?
One of the very first questions that you will want to ask a law firm is how many mesothelioma cases they have handled, and what the awards have been in those cases? Find out how many of their cases have been settled out of court and how many have actually gone to trial.
You may also want to ask how that determination is made. Because mesothelioma is such a consuming disease, you may be willing to take a smaller amount of payout in exchange for being able to settle quickly; other people may want to tell the story of the injustice that was done to them, and want to be heard in court.
It is important that you know exactly how much input you will have, or be required to have, with a specific law firm.
How do They Get Paid?
Most experienced attorneys who handle mesothelioma cases do so on a contingency basis. This means that you are not required to pay any fees or retainer up front; instead their payment comes at the end, if they win an award for you – at that time they will take a percentage of your award as their fee.
If an attorney requires you to pay money to them up front, or for that matter if they promise that you will win a specific dollar amount as compensation before they know all of the details of your case, then chances are they are not experienced mesothelioma attorneys and do not handle a large number of mesothelioma cases.
How Comfortable are you with the Attorney?
Lastly, while it is very important that you select an attorney who has all of the knowledge and experience that your case deserves, it is equally important that you choose an attorney that you are comfortable talking to and whose style you like.
Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit can be a long and time consuming process in which you are going to be spending a great deal of time answering questions about your life, your work experience, your medical history and more. You need to be certain that the attorney that you select,
as well as their administrative staff and all of the other personnel that you will be working with, treat you courteously and with respect, and that you feel that they are all working on your behalf and in your best interests.
The experienced mesothelioma attorneys at Danziger & De Llano have been working on behalf of mesothelioma victims for over two decades. We have devoted ourselves to doing the very best for our clients by making certain that we are aware of all phases of the disease,
from the most cutting edge treatments to the settlement awards and jury decisions that are being won on behalf of mesothelioma victims every day. We will work to see that justice is done for you and your family. Call us today and set up an appointment for a consultation about your case.
