After receiving your mesothelioma diagnosis, you will undoubtedly feel stressed out and overwhelmed with the plethora of decisions you and your family members will have to make. After all, after you visit your oncologist to look at your treatment options, you will probably ask a few questions that will guide your decision-making process. However, just as visiting a doctor after being diagnosed with mesothelioma is crucial, it is equally important to obtain legal representation. After all, hiring a lawyer is the best possible course of action with the expensive treatments and medical bills that will follow after a diagnosis. That said, hiring a mesothelioma lawyer is a tough decision as well. Of course, your right to compensation will be at stake here, and you would want someone who can help you obtain the most payout you deserve.
Before hiring a lawyer, it would be wise to learn more about your current medical condition. However, this asbestos-related lung disease usually results from long-term exposure to asbestos particles or materials. That being said, if you were exposed to asbestos due to your employer’s negligence, filing a mesothelioma lawsuit is the right choice.
- Confirm If The Lawyer Has Experience With Mesothelioma Cases
Just like an excellent cancer specialist is of the utmost importance for you after a mesothelioma diagnosis, a superb lawyer hold equal value. First, however, ensure that the lawyer you’ve shortlisted has handled mesothelioma cases in the past. After all, it will make or break your case.
A surefire method to determine a lawyer’s potential is to compare their win-loss ratio. Hence, if the lawyer has lost more cases than won, it’s better to look elsewhere. However, a reputable mesothelioma lawyer, such as Simmons Hanly Conroy, will give you the best representation money can buy. They will ensure that you get the compensation and the benefits that come with it.
- Ensure That Your Lawyer Can Travel To Where You Live
It is well-known that you won’t be physically capable of traveling after receiving your mesothelioma diagnosis. After all, this lung disease requires tons of chemotherapy and radiotherapy to treat, which will take a toll on your body and leave you weak and exhausted. So, traveling will be out of the question. That said, consider hiring a lawyer who can travel to your home or any location to discuss the detail of your mesothelioma case. Sure, a phone call will suffice sometimes. However, if a deposition or signatures are required, your lawyer should be up and ready to commute to you, no matter where you live.
- Ensure That Your Lawyer Knows About Your Financial Situation
The mesothelioma lawyer you’ve shortlisted should know about the nature of your work. Not to mention, they should help you calculate an approximate figure of the lost wages you will have to bear during your time off from work. Furthermore, they also understand the number of years you would have lived if you weren’t exposed to asbestos at the workplace. After all, all these details will be vital to your claim and obtaining fair compensation.
- Ensure That Your Lawyer Doesn’t Charge You In Advance
The court takes on most mesothelioma cases on a contingency basis. It means you won’t have to pay a single penny to your attorney before the court gives a verdict. In fact, under no circumstances whatsoever must you pay your mesothelioma attorney unless you obtain compensation. However, if your attorney ends up demanding money for no apparent reason, they are trying to scam you.
In addition, it will also be in your best interest to determine the amount of cash you will have to pay your lawyer after you win your case. Typically, this ranges from 10 to 15 percent of the money you obtain. However, the amount you have to pay will depend on your lawyer’s reputation and experience. For example, percentages might be more for a lawyer who had handled hundreds of mesothelioma cases than one who has only taken ten.
- Ensure That Your Lawyer Can Document Your Asbestos Exposure History Accurately
A competent mesothelioma lawyer should know whether your lawsuit will stand a chance in court. Meaning, they should be able to prove in court that your mesothelioma diagnosis was indeed an outcome of your employer’s negligence. That said, an individual diagnosed with mesothelioma will typically experience symptoms after 20 to 40 years of being exposed to asbestos. However, if your lawyer says these symptoms can show up as early as 2 to 3 years, they are probably two-timing you.
Furthermore, if you have a history of military service, your lawyer should know how to differentiate between occupational and military mesothelioma. After all, if your lawyer can prove that your employer was at fault, he should make occupational exposure as a basis for your claim.
- Ensure That Your Lawyer Knows About The Statute Of Limitations For Mesothelioma Cases
Consider hiring an attorney whether or not he understands the statute of limitations for workplace negligence and mesothelioma claims. Typically, the right time to file a mesothelioma claim is immediately after getting diagnosed with the disease. However, if you become lazy, your window to file a claim will eventually close, and you will be left with nothing to show for your pain and suffering. Usually, the statute of limitations is the time you can wait before filing your claim. For instance, the statute of limitations for such a claim in Florida is four years. Meaning, you will have four years after your diagnosis to file a compensation claim.
The best piece of legal advice anybody can give you when you’re thinking of filing a mesothelioma lawsuit is to hire the best attorney your money can buy. After all, claims related to mesothelioma usually take six to twelve months to finish, and having the best legal representation by your side improves your chances of winning tenfold. Furthermore, before you put pen to paper with the first lawyer you find online, ask them a few questions. If you get convincing replies, the lawyer that gave you those answers is the right choice for you. Follow the tips mentioned in this article to improve your chances of acquiring the best legal representation you can afford!