How to Choose a Mesothelioma Lawyer

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and believe there is a person or company that's at fault, you may be entitled to compensation that will help you with your medical expenses and lost wages. Finding a lawyer specialized in this area can help you expedite the legal proceedings and can help you get the best possible settlement.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Look for someone local if possible. You may need to have multiple meetings with a lawyer regarding your mesothelioma lawsuit so it makes sense to have convenient access to the law office. With potential medical problems as a result of this disease, you also want to be able to easily attend meetings with your attorney. That said, if you find legal representation with an excellent reputation, it may be more lucrative for you to do a bit of traveling (within reason).
2. Set up a meeting with at least two or more lawyers so you can compare how you felt about your meetings to aid in your decision. It's important to compare more than one legal representative so that you can feel confident about your decision. You will likely spend a lot of time with this lawyer in the coming months that you work on seeking compensation.
3. Arrange for consultations with lawyers that either specialize in asbestos related cases or have extensive experience in this area. Because this is an intricate set of laws with precedents and statutes of limitations, you need an attorney that has knowledge in this area. Due to the increase of lawsuits involving asbestos, lawyers who specialize in this area are increasing.
4. Ask questions. You need to ask potential candidates that will represent you what their track record is overall, what their success rate is with cases that were similar to yours, how much you can expect to pay for their services prior to judgement, how much of a percentage they take of your final settlement and how your case will be handled by their office. Items to note are whether or not they provide you with alternate contact in case of their absence or vacation and whether or not you have access to legal counsel outside of normal business hours.
5. Take notes. Write down your list of answers from each lawyer so you can compare their answers, their experience and their fees. This will help you make a decision about the best mesothelioma lawyer for your particular case.
6. Check references and experience. Do a check on the lawyers you are considering. It's important to find out if they have solid reputations with past clients.
7. Get it in writing. Ask the lawyer you have chosen to put the details of your arrangement in writing. This contract should indicate the fees schedule and terms of your agreement so you have a list of expectations from your lawyer about response times, payment arrangements and any and all fees associated with their services.

Tips & Warnings

• Trust your instinct about how you feel regarding a lawyer's personality. You need someone that can treat you with empathy and warmth, especially considering that the legal proceedings can take a long time to complete. You will likely be facing medical issues throughout the proceedings and dealing with someone that makes you comfortable can be reassuring.
• A good mesothelioma trial lawyer typically does not charge a fee for a consultation. Ask about fees before proceeding. You should also ask about statutes of limitations to ensure that you have a solid case prior to legal proceedings. A knowledgeable lawyer will review your case carefully before proceeding.