If you or a loved one spent years working in an occupation that may have resulted in daily exposure to asbestos, mesothelioma may now be part of your life. One of the most deadly types of cancer, mesothelioma, can be treated but not cured. 

Unfortunately, many companies knowingly put their workers at risk by exposing them to asbestos, yet deny any wrongdoing when victims seek compensation. When you need a partner to help you recover damages, here’s how a mesothelioma lawyer can help.

Free Case Evaluations

When you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and believe it happened due to your employer exposing you to asbestos, it will be important for you to consult with a mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible to get a free case evaluation. During your consultation, your attorney can learn more details of your situation, advise you whether they believe you have a valid case, and discuss options you may have when choosing to file a lawsuit.

Working on a Contingency-Fee Basis

After receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis, don’t think you cannot afford to hire mesothelioma lawyers in Philadelphia to handle your case. Instead of requiring you to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars upfront for them to take your case, most mesothelioma lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. 

This means that you pay nothing upfront and nothing unless your attorney wins your case. When you come out the victor in court, your attorney usually takes 30-40 percent of whatever settlement amount you are awarded.

Deadlines for Filing Claims

Like almost any legal case, mesothelioma claims are also subject to a statute of limitations, meaning you only have a certain amount of time in which to file your lawsuit. Should you not file your claim in time, you will be unable to seek compensation, no matter how bad your situation may be or the amount of wrongdoing inflicted on you by your employer. 

In most states, mesothelioma victims or their families have one to three years to file a lawsuit. If you are filing a personal injury lawsuit, the statute of limitations starts on the day you were diagnosed. For wrongful death lawsuits, you may file after the death of a loved one; the statute of limitations starts on the day your loved one died.

Knowledge and Experience

Since employers will often do anything they can to keep from paying mesothelioma victims, it is vital that you work closely with an attorney who handles mesothelioma cases exclusively and has the knowledge and experience needed to help you win your case. 

Although you may assume your case must go to court, the fact is that many of these cases are settled out of court. Because of this, you will need an attorney who understands how to negotiate for the best possible settlement on your behalf. Once an employer realizes the amount of evidence against them is overwhelming, chances are they will be more receptive to reaching a settlement with your attorney.

Track Record of Success

Always hire a mesothelioma attorney with a significant and verifiable track record of success in gaining large amounts of compensation for their clients. Keep in mind that your lawyer will have extensive knowledge of asbestos trust funds, which are created to compensate victims when a company that is found to be negligent goes bankrupt. 

These trust funds can be very large, sometimes containing more than $3 billion to help compensate victims and their families. While the average mesothelioma case that settles out of court awards $2 million in compensation, some juries have awarded victims or their families multi-million dollar verdicts.

Access to Resources

The best mesothelioma attorneys have access to vast resources to help them win these complex cases. From informational databases to the latest information on state and federal mesothelioma legislation, these attorneys can put their knowledge to work for you and help you gain the compensation you may deserve.

Choosing a reputable mesothelioma lawyer can win your personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, hold an employer responsible for their negligence, and gain the compensation you and your family deserve.