Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Compensation for Mesothelioma

As cases of mesothelioma increase, more and more claims and lawsuits are filed against the companies responsible for asbestos exposure. Consequently, there are now a large number of lawyers available that deal with mesothelioma lawsuits, sometimes on an exclusive basis. The amount of compensation varies from case to case, but the job of mesothelioma lawyers is to make these negligent companies pay their victims for the pain and suffering of this usually fatal disease.

Many people are unsure about how to file a claim for compensation. The process is relatively simple but you must act quickly in order to be eligible to claim. Most states set a time limit of one to two years for mesothelioma claims, and it is important to file your lawsuit within those time limitations in order to optimise your chances of getting compensation from these companies. The same applies to those who are seeking compensation for the death of a loved one from mesothelioma as well as those who have been affected by an asbestos related disease through close contact with a family member who has been exposed to it.

The first thing you need to do is find a mesothelioma lawyer. It is best to look for a lawyer or law firm that already has experience within the area of mesothelioma and has dealt with at least a few mesothelioma lawsuits. This will mean that the lawyer already has contacts within the field which may enable your case to be processed a little more smoothly.

An experienced lawyer will also be able to assist you with additional resources such as contacts for support. It is always worth asking the lawyer for some testimony of experience, such as the number of mesothelioma cases he has dealt with, how many of them were successful, what sort of compensation figures were successfully obtained, and why certain cases (if there are any) were not successful.

Many people are worried about how much all this is going to cost them, but in truth it won’t cost you a penny unless you are actually awarded compensation. Look for a lawyer that works on a contingency fee basis, as most mesothelioma lawyers do. This means that there is no upfront payment required from you and if the lawyer is unsuccessful in getting you compensation you will not have to pay anything at all.

If you do get compensation, your lawyer will take his fee from that, normally a percentage fee of around 35%. This may seem slightly high, but bearing in mind that many compensation claims run into hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars, this will still leave you with a hefty sun even after the lawyer has taken his percentage.

Once you have found a lawyer with whose fees and testimony you are satisfied, it will be time to go through all of the details with him. He’ll need to know all about your condition, the type of mesothelioma you have, whether it can be treated, whether you have been informed that it is terminal, when you were diagnosed etc. You will also need to provide details of when and where you were exposed to asbestos. However, many people cannot recall these details but the lawyer can assist by hiring someone to do the research and find this information. Again, you won’t have to pay for this service is the lawyer will foot the bill.

Based upon the details you provide, your lawyer can decide whether your claim is worth pursuing and what type of lawsuit should be filed (e.g. a lawsuit against a company, a manufacturer etc.). You will need to be totally honest and frank with your lawyer as well as passing information on to him in a timely manner because time will be a very important factor in getting you the compensation to which you are entitled.

You will now find many lawyers who advertise on the Internet as well as details in local phone directories. You will find that not only does the level of experience vary from lawyer to lawyer but so does the fee that they take from your compensation. The things to look out for most importantly are: that the lawyer works on a contingency fee basis; that the lawyer is experienced within the field of mesothelioma and not averse to providing testimony to this; and that the lawyer tells you upfront what his percentage will be when you get compensation.

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Asbestos Lawyer/Attorney

Mesothelioma is a disease that has been on the rise over recent years. As cases of the disease have started to increase, lawyers dealing specifically with mesothelioma and asbestos lawsuits have come into operation. These lawyers and law firms deal, sometimes exclusively, with mesothelioma victims and their families who wish to claim compensation from the companies that were responsible for their exposure to asbestos. And mesothelioma lawsuits are often able to collect millions in compensation for the victims and their families.

Those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma are entitled to file a lawsuit. Many of the companies responsible for exposing their employees to asbestos were well aware of the dangers and effects, but still saw fit to let their workers continue with little or no protection against the dust and fibers that emanated from this hazardous material. Now, decades later, the effects of this exposure is taking its toll on the workers just as they reach or are enjoying retirement. Quite rightly, the workers want to see justice done in the form of compensation, although this will never make up for the pain, suffering and loss of life that many of them have been sentenced to.

Many asbestos lawyers have dealt with numerous mesothelioma and asbestos lawsuits and have a good deal of experience and knowledge about the disease. Those looking for an asbestos lawyer should hunt around for someone that has proven experience in the field. Most reputable lawyers will be only too happy to provide facts and figures on pervious cases. They cannot, of course, name names and intricate details as this would be a breach of confidentiality. However, they can provide you with details on how quickly cases were resolved, how much compensation was successfully obtained and how many mesothelioma lawsuits they have dealt with.

There are many asbestos lawyers in operation today, and most people affected by asbestos will be able to find a local practicing asbestos lawyer. You should do a little research on successful cases as well as unsuccessful cases dealt with by the law firm that you are considering. This will enable you to make a more informed decision with regards to which asbestos lawyer you use for your case, based on the information provided by the lawyer or the law firm. It is important that you find a good, experienced asbestos lawyer as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease such as mesothelioma. Most states have a set time limit in which you can file your lawsuit, and it is very important that you do not miss that deadline otherwise you may find that you are ineligible to make a claim.

When you go and seek assistance from an asbestos lawyer, don’t expect to get all the answers on day one. There is no way of predicting the direction in which your asbestos lawsuit might go, how quickly your case may be settled or how much you may get in compensation. Lawyers must assess each case on its own merits, and the course of action can be determined by any number of factors. However, there are some general guidelines available that could help you learn more about your legal options, and which should be discussed in greater detail with an asbestos lawyer or specialist.

It is useful for the asbestos lawyer if clients can provide as much information as possible with regards to their exposure, but this is not a necessity. Providing you are frank and open with the asbestos lawyer, the law firm can often hire someone to investigate your exposure to asbestos and will do this at no cost to you. And because most asbestos lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, you will pay nothing at all until you receive compensation, and nothing if your case is not successful.

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Mesothelioma and the Law

Over recent years, we have seen many multi-million dollar compensation payouts to victims of mesothelioma, the asbestos exposure related cancer. This is a relatively new disease, both in terms of medical and legal awareness, and sufferers of mesothelioma are finding that they are entitled to a hefty compensation in many cases. And to help these victims get their dues, many lawyers and law firms have been trained and set up to deal with mesothelioma claims in order to get mesothelioma sufferers the compensation to which they are entitled.

Why are mesothelioma victims entitled to compensation? Well, most cancers not the fault of an outsider. Heavy smokers may get cancer through smoking, which is their own choice. Other types of cancer, such as breast, cervical and prostate are not anybody’s fault, although vigilance and regular check ups can help to identify these caners early on and therefore treat them effectively. However, mesothelioma is a totally different type of cancer. This is a cancer that could have been prevented, and it is the fault of outsiders – namely the irresponsible firms that made no efforts to protect their workers against the hazards of working with asbestos. You see, mesothelioma is the result of regular exposure the asbestos dust and fibres, which are ingested into the system and corrupt the cells of the protective lining that surround major organs – the mesothelium. The cancer lies dormant for many decades, and victims do not realise until thirty or forty years later that they have the disease. By the time tests have been done and a diagnosis has been made, it is often too late to do anything constructive about it, and the patient is left with just a short time to live – typically 4-24 months.

These mesothelioma lawyers are here to help victims of mesothelioma to get cold, hard cash from the companies responsible for their doomed fate. This compensation will help to cover medical expenses and pain and suffering. But, perhaps most importantly, it helps to provide financial stability and security for the victim’s loved ones after he or she has passed away.

The payouts for mesothelioma lawsuits have run from hundreds of thousands of dollars, to multi-million dollars. But the mesothelioma sufferer must ensure that the chances of success are optimised by seeking legal advice and assistance as soon as the diagnosis has been confirmed. Most states only provide a certain time within which you can file a mesothelioma lawsuit, so it is vital that you do this immediately. Your lawyer will also need the extra time to put your case together and carry out any necessary research. Time is of the essence where mesothelioma lawsuits are concerned, and just a few days could make the difference between financial security for your family and no compensation at all.

If you are concerned about not having any money up-front to pay for legal costs, don’t be. The vast majority of mesothelioma lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they do not take any money from you up-front. And if your case is unsuccessful they will not take any money from you at all. You only have to pay the lawyer if and when you receive compensation. Your lawyer will then be entitled to a percentage of the compensation. And, although the cut to which the lawyer is entitled can seem high – generally around the 35% mark – it does mean that you don’t have to worry about paying in order to file for compensation and you have nothing to lose if you don’t get any compensation.
Your mesothelioma lawyer will also be able to give you support and advice with regards to your illness. The experienced mesothelioma lawyers have already built up a network of contacts within the field; not only for legal support but for all types of support and advice. This network means that your lawyer can process your claim more quickly than a lawyer who has little or no knowledge or experience in dealing with mesothelioma lawsuits. The experienced lawyer will also be able to point you in the right direction for additional support services and support groups.

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About Mesothelioma Lawyers

Mesothelioma is a disease that, until recently, was extremely rare. To date, little is know about the condition. However, as the rate of the disease has increased, a new breed of lawyers – those dealing specifically with mesothelioma lawsuits – have stepped in to fight for the rights of victims afflicted with this disease. These lawyers and law firms often deal exclusively with mesothelioma victims and their families who wish to claim compensation from the companies that were responsible for their exposure to asbestos. These mesothelioma lawsuits often result in millions of dollars for the victims when handled by an experienced lawyer or law firm.

Those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma have every right to file a lawsuit. Many of the companies responsible for exposing workers to asbestos were well aware of its dangers and effects, but still saw fit to let their workers continue with little or no protection against the dust and fibers that emanated from this hazardous material. Now, decades later, the effects of this exposure is taking its toll on American workers just as they reach their golden years. These workers are entitled to compensation and justice for their pain, suffering and loss of life. A mesothelioma lawsuit can provide them with such justice.

Today, there are many mesothelioma lawyers to choose from. The number of lawyers and law firms handling these lawsuits is on the rise. Many of these lawyers have dealt with numerous mesothelioma lawsuits and have a good deal of experience and knowledge about the disease. Those looking for a mesothelioma lawyer should chooser someone that has proven experience in the field. Most reputable lawyers will be happy to provide facts and figures on previous cases that they have handled. However, these lawyers often do not provide private information that might be subject to confidentiality. They can, however, provide you with details on how quickly cases were resolved, how much compensation was successfully obtained and how many mesothelioma lawsuits they have dealt with.

It is also worth finding out about the mesothelioma lawsuits that were not successful, and why they were not successful. It may be something as simple as a missed piece of evidence to failure to comply with sensitive timetables associated with such cases. These elements can make the difference between a successful and an unsuccessful lawsuit. By finding out why some lawsuits resulted in no compensation, you may be able to avoid making the same type of mistake.

It is important that you find a good, experienced mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible after you have been diagnosed with the disease. Most states have a set time limit in which you can file your lawsuit, and it is very important that you not miss that deadline known as a statute of limitations. Otherwise you may find that you are ineligible to make a claim. You also need to give your lawyer as much time as possible to do the necessary research and put together a solid and case against the negligent parties. In short, the earlier you get to a mesothelioma lawyer, the better your chances of success.

Many people are concerned because they do not know exactly where and when they were exposed to asbestos. Some people may have worked in several different places and been exposed to asbestos on numerous occasions. However, your mesothelioma lawyer can help in identifying products that you were exposed to. If necessary, your mesothelioma lawyer will hire the services of a private investigator to find out where the exposure took place. With some research and digging, the lawyer is generally able to pinpoint the company or companies responsible for the exposure.

Again, this can take time and is another reason why it is so important to find a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible after the diagnosis of the cancer has been confirmed. Understandably, patients who have just been told that they have mesothelioma will have a great deal on their minds and filing a lawsuit may not be one of their priorities. However, the timely process of selecting a lawyer and filing your lawsuit can make all the difference in securing the future of your family.

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