How to Find a Mesothelioma Lawyer

Victims of asbestos exposure should prioritize finding an experienced asbestos lawyer for mesothelioma claims or lung cancer claims. If you have either of these cancers, look for an attorney who can help you through the legal process and ensure you are compensated appropriately.

Retired LCDR Carl Jewett

Reviewed By

Troy E. Walton

Personal Injury Attorney

Retired LCDR Carl Jewett

Reviewed By

Troy E. Walton

Personal Injury Attorney

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Important Facts About Finding a Mesothelioma Lawyer

  • Lawyers specializing in mesothelioma or asbestos cases are essential to victims of asbestos exposure wanting to pursue compensation. These lawyers have dedicated their careers to helping victims, and they know exactly how to handle the specifics of asbestos claims.
  • Most mesothelioma lawyers are licensed to practice in multiple states, which means they can help asbestos exposure victims regardless of the state they live in or where their exposure occurred.
  • When searching for a lawyer to represent your asbestos claim, look for national mesothelioma law firms that offer free case evaluations to determine the best course of action for your case.

The Top Mesothelioma Lawyers and Law Firms

bcbh logo

BCBH Law is a national firm with a primary legal focus on mesothelioma and asbestos-caused lung cancer.

  • Their lawyers have been representing asbestos disease victims since 1996
  • Recovered a combined total of more than $1 billion for their clients
  • Prioritizing customer service and accommodating their clients in any way possible
walton logo

Walton Telken is a personal injury law firm with mesothelioma claims and asbestos lung cancer claims among the lawyers’ repertoire.

  • A staff with extensive experience handling personal injury claims
  • Offices in Illinois and Missouri
  • Recovered a combined total of more than $1 billion

What Does a Mesothelioma Lawyer Do?

Mesothelioma lawyers help victims of asbestos exposure receive compensation. The best attorneys have decades of experience handling mesothelioma legal claims and a track record of success against malicious and unethical asbestos manufacturing corporations.

Asbestos lung cancer lawyers have a similar responsibility for helping victims. Lung cancer caused by asbestos is diagnosed in around 10,000 people in the U.S. each year. Mesothelioma is diagnosed in approximately 3,000 people in the U.S. each year. Victims of asbestos exposure who have been diagnosed with an asbestos disease, such as asbestos lung cancer or mesothelioma, deserve compensation.

An experienced attorney specializing in asbestos and mesothelioma claims will help victims through the legal process of pursuing the compensation they rightfully deserve. Asbestos lawyers have access to large databases of asbestos information to find specific instances of asbestos exposure and make connections to the responsible companies.

These types of lawyers also do all the hard work. They will travel directly to the victim to gather all necessary information. They often work on a contingency basis, which means victims never have to pay any out-of-pocket legal fees. The contingency basis also means the legal team will work diligently to secure compensation for the victim, so they can receive payment too.

Victims of asbestos exposure interested in pursuing compensation options should find a lawyer specializing in mesothelioma and asbestos. These types of claims require specific experience and can be complex for those without the necessary knowledge and expertise.

How to Find a Mesothelioma Lawyer

Finding a mesothelioma lawyer may seem complicated, but there are numerous mesothelioma law firms licensed to practice in several states. Attorneys specializing in asbestos and mesothelioma claims are located all over the United States.

To find an experienced mesothelioma lawyer, victims should:

  1. Conduct a thorough, nationwide search. Do not limit your options to local lawyers or law firms. Distance between you (the claimant) and your lawyer is not a concern for attorneys who specialize in mesothelioma cases and asbestos lung cancer cases. The top priority should be finding the best lawyer, no matter where they may be located.
  2. Look for lawyers and law firms dedicated to mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer claims. There is a distinct difference between an experienced asbestos lawyer and a personal injury attorney who accepts asbestos cases. Prioritize lawyers who specialize in asbestos litigation, as they’ll be most knowledgeable.
  3. Ask for a free case evaluation. Many mesothelioma law firms offer a free case evaluation to determine if you are eligible to receive compensation. Mesothelioma Guide can connect you with experienced asbestos attorneys who can review your case for free and determine the best course of action.

5 Tips for Choosing the Best Mesothelioma Lawyer

Mesothelioma lawsuits can be complex as there are intricate details required to build a case. Lawyers must uncover the victim’s work history and any other specific details that may be linked to asbestos exposure incidents, some of which likely occurred decades prior.

There are many asbestos lawyers to choose from and a lot of competition among firms. Qualities to consider during your search for a lawyer should be:

  • National availability
  • Experience and success
  • Working on a contingency basis
  • Handling all case work
  • Empathy and communication

Find a National Firm

Lawyers for mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer are broken down into two groups: local and national. Instead of filing your case only where you live, national attorneys are licensed to practice in several states and will help you file in a state or states most advantageous to your case. Local lawyers likely won’t have this much versatility.

For veterans with mesothelioma, finding a national firm is essential. Most military members were exposed to asbestos in multiple states during their service, which requires flexibility in where lawyers can file cases.

The best mesothelioma lawyers will travel to meet their clients at home, so distance shouldn’t be an issue. Many mesothelioma patients often choose a nationally recognized mesothelioma specialist far from home to give themselves the best survival chances. Choosing a lawyer follows the same logic.

Look for Experienced Lawyers

Choose an asbestos law firm that specializes and is experienced in asbestos litigation and understands asbestos trust funds. An experienced mesothelioma law firm will have handled hundreds — if not thousands — of mesothelioma cases and won millions of dollars for clients. Much of this compensation comes from asbestos trust funds.

Each lawyer’s asbestos case history sheds light on their track record of success. The more cases an attorney has handled, the more likely they’ll succeed with yours.

Veterans should also prioritize experience, especially in handling cases for former military members and their families. The top firms have experience representing veterans, along with a database of all military ships, aircraft and bases that contained asbestos.

Never Pay Out-of-Pocket Fees

Look for asbestos law firms that work on a contingency basis, which means your lawyer gets a percentage of the awarded compensation. If you don’t receive any compensation, then your lawyer does not collect any fees from you. This setup prioritizes your best interests above all else and often leads to the highest amount of mesothelioma compensation possible.

The best mesothelioma lawyers value your time and energy. To speed up the process, you should find a lawyer who offers a free case evaluation. This will avoid wasting time on unnecessary phone calls and conversations.

Make Sure Your Lawyer Will Do the Heavy Lifting

Mesothelioma patients, asbestos lung cancer patients and their families face a lot of stress. Choose a law firm that will guard you from overwhelming legal work. Pursuing a mesothelioma lawsuit may seem daunting, but choosing a quality firm makes it much easier.

Your lung cancer lawyer or mesothelioma lawyer should do everything from traveling for meetings to researching your asbestos exposure. Typically, the most time-consuming task for clients is the deposition, which is a recording of your testimony. Aside from that, your participation should be minimal.

Pick A Good Communicator

Your asbestos lawyer should be someone who has earned your trust and makes you feel comfortable. When you choose a doctor, you factor in their bedside manner and the quality of their staff. You should have a good rapport with your attorney as well. Your mesothelioma lawyer should be easy to talk with, able to explain your case, listen to you, and respond to your questions or concerns in a timely manner.

Do not hesitate to ask hard questions. If a law firm can’t answer your questions or isn’t available to talk, you can find other firms that will. Mesothelioma Guide can even help you ask a question to a mesothelioma lawyer today.

Why Mesothelioma Cases Are Unique

Mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer claims differ from other types of lawsuits because these cases are linked to asbestos exposure, which is the result of corporate greed and negligence. For decades, many industries and corporations relied on asbestos as part of their product manufacturing process. These corporations included asbestos in products and materials used in construction projects and various consumer products during the 20th century.

Examples of materials or building parts that were made with asbestos include:

  • Roof shingles
  • Automobile brakes and gaskets
  • Drywall compounds and textures
  • Floor and ceiling tiles
  • Siding
  • Military aircraft, ships and barracks
  • Insulation around wires, pipes, boilers and more

Some occupations linked to asbestos exposure include:

  • HVAC workers
  • Electrical workers
  • Insulators
  • Shipbuilders
  • Automobile mechanics
  • Military servicemen and servicewomen
  • Pipefitters or plumbers
  • Boilermakers
  • Construction workers (such as carpentry or drywallers)

However, asbestos is hazardous when inhaled or ingested, a risk that thousands of people faced.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the first reference to the dangers of asbestos fibers appeared in the British Medical Journal in 1924. However, experts did not link asbestos exposure to lung cancer and mesothelioma until the second half of the 20th century.

Since asbestos was loosely unregulated by the asbestos industry itself in the United States for decades, many manufacturers used the substance despite knowing its dangers. These companies hid this important information from the public, putting their employees and other U.S. residents at daily risk.

Due to their negligence, many companies are responsible and legally liable for workers or others developing asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Why Will Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit Help?

Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit can help victims in multiple ways, from paying for treatment to covering debt. You can’t put a dollar amount on the quality of life lost due to companies’ reckless business practices. However, there are aspects of mesothelioma and lung cancer that can be quantified.

Some compensation elements your lawyer will include in your mesothelioma case are:

  • Lost wages
  • Medical bills not covered by insurance
  • Travel expenses for medical treatments
  • Caregiver expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Disability caused by exposure
  • Funeral expenses

Remember that your asbestos disease is not your fault. It’s the fault of the asbestos corporations that exposed you to this dangerous substance. They should help you and your family cover the costs of treatment, lost wages, travel expenses and more.

Experienced lung cancer and mesothelioma lawyers handle the legal process so you never have to sit in a courtroom unless you want to. Find a lawyer using our free legal support.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma Attorneys

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Am I eligible to file a mesothelioma lawsuit?

Mesothelioma patients and their families are eligible to file a lawsuit. Taking legal action can provide financial stability and peace of mind.

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Why should I hire a mesothelioma attorney?

Hiring a mesothelioma attorney will help you and your family receive compensation. A lawyer get you money from the asbestos companies to help pay for treatment, lost wages and travel expenses.

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How much does it cost to hire a mesothelioma lawyer?

It shouldn’t cost you anything upfront. The top mesothelioma lawyers work on a contingency basis and will never require a fee to start your case.

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When should I contact a mesothelioma lawyer?

You should get in touch with a lawyer right away. There’s a time limit for filing mesothelioma claims known as the statute of limitations.

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How much compensation will I receive?

The average case value for mesothelioma claims is between $1 million and $1.4 million, according to Mealey’s Litigation Report. Every case’s facts and value are different, which is why results vary.

Sources & Author

  1. History of asbestos related disease. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1742940/. Accessed: 03/22/19.
  2. Asbestos bans around the world. Asbestos Nation. Retrieved from: http://www.asbestosnation.org/facts/asbestos-bans-around-the-world/. Accessed: 03/22/19.
  3. Bullock Campbell Bullock & Harris, PC. Bullock Campbell Bullock & Harris, PC. Retrieved from: https://www.bcbhlaw.com/our-team/. Accessed: 02/25/20.
  4. Simmons Hanly Conroy: A National Law Firm. Simmons Hanly Conroy. Retrieved from: https://www.simmonsfirm.com/. Accessed: 02/25/20.
  5. Walton Telken: Injury Attorneys. Walton Telken. Retrieved from: https://waltontelken.com/. Accessed: 02/25/20.
Retried LCDR Carl Jewett

About the Writer, Retired LCDR Carl Jewett, VA Claims Agent

LCDR Carl Jewett is a retired Naval Officer who serves as the Veterans Department Director and Patient Services Director at Mesothelioma Guide. He is a VA-Accredited Claims Agent with more than 14 years of experience filing asbestos-related VA claims. He has helped over 1400 veterans who have been diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses get approved for VA Disability Compensation, VA Pension, and/or Aid & Attendance benefits. Because veteran’s are also entitled to compensation through the legal system, Carl has communicated with many mesothelioma law firms across the country. He has gained extensive knowledge of asbestos trust funds, mesothelioma lawsuits, settlements, and the claims process. He provides both veterans and civilians with information regarding their legal options.