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Last Edited On: 02/02/2024

Written by Joe Lahav, EsquireEdited By Walter PachecoLegally Reviewed By William A. Davis

How Can a Mesothelioma Law Firm Help Me?

Mesothelioma law firms help patients and families file personal injury lawsuits, wrongful death lawsuits and trust fund claims. They will investigate your exposure history, gather evidence, build a strong case and fight for proper compensation.

These specialized firms tend to focus solely on asbestos litigation. They’ve developed a deep knowledge of mesothelioma and understand how stressful it is to navigate cancer treatment and health insurance.

Patients should work with an experienced asbestos law firm because they understand what their clients go through, and they have a good background into products that have asbestos.

Hiring an experienced mesothelioma law firm is your family’s best step toward receiving asbestos exposure compensation. National firms with both an extensive record of success in asbestos litigation and a network of attorneys with asbestos case expertise in each state gives you access to more resources for your case.

They will determine the proper jurisdiction for filing your claim within the legal time limitation to maximize your recovery. Your law firm will help guide you through the litigation or trust fund claims processes so you and your family can focus on managing your mesothelioma.

Top-Rated Mesothelioma Law Firms

The top mesothelioma law firms offer a network of experienced attorneys and a winning track record. They will manage every aspect of your case, allowing you to focus on what matters most: treatment and your health. 

Weitz and Luxenburg
700 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
  • $8.5 Billion Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • Rated #1 by U.S. News & World Report for 2022
Simmons Hanly Conroy Logo
1 Court Street
Alton, Illinois 62002
  • $8.9 Billion Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • Rated a Tier 1 Law Firm in 2022 by U.S. News & World Report
meirowitz & wasserberg logo
1040 Sixth Avenue 12B
New York, NY 10018
  • $200 Million Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • Rated in the Top 10 Asbestos and Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers
Nemeroff Law Firm Logo
8226 Douglas Avenue Suite 740
Dallas, TX 75225
  • $500 Million Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • Rated a “Hall of Fame” law firm by The Legal 500
Cooney & Conway Logo
120 N Lasalle Street Suite 3000
Chicago, IL 60602
  • $7 Billion Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • Rated a National Tier 1 Firm by U.S. News & World Report in 2022
Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman
820 Mililani Street Suite 505
Honolulu, HI 96813
  • $600 Million Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • 30+ Years Experience

It’s important to feel comfortable with the mesothelioma law firm you choose. Attorneys at top asbestos law firms are accessible and sensitive to what you and your family are going through. Top firms offer free consultations so you can learn about their attorneys and what makes their firm unique.

How We Choose Top Law Firms

The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com rigorously vets mesothelioma law firms. We look for firms that have a team of lawyers, investigators and experts who specialize in asbestos litigation and a significant record of winning cases and negotiating settlements.

Criteria for Top-Rated Firms
  • A long and successful track record of fighting for their client’s rights
  • Best-in-class experience with asbestos cases
  • Clear communication skills to explain complex legal matters in simple terms
  • Free case evaluations so you can discuss your situation and evaluate their ability
  • Nationwide reach to ensure they can navigate the legal systems in different state

The top law firms process more than 70% of mesothelioma lawsuits every year. This means the top firms offer the most experience handling a wide range of cases. They also secure the highest verdicts and settlements for their clients in comparison to smaller, local firms.

What Unique Services Do Asbestos Law Firms Offer?

Asbestos law firms offer services such as exposure investigation, evidence collection and securing testimonies from witnesses and experts to help you prove your case. They will also file legal claims, engage in settlement negotiations on your behalf and represent you in court.

Mesothelioma Law Firm Benefits
  • Financial Compensation: The top-rated firms have a track record of negotiating higher settlements, winning verdicts and securing trust fund compensation for their clients.
  • Key Data: Years of experience working with people exposed to asbestos results in a wealth of knowledge about asbestos products and job sites. These firms have expert investigators who research your exposure history and collect evidence for your case.
  • Streamlined Process: Experience also leads to expertise and efficiency. The best firms know the best steps to take, what’s needed at each step and how best to help your family.

Big firms have a wealth of deep industry resources and proprietary asbestos databases filled with information about asbestos products and contaminated job sites. A significant amount of money is at stake in a mesothelioma lawsuit, which can cover expenses such as treatment costs, lost wages, in-home nursing care, end-of-life expenses, travel and lodging. 

Continued Learning

Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit

The Mesothelioma Legal Process

The legal process begins with finding a mesothelioma law firm and scheduling a consultation so you can learn more about the firm and they can learn more about your case. They will gather evidence to prepare your case, file a claim in the proper jurisdiction and handle any responses from defendants.

Asbestos Legal Action Steps
  1. Free Consultation: The best mesothelioma law firms offer free consultations and case reviews. During this meeting you can ask questions about the firm’s history of success, and the firm will ask you about the patient’s diagnosis and work history.
  2. Documenting Exposure History: If the law firm believes you have a case, they will start to gather evidence to support your claim. In addition to a lawsuit, they may recommend you consider a claim with an asbestos trust fund or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
  3. Filing Claims: Once your case is built, your lawyer will file the claim in the jurisdiction or with the appropriate asbestos trust fund. Your claim may be valid in multiple states depending on several factors, including where your asbestos exposure occurred.
  4. Discovery Process: A discovery period will follow for lawsuits, or a claim review will follow for trust fund claims. Your lawyer will handle every aspect of the legal process. They’ll coach you through any interviews or depositions you may need to provide.
  5. Compensation Distribution: If your claim is successful, your lawyer will most likely be the one to distribute compensation to you. You may choose between a lump sum or receiving payments in installments.

Your attorney will listen to your concerns and address any questions about the legal process. Speak with your lawyer to learn more about how federal and state laws may impact your case and any other variables that could impact litigation or settlement negotiation on your behalf. 

Hiring an experienced firm can translate into a more effortless experience for you and your family throughout the legal process. Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit after death, for example, is more complicated than a personal injury claim. An experienced attorney can help guide clients through options for filing a wrongful death lawsuit.

Qualities to Consider When Choosing a Mesothelioma Law Firm

Look for a mesothelioma firm that has won cases like yours. A good legal team will provide examples of its successes and track record. 

Find a firm that communicates clearly and regularly, explains fees upfront and has the experience to anticipate their client’s needs. The best firms also work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay for their legal services if they don’t win your case.

Good asbestos law firms understand how asbestos-related diseases impact patients and the legal process. They advocate for expedited trial dates and quick settlements based on the state asbestos laws that apply to your claim. They also conduct depositions as soon as possible to avoid statutes of limitations, letting you focus on your medical care.

National firms tend to have the most proven track record of success in compensation for those exposed to asbestos. For example, Weitz & Luxenberg won a multimillion-dollar settlement in 2021 for a Navy veteran who died of mesothelioma. Simmons Hanly Conroy recovered $34 million in 2019 from Ford Motor Company for a mechanic with mesothelioma. 

Asbestos Law Firms by State

Many asbestos lawyers are part of nationwide firms with offices throughout the country. Firms that work in one state may be right for certain cases, but choosing a nationwide firm gives you access to a network of attorneys with asbestos case expertise in each state. This is helpful if your exposure occurred in a different state than where you currently live, or if the defendant relocated its headquarters.

Asbestos litigation laws vary by state, making knowledge of local asbestos laws and state statutes of limitations essential to winning cases in any jurisdiction. Asbestos litigation laws are complex, and each state has its own laws that can impact plaintiff outcomes. 

Nationwide firms have the most knowledge and experience securing compensation in every state. Choosing one of these firms connects you to a network of attorneys with expertise in each state’s asbestos laws, and they will offer the best advice on where to file your claim.

Working With a National Mesothelioma Law Firm

Hiring a national firm offers a variety of benefits because these mesothelioma firms have handled diverse cases throughout the country. Dedicated mesothelioma law firms typically provide free evaluations, leveraging their nationwide network of attorneys.

If you’re not well enough to travel, consider a nationwide firm for their willingness to travel to you. These firms also offer more scheduling availability than local firms. 

Expert Q & A: Hiring a Mesothelioma Law Firm

How long do I have to hire a mesothelioma law firm?

A statute of limitations is a prescribed period of time you have to file a lawsuit. It’s usually between one to four years. Each state typically dictates the timeframe. For mesothelioma it starts to run from the time you’re diagnosed.

Answered By: Joe Lahav, Esq. – Lawyer and Legal Advisor

Can a family member hire a law firm for an asbestos case?

If you went to a lawyer who doesn’t deal with a lot of mesothelioma cases, they’re not going to know what type of products you might have been exposed to or what type of work sites you might be able to collect from. You definitely want to go to somebody who knows a lot about mesothelioma and asbestos. They’re the attorneys who are going to get you the most money.

Answered By: Joe Lahav, Esq. – Lawyer and Legal Advisor

What’s the difference between a law firm specializing in asbestos and one that doesn’t?

An asbestos law firm specializes in asbestos law and mesothelioma cases. These firms typically employ mesothelioma lawyers with years of experience in asbestos cases and a track record of successful outcomes. A law firm that doesn’t specialize in asbestos won’t have access to the best asbestos databases and may incorrectly file complicated claims, which could delay or significantly reduce the compensation received by victims and their families.

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