Cost of Hiring a Mesothelioma Attorney

Upfront Costs and Fees of Hiring a Mesothelioma Attorney

Most mesothelioma law firms work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront costs or fees. Your attorney only gets paid if they win compensation for you. This arrangement allows patients and their families to seek justice without adding financial stress during an already difficult time.

The first step in choosing a mesothelioma lawyer is usually a free case review with no obligation to hire. This means you can explore your legal options without any financial risk. These consultations are also an opportunity for you to gauge your comfort level with the attorney.

Perspective From a Mesothelioma Lawyer

“What we know is what cases are valuable and which ones aren’t. And if we’re interested in pursuing your case, then that means that we know that the wealth of our time and experience says this is the case that is going to get a good result or at least has the potential to get a good result.”

Samuel Meirowitz, attorney and partner at the Meirowitz & Wasserberg law firm

What Are the Total Costs and Fees for Hiring an Asbestos Attorney?

You won’t pay upfront costs, but you will pay fees once you receive compensation. Attorney fees typically range from 33% to 40% for lawsuits and around 25% for trust fund claims. Attorney fees cover your legal representation, while service fees cover costs like court filings and expert witnesses.

Your law firm advances service fees and only deducts fees from your compensation if you win. Ask your lawyer how expenses are handled if your case is unsuccessful. You get expert representation without financial risk upfront.

How Is Mesothelioma Compensation Received?

Using the previously mentioned examples, if the attorney’s fee for a case that goes to trial is 33.33%, then for every $1,000 in settlements you get $667 and your attorney gets $333. If you qualify for a asbestos trust fund claim, for every $1,000 in compensation you get $750 and your attorney gets $250. A portion of awards could be subject to taxes.

The process for receiving your mesothelioma compensation can vary depending on several factors. Some states have specific requirements for how compensation is managed, and the type of claim affects how your payment is disbursed.

Types of Compensation Disbursements

• Law firm trust accounts: Your lawyer will set up a client trust account for you, which is a separate bank account used exclusively to hold client funds. Most settlement and verdict funds are deposited into client trust accounts. Your attorney then deducts fees and expenses before transferring your compensation to you.
• Asbestos trust fund payments: The trust administrator processes claims against bankruptcy trusts directly. Once approved, payments are typically issued within a few months and sent either to your attorney’s trust account or directly to you, depending on the trust’s procedures.
• Joint checks: Some insurance companies or defendants issue settlement checks made out to both you and your attorney. Both parties must endorse the check before it can be deposited and the funds distributed.
• Structured settlements: In some cases, compensation may be paid in installments over time rather than as a lump sum. This provides steady income and may offer tax advantages.

Regardless of how funds are initially received, your attorney will deduct agreed-upon fees and any advanced expenses, then transfer your portion to you with a detailed accounting statement. Most mesothelioma settlements are paid within 60 to 90 days after an agreement is reached, though trial verdicts may take longer if appeals are filed.

Understanding the Mesothelioma Attorney-Client Agreement

Once you’ve chosen a qualified mesothelioma attorney with whom you feel comfortable, the next step is to formalize your relationship and sign a client agreement. This essential document clarifies expectations, protects both you and your attorney and lays the foundation for a successful partnership.

Key Elements of the Attorney-Client Agreement

• Case expenses: Specifies which party is responsible for covering court costs, expert witness fees and other litigation expenses.
• Communication protocols: Outlines how often you’ll receive updates and through what methods.
• Confidentiality protections: Ensures your private information is safeguarded.
• Duration of services: Explains the timeline of your attorney’s representation, including information about appeals.
• Fee arrangements: Details how attorney’s fees will be calculated and paid.
• Scope of representation: Defines the legal services included and any limitations.
• Termination procedures: Describes how either you or your attorney can end the agreement.

Your attorney prepares this document, often called an engagement agreement and is presented as a letter for your signature. Even with an established sense of trust, it’s crucial to carefully review the agreement and ask clarifying questions. Open communication and a clear, mutual understanding of expectations are essential for a positive and productive attorney-client relationship.

Fees

While attorneys can charge flat fees or hourly rates, nearly all mesothelioma lawyers use contingency fees. Contingency fees became standard beginning in the 1970s when mesothelioma cases emerged, aligning attorney and client interests in pursuing justice against well-funded corporations.

Fee Structures

• Contingency fee: The most common structure in asbestos litigation.
• Flat fee: Rarely used in mesothelioma cases, this is a set amount regardless of outcome or time. This doesn’t work for asbestos litigation given the unpredictable case complexity and duration.
• Hourly fee: Uncommon among experienced mesothelioma law firms. Rates range from several hundred to more than $1,000 per hour. With cases requiring hundreds of hours over months or years, this quickly becomes unaffordable.

Contingency fees remain the standard in mesothelioma lawsuits because they remove financial risk from families already burdened with medical costs. This is especially important if a mesothelioma case goes to trial,, which can require intensive preparation and hundreds of attorney hours. Hourly and flat fee arrangements create barriers that prevent most people from pursuing legitimate claims.

Expenses

Most mesothelioma law firms advance all case expenses throughout your litigation, even if it lasts for years. You typically won’t pay anything out-of-pocket as your case progresses.

However, it’s important to understand what happens to these expenses if your case is unsuccessful. Many firms absorb these costs entirely if no compensation is won, but some agreements require clients to repay advanced expenses regardless of outcome. This should be explicitly stated in your agreement before you sign.

Duration of Engagement

Never assume your attorney will represent you if a trial verdict is appealed by you or by a defendant. Most engagements terminate after a settlement or a final judgment, whichever occurs later. Separate counsel is usually hired to handle appeals. Trial attorneys often do not represent cases if there is an appeal, but rather refer them to lawyers who work exclusively on appeals.

Perspective From a Mesothelioma Lawyer

“[Families] shouldn’t have to worry about a mesothelioma claim. That’s the attorney’s job. And so we make it manageable for mesothelioma patients because we handle everything.”

D. Carl Money, attorney at Nemeroff Law

Confidentiality

This section of the agreement explains how your attorney will keep your personal information confidential. Only information that is relevant to your case and discoverable under court rules will be provided to the defendants. Your communications with your attorney will also be kept confidential.

Conflicts of Interest

Your attorney must disclose any relationships with clients who have opposing interests. For instance, ethical rules would likely prohibit an attorney from representing both you and the asbestos manufacturing executive whose decisions caused your injuries.

Likewise, it would be inappropriate for an attorney to accept the engagement if he or she has an ownership interest in a company you are suing. The attorney will check for any conflicts before entering into a client relationship with you.

Client Responsibilities

This section of the agreement explains how you are expected to cooperate with those handling your case. For instance, you must keep your attorney informed if you move or if any of your contact information changes. Your attorney will also promptly notify you of developments in your case.

Termination

Occasionally a client, an attorney or both may decide the attorney-client relationship should not continue. The termination section explains how either party should go about ending the relationship. Court approval may be required before an attorney can step down from a case. Arrangements must also be made to transfer files and share information with new legal counsel.

Do the Benefits Outweigh Costs of Asbestos Legal Action?

For most mesothelioma patients and their families, pursuing legal action offers substantial benefits that outweigh the costs. Even after attorney fees and case expenses, legal claims typically result in significantly higher compensation than pursuing claims without legal representation or not filing a claim at all.

Why Legal Action is Worth It

• Access to expert legal support: Experienced mesothelioma lawyers navigate complex asbestos laws, help gather necessary evidence and negotiate on your behalf to maximize your payout.
• Emotional and practical relief: Legal teams handle all case management, filings, court appearances, negotiations and can travel to you, allowing you to focus on your health and family without added stress.
• Higher compensation: The average mesothelioma settlement ranges from $1 million to $2 million, while trial verdicts can be much higher, averaging between $5 million to $20.7 million. These awards help cover medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering and future care needs.
• No upfront costs: Most mesothelioma attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless compensation is recovered. This means you face minimal financial risk.

For example, Weitz & Luxenberg secured a $43 million settlement for a mesothelioma patient after a jury found a company responsible for asbestos exposure in 2022. After attorney fees and expenses, the family retained the majority of the settlement, a life-changing outcome far exceeding typical settlements. In another case, Cooney & Conway was able to help a refinery worker with mesothelioma exposed to asbestos at Shell Oil win a $35.1 million verdict. 

Legal action provides critical financial support during a difficult time and holds responsible companies accountable. Experienced attorneys can significantly increase the compensation you receive, ensuring you and your family have the resources needed throughout this challenging journey.

Experience From a Mesothelioma Survivor

” I asked my Patient Advocate, Missy Miller at The Mesothelioma Center, for law firm recommendations to help me afford treatment expenses. It was the best decision ever. It ended up being about more than just compensation. Let’s make these responsible entities accountable.”

Kim Madril, mesothelioma survivor

Commonly Asked Questions About Mesothelioma Lawyer Costs

What factors can affect the cost of hiring a mesothelioma attorney?

In these types of cases, they’re done on a contingency fee in most situations. So again, you’re not paying any attorney’s fees out of pocket, unless your attorney collects something for you. People may wonder how much is the percentage? How much are the attorney’s fees? It’s typically between 30% to 45%, and that may seem like a lot, but you’re keeping between 55% to 70%.

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

Do I have to pay if I don’t win?

No. Most mesothelioma lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if your case results in compensation. If you don’t win, you usually owe nothing for attorney fees.

Who pays case expenses and when are they deducted?

Law firms often cover costs like court filings, expert witness fees, depositions and travel upfront. These expenses are typically deducted from your compensation after a successful claim. Confirm with your lawyer what happens if your case is unsuccessful.

Why don’t mesothelioma attorneys charge upfront fees?

Contingency fees allow patients and families to pursue justice without financial barriers. This model shifts the risk to the law firm and makes legal help accessible during a stressful time.

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