Philadelphia Mesothelioma Lawyer

Why Hire a Philadelphia Mesothelioma Lawyer?

If your family in Philadelphia is coping with a mesothelioma diagnosis, it’s a good idea to hire a skilled asbestos lawyer to file a mesothelioma lawsuit. Mesothelioma lawyers in Pennsylvania have helped many people in Philadelphia get compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages and other expenses.

When you choose a firm with an office in Philadelphia, you can visit them in person for consultations. At least one of the top firms has an office downtown, and other firms have locations within reasonable driving distance. 

Otherwise, a lawyer from a nationwide firm can travel to you or meet with you through video conferencing. Virtual consultations can be important, especially for people undergoing cancer treatment that weakens the immune system. Top nationwide mesothelioma law firms can file cases in almost any state. They have experienced asbestos lawyers licensed to practice and offer support anywhere in the U.S. 

When Do You Need to Hire a Mesothelioma Attorney?

It’s a good idea to think about getting a mesothelioma attorney soon after you or your loved one receives a diagnosis. This allows you to focus on treatment, while your attorney will start working on your case. 

The point in time when you hire an attorney is important because each state has legal deadlines, called statutes of limitations, for filing a mesothelioma claim. These time limits are different in each state, and they begin from the day of diagnosis or day of death.

In Pennsylvania, you have two years to file personal injury and wrongful death claims. Most people file based on their history of exposure to asbestos and the companies responsible for that exposure. Nationwide law firms have mesothelioma lawyers in each state to handle your claim in the right jurisdiction.

If you hire an attorney as soon as possible, they have more time to investigate your case, gather evidence and build a strong claim within the statute of limitations. Acting early may also help you get compensation faster, which helps with medical costs and financial support.

Asbestos Exposure in Philadelphia

Exposure to asbestos in Pennsylvania has primarily occurred in industrial settings such as manufacturing plants and shipyards.

Asbestos workers also unknowingly brought asbestos fibers home on their clothing and tools. This resulted in secondary exposure among family members.

Occupations & Industries Known for Asbestos Exposure in Philadelphia

Philadelphia jobs and industries known for exposing workers to harmful materials include chemical plants, power plants, shipyards, landfills and mining sites. These job sites often involved high-temperature environments or materials that easily caught fire. 

Asbestos is naturally resistant to heat and chemical corrosion. It was also cheap, which is why companies used it to prevent fires. Occupational exposure is the most common way people encounter dangerous amounts of asbestos.

Unfortunately, Philadelphia workers in these jobs have developed mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos fibers. Asbestos lawsuits in U.S. courts can hold the companies that made asbestos products responsible when those products injured workers or their loved ones. 

If you or a loved one have been exposed to asbestos, a mesothelioma lawyer can help you take legal action and recommend the right type of claim to file. This might include a mesothelioma lawsuit or filing claims with asbestos trust funds. In some cases, both types of claims may apply. A lawyer can guide you through your legal options and help you get the compensation you deserve.

Secondary Asbestos Exposure

Secondary exposure to asbestos happens when workers accidentally carry the mineral’s fibers home. The fibers travel on clothes, shoes, hair, skin and tools. A parent giving their child a hug or a spouse doing their loved one’s work laundry can lead to exposure. When this happens over time, it can put people at risk of getting sick.

Getting exposed to asbestos in this way can cause the same serious health problems as working with asbestos directly. The tiny asbestos fibers get stuck in the lungs and their lining, which can lead to diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Though it can still happen, secondary asbestos exposure was a bigger worry in the past. This was especially true before the introduction of asbestos regulations in the 1970s. Many spouses and children of people who worked with asbestos developed mesothelioma because of exposure at home.

Asbestos in Philadelphia Schools

In August 2023, the School District of Philadelphia and the City of Philadelphia reached a settlement agreement over how to handle asbestos in schools. The school district had filed a lawsuit the year before over a law governing how the city manages asbestos. The agreement involves more asbestos inspections and transparency. 

The district has reinspected 277 schools for asbestos since October 2021. In May 2023, state lawmakers requested $5 billion over five years to address the crisis. Discoveries of asbestos in numerous Philadelphia schools made national headlines in 2020. About a dozen schools closed between 2018 and 2020, bringing attention to the risks and costs involved in removing the asbestos. 

How to Find the Right Philadelphia Mesothelioma Lawyer

To find the best mesothelioma lawyer in Philadelphia, PA, residents can look up firms online and use free consultations to learn more about the firms. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, consider the positives and negatives of each firm to make a balanced decision.

If you or a loved one has received a mesothelioma diagnosis in Philadelphia, an experienced attorney can help. A Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyer at a nationwide firm can file your claim in Pennsylvania or another jurisdiction depending upon the details of your individual case.

Philadelphia Mesothelioma Law Firms

Philadelphia families facing a mesothelioma diagnosis can find multiple reputable law firms in and around Pennsylvania. Asbestos victims should consider a nationwide mesothelioma law firm because they are well-informed about the most suitable state in which to file your claim.

National firms have the resources to travel to you, which is important for patients who don’t feel up to traveling. These firms also offer virtual meetings for patients undergoing cancer treatment that compromises the immune system.

One of the top nationwide mesothelioma law firms, Meirowitz & Wasserberg, has an office in Philadelphia. Located in the Logan Square neighborhood, their office sits in the heart of downtown Philadelphia. 

The firm has recovered more than $200 million for asbestos victims, and their lawyers have received multiple honors. For example, The National Trial Lawyers named Daniel Wasserberg  a Top 100 Civil Litigator and a top 10 asbestos lawyer by.

Nationwide firms have the expertise and resources necessary to sue major corporations that exposed people to asbestos. They have seasoned lawyers licensed to practice in the right state for your claim. They also have asbestos investigators and mesothelioma experts who work hard to win your case.

What Is It Like Working With a Philadelphia Mesothelioma Lawyer? 

Working with a Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyer involves meeting in person and over the phone to discuss your case. Your lawyer will ask for information to help your claim, give updates on your case and advise when to settle or go to trial. 

Mesothelioma lawyers understand you are coping with cancer treatment. They make the legal process smooth for your family by taking care of every legal aspect. This includes collecting evidence, filing court documents and negotiating with defendants on a settlement.

It usually takes about 12 to 18 months for a mesothelioma lawsuit to reach a resolution, but claims with asbestos trust funds often resolve faster. Your mesothelioma lawyer will advocate for your legal rights and fight to get the compensation you deserve. While your lawyer works on securing compensation, you can focus on getting the best mesothelioma treatment in Pennsylvania.

How Do I Know If I’m Eligible for Compensation?

An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can let you know if you may be eligible for compensation. To determine your potential eligibility, they will ask about where you have worked and when you were exposed to asbestos. They’ll also ask about your medical history and your malignant mesothelioma diagnosis. 

Your lawyer will investigate the places you’ve worked and the asbestos products you were exposed to. They will collect evidence, testimony from former co-workers and work records to prove your case. All these documents help to justify your eligibility for compensation.

Undergoing mesothelioma treatment while filing a legal claim might seem like too much to take on, but your lawyer will take care of every detail. While your lawyer works on securing compensation, you are able to focus on treatment and spending time with your family.