If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, getting the right legal support is just as essential as receiving medical treatment. The treatment costs and concerns for your family's future can be overwhelming. Many patients initially turn to a general practice or personal injury attorney, often someone they know or a referral from a friend. However, is hiring any lawyer a good idea? While a general attorney can handle your case, there are crucial factors to consider before hiring them to take on your case.
1. Extensive Experience in Mesothelioma Cases
Mesothelioma lawsuits are unlike personal injury lawsuits. These suits often require extensive investigation into where a patient might have been exposed to asbestos. This can go decades back, and finding a company responsible for your illness may not be straightforward, especially when the company shut down or merged with others.
A lawyer specializing in mesothelioma cases knows how to navigate such challenges. They can help you identify liable parties, even if the company responsible went out of business. With their expertise, you can secure the compensation you need through settlements, lawsuits, or mesothelioma trust funds.
2. An Understanding of the Disease and Exposure Timeline
Mesothelioma symptoms can take 20 to 50 years to appear after asbestos exposure. This long latency period makes tracing the initial exposure challenging, and a lawyer unfamiliar with mesothelioma cases may struggle to pinpoint exactly when and where you were exposed.
However, a mesothelioma attorney understands the disease more and can dig into your past employment records, identify the job sites where you were at risk of asbestos exposure, and gather evidence linking asbestos exposure to your illness. If you had secondary asbestos exposure, such as fibers brought home on a spouse's work clothes, a seasoned lawyer will have the resources and expertise to establish liability.
3. Local Knowledge and Legal Expertise
Specialized mesothelioma lawyers have a deep understanding of local job sites and industries with a history of asbestos use. This knowledge gives them an advantage over general attorneys as they can identify responsible parties and hold them accountable. Additionally, mesothelioma attorneys are more attuned to changes in state and federal laws that could impact your case. Because these laws vary from one state to another, missing a key legal requirement could jeopardize your case.
4. Dealing With Asbestos Companies
Companies that used asbestos often have strong legal teams working to minimize payouts to victims. Some companies even filed for bankruptcy and established trust funds to compensate victims. Navigating these legal hurdles can be challenging, but with an experienced attorney, you can overcome such corporate barriers and access the compensation you deserve.
5. Meeting Critical Deadlines
Each state has strict deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, determining how long you must file a lawsuit after receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis. Missing these deadlines could mean losing your right to compensation. However, a lawyer specializing in mesothelioma cases will ensure you don't miss crucial deadlines.
When choosing a lawyer, ensure they have a track record of winning client cases, as this may imply that they are better equipped to handle yours.
Arizona Mesothelioma Lawyers
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our office to speak to one of our experienced Arizona mesothelioma attorneys about your situation. Our office can help investigate your case and determine if compensation can be sought from negligent parties.
