One of the hardest things in life is being diagnosed with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops after someone suffers asbestos exposure. However, mesothelioma does not develop immediately after asbestos exposure. It can take up to six decades for mesothelioma to develop after asbestos exposure. A mesothelioma diagnosis can be life-changing. Once a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma, they not only have to deal with health concerns but also legal concerns. After a mesothelioma diagnosis, one of the vital decisions people face is when to hire a mesothelioma attorney. So, how soon should you hire an attorney after you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma? It is advisable that you hire an attorney as soon as possible after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Below, we discuss some of the main reasons why you should engage a mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible after a diagnosis.
Statute of Limitations
In the United States of America, every state has a statute of limitations for mesothelioma claims. This means victims and victims' families have a specific timeframe to initiate legal action against liable parties. Different states have different time limits for filing mesothelioma claims. However, for many states, the statute of limitations ranges from one to three years after a mesothelioma diagnosis. It is best to hire an attorney as soon as possible to ensure you comply with the statute of limitations. If you wait to hire an attorney and the statute of limitations for your case expires, you may be barred from filing your claim.
Gathering Evidence and investigating Requires Time.
Gathering relevant evidence for your case and conducting investigations requires time. Therefore, the sooner you hire an attorney, the more time they have to gather evidence and conduct investigations. You want an attorney to have enough time to examine possible sources of asbestos exposure.
Focus on Health
When you hire an attorney, you shift the legal responsibilities to them. Hiring an attorney as soon as possible after receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis can enable you to focus on your treatment and health. An attorney can handle all legal aspects of your case, allowing you to prioritize your treatment and health.
Timely Resolution of Your Case
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be facing financial challenges. It can be expensive to treat mesothelioma. Mesothelioma can also lead to lost wages when a victim is unable to work. Not waiting to hire an attorney can result in you recovering the compensation you need in a timely manner, enabling you or your loved one to access necessary treatments without delay.
Mesothelioma Lawyers Pursue Claims on a Contingency Basis
If you are worried that you can't afford a lawyer, you should know that most mesothelioma lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only charge clients if and after they recover compensation. With a contingency fee arrangement, you do not have to pay any upfront fees. If you do not recover compensation, you are not required to pay attorney fees out of pocket.
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 to help pay for your medical treatment to help you and your family live a more comfortable life.