Many people are unsure about how to file a claim for compensation. The process is relatively simple but you must act quickly in order to be eligible to claim. Most states set a time limit of one to two years for mesothelioma claims, and it is important to file your lawsuit within those time limitations in order to optimise your chances of getting compensation from these companies. The same applies to those who are seeking compensation for the death of a loved one from mesothelioma as well as those who have been affected by an asbestos related disease through close contact with a family member who has been exposed to it.
The first thing you need to do is find a mesothelioma lawyer. It is best to look for a lawyer or law firm that already has experience within the area of mesothelioma and has dealt with at least a few mesothelioma lawsuits. This will mean that the lawyer already has contacts within the field which may enable your case to be processed a little more smoothly.
An experienced lawyer will also be able to assist you with additional resources such as contacts for support. It is always worth asking the lawyer for some testimony of experience, such as the number of mesothelioma cases he has dealt with, how many of them were successful, what sort of compensation figures were successfully obtained, and why certain cases (if there are any) were not successful.
Many people are worried about how much all this is going to cost them, but in truth it won’t cost you a penny unless you are actually awarded compensation. Look for a lawyer that works on a contingency fee basis, as most mesothelioma lawyers do. This means that there is no upfront payment required from you and if the lawyer is unsuccessful in getting you compensation you will not have to pay anything at all.
If you do get compensation, your lawyer will take his fee from that, normally a percentage fee of around 35%. This may seem slightly high, but bearing in mind that many compensation claims run into hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars, this will still leave you with a hefty sun even after the lawyer has taken his percentage.
Once you have found a lawyer with whose fees and testimony you are satisfied, it will be time to go through all of the details with him. He’ll need to know all about your condition, the type of mesothelioma you have, whether it can be treated, whether you have been informed that it is terminal, when you were diagnosed etc. You will also need to provide details of when and where you were exposed to asbestos. However, many people cannot recall these details but the lawyer can assist by hiring someone to do the research and find this information. Again, you won’t have to pay for this service is the lawyer will foot the bill.
Based upon the details you provide, your lawyer can decide whether your claim is worth pursuing and what type of lawsuit should be filed (e.g. a lawsuit against a company, a manufacturer etc.). You will need to be totally honest and frank with your lawyer as well as passing information on to him in a timely manner because time will be a very important factor in getting you the compensation to which you are entitled.
You will now find many lawyers who advertise on the Internet as well as details in local phone directories. You will find that not only does the level of experience vary from lawyer to lawyer but so does the fee that they take from your compensation. The things to look out for most importantly are: that the lawyer works on a contingency fee basis; that the lawyer is experienced within the field of mesothelioma and not averse to providing testimony to this; and that the lawyer tells you upfront what his percentage will be when you get compensation.
