Mesothelioma is a devastating type of cancer which is invariably fatal, and is almost always the result of exposure to asbestos. The person suffering from cancer may decide to hire a mesothelioma lawyer to help claim compensation. Choosing the best mesothelioma lawyer requires careful consideration of some important factors, including whether the lawyer has experience in dealing with mesothelioma cases, and what his or her success ratio is.
In the United States, United Kingdom, and many other parts of the world, asbestos was used in insulation, building materials, and other products during much of the twentieth century. Most people who worked with asbestos did so while unaware that the substance is highly toxic, and can cause cancer and a chronic lung disease called asbestosis. Although workers did not know of the dangers, many companies did know, and failed to protect their employees.
Many companies which manufactured or used asbestos products are therefore liable for injuries that workers sustain as a result of asbestos exposure. To help them claim asbestosis or mesothelioma compensation, many people hire a lawyer. Choosing the best mesothelioma lawyer is important, because it can affect how well a claimant works with his or her lawyer, and how successful the lawsuit is.
The most important question to ask a prospective lawyer is simply how much experience he or she has in working on mesothelioma cases. The best lawyer will have several years’ worth of experience working on asbestos compensation lawsuits. This is important because choosing an experienced lawyer can help speed up the process and improve the chance of success.
Another question which should be asked is whether the mesothelioma lawyer has a good success ration. Experience is important, but just as important is the lawyer’s track record when it comes to winning lawsuits. It can even be helpful to look at the lawyer’s track record in terms of the dollar value of the settlements they obtain for their clients.
Many mesothelioma lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means they do not charge any fees until or unless the lawsuit is won. Once the lawsuit has been won, the claimant then pays the lawyer a percentage of the money he or she is awarded; this percentage is agreed-upon when the claimant initially hires the lawyer. Lawsuits tend to be expensive; for most people the best mesothelioma lawyer is one who works on contingency, as then claimants do not have to worry about finding the money to pay lawsuit fees up front.
Equally as important as any other point, a mesothelioma claimant should try to choose a lawyer they he or she feels comfortable working with. Finally, while choosing the right lawyer may not be easy, it is important to choose an attorney quickly, due to time limitations on pursuing mesothelioma compensation. In the United States, for example, claimants must file a claim within one to three years of mesothelioma diagnosis.