Mesothelioma law firms specialize in asbestos cases, and the first thing to look for when researching them is years of experience and a history of success.
The top asbestos law firms in the U.S. have a team of qualified attorneys who understand what you and your loved one are facing and can give you confidence when pursuing your legal options.
The top five must-haves when choosing your mesothelioma law firm include the following:
How to Choose a Mesothelioma Law Firm
1. Lawyers Who Understand Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Asbestos law firms have intimate knowledge of the different types of asbestos-related diseases and understand how this impacts the patient and the legal process. They understand what you and your family are going through and how treatment may impact your ability to attend a trial.
These firms know to advocate for expedited trial dates and conduct depositions as early as possible, so you can focus on your medical care as the disease progresses.
Mesothelioma law firms have expertise in handling lawsuits, trust fund claims and settlements, and they’re also familiar with state asbestos laws and the statutes of limitations that apply to your claim.
2. Ability to Document Asbestos Exposure
Firms specializing in asbestos have deep industry knowledge and proprietary asbestos databases filled with information about asbestos products and contaminated job sites.
Attorneys use this along with other proof they discover through a deep investigation to connect your mesothelioma diagnosis to prior asbestos exposure.
3. No Upfront Legal Costs and a Free Case Evaluation
Not every firm offers a free case evaluation, but dedicated mesothelioma law firms typically provide evaluations free of charge.
They can afford to do this because they’ve leveraged their nationwide network of attorneys, which is harder for local firms to do because they operate on a smaller scale.
The best firms also work on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay them if they recover compensation for you. If they don’t win your case, you don’t pay for their legal services.
4. Record of Winning Large Verdicts and Settlements
National firms tend to have the best track record securing compensation for victims of asbestos exposure. This kind of compensation helps families afford medical treatment, deal with lost wages and handle other expenses such as in-home nursing care.
For example, Weitz & Luxenberg secured a multimillion-dollar settlement in 2021 for a lifetime millwright and Navy veteran who died of mesothelioma. Simmons Hanly Conroy secured a $34 million verdict in 2019 from Ford Motor Company for a mechanic diagnosed with mesothelioma.
While not every case results in multimillion-dollar settlements or verdicts, working with an experienced firm increases your potential to receive substantial compensation.
5. A Lawyer that Makes You Feel Comfortable
Mesothelioma law firms understand travel is difficult when you’ve been diagnosed with cancer. One of the biggest benefits of choosing a nationwide firm is its willingness to travel to you or meet with you virtually. This gives you access to the nation’s top firms no matter where you live.
While it may seem that a big, nationwide firm might not have time to attend to every client, the opposite is often true. Local firms are smaller, and it can be harder for them to dedicate the kind of time to your case that a full-time mesothelioma law firm can offer.
A good firm will provide examples of their success, explain their fees upfront, and let you learn about their attorneys and what makes their firm unique. Mesothelioma attorneys keep clients updated on the claim’s progress every step of the way, and they often anticipate their client’s needs because of their extensive experience.