How seeking legal counsel can help: exploring your options with regards to an asbestos-related disease diagnosis

“At first you’re thinking you don’t want to do it. Why would I want to sue somebody, why would I want to sue these companies [that worked with asbestos]? But all I can say is ‘Get mad’ because [these companies] knew…[asbestos] caused cancer. And so you need it. You need it for your treatments, you need it for your transportation…I mean for the rest of our lives we’re going to be going and getting CAT scans and your insurance doesn’t pay for everything. So, you need the compensation.”

• Mary Jane Williams, received her mesothelioma diagnosis in 2003.

After an asbestos-related disease diagnosis, it is common to feel overwhelmed by the question of “the next step”. Weitz & Luxenberg is an experienced law firm that has handled countless asbestos-related cases in the past, and we know exactly how to handle your case to reach the best possible verdict. On this page, Weitz & Luxenberg will discuss why so many people seek legal counsel once they receive an asbestos-related disease diagnosis, and how it can help you and your family. There are many legal options available to you or your loved one at this time, and you are not alone in this process. 2000 to 3000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed every year (Livestrong.com).

For more information on your asbestos case, contact Weitz & Luxenberg for a free legal consultation.

Compensation covers more than the medical

One of the major reasons why seeking legal assistance can help you and your family: financial compensation. Compensation can cover not just all of your medical expenses – which for mesothelioma can be hundreds of thousands of dollars (everydayhealth.com) – but also travel expenses, expenses incurred through loss of the ability to work, and provide financial stability for your family.

Justice is important

Because of the legal action sought by people suffering from asbestos-related diseases, attorneys had the opportunity to dig deep into asbestos companies’ records. Through this process, many internal memos have surfaced detailing just exactly how much these companies knew about how asbestos causes fatal disease, and what their attitude was concerning this knowledge.

In 1958, National Gypsum (an asbestos manufacturing company) stated in a memo, “We know that you will never lose sight of the fact that perhaps the greatest hazard in your plant is with men handling asbestos. Because just as certain as death and taxes is the fact that if you inhale asbestos dust you get asbestosis.”

These companies knowingly poisoned so many people, and through legal counsel, you can help bring justice on their behalf and on behalf of everyone you know who was exposed to asbestos.

Time makes a difference

The sooner you seek legal counsel, the sooner your case can be processed. Pursuing compensation tends to take time, but time can help you make the right decision regarding the outcome. For instance, let us say that Andre waits months before seeking legal counsel. In this time his medical bills pile up and his health is declining. He might be inclined to accept the first offer for compensation he receives – even if this is less money than he expected and contrary to his attorney’s advice. Andre just wants money now so that he can pay off his medical bills, which is understandable even though his attorney says that he can get more money if he holds out longer.

Now, let us say that Andre seeks legal help as soon as he is diagnosed. By the time the first offer for settlement compensation comes to him, he feels no pressure to accept because his health and his bills are still manageable. Andre is then free to hold out for greater financial compensation.

The bigger your army, the better your odds

In 2003, Mary Jane Williams’s doctor informed her that she had mesothelioma, the next thing he said to her was “do you have an attorney?”

“No,” said Mary.

“You’re going to need an attorney,” said her doctor.

To this day, asbestos companies have excellent attorneys that ruthlessly try and devalue any and all cases placed before them. To go up against these people you need the strength and experience of Weitz & Luxenberg.

For over two decades, Weitz & Luxenberg P.C. has handled some of the most legally complicated and groundbreaking asbestos litigation in the country. Men and women diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure or secondary exposure are entitled to compensation from the companies responsible for their disease.  We have the resources to uncover concrete evidence linking multiple companies to your asbestos-related disease.

If you would like a free consultation or more information about your legal options, please complete the form on this page, and a representative of our law firm will contact you as soon as possible.

Sources:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/5136-need-mesothelioma/