W&L Team A diagnosis of mesothelioma changes your whole life in an instant. If you feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin, this blog is for you. We provide answers to some of your biggest questions regarding questions to ask a mesothelioma attorney.
Why Choosing the Right Mesothelioma Lawyer Matters
Every asbestos exposure lawsuit is different. Although you are dealing with a life-threatening illness, how you got there often varies. It is critical to determine what specific companies exposed you and how it happened.
Selecting the right mesothelioma lawyers can make all the difference in the world to you and your family. The right mesothelioma lawyers have been handling mesothelioma cases for decades. They and their law firm have a solid record of winning because they know what they’re doing and they’re good at it.
The outcome of your case depends on your attorneys knowing their way around a courtroom, knowing the laws of your state, and knowing how to develop the best legal strategy possible.
The companies that harmed you have teams of the best defense attorneys money can buy at their fingertips. And their aim is to pay out as little money as possible. You need a mesothelioma attorney who is prepared to take every legal step necessary to win your case.
13 Important Questions to Ask a Mesothelioma Attorney
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you don’t have to go it alone. Before hiring a lawyer to handle your mesothelioma lawsuit, consider asking these kinds of questions:
Ask About Their Experience and Expertise
1. How long have you been practicing mesothelioma and asbestos-related law?
Weitz & Luxenberg has been handling mesothelioma cases for nearly 40 years. In fact, we opened our doors specifically to help people who had been exposed to asbestos and developed mesothelioma. Our first major case resulted in a major win of $75 million on behalf of 35 clients.
2. How many mesothelioma cases have you handled?
So far, we’ve handled more than 44,000 asbestos injury cases. This includes clients and their families. Our dedicated team consists of some of the most knowledgeable mesothelioma attorneys out there, so we aim to help as many people as possible.
3. What is your success rate with these types of cases?
Weitz & Luxenberg attorneys settle or secure winning verdicts most of the time. So far, we’ve achieved roughly $13 billion on behalf of our clients who were exposed to asbestos and developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, and nonmalignant asbestos diseases.
Ask About Their Fee Structure and Costs
4. How do you charge clients? Are there any upfront costs?
You do not pay us anything until we win your case. You pay us out of the winnings we receive from the defendants.
5. How are expenses handled if the case is unsuccessful?
If we don’t settle or win your case, you owe us nothing. There are no surprise fees of any kind, unless required by your home state.
Ask About Their Case Handling and Process
6. When is the best time to file a lawsuit?
The best time to file a mesothelioma lawsuit is right after you are diagnosed. At Weitz & Luxenberg, we can get the ball rolling right away, which is important because there is a time limit, known as the statute of limitations, on when you can file.
7. How will you keep me updated on my case?
At Weitz & Luxenberg, we are available by phone or e-mail 24/7. You can always contact us, but we also contact you regularly to keep you in the loop.
8. Will I need to travel for my case?
We come to you, no matter where you live. There is no need to come to our offices. However, depending on how your case develops, you might need to make an appearance in court. This also depends on your health ability.
9. What is the typical timeline for a mesothelioma case?
If we reach a settlement, we can resolve your case in around 1 to 1½ years. Trials may take several years.
10. Will my case go to trial or settle out of court?
The answer depends on the individual companies we are suing. Some companies have been sued multiple times and were willing to settle with us in the past, instead of going to trial. However, if we don’t reach an agreeable settlement, we are happy to go to trial if that’s the best way to get you the compensation you deserve.
Ask About Their Resources and Support
11. What resources does your firm offer to mesothelioma patients beyond legal representation?
Aside from offering legal strategies to help you win your case, we offer our continued support, time, and guidance. You don’t just have one conversation with us and then we send you on your way. We are available 24/7 to answer your questions, assist you in finding the medical and informational resources you need. We make it our job to do all we can to support you and your family during this tough time.
Ask About Their Legal Knowledge and Advice
12. What documentation and information will I need to provide?
In general, you will need to provide all medical records related to your diagnosis. This includes bank statements or other records of payments you’ve made, treatments you’ve received, and the diagnostic tests and tools used to make your mesothelioma diagnosis. You will also need to provide a complete work history. Consider the types of work you did, your working environment, the people you worked for, and the materials and equipment you used. The more information, the better. Of course, our attorneys and support staff are ready to assist you in this information gathering process.
13. Do you have references from past clients?
Yes, you can find many testimonials and client success stories. You can also read our Google reviews.
Were you or a loved one diagnosed with mesothelioma? Call for a free legal consultation.
(917) LAWYERSWhat Are the Red Flags When Hiring a Mesothelioma Lawyer?
Equally important, you need to be able to identify red flags in any lawyer you’re thinking about hiring. You need to watch out for signs they don’t know what they’re doing or even are lying to you.
- Avoid any lawyers who say you need to pay up-front fees. Also, steer clear of anyone who says they charge by the hour for representing you. Any legitimate mesothelioma attorney does not do that.
- Avoid lawyers or firms that say your case must be filed with a law firm based in your home state. This is false or misleading. The best firms that handle asbestos-exposure and mesothelioma cases are more than happy and fully prepared to work across state lines, court jurisdictions, and cultural differences between regions. The firm’s office location does not matter.
- Be wary of any signs the lawyer you’re considering does not genuinely care about you. Attorneys who really care about their clients have solid communication skills, compassion, empathy, and lots of experience handling asbestos-exposure and mesothelioma cases. They also should have many successful wins in both trials and settlements under their belt. This proves their dedication and knowledge of the asbestos industry.
Why Families Trust Weitz & Luxenberg
Weitz & Luxenberg was founded specifically to help victims of asbestos exposure. For nearly 40 years, our lawyers have made it their mission to provide the best legal representation possible to our clients who were diagnosed with mesothelioma. We always aim to secure the most compensation possible on your behalf. The companies that endangered your lives need to be held fully accountable.
Here’s what some of our clients have to say:
“These attorneys give you confidence. They know what they’re doing and how to do it properly. They help you feel that things are going to turn out alright.” Read More — John Pilla
“I would highly recommend Weitz & Luxenberg to anyone who has mesothelioma. This is a law firm that goes above and beyond for their clients. They certainly did for us.” Read More — Sue Crawford
“Weitz & Luxenberg, these guys aren’t charlatans. They aren’t greedy. They’re humanitarians. Genuine humanitarians. They’re on a quest to help people. They really are. The help I received from Weitz & Luxenberg was incredible. And it came at a time when I needed it the most because of the very bad situation I was in, both in regards to my health and finances. Read More — Jim Kress
Here are just a few examples of our wins:
- Weitz & Luxenberg lawyers secured $117 million in a trial victory on behalf of a 75-year-old man who was exposed to asbestos. He was a sheet metal worker and served in the U.S. Marines.
- Weitz & Luxenberg lawyers received a $16.7 million jury award for a client who was exposed to asbestos through the lab equipment he used.
- Weitz & Luxenberg lawyers achieved a $38 million trial verdict on behalf of our client who happened to be a smoker. He had been a construction worker and was exposed to asbestos through the work he did on boilers.
Get the Answers You Deserve
After learning about questions to ask a mesothelioma attorney, we hope you consider hiring Weitz & Luxenberg. Choosing a qualified mesothelioma attorney can not only ease your concerns, but also provide support throughout the litigation process.
We are prepared to discuss your specific situation with you, at no cost. We can ensure you understand your legal options. You do not have to face your mesothelioma diagnosis alone.
To find out more, reach out to us at (917) LAWYERS. Or, fill out the form on this page. One of our representatives is standing by to help you.
