Blog
What Traits Should You Look for in a Mesothelioma Attorney?
Posted on behalf of Peter T. Nicholl in Mesothelioma & Asbestos Published on September 28, 2018 and updated on March 4, 2022.
Are you considering taking legal action to recover compensation for medical bills and other damages caused by your mesothelioma diagnosis?
If so, you should give serious thought to hiring an attorney to guide you through the process and fight for your rights. The question is: what do you look for in a Maryland mesothelioma attorney?
There are several things to look for and questions to ask when searching for the right attorney for your case. Using these guidelines can help you find a qualified and experienced attorney with proven results for this type of case.
What You Want in Your Lawyer
Some important traits to look for in your mesothelioma lawyer include:
Experience
It is important that your lawyer has a history of handling mesothelioma cases. These cases are unique from other types of personal injury cases. It is important that your lawyer has a strong understanding of the types of jobs and industries where asbestos exposure may have occurred, what occupational hazards existed in these industries, and what types of asbestos trusts or other legal remedies are available.
Attention to Detail
It is also important that your lawyer treat you as an individual. He or she should be able to determine what makes your particular case unique. He or she needs to be able to explain the legal process and estimate a potential value based on the specific circumstances surrounding your claim.
Proven Results
It is important to choose a law firm that has successfully delivered results. The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl have successfully recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for clients through settlements and verdicts against the following asbestos manufacturers and companies:
- Babcock & Wilcox
- General Electric
- Foster Wheeler
- Owens Corning
- Armstrong
- United States Gypsum
- Celotex Corporation
- Westinghouse Electric
- Fibreboard Corporation
- Kaiser Aluminum
Some specific notable results include:
- A verdict for $7.729 million to the estate and family of a boilermaker who worked on a shipyard for 20 years. The boilermaker worked for a contractor that exposed the victim to asbestos in bulkhead panels he worked with.
- A $5.057 million verdict for the family and estate of a security guard who was exposed to asbestos dust while working at a Baltimore shipyard.
- A $2.2 million verdict for a man who smoked cigarettes manufactured by the defendant that contained asbestos in their filters.
Contingency
It is also important that you work with a personal injury lawyer who is willing to take on the risk of the case by working on contingency. Under this fee structure, you are not charged upfront costs or fees and you only pay for your lawyer’s work if he or she successfully helps you recover compensation through a settlement or verdict. Our firm provides representation in mesothelioma cases on a contingency basis.
Questions to Ask a Mesothelioma Attorney
When you schedule an initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer, prepare a short list of questions to ask, such as:
- Do I have a case? It is important that you understand whether you have a viable complaint against someone. You may not know when you were exposed to asbestos. You may not have a documented diagnosis of mesothelioma or another asbestos-related condition. Find out if you have a viable claim before going any further.
- How are costs handled? In addition to learning about a contingency fee arrangement, ask how other costs like court costs, expert witness fees, medical records requests and other fees will be taken care of.
- Will your firm handle my case or refer it? Some law firms that take these cases accept the case as local attorneys and then pass it off to others. It is important you know who will be working on your case.
- What experience do you have with mesothelioma cases? This is one of the most important questions because experience and a proven track record of success are important. There are no guarantees of success, but experience can be a great benefit to your case.
Contact Our Trusted Mesothelioma Lawyers Today
For help with your mesothelioma claim, contact the Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl. We can answer any questions you have about the process and explain how we can help.
Schedule a free, no obligation legal consultation today by completing a Free Case Review form.
