Mesothelioma Lawyers
With tens of billions of dollars already paid from jury awards and asbestos settlements, asbestos law is big business in the U.S. There are typically dozens if not hundreds of lawyers who handle asbestos litigation in metropolitan areas. The amount at stake has created an environment where plaintiff lawyers may aggressively pursue asbestos claimants.
Today nearly all major asbestos manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy protection. The bankrupt companies were forced to contribute to a fund that has significantly reduced the amount it pays out to asbestos claimants in the past 30 years. Claimants today only receive pennies on the dollars for compensation awarded from these bankrupt companies' liability. The Manville Corporation's trust alone, which filed for bankruptcy in 1982, has already paid out over three billion dollars for asbestos claims.
Asbestos lawyers have adopted new strategies to obtain compensation for victims of mesothelioma. Plaintiff lawyers now focus lawsuits to obtain compensation from other sources that may be involved in the asbestos exposure. Companies and individuals that are targeted for asbestos litigation include: (1) manufacturers of the machinery that may have contained parts with asbestos, (2) owners of the premises where asbestos products were installed, (3) banks that financed the buildings or ships where asbestos was installed, and (4) retailers of products containing asbestos, such as hardware and auto parts stores.
Choosing the right asbestos lawyer is an important decision. If you or a loved one are looking for an asbestos lawyer, experience is an important factor when deciding which attorney to choose for an asbestos claim. Choose an attorney who focuses their practice and has a specialized knowledge base on asbestos claims and knows the intricacies of asbestos law. Most asbestos claims settle before going to trial but choosing an asbestos lawyer who has trial experience is important for credibility and in the event the case goes to trial. It is also important that the asbestos lawyer has the resources and staff to expertly handle an asbestos claim.
Asbestos claimant lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis. They typically do not charge any retainers or fees for their services until an asbestos settlement or jury award has been paid. Asbestos lawyers typically charge between 33–1/3% to 40% of the total recovery, plus costs. Some attorneys charge more, some charge less. The fee rate, which may be negotiable, should not be the most important factor in choosing an asbestos lawyer.
If an individual experienced asbestos exposure and has developed another type of cancer, he or she should still consult with an asbestos lawyer. Studies have shown that asbestos exposure increases the risk of cancer of the lung, kidney, larynx, pancreas, esophagus, and colon. An asbestos claim can be made for other illnesses besides mesothelioma.