The First Steps in Your Mesothelioma Lawsuit
For those who have worked around asbestos without proper protection, mesothelioma is always a concern. You will need more than a history of asbestos exposure, however, before you file your mesothelioma lawsuit. Here are some important steps to get you started.
Your Mesothelioma Diagnosis
If you know you have been exposed to toxic asbestos at home or at work, you will probably want to keep tabs on your health. It makes sense to educate yourself about the signs and symptoms of this very serious cancer, as well as other asbestos-related diseases.
Most people who have worked or lived in environments with asbestos fibers in the air do not develop mesothelioma. If you develop symptoms common to mesothelioma, such as a persistent cough or hoarseness, however, you should consult your doctor immediately. An early diagnosis may prolong your life.
It can be important to get your mesothelioma diagnosis confirmed by an experienced mesothelioma doctor. After you have gotten your initial diagnosis, your lawyer can help you figure out if you need to visit a specialist before you file your mesothelioma lawsuit or apply for compensation from an asbestos trust fund.
Chart Your Work History
One key component of every mesothelioma lawsuit is your employment history or other asbestos exposure. You can help move the process forward by making a list of your employers and the dates where you worked at each place. This list should go back to your very first job, even if you started working many years ago. Mesothelioma always takes decades to appear. Your exposure on the job when you were in your 20s could lead to this disease when you are in your 60s or 70s.
Your work history should also include the different roles you filled at each job. If you remember any details about your worksites, this may also be useful. Were you installing asbestos insulation or ripping it out? Did you work around plumbing or in the boiler room of a ship in the Navy? All these details may be pertinent to your mesothelioma lawsuit.
You don’t have to complete this task alone. Your mesothelioma lawyer will help you by researching your former employers to find out which ones have a history of asbestos use. In addition, a good mesothelioma law firm employs investigators who can locate the records you need to prove your employment and to uncover where asbestos was used on your worksites.
Even if you don’t believe that you were exposed to asbestos at a particular jobsite, you should include it in your work history. Asbestos can sometimes be present in situations where you wouldn’t expect it or didn’t know about it.
What If You Didn’t Work Around Asbestos?
Some people have gotten mesothelioma through exposure to asbestos outside of a workplace. Many people have won mesothelioma lawsuits after they inhaled toxic asbestos dust from a spouse’s or parent’s work clothes. Some people come into contact with asbestos through renovations at your home or workplace.
Mesothelioma Lawsuit Preparations
To prepare for your mesothelioma lawsuit, write down your employment history even if you don’t think that’s where your asbestos exposure originated. In addition, list other places and times where you think you might have been exposed to asbestos. If your spouse worked around asbestos, include his or her work history as well.
It is important to be as thorough in this process as possible. This task may seem hard when you are also feeling the effects of mesothelioma on your health. Again, this is a good time to lean on your mesothelioma lawyer for help.
Choose the Right Lawyer for Your Mesothelioma Lawsuit
After your mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, you will need to think about finding the best lawyer for your mesothelioma lawsuit. You want someone who is experienced in asbestos litigation and who is relentless in pursuing justice for his or her clients.
The process of choosing your mesothelioma lawyer may go against the grain. It is important to hire one of the best firms in the field. This is one instance where you can have access to the best lawyers no matter your economic situation or where you live.
This is because top-notch mesothelioma attorneys will work with you on a contingency fee basis, which means that you don’t need to put out any money up front. Your lawyer will take a percentage of any award or settlement you get. You are in no danger of going into debt over legal fees; if you don’t receive any compensation, neither does your asbestos attorney.
Choosing an experienced mesothelioma attorney is important because it can mean a difference of millions of dollars in compensation for your claim. This is money that you and your family can use to cover expenses during your illness and beyond.
You don’t have to pick a lawyer in your hometown or even your home state. You can seek legal representation from the best mesothelioma lawyers in the United States. You won’t be out of pocket for travel, either: your attorneys will come to visit you in your home.
Kazan Law is one of the pioneering firms in asbestos litigation. We are proud to have helped thousands of clients file mesothelioma lawsuits for more than 40 years. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, we are happy to evaluate your case for free and tell you honestly how, where, and with who you can best get the justice and compensation you deserve.