Choosing An Attorney For Your Mesothelioma Case

Choosing An Attorney For Your Mesothelioma Case

Mesothelioma Could Have Been Avoided

Mesothelioma is a serious cancer that occurs in individuals exposed to airborne asbestos fibers. Those at the highest risk for developing mesothelioma include workers handling or installing insulation, mechanics, plumbers, shipyard workers, factory workers, and electricians among many others. Family members of those workers are also at risk due to second-hand exposure from asbestos clinging to the work clothing of their loved ones.

The health hazards of working with asbestos was known as early as the 1920s by scores of corporations and companies that manufactured and profited from the sale of asbestos-containing products. These manufacturers did not advise workers of the dangers of asbestos. Consequently, many Americans have unnecessarily and tragically contracted mesothelioma.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, and you worked in an industry where you were at high risk for asbestos-related illnesses, it is your right to seek compensation from those responsible for your situation. If you lost a loved one to an asbestos-related illness, you may be able to represent them posthumously. It is important that you contact a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as you are diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Selecting Your Attorney

If you are considering pursuing an asbestos-related case, you will want to retain a law firm that is experienced and successful in the courts when dealing with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Keep in mind the following when you are seeking legal assistance.

• Ensure that the lawyer you are considering has a solid legal portfolio with asbestos-related cases. While a generalist may be easier to find, you will want an attorney experienced with asbestos cases to walk you through the complicated issues specific to asbestos-related diseases. Do not be afraid to ask for the firm’s success rate in cases similar to yours.
• Set up a consultation to assess your comfort level with your lawyer. During this meeting you will want to assess if you believe you can have an effective and comfortable client-attorney relationship. You want to feel at ease talking to them, and you want to be sure they listen carefully to your concerns.
• Your lawyer should listen closely to the specifics of your case and be able to explain your options and the ramifications of each option. Your attorney should also be able to offer recommendations on the best course of action. If you are not comfortable with the information and options provided to you, do not hesitate to get a second opinion.
• You will want to decide if the attorney’s fees your lawyer is charging are fair and reasonable. A law firm should only take your case on a contingency basis and only charge upon a successful recovery.

Belluck & Fox has a National Reputation as Asbestos and Mesothelioma Attorneys

We have recovered more than $200 million in compensation from companies for our clients with mesothelioma and asbestos-related cancers. Attorneys in Belluck & Fox have been named to the Super Lawyers list of “Top Attorneys in the New York Metro Area.”

If you decide to retain our services for your mesothelioma lawsuit, we will work for you and your family on a contingency basis. This means that we do not receive a fee unless we our successful in obtaining settlements or recovering compensation for you and your family.

Learn more about your legal options and contact us for any information you may need to file a lawsuit against the companies responsible for your mesothelioma.

Questions to Ask When Selecting a Lawyer

Questions to Ask When Selecting a Lawyer

Background: Mesothelioma Could Have Been Avoided

Asbestos is a mineral that was crushed and milled into a fine particulate for use as building and insulation materials. Once the extremely fine fibers are released into the air they are easily inhaled. Exposure to the fibers over a period of years has been linked to mesothelioma. In fact, the only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure.

For the workers who contract mesothelioma and their families, the course of this asbestos-caused disease can be devastating. Not only is the disease painful and debilitating, but there is presently no known cure for mesothelioma.

Many of the corporations that manufactured and profited from the sale of asbestos-containing products had been aware of the hazards of asbestos since the 1920s. But asbestos was cheap and available, and it served as a good filler and binder. For those reasons, companies chose to continue putting workers at risk without advising them of the dangers of asbestos exposure. The reality is that all cases of mesothelioma could have been prevented.

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer

If you worked in an industry where you were at high risk for asbestos-related illnesses, and you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is your right to file claims and seek compensation from those responsible for your situation. Use the following questions as a guideline when selecting an attorney to assist with your case.

• Does your law firm have experience successfully trying asbestos-related cases and lawsuits?
• What legal options are available to victims of an asbestos-related disease?
• Once a firm accepts your case, how long will it take until a settlement is reached and you receive your compensation?
• Does the firm have a lawyer available now to begin working on your case? Will there be others in the office helping with your case?
• What are the chances of success for your case?
• Will your case be part of a class action lawsuit?
• Will you have to go to trial to resolve your case?
• If you are too sick to work with the lawyers, will the law firm accept a family member to act on your behalf?
• What kind of fees will the law firm charge to work with you on your claims?
• If you are concerned about confidentiality, how will the law firm communicate your private information within the firm and to the companies that are potentially liable?

Belluck & Fox is Nationally Recognized as an Asbestos and Mesothelioma Attorney Firm

If you are one of the victims of mesothelioma, you should seek out a competent mesothelioma lawyer so you can file a claim or a lawsuit against those responsible for your cancer. Contact Belluck & Fox so we can advise you of your legal options.

We have recovered over $200 million in compensation for clients with mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer. Learn more about your legal options and contact us for any information you may need.

Available Compensation For Mesothelioma Victims

Available Compensation For Mesothelioma Victims

Asbestos Exposure Causes Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a serious cancer that occurs in individuals exposed to airborne asbestos fibers. Those at the highest risk for developing mesothelioma include workers handling or installing insulation, shipyard and factory workers, mechanics, plumbers and electricians, among many others.

One cloud of dust from asbestos products can contain billions of fibers, and even a small amount of asbestos can cause lung problems.

Many workers are just now being diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestosis as a result of working with asbestos as early as the 1940s. Corporations that manufactured asbestos-containing products knew about the dangers of asbestos as early as the 1920s but did not alert the workers or their families to the dangers. Failure to share this knowledge exposed workers to the risk of injury or death from asbestosis or mesothelioma.

Types of Compensation

Compensation to cover the losses suffered by workers and their families can be obtained in a legal action against the asbestos supplier, manufacturer or any other entity that was negligent in the manufacture or use of asbestos products.

Mesothelioma sufferers not only experience physical pain, but are also affected by rising medical bills, loss of mobility, and potentially loss of work. Compensation that may be available includes money for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and death benefits for surviving family members.

There may be other compensation available in your case such as Social Security disability and veterans benefits. Your lawyer will ensure you receive all money damages to which you are entitled.

Belluck & Fox Expertise

Once you retain Belluck & Fox, we will immediately begin working on your behalf. Our mesothelioma lawyers will file the case and work with you and your family to identify every entity responsible for the products and equipment that caused your disease.

From the moment we file your individual case we will seek to secure full and fair compensation for you and your family.

Filing A Lawsuit For Your Mesothelioma Case

Filing A Lawsuit For Your Mesothelioma Case

Receiving Compensation from Asbestos Companies is Your Right

Mesothelioma and asbestosis are diseases caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. Those at risk for developing these diseases include workers handling or installing insulation, shipyard workers, factory workers, mechanics, plumbers, and electricians, among many others.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestosis, you may be able to bring a lawsuit against the manufacturers, sellers and installers of asbestos products. Filing a claim can help you address the medical and financial problems that asbestos-related diseases can cause victims and their families.

You and your family should carefully select attorneys who are experienced in asbestos litigation. The legal team you hire should fully understand asbestos as well as all requirements of prosecuting an asbestos-related lawsuit.

Steps for Filing a Lawsuit

• Once it has been determined that you have a case, you and your attorney will create an agreement explaining the legal fees and terms of the relationship and legal representation.
• Your attorney and the law firm will conduct research and investigate your work history related to asbestos exposure to determine the responsible companies. The companies can include manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and installers of asbestos materials. Your attorney will then file a legal claim on your behalf.
• The defendants, or the companies identified in the lawsuit, have approximately one month to answer the allegations in your complaint.
• The court will issue a schedule for your case once the defendants respond, and the discovery phase of your case begins. During discovery your lawyer will gather all of the evidence necessary to demonstrate that the corporations named in the suit are responsible for your injuries. Previous co-workers, your medical team, and medical experts may be questioned.
• As part of this pre-trial or pre-settlement process, you may be asked to testify at a deposition and respond to questions about your background. Your lawyer should arrange for your deposition to be conducted at a convenient location.
• The defendants may seek to resolve your case through settlement before any trial. Your lawyer will review any offers of settlement with you so you can determine if you want to settle or move forward with a trial.
• If you do not receive a full and fair settlement for your claims, your lawyer will advise you of your options for a trial. During the trial, testimony and evidence will be presented in support of your claim. Medical and other experts may also testify on your behalf.

Belluck & Fox Will Work Tirelessly to Get You the Compensation You Deserve

The attorneys of Belluck & Fox use our extensive knowledge of work sites and asbestos products to investigate and prosecute your claim. Belluck & Fox has recovered more than $200 million on behalf of clients with mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer. We will provide individualized and professional representation from the first meeting with you to the resolution of your case.

Learn more about your legal options and contact us for any information you may need.

Mesothelioma Lawyers / Asbestos Lawsuits

Mesothelioma Lawyers / Asbestos Lawsuits

When a family is confronted with a diagnosis of mesothelioma their lives are immediately turned upside down. Primarily caused by exposure to airborne asbestos fibers, most cases of mesothelioma are not diagnosed until 30 years or more after exposure when the symptoms begin to appear. Also called “asbestos cancer,” mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many standard cancer treatments. Treatment often involves surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Currently, there are no known cures for the disease.

At the same time families are struggling with the medical issues at hand, it is necessary to commence legal proceedings to protect their rights and preserve all the information necessary for the legal proceedings. We believe that the companies that are responsible for the patients’ grim prognosis of mesothelioma should be held accountable for what they put families through by having claims or lawsuits filed against them.

Below, we have responded to some of the most common questions from our clients and their families. Mesothelioma, typically affecting the lining of the lungs, can be a difficult disease to understand, and if you or a loved one have been diagnosed, you are certain to have numerous questions. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please contact us – we can help you find answers.

About Mesothelioma

About Mesothelioma

The deadly disease of mesothelioma is diagnosed in close to 3,000 Americans each year. The only established cause of this cancer is exposure to asbestos. The real tragedy is that this fatal disease could have been avoided. Most mesothelioma sufferers were unwittingly exposed to deadly asbestos at work.

At Belluck & Fox, asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers, we focus on mesothelioma cases, holding negligent companies accountable for the pain and suffering they inflicted on their unsuspecting employees. We have built an extensive document library and we retain a team of experts to successfully represent mesothelioma victims and their families with their claims. We have recovered over $200 million in lawsuits for clients with mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer, and we can help you get the financial compensation you deserve as you fight this deadly disease.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should explore your legal options. You have a right to file a claim for compensation from those companies that knowingly placed you and your family at risk. Contact Belluck & Fox so we can advise you of your legal options.

Mesothelioma is an asbestos-caused cancer of the membranes that surround many of the body’s vital organs. This membrane, known as mesothelium, secretes a lubricating fluid that provides easy movement of the organs within the body. When the mesothelium becomes cancerous, it is called mesothelioma. Surrounding the lung, the mesothelium is called the pleura and the form of mesothelioma is called pleural mesothelioma; in the abdomen, it is the peritoneum and the cancer is called peritoneal mesothelioma; the lining around the heart is the pericardium and there mesothelioma is identified as pericardial mesothelioma. There is also mesothelial tissue in the reproductive organs: in males, this tissue is called the tunica vaginalis testis and in women the tunica serosa uteri. Mesothelioma of the reproductive tissues has only presented in men, so it is known as mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis.

Mesothelioma is a diffuse malignancy and spreads itself throughout a tissue area. Some forms of cancer are characterized by a single, solid tumor mass, whereas malignant mesothelioma presents as an invasion of a large number of smaller masses throughout an entire area. The diffuse nature of mesothelioma has important implications for how treatment, as complete surgical extraction of the cancer is difficult.

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

Mesothelioma and Asbestos

While a rare disorder in the general population, mesothelioma is not rare among individuals exposed to asbestos. There are two to three thousand new diagnoses of mesothelioma every year.

Exposure to asbestos is the only confirmed cause of mesothelioma. Most mesothelioma victims were exposed to asbestos in the workplace and were never told of its dangers or given proper protective gear. Others were exposed through family members who brought asbestos home on their clothes or through home renovation projects. Unlike many other predominantly pulmonary-related cancers, cigarette smoking has no known causative effect on mesothelioma incidence, although asbestos workers who smoke do have a much greater likelihood to develop lung cancer — even more so than regular smokers who don’t work with asbestos.

One of the most difficult aspects of mesothelioma to come to terms with is its long latency period, which is the period of time between first exposure to asbestos and the onset of the disease. Mesothelioma can develop anywhere between 10 to 70 years after the initial exposure.