As horrible as the word "cancer" is, the word "mesothelioma" is even worse because it is incurable. This sadness is only compounded when the patient realizes that the disease could have been prevented if the dangers of asbestos had been known all those years ago when the exposure to asbestos happened. Since mesothelioma does not rear its ugly head until years, even decades, have passed, seeking compensation for the damages incurred while working with asbestos can be a challenge because many of the companies for which the workers labored are now out of business. Some of these business closings happened because the sheer number of asbestos-related claims filed against them caused them to go bankrupt. For this and other reasons, the patient should seek the assistance of an attorney who specializes in mesothelioma cases.
Philadelphia, and other cities in Pennsylvania, has had a higher incidence of mesothelioma cases than surrounding states, due to the large number of power plants, ship yards, refineries, and other industries that used asbestos prolifically before the dangers became known. It is for this reason that mesothelioma lawsuits in Philadelphia have increased exponentially in the past couple of decades, and why it is crucial that victims of this horrible disease seek top Philadelphia legal counsel who only practices in mesothelioma cases.
Finding the best Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyer may initially seem difficult, because there are many lawyers in Philadelphia, and not all of them are qualified to handle a mesothelioma lawsuit. The laws pertaining to damages awarded to victims of mesothelioma are very specific, and it is extremely important that only lawyers who specialize in mesothelioma cases are used.
Locating a top Philadelphia mesothelioma attorney is not as difficult as it may seem at first. There are five main characteristics of a great mesothelioma attorney: (1) The attorney will have a thorough understanding of this disease and its debilitating effects; (2) The attorney will have extensive experience in filing mesothelioma claims, as well as measurable successful results; (3) The attorney will have experience in pursuing claims for mesothelioma victims, as well as a method for calculating the total amount for which compensation should be sought. He or she should also include projected future expense outlay in requesting compensation awards; (4) The attorney should be willing to travel to the client's home, rather than insist that the physically ill client to make the trip; and (5) The attorney must always works on a percentage contingency basis, which means that the client only pays a percentage of the amount awarded as attorney fees, if the attorney succeeds in procuring a monetary reward for the client.
When beginning the search, the state bar association can provide names of attorneys who are registered as specializing in mesothelioma cases in Philadelphia, but they cannot recommend any particular attorney.
Upon obtaining this list of Philadelphia attorney names, the next step is to research the names to determine how many cases each attorney has successfully represented, and the amount of each award that was granted to the plaintiff.
The best source is irrefutably word of mouth from others who have sought compensation through legal recourse. In order to find these individuals, one may try searching online, or the Yellow Pages for a nearby mesothelioma support group in Philadelphia. These groups are excellent resources for information to help mesothelioma sufferers find the best mesothelioma attorneys in Philadelphia. In fact, some such support groups offer online tools to help the patient research his options from the comfort of his own home.
Just as there are attributes of a good mesothelioma attorney in Philadelphia, there are some unfavorable traits that, if observed, should be an indicator that the attorney is not a good choice to handle the claim. One such trait is that of promises of monetary rewards. Until the case can be properly assessed, investigated, and all considerations studied, it is impossible to guarantee a specific monetary award. An attorney who speaks quickly of a specified amount is most likely one that has a tendency to push through standard claims for the same amount on each claim. A good mesothelioma attorney will assess each case individually to determine the merit of the case. A process for investigation and discovery should take place before any monetary amounts are suggested.
Another indicator of an attorney to avoid is that of the primary focus of his/her law practice. If the attorney practices varying aspects of the law, such as family law, probate, malpractice, and other cases besides mesothelioma, there is a good chance that he/she will not be equipped to handle a mesothelioma case. The laws and regulations concerning damages from exposure to asbestos, as well as the treatment and loss of the quality of life that mesothelioma brings, are very specific and call for an attorney who specializes in mesothelioma cases, and who stays current on all legislative updates concerning the matter.
Philadelphia, and other cities in Pennsylvania, has had a higher incidence of mesothelioma cases than surrounding states, due to the large number of power plants, ship yards, refineries, and other industries that used asbestos prolifically before the dangers became known. It is for this reason that mesothelioma lawsuits in Philadelphia have increased exponentially in the past couple of decades, and why it is crucial that victims of this horrible disease seek top Philadelphia legal counsel who only practices in mesothelioma cases.
Finding the best Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyer may initially seem difficult, because there are many lawyers in Philadelphia, and not all of them are qualified to handle a mesothelioma lawsuit. The laws pertaining to damages awarded to victims of mesothelioma are very specific, and it is extremely important that only lawyers who specialize in mesothelioma cases are used.
Locating a top Philadelphia mesothelioma attorney is not as difficult as it may seem at first. There are five main characteristics of a great mesothelioma attorney: (1) The attorney will have a thorough understanding of this disease and its debilitating effects; (2) The attorney will have extensive experience in filing mesothelioma claims, as well as measurable successful results; (3) The attorney will have experience in pursuing claims for mesothelioma victims, as well as a method for calculating the total amount for which compensation should be sought. He or she should also include projected future expense outlay in requesting compensation awards; (4) The attorney should be willing to travel to the client's home, rather than insist that the physically ill client to make the trip; and (5) The attorney must always works on a percentage contingency basis, which means that the client only pays a percentage of the amount awarded as attorney fees, if the attorney succeeds in procuring a monetary reward for the client.
When beginning the search, the state bar association can provide names of attorneys who are registered as specializing in mesothelioma cases in Philadelphia, but they cannot recommend any particular attorney.
Upon obtaining this list of Philadelphia attorney names, the next step is to research the names to determine how many cases each attorney has successfully represented, and the amount of each award that was granted to the plaintiff.
The best source is irrefutably word of mouth from others who have sought compensation through legal recourse. In order to find these individuals, one may try searching online, or the Yellow Pages for a nearby mesothelioma support group in Philadelphia. These groups are excellent resources for information to help mesothelioma sufferers find the best mesothelioma attorneys in Philadelphia. In fact, some such support groups offer online tools to help the patient research his options from the comfort of his own home.
Just as there are attributes of a good mesothelioma attorney in Philadelphia, there are some unfavorable traits that, if observed, should be an indicator that the attorney is not a good choice to handle the claim. One such trait is that of promises of monetary rewards. Until the case can be properly assessed, investigated, and all considerations studied, it is impossible to guarantee a specific monetary award. An attorney who speaks quickly of a specified amount is most likely one that has a tendency to push through standard claims for the same amount on each claim. A good mesothelioma attorney will assess each case individually to determine the merit of the case. A process for investigation and discovery should take place before any monetary amounts are suggested.
Another indicator of an attorney to avoid is that of the primary focus of his/her law practice. If the attorney practices varying aspects of the law, such as family law, probate, malpractice, and other cases besides mesothelioma, there is a good chance that he/she will not be equipped to handle a mesothelioma case. The laws and regulations concerning damages from exposure to asbestos, as well as the treatment and loss of the quality of life that mesothelioma brings, are very specific and call for an attorney who specializes in mesothelioma cases, and who stays current on all legislative updates concerning the matter.
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