Dallas and Houston Mesothelioma Attorney
Mesothelioma Frequently Asked Questions
If you or a loved one is facing a mesothelioma diagnosis, you probably are thinking about seeking legal assistance to recover compensation for your injuries. So how should you go about selecting a mesothelioma attorney and what can you expect if you choose to pursue a lawsuit? The following section breaks down some of the common questions a Crain-Lewis, LLP mesothelioma attorney will hear from those contemplating legal action. If you are unable to find the answer to your question, contact us at 877-339-2889 to speak with a mesothelioma lawyer. We will set up a time to discuss your concerns and answer any additional questions.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
There is a specific deadline or a statute of limitations placed on the filing of this type of a claim. Many factors come into play in determining this timeframe so it is important to not wait too long before you contact a mesothelioma lawyer.
I can’t afford to hire a mesothelioma attorney, what can I do to get compensation?
At Crain-Lewis, LLP you never have any out-of-pocket expenses such as lawyer fees for this type of case. This is handled as a contingency fee and you never pay a cent unless we recover compensation for you. If we do, then the fee is based on a percentage of the recovery amount.
I was diagnosed with mesothelioma, but I don’t remember being around asbestos. How can this occur?
Asbestos was commonly used years ago in many products. Even today it is still in use. Our attorneys and staff will sit down with you and investigate your past and help to determine where and how the exposure occurred.
If I decide to pursue a lawsuit, what do I have to do?
At Crain-Lewis, LLP, we understand your health needs are the most important. We will accommodate your needs and do what we can to make this as easy on you as possible.
How long does it take to settle my case?
Each lawsuit is different so there is no set time. A judge may grant an “expediated trial setting” which will allow your trial to be granted priority. Normally, this type of cases is resolved in about a year. Without the priorty, it may take 2 or more years to conclude.
Do I have to go to trial with my case?
Many mesothelioma cases are settled out of court. Depending on your case, it may settle early or it may settle the day before trial. But in some situations it will be necessary to go to court with a mesothelioma lawyer to get the compensation that you deserve.
Dallas and Houston Mesothelioma Attorney
Selecting an Attorney
Each mesothelioma attorney at Crain-Lewis, LLP is widely recognized as a leader in asbestos and mesothelioma litigation. Our trial lawyer team has successfully represented individuals and groups of people who have been wrongfully exposed to toxic chemicals. Each mesothelioma lawyer has been frequently called upon by other law firms as well as the media for advice and commentary on this specialized and complex area of law.
The Crain-Lewis mesothelioma attorney team has immediate access to countless resources, including medical and scientific experts that are crucial for any mesothelioma lawyer taking a toxic tort to trial. Crain-Lewis mesothelioma attorney victories are widely publicized mesothelioma cases that have given us a reputation as an elite trial attorney team that our opponents- mostly large, irresponsible companies- do not want to see in a courtroom. Our attorney team believes that employers are responsible for providing a safe environment for their workers, and large corporations are no exception. Manufacturers have the same responsibility to make sure their products are safe before being distributed.
Our mesothelioma attorneys have recovered compensation for our clients and their families. If you or a family member has been recently diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure contact a Crain-Lewis attorney today, you may be entitled to collect monetary damages for your pain and suffering. Please find the information you need regarding mesothelioma law on our website, and if you feel comfortable with our qualifications and case results please call us at 877-339-2889 to discuss your claim with an experienced mesothelioma attorney.
Dallas and Houston Mesothelioma Lawyer
Politics and Limits on Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Over ten years ago, the Supreme Court ordered Congress to create asbestos legislation that would help mesothelioma lawsuits move through courts fast. The motivation behind this ruling was to stop bogging down the court’s time with mesothelioma cases where the plaintiff was obviously in the right, and to help these victims claim compensation faster and easier with the help of a qualified attorney. Unfortunately, this did not help victims of the deadly cancer, but instead has been used in an attempt to help industry leaders stop having to pay out as much money for the asbestos-related diseases they caused.
As early as the year 2000, the first mesothelioma-related bill was drafted. This bill, dubbed The Fairness in Asbestos Compensation Act, would create a separate Department of Justice office to deal solely with asbestos-related diseases. The bill went through four years of rewrites before it was finally defeated in the final round of votes. If this act had passed, many more suffering asbestos victims would be able to get compensation without sludging through the long court process and needing to hire a skilled mesothelioma layer.
In 2004, Senator Owen Hatch entered a bill into Congress that would place a cap on all mesothelioma awards and set up much more strict standards in order to be eligible for these awards. Under this proposed legislation, asbestos companies would pay money into a trust fund, where it would be waiting for victims to claim it. One of the worst parts of this bill is the fact that if the trust ran out, asbestos companies would still not be subject to lawsuits, leaving cancer patients and their families fend for their own when it came to paying for medical expenses and funerals on their own. Many mesothelioma specialists warned the trust fund value of $140 billion would be nowhere near enough to cover all of the asbestos victims. The American Thoracic Society warned that the definition of mesothelioma in the bill was outdated and old. While mesothelioma and asbestiosis can hit families of workers who dealt with asbestos and victims be afflicted after only working with the substance for a few months, the proposed legislation would only cover people who worked asbestos for over five years. Fortunately this bill, favored largely asbestos companies was not signed into law.
To this day, our country still has not outlawed the use of asbestos, let alone created a strong asbestos legisation.. If you or a loved one has mesothelioma, you will need a top mesothelioma attorney to help you claim compensation for your losses. Your mesothelioma lawyer can even help you learn more about the potential legislation that may affect mesothelioma in the future.
For a free consultation and case review, please contact mesothelioma Lawyers at Crain-Lewis, LLP.
