Are you looking for an asbestos lawyer? Then, you need to read on. A reputable asbestos lawyer would help you get the compensation you deserve to pay for treatments and other costs related to a mesothelioma diagnosis. The ideal lawyer or law firm would have a proven track record of mesothelioma settlement amounts and top jury awards. It would demonstrate their understanding of asbestos laws and regulations in your state.
Why You Need to Hire an Asbestos Lawyer?
If you have asbestos-related cancer or if your loved one has the cancer, you deserve to get compensated for the suffering. Since the asbestos-related cancer could have been easily prevented, you need to take action by hiring an asbestos lawyer. You have a legal right to file a lawsuit against negligent manufacturers and companies. An asbestos lawyer would provide the following services.
- Represent you at court as they would be familiar with the legal process.
- Provide access to tools required to prove negligence.
- Help you get the compensation needed.
Hire an Asbestos Lawyer
Never make the mistake of hiring the first mesothelioma lawyer you meet. It is crucial that the attorney you hire has the determination, dedication, and drive to fight for your behalf in order for you to receive the best financial compensation possible. Before you consult with an asbestos lawyer, try to learn as much as possible about your situation so that you can decide which lawyer to speak with. The following tips will help you find the right asbestos lawyer.
- Research
Finding a good asbestos lawyer is just like finding any other service. You have to research the market to make an informed decision. This means that you should dedicate some time to reading up what past clients have to say about different lawyers. Look up the reputation of the law firm to learn more about their quality of service. Doing some research beforehand will help save you the trouble. Do look up the state bar website to see if the lawyer has a license to practice in the state.
- Seek Several Lawyer Referrals
Once you have done some research, you need to ask for several lawyer referrals. You can ask your friends, family members, and colleague members. There is bound to be someone who has hired an asbestos lawyer. Besides, referrals are extremely useful as they help you find a reliable lawyer. If you do not know anyone who has hired an asbestos lawyer, it is important that you ask for referrals from the lawyers you meet. Then, you should check up on those referrals to determine if the lawyer has the desired expertise or not.
- Conduct Candidate Interviews
To assess the legal ability of the lawyer concerning asbestos laws, you will need to conduct candidate interviews. Generally, most attorneys provide initial consultation at no charge. It is during this time that you will need to ask the right questions as mentioned below.
- How experienced is the law firm or the lawyer in handling asbestos cases?
- How long have they been in practice?
- What has your track record been concerning asbestos cases?
- What is the percentage of the overall caseload that is dedicated to handling asbestos cases?
- Do they possess any certifications, licenses, or special skills to validate their experience?
- How much would you need to pay in fees and how would they be structured?
- Would you only be charged in case the lawyer wins the case or even if you lose?
- Does the law firm have malpractice insurance?
- Who would be working on the case?
- Are there any additional fees that you need to be aware of and how often would you be billed?
- How will the law firm or lawyer keep in touch with you to ensure that you are up-to-date about the case?
- Check the Law Directory
Law directories are a great resource for information about lawyers and law firms. They guide you in the right direction. You can check one up online or at the local library. The local library would have a directory of asbestos lawyers in your jurisdiction. Once you access the directory, you will gain access to information such as basic practice profile, detailed professional biographies of the firm, and more. There would also be law firm ratings and peer reviews that you can rely on.
- Conduct a Background Check
Before you consider hiring an asbestos lawyer, it makes sense to contact the lawyer disciplinary agency to confirm whether the lawyer is in good standing as a bar member or not. For online listing of the lawyer, you can review the directory of the disciplinary agency in your state. The site would showcase the professional ability of the lawyer and their dedication towards following ethical standards.
- Visit the Lawyer’s Office
Do not hire a lawyer without visiting their office first. It will tell you a lot about their practice. Request a simple tour of the office to see who works there. Only if the office is efficient, orderly, neat, and well-run should you consider hiring the asbestos lawyer. Moreover, the support staff should be friendly and helpful. Do watch out for red flags like empty offices, unhappy staff members, and mass disarray.
- Possess Great Communication Skills
To maximize your compensation, you need to find an asbestos lawyer who is an excellent communicator. Similarly, you need to find someone whom you feel comfortable talking about your situation with and can trust. The attorney you hire needs to be able to explain your case at court clearly and respond to questions raised by the other side in a timely manner. To determine if the lawyer has great communication skills, ask them some questions and monitor their response to each question.
Conclusion
Finding an asbestos lawyer can be a difficult task. However, when you follow the tips mentioned above, you should have no trouble finding the perfect lawyer to represent you at court.