We have a lot to talk about.
Although my family went through this process after my father passed from Mesothelioma in 1981, not a day goes by when I don’t think of him. Please, let me use my family’s experience and my background help you understand what questions to ask and what information to seek as you begin your journey.
NON-LAWSUIT RELATED ISSUES
Both life and living will go on, although filled with additional complications such as medical treatments, pain management, family concerns, estate planning, work related issues, financial issues, concerns about funding medical procedures, re-focusing on religious based issues, and handling well meaning friends. Everyone is different and I don’t claim to have any particular expertise; just recognize, however, that your life will likely become very complicated as you focus on staying healthy and enjoying the available activities.
LAWSUIT AND CLAIM RELATED ISSUES
Your decision on when and whether to proceed with claims against bankrupt entities and a potential lawsuit against the other potentially responsible parties is likely the biggest financial decision of your life, all at the same time of your being extremely sick and, let’s be honest, dealing with the emotional issue of facing your potential end days. So many things to consider and worry about.
Your choice of counsel to represent you, where to file the lawsuit, and whether to file now or later are critical both emotionally and financially. And yet, it is extremely difficult to cut through the Television Adverstisements and Internet Click Throughs of so many who are vying for your business. There is a reason that many of the most expensive Facebook Click Through fees involve the word
“Mesothelioma” as there is big money for attorneys. https://www.kantarmedia.com/us/thinking-and-resources/blog/adg-the-most-expensive-keywords-on-google-anniversary-edition.
Listed below are some of the issues which you may want to consider as you begin your journey into the asbestos legal system. I am also available should you want to follow up by email or other means to discuss the below in more depth as they may relate to your specific situation.
Please use the following as a guide:
1. Select the best trial attorney for your situation, and do it sooner rather than later. Even if you put off filing a lawsuit as discussed below, you will have “low hanging fruit” in regard to filing claims with bankrupt entities, preserving your knowledge, working to locate former co-workers who can help you claims, helping your attorney to understand the issues important to your family, and so much more.
2. The criteria for “best trial counsel” will vary depending on the nature of the issues involved in your case and where the lawsuit will likely be filed. I keep my own list and would happily share in private, along with what makes a particular attorney best for a situation. Just email me at TheAsbestosBlog@gmail.com. One thing to keep in mind is that the identification of the law firm to represent you is not as important as the specfic attorneys who will be working up the case and their proposed lead trial counsel.
3. Over 4000 asbestos related lawsuits are filed each year in the United States. Most of these do not get a trial date until 6 months to 3 years after the filing date. One question to ask yourself is whether you want to divert your time from your family and personal issues to participating in a lawsuit. There are significant financial reasons to pursue the matter while you are living, but they come with a price. You should discuss this will your family and then with the trial counsel who you have selected.
4. I recommend that you learn the fundamentals about asbestos and your potential exposure, although you do not need to be an expert. The more you understand the background and how you became potentially exposed, the better for your sanity and your ability to help trial counsel. One of the available ways to educate yourself is to borrow material from my Library. It is available to you free of charge; you just need to ask.
