The Legal Process

Here we present some of the most commonly asked questions new clients have asked us. If there is a question you have related to mesothelioma, asbestos cancer, other asbestos related diseases or asbestos exposure that you don't see answered here, please contact our attorneys using the convenient free case evaluation form here or call us toll free at 1-800-440-4262. One of our lawyers will review your questions and provide you the answers you are looking for. If it's a non-legal question related to mesothelioma, asbestos exposure or other asbestos related diseases, and if our own staff doesn't know the answer, we'll find out or we will put you in contact with someone who does.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When does a person have an asbestos related lawsuit? And if so, who should be sued?

2. If I file a lawsuit for my asbestos related disease, will I be a part of a class action lawsuit?

3. What is the cost to me of filing a lawsuit for my asbestos related injuries?

4. What do I have to do to file a lawsuit for my asbestos related disease?

5. Once I file a lawsuit for my asbestos related disease, what will I have to do myself?

6. How long does it take, once I've filed a lawsuit, to settle or get to a trial court?

7. Why should we choose your law firm to represent us?

Answer 1

Mesothelioma: If diagnosed with Mesothelioma, a form of asbestos cancer, a person does have an asbestos related lawsuit. Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of Mesothelioma. If diagnosed with Mesothelioma, the disease was caused by exposure to asbestos.

Lung Cancer: If diagnosed with lung cancer and the person worked around asbestos, the lung cancer was probably caused by exposure to asbestos.

Both the person who has been diagnosed with cancer and his or her spouse has a case against the asbestos companies. If the person with an asbestos disease has died, then his or her heirs have a legal case against the asbestos companies.

It is your lawyer's job to find out how you were exposed to asbestos and which companies to sue. The companies that manufactured and distributed the asbestos products will be sued. The owners of buildings that contained asbestos may also be sued. Railroads and/or shipowners may also be sued in some cases.

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Answer 2

Your mesothelioma case would be filed as your own individual legal claim. Some of the companies that produced asbestos containing products have been granted protection by the courts against individual lawsuits, and your claims against those companies would be subject to the rules these courts have developed. Attorneys from our office would represent you in both types of claims. If you or a loved one is a victim of mesothelioma, you are entitled to financial compensation and we can help.

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Answer 3

If our office accepts your case, our lawyers represent you on a contingency fee basis. You would have no "out of pocket" expenses. The costs our office incurs would be repaid only if there are sufficient settlements awarded to cover these costs. If there is no settlement, you pay nothing. Regardless of whether you may think you have a claim or not, contacting our attorneys to discuss your mesothelioma case is free.

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Answer 4

We specialize in representing people who have developed asbestos related diseases. We are knowledgeable in how to comply with the special rules and procedures that most courts have developed for asbestos lawsuits.

All you need to do is contact our law firm. Our expert staff will do everything necessary to determine if you have a mesothelioma case or if there is any possibility that you are entitled to financial compensation due to you or a loved one having previously had exposure to asbestos and there will be no up-front costs to you for our attorneys participation whatsoever.

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Answer 5

In order to evaluate your claim, the companies that you sue will want to develop information about you before they offer money to settle. Our lawyers will help you provide the necessary information to those companies. In most cases, you will also be required to give an oral deposition. Our lawyers will assist you in preparing for the deposition and will be at the deposition to defend you. We come to you, and we represent you through the entire litigation process.

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Answer 6

The amount of time between filing an asbestos exposure claim and obtaining a settlement or going to trial varies. In California, if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma the Courts will usually grant a motion to advance your case for an early trial date. The trial may be set as soon as 4 to 6 months after your lawsuit was filed. The earlier the trial date, the sooner the companies will pay money to settle.

Depending upon which companies manufactured the asbestos containing products that caused your disease, they may all settle without a trial. Some companies often do not offer reasonable settlements until trial has begun, others frequently wait until a jury has returned a verdict before they are willing to settle.

Regardless of how long it might take to obtain a settlement or jury award, asbestos cancer and mesothelioma diagnoses can be overwhelming to the victim and the entire family. The sooner our attorneys can begin working to help you obtain financial compensation the sooner you can focus on what's most important in your lives. Let our lawyers help you so the financial burden caused by asbestos exposure can be lifted.

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Answer 7

Our firm does not accept a large number of cases. This allows us to concentrate on the cases that we do accept. We pride ourselves in giving prompt, individual, undivided attention to each of our clients. We answer your all of your questions about the legal process and about anything else having to do with mesothelioma, asbstos exposure and asbestos related diseases. If it's a non-legal question and we don't have the answer, we will get the answer for you or put you in contact with someone who does.

We care, so we return phone calls promptly. We keep you informed about your case. Our lawyers are experienced at negotiating settlements with asbestos companies and employers, and we have the courtroom experience to get the job done at trial when it is necessary.

We travel to where you live - you do not have to travel to California. If there is a legal basis for filing your case in California, you can get money faster in California courts than in most other states. If we can, we will file your case in California. If there is no legal basis for filing your case in California, we will determine which state will give your case the best recovery. The laws regarding asbestos exposure and mesothelioma claims differ from state-to-state. Some states are not known for awarding reasonable settlements or jury verdicts to plaintiffs. There is no extra charge or cost to you if we file your mesothelioma claim in a state other than California.

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Contact the Mesothelioma cancer lawyers at Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason today.

Located throughout California, our mesothelioma attorneys have represented clients throughout the United States.
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