Find an Attorney in Your State
Each state has different statutes of limitations and asbestos court procedures. Click your state for specific local information and resources.
States highlighted in red have a 1-year deadline β act immediately. All 50 states covered.
Advertisement
What to Look for in a Mesothelioma Attorney
Not all personal injury attorneys have the expertise to handle mesothelioma cases effectively. These cases require specialized knowledge of asbestos product identification, industrial exposure history, and trust fund procedures. Here's what separates top mesothelioma attorneys from general personal injury lawyers.
Asbestos-Specific Experience
Look for firms that handle exclusively or primarily asbestos cases. This specialized focus means deeper product knowledge, stronger case results, and faster claim processing.
National Reach & Resources
Top mesothelioma firms file in multiple states, employ industrial hygienists, and maintain databases of thousands of asbestos product manufacturers. This scale is impossible for a general practice firm to replicate.
Contingency Fee Basis
All reputable mesothelioma attorneys work on contingency β typically 33% of recovery. You pay nothing upfront and nothing unless they win your case. If they don't recover for you, you owe nothing.
Expedited Processing
Experienced mesothelioma attorneys can file "preference" or "trial preference" motions in many jurisdictions, moving seriously ill patients to the front of the court docket for faster resolution.
10 Questions to Ask a Mesothelioma Attorney
Advertisement
How Contingency Fees Work
Virtually all mesothelioma attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and nothing if they don't win. The attorney's fee β typically 33β40% β is taken as a percentage of the final settlement or verdict.
Here's an example: If your case settles for $1,400,000 and your attorney's contingency fee is 33%, the attorney receives $462,000 and you receive $938,000 (minus any case costs advanced by the firm). Case costs β filing fees, expert witness fees, depositions β are typically deducted from your share after the contingency fee is calculated.
Always ask whether costs are deducted before or after the fee is calculated, as this can significantly affect your net recovery.