Mesothelioma cancer Lawyers in Philadelphia Go that step further To battle For You

By Gregoire Keillor


A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating to the patient, as well as the family. This insidious form of lung cancer differs from other lung cancers in that it is caused by unprotected exposure to asbestos. Even worse, mesothelioma takes years, even decades, to manifest. This means that workers, who were exposed to asbestos as long as 50 years ago, may be experiencing newly developed symptoms that bring about the dreaded diagnosis.

Philadelphia, and other cities in Pennsylvania, has had a higher incidence of mesothelioma cases than surrounding states, due to the large number of power plants, ship yards, refineries, and other industries that used asbestos prolifically before the dangers became known. It is for this reason that mesothelioma lawsuits in Philadelphia have increased exponentially in the past couple of decades, and why it is crucial that victims of this horrible disease seek top Philadelphia legal counsel who only practices in mesothelioma cases.

The quest for such litigators can seem to be a daunting challenge at first, simply due to the sheer volume of lawyers who practice in Philadelphia. For this reason, it is important to remember that the attorney being sought must specialize in asbestos-related injury claims, including mesothelioma. The reason that specialization is paramount is that, due to the large volume of similar type cases that have already been filed and heard by Pennsylvania courts, the legislature has imposed certain restrictions and provisions for awards to be granted in these cases. Only a Philadelphia lawyer who knows the intricacies of these laws, can successfully maximize the compensation awarded for his/her client.

In the quest for the best mesothelioma attorney in Philadelphia, the following aspects should be of primary concern: (i) The attorney must know the intricacies of the disease, its causes, and the horrid effects that it wreaks upon the victim and his family; (ii) The attorney must have sufficient experience in the process of appropriate documentation to secure, and the course of action that will yield the best results for his client; (iii) The attorney must be willing to calculate the future anticipated financial impact of this disease upon the patient and his family, and include that amount in the claim for damages; (iv) The attorney must be willing to accommodate the patient by traveling to the patient's home for consultations; (v) The attorney must work on a contingency basis, and never charge fees to his client before the claim is settled. By using a contingency basis, the attorney receives no payment until a monetary award is granted, and his fee is based upon a percentage of the award. This is a stellar incentive for the lawyer to seek the maximum possible compensation award for his client. It is also highly recommended that the patient seek an attorney who provides the initial consultation free of charge.

One resource to consider for locating the best attorney is to contact the state bar association. This agency maintains a database of lawyers who practice legitimately within the state. The bar association can also provide information as to lawyers who specialize in mesothelioma cases; however, the bar association cannot refer or recommend a specific attorney to the inquirer.

Once a list has been procured, the sometimes tedious task of refining the list to the best lawyers must begin. Much of this research can be accomplished online, or through contact with the clerk of the appropriate court where the case files are kept. Key factors to consider include the number of cases successfully resolved, and the average amount of monetary award that the lawyer was able to secure for his/her client.

The best source is irrefutably word of mouth from others who have sought compensation through legal recourse. In order to find these individuals, one may try searching online, or the Yellow Pages for a nearby mesothelioma support group in Philadelphia. These groups are excellent resources for information to help mesothelioma sufferers find the best mesothelioma attorneys in Philadelphia. In fact, some such support groups offer online tools to help the patient research his options from the comfort of his own home.

Unfortunately, as with any other profession, there are less-than-desirable attorneys around who do not have the professional ethics to do the best job for their clients. There are a few red flags to be aware of, and which can signal an attorney that perhaps would be best avoided. One such red flag appears if the attorney has a standard form and promises a specific amount of monetary compensation. This usually indicates an attorney who takes a "cookie-cutter" approach to all such claims, rather than do the work, research, and documentation necessary to maximize the compensation for his/her client. Additionally, the attorney should complete all necessary research and file all legal documents that are conducive to the discovery process before projecting any amounts for compensation.

Also, if the attorney does not specialize in mesothelioma cases, but also handles other types of cases such as land transactions, wills, divorces, and other types of cases, he or she may not be the best choice for handling a mesothelioma case. The instances of mesothelioma in Philadelphia have skyrocketed over the past decade, resulting in a sharp increase in the claims and lawsuits that have been executed by victims seeking relief. As stated above, this trend has caused many companies to seek their own relief through bankruptcy courts, which has led to the passing of legislation specifically targeting these companies and the claims against them. Only a seasoned Philadelphia attorney who specializes in mesothelioma cases will have the knowledge and expertise to provide the exemplary service that the client deserves.




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