Sunday 21 April 2013

Are There Any Good Mesothelioma Attorneys In Philadelphia?

By Shannan Shen


Mesothelioma is a word that can devastate an entire family. A relatively rare form of lung cancer, mesothelioma is a bit more intimidating than other cancers because it could have been prevented by having precautionary protection available from asbestos exposure, and it is incurable. Even more tragic is the bitter truth that, at the time the victim was exposed to asbestos, the dangers were not yet known. And, since decades sometimes pass before the symptoms of mesothelioma are noticed, the disease is now beginning to appear more frequently than ever before.

Since its beginnings, Philadelphia has shared in the industrial boom that was also experienced elsewhere in the state of Pennsylvania. And, with this growth of industry also came the frequent use of asbestos as a building and insulating material. As workers came into contact with asbestos, the tiny fibers infiltrated their lung tissues and remained unnoticed for the many years that transpired until the symptoms of mesothelioma began to manifest. As the decades have passed since, an increasing number of those who worked in asbestos are coming forth as having been diagnosed with mesothelioma. These former workers have legitimate claims for compensation that should be pursued only by legal counsel who possess the knowledge, experience and expertise to litigate mesothelioma cases to the fullest extent allowable by law.

Finding the best mesothelioma attorney in Philadelphia can seem difficult at the onset, as the city abounds with lawyers with various levels of specialty. The importance of hiring a Philadelphia lawyer who specializes in cases of mesothelioma cannot be overstated. The volume of cases that have been filed against these former employers has resulted in legislation being passed in an effort to ease the congestion that has ensued in the city's legal system. Only an experienced attorney, whose focus is strictly on mesothelioma cases in Philadelphia, can help the patient and his family navigate the complexities of the law and procure the maximum award payable for these victims.

As the search for the best asbestos-related injury lawyer in Philadelphia proceeds, certain criteria should be given utmost consideration: (a) The lawyer must be very familiar with mesothelioma and the manner in which it affects not only the patient, but the patient's family; (b) The lawyer should be experienced in filing all claims, supporting documentation, and other matters conducive to the claim; (c) The lawyer should be proficient in calculating and requesting sufficient compensation in the claim to take care of the patient's future expenses; (d) The lawyer should be willing to travel to the patient's home for consultations; (e) The lawyer should never charge any up-front fees, and should only work on a contingency basis. This means that if no monetary rewards are granted, the patient pays no attorney fees. The lawyer only earns money if the client is granted an award and the lawyer's fee is based upon a percentage of the award.

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.

An even better resource for finding the best lawyer is to speak to other clients who have been represented by lawyers on the list. A former client will have no reason to not be 100% candid with the inquisitor, and can be a valuable source of information. The internet is another resource that can be tapped into for mesothelioma support groups that are more than happy to help guide the patient through the process of finding the best legal counsel. Some of these support groups provide online search tools that can be used by the patient in the comfort and privacy of his own home. As the search progresses, the patient should give first priority to those Philadelphia attorneys who do not charge a fee for the first consultation.

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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