Are you considering legal action for an asbestos-related illness but don’t know what to expect with asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuits? Filing claims and lawsuits can feel overwhelming. Our team at Halpern Law Firm wants to help you feel more comfortable before beginning the process.
Below, we touch on many issues you should expect with asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuits. We can also provide more information during a consultation. If you need help with your case, the Halpern Law Firm team represents clients throughout Pennsylvania. Call us today at (800) 505-6000 for a free consultation.
If you receive a mesothelioma diagnosis, you can file a complaint, claim, or lawsuit against the liable party to seek compensation for your physical suffering and financial damages.
Close relatives to someone with a mesothelioma diagnosis may also bring an action on the victim’s behalf. If the victim is too ill or deceased, their spouse, children, or legal representatives may pursue the case for them.
The statute of limitations on mesothelioma cases is confusing since you often may not find out about the disease until many years after the exposure. Mesothelioma typically takes decades, as long as 40 years, to surface.
You must file a lawsuit within a few years of the diagnosis date. Laws surrounding the statute of limitations vary state by state, though typically, you have between one and five years to file the claim. In Pennsylvania, you have two years from the date of diagnosis.
When you file asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuits, typically, one of two things will happen:
If you can come to a settlement, you may receive compensation in less than a year. With adequate evidence and medical records, you can often complete this route without dealing with court complications.
If you need to go to trial, the process may take at least two years. Typically, courts expedite mesothelioma cases due to the illness’s progressive nature, though hearings still take time.
Your attorney can help you file a mesothelioma lawsuit by going through the following steps:
Asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuits vary greatly from case to case. You may receive anything from zero payout to tens of millions of dollars.
Mealey’s Litigation Report found in 2016 that the average verdict for mesothelioma cases is just under 2.5 million dollars, although awards have been as high as U.S. Steel’s award to Roby Whittington of $250 million in 2003.
At Halpern Law Firm, we’ve helped mesothelioma clients receive as much as $14.5 million.
At Halpern Law Firm, we have over 30 years of experience supporting all asbestos-related legal issues. Serving the entire state of Pennsylvania, we have offices in Philadelphia, Allentown, Scranton and Johnstown. Call us today at (800) 505-6000 for a free consultation.
Page Reviewed and Edited by
Dave Halpern, Mesothelioma Attorney
Dave Halpern is a Pennsylvania and New Jersey mesothelioma attorney with over 30 years of experience. He has investigated hundreds of cases and won numerous multimillion dollar settlements and verdicts for asbestos victims. Dave prides himself on working tirelessly to help his clients in their time of need.