Chances are you’ve seen the if you have mesothelioma commercial TV ads about mesothelioma can be scary. Advertisements on TV, the Internet, and radio describe the horror of asbestos exposure and getting mesothelioma. The commercials ask you to call a number to reach an attorney and take action.
As a consumer, you might wonder how true these advertisements are and whether the lawyers in them can be trusted. Also, you may wonder if you should be worrying about mesothelioma, not being sure if you were exposed to asbestos or nor. (mesothelioma.net)
Some of the mesothelioma law firm commercials can be misleading, but most are paid for by legitimate mesothelioma law firms. These companies do want to help victims of mesothelioma.
But before you make the call, we want to explain more about the mesothelioma lawsuit process and who you should trust to represent your case.
The long and short of it is this: These large national mesothelioma law firms pay a lot of money to make those advertisements, and you could get any one of hundreds of attorneys handling your case. When your health, finances, and family’s future is on the line, do you want to trust a random mesothelioma attorney you found through a television ad?
Overview of Mesothelioma and Asbestos
The do you have mesothelioma commercial ads you see about mesothelioma lawsuits are intended for people who worked with asbestos for years. Asbestos is a dangerous, fibrous material that once was used in heavy manufacturing and industrial work. Because of its unique heat-resistant properties, asbestos was used for decades in shipbuilding, construction materials, roofing, sheetrock, the auto industry.
When tiny asbestos fibers become airborne, they can be inhaled or ingested by anyone in the area. The fibers are microscoptic and sharp. Once they enter the body, they stick in tissues, causing irritation, damage and even cancer over time. The most common type is pleural mesothelioma that affects the tissues surrounding the lungs.
Why So Many Mesothelioma Commercials?
Mesothelioma is an aggressive but rare cancer. Only about 3,000 cases are diagnosed in the US annually. But if you watch TV, you will see many advertisements about mesothelioma and asbestos cancer lawsuits.
The use of asbestos in most construction and heavy industries stopped in the 1970s once its many health dangers were understood. However, mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years. Many people who were exposed to asbestos decades ago only now are being diagnosed with cancer, and they need financial and legal help immediately.
Most asbestos cancer cases can be traced to one or a serious of companies that exposed the worker negligently to asbestos. This means an asbestos lawsuit can be lucrative for mesothelioma law firms. Settlements and jury awards can be over $1 million. This is why you will regularly see mesothelioma advertisements even though it is a relatively rare cancer.
Who Pays for These Mesothelioma Commercials?
The advertisements you see online or on TV are usually funded by large, national personal injury law firms. These attorneys specialize in assisting people file lawsuits against corporations that were negligent and exposed the worker to asbestos. In most mesothelioma cases, past employers that made or used asbestos-containing materials are usually found negligent in causing mesothelioma.
How Much Can You Trust These Companies?
Use extreme caution when responding to one of these national mesothelioma ads.
Most mesothelioma commercials come from large national law firms that specialize in asbestos cases. One of the problems of using a large national chain is you do not really know which company or attorney is going to handle your case. If you have mesothelioma and have $1 million in lost wages and medical bills, you do not want your case handled by an inexperienced law firm across the country. You want to know as much as possible about the specific lawyer and law firm that will handle your case.
Check out the company’s website and the attorneys that handle asbestos litigation. Check for background information and past rates of success with previous mesothelioma cases.
You need an attorney that has a track record in getting large settlements and verdicts for mesothelioma patients like you.
What About Asbestos Trust Funds?
Some of the mesothelioma ads may mention asbestos trust funds. There are at least 0 companies that have filed for bankruptcy because of asbestos litigation. Trust funds have been established to ensure that people with mesothelioma who want to get compensation can do so if the company is no longer in existence.
What About No Up-Front Fees?
This is generally true. The best personal injury attorneys only take cases they think they can win. This means they will charge you a contingency fee at the end of the case. You only pay if you win. Large law firms also have the financial resources to pay for ongoing legal expenses during the case that are taking out of your award or verdict at the end of the case.
Should I Call Now?
The advertisement may urge you to call immediately. You should take the time to find a mesothelioma law firm you trust, but you should get started as soon as you can. Mesothelioma gets worse quickly, and every state has a statute of limitations from one to four years from your date of diagnosis.
Which Jobs Are Higher Risk for Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma lawsuit commercials may mention industries that put workers at a higher risk of asbestos exposure. This is is because asbestos exposure at work is the major cause of the disease. Some of the most common industries were heavy asbestos exposure occurred were:
- US military
- Construction
- Shipbuilding
- Manufacturing
- Oil refineries
- Auto mechanics and garages
- Power plants
- Metal Works
- Firefighters
Hiring a Mesothelioma Attorney
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, hiring an experienced and knowledgeable attorney you can trust is critical. When you call one of those national mesothelioma ads, you are really taking a roll of the dice on who your attorney will be. You need to be sure your attorney is skills, experienced, and knows how to negotiate with tough insurance companies and take them to court and win.