Mesothelioma Compensation
Let Us Fight for the Compensation You Deserve
Mesothelioma is a debilitating cancer whose only known cause is exposure to asbestos.
People who are diagnosed with mesothelioma may have worked with or around asbestos-containing materials, or they may have been exposed secondhand through a family member who worked with asbestos.
No matter your circumstances, if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you have a right to demand compensation from the asbestos companies that put you at risk.
At Belluck & Fox, our dedicated New York mesothelioma lawyers have more than 20 years of experience handling all types of asbestos claims.
Patients and their families count on our skilled legal team because:
- Our New York mesothelioma law firm is focused on asbestos cases. These types of complicated claims call for seasoned attorneys who have spent years investigating asbestos companies and holding them accountable. Our mesothelioma lawyers have meticulously tracked the companies that manufactured asbestos products, and we can pinpoint exactly when and where clients were exposed.
- Our attorneys have earned a national reputation for success in mesothelioma claims. Our firm has secured more than $1 billion in mesothelioma settlements and verdicts for clients throughout the United States.
- Our team shows patients and families the compassion they need. We know how overwhelming a mesothelioma diagnosis can be, so we take all the pressure we can off our clients. We do not ask you to travel or come to a courtroom. Rather, we do all the traveling and other legwork in your claim while you focus on your treatment.
- Our lawyers have developed strong connections in the mesothelioma community. Our firm can connect you with mesothelioma doctors, nurses, caregivers, and other families who can help you during this difficult time.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation on your case. You can expect to hear personally from one of the partners in our firm within 24 hours. We will explain what types of compensation you may be entitled to and outline the next steps in your case.
What Types of Compensation Could I Be Entitled To?
Mesothelioma patients may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills, including for hospitalizations, surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatment, medications, assistive mobility devices, and future treatments
- Lost income, as well as reduced earning capacity in the future
- Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional
Determining how much compensation you deserve requires detailed documentation and input from medical and financial experts. Our dedicated New York mesothelioma lawyers will work tirelessly to build a strong case for maximum compensation for you.
How Long Does It Take to Pursue Compensation for Mesothelioma?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for mesothelioma. And patients often worry more about what the future holds for their families than themselves. Due to the devastating nature of this disease, our compassionate attorneys usually ask the court to resolve mesothelioma cases within one year.
How Long Will a Mesothelioma Claim Take?
At Belluck & Fox, we work quickly and efficiently to resolve mesothelioma claims in a reasonable amount of time. Some settlements can often be reached within 30 days. Because our team has been working in the asbestos litigation field for decades, we know the system and have already done much of the research and legwork to build the foundation of your case.
In addition, our skilled mesothelioma attorneys at Belluck & Fox will request that the court expedite the handling of your claim due to the life-threatening nature of the disease.
Our knowledgeable asbestos attorneys will fight to resolve your case within one year.
Can a Mesothelioma Patient’s Family Recover Compensation?
If you have lost a family member to mesothelioma, our legal team can go over your options for pursuing compensation through a wrongful death claim. This could help you recover payment for your loved one’s medical bills, funeral expenses, lost wages, and the pain and suffering he or she was put through.
How Do Mesothelioma Asbestos Cases Work?
In mesothelioma cases, the key is identifying who is responsible for your asbestos exposure. This is generally not your former boss or the military (if you were exposed in the service). Rather, our lawyers will work to track down the companies that originally manufactured or supplied the asbestos products you were exposed to.
When you contact our New York mesothelioma law firm about your case, you can expect:
- A partner in our firm will meet with you for a free case consultation. This can be done over the phone, at your home, or at a treatment facility ─ wherever is easiest for you. During this initial consultation, we will discuss your work history or service history to get an idea of how you may have been exposed to asbestos. We will also discuss your diagnosis, your treatment plan, and what you can expect from us.
- Our mesothelioma attorneys will immediately begin researching your case. Because we have spent decades handling asbestos claims, we have a vast pool of resources at our disposal to track down information on the types of products you were exposed to. We may interview your former coworkers and/or obtain blueprints of the buildings, shipyards, or vessels where you worked. The evidence we gather will ultimately point to the asbestos companies that should be held accountable.
- We will aggressively pursue compensation by filing a mesothelioma lawsuit and/or claims from asbestos trust funds. When filing these claims, we will provide extensive documentation showing who is responsible for your exposure, as well as records detailing your mesothelioma diagnosis and treatments. Many mesothelioma lawsuits end with settlement offers, rather than going all the way to a jury verdict. However, our litigation team is always prepared to argue for maximum compensation before a judge and jury if that’s what it takes.
During the claims process, our mesothelioma attorneys will keep you informed as your case progresses. In addition, partners Joseph Belluck and Jordan Fox are always available to answer your questions and discuss any concerns you may have.
Contact us now to schedule your free case consultation, and learn how our team can help you and your family during this stressful time.
Additional Types of Mesothelioma Compensation
Mesothelioma settlements and verdicts are not the only way patients and families can obtain compensation after a diagnosis. You may be able to recover additional financial compensation through:
Asbestos bankruptcy trust funds. Even when asbestos companies file for bankruptcy or go out of business, you can still secure compensation by pursuing a claim through the former company’s asbestos trust fund. The money in these trust funds has already been set aside for future asbestos victims and families. Although receiving payment from a trust fund is not the same process as recovering compensation through a mesothelioma lawsuit, it is not simple. Our seasoned mesothelioma lawyers can determine which trust(s) may be responsible for compensating you.
Veterans’ benefits. Veterans who were exposed to asbestos while serving in the military can receive VA benefits after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Our mesothelioma law firm will handle your VA benefits claim for free while we are negotiating your asbestos settlements.
Social Security Disability benefits. If you or your loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos disease before retirement age, you may be entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.
Workers’ compensation benefits. Mesothelioma is an occupational illness, so you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits after a diagnosis. Our legal team will review your options for filing for workers’ comp.
At Belluck & Fox, we take a full-service approach to helping mesothelioma patients and their families. We explore all possible sources of compensation and manage all types of claims for our clients.
Take the First Step in Claiming Mesothelioma Compensation
Step 1 – Initial Contact
Your first move should be to contact the reliable mesothelioma lawyers at Belluck & Fox, LLP. Our goal is to ensure your claim is managed efficiently and professionally.
Why choose Belluck & Fox, LLP? We have won over $1 billion in compensation for our clients and their families — including a $51.5 million verdict in a mesothelioma lawsuit.
We respond to all inquiries and can have one of our lawyers meet with you within 24 hours.
During our initial conversation with you, we will:
- Tell you about our law firm;
- Explain the legal process for a mesothelioma case;
- Take a detailed work and medical history; and,
- Answer your questions about mesothelioma.
There is no charge for the meetings and you are under no obligation to hire our firm. Visit our NYC law firm today.
Step 2 – Filing the Complaint
After researching and investigating the responsible companies, we file an individual legal claim on your behalf in a state court. These companies include manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and installers of asbestos materials. These companies are the defendants in your case.
We do not sue your employer(s), because this is generally prohibited by workers’ compensation laws. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants are responsible for manufacturing, selling and/or installing defective asbestos products and equipment, caused you to be exposed to asbestos and that they failed to warn you of the dangers of asbestos. The defendants have approximately one month to answer the allegations in your complaint.
Step 3 – Prosecuting The Case
The first consideration is your health. We will do everything possible to respect your privacy and minimize any further disruptions in your life. We will ask the court to advance your case quickly so we can assure you a fast resolution of your case, usually no longer than one year from the filing of the complaint.
Once the Court issues a schedule for your case, the discovery phase of your case begins. This means that we secure all of the evidence necessary to prove that the corporations we sued on your behalf are held responsible for your injuries.
As part of this process, you will testify at a deposition and answer questions about your background. We arrange for your deposition to be conducted at a location which is convenient for you, even, if necessary, at your home. Of course, Belluck & Fox, LLP will be present at every step of the process.
We also conduct a thorough investigation in your case, including talking to your co-workers, demanding documents from the asbestos companies and reviewing your medical history. We also hire medical and other experts to help us in the case.
We wish to emphasize that most, if not all, of the work required to prosecute your case is undertaken by Belluck & Fox, LLP, and does not require us to disturb you or your family.
Step 4 – Settlements
As the case progresses, some defendants may seek to resolve your case for fair value settlements. In many instances a case will settle your prior to the date that the trial is scheduled to begin.
Step 5 – Trial
If we do not receive a full and fair settlement for your claims, we will advise you of the options for trial. During the trial, we will present testimony and evidence in support of your claim. We will also have medical and other experts testify on your behalf. Belluck & Fox, LLP are experienced mesothelioma lawyers and will fully represent you and your family in every phase of the trial.
Mesothelioma Settlements & Verdicts
Securing mesothelioma settlements and verdicts is the main way that asbestos victims and their families recover financial compensation for the losses they have endured and hold the at-fault parties accountable.
At Belluck & Fox, our top-rated mesothelioma lawyers can explain the settlement process and what to expect in a lawsuit. Our team can also identify other compensation options a family may be able to pursue. Settlements can often be obtained within 30 days.
SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION NOW
Our Top-Rated Asbestos Lawyers Deliver Maximum Verdicts and Settlements
Belluck & Fox is nationally recognized as a leading law firm in complex mesothelioma litigation. With more than 25 years of experience, our trusted legal team has negotiated prominent mesothelioma settlements and won record verdicts for asbestos victims and their families.
Some of the top verdicts and settlements that our firm has secured for deserving clients include:
- $32 million for a Navy veteran who became ill after being exposed to asbestos on ships
- $22 million for a construction worker who was diagnosed after being exposed to asbestos at work
- $19.5 million for a worker who was diagnosed after being exposed to asbestos while working on a high-rise building
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please contact our knowledgeable lawyers today to learn about your options for compensation. You may be entitled to recover money for medical bills, lost income, future expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses.
What Are Settlements?
For many years, asbestos companies knew the dangers of their products but failed to warn workers. Now, these companies are being held accountable as former workers are diagnosed with asbestos diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.
When a mesothelioma patient or a family files a claim for compensation, the asbestos companies involved will evaluate the evidence against them and decide whether to negotiate a settlement in order to avoid the risk of fighting the case in court. A majority of mesothelioma cases are resolved with a settlement.
Our skilled attorneys can help you negotiate full and fair mesothelioma settlement amounts. However, the decision is always up to you on whether to accept a settlement or move forward to a verdict.
Mesothelioma Settlements vs. Verdicts
Many mesothelioma claims involve several settlements from various asbestos companies. These settlements will all account for the victim’s past and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. Both sides must reach an agreement on the payment amount in order to resolve the legal dispute. Then, a court order may be used to enforce the settlement.
In certain cases, the defendants will delay until the last minute, right before a verdict is read, to extend an acceptable settlement offer.
However, in most cases, our dedicated mesothelioma lawyers can negotiate immediate settlements from some of the companies responsible to help patients and families with pressing financial burdens.
In some cases, we will encourage clients to press on with an asbestos lawsuit all the way to a verdict, which will determine whether a defendant is responsible for the asbestos exposure and the plaintiff’s disease. When a jury finds a defendant liable, it will award the plaintiff an amount that the jury feels is appropriate to compensate for all the damages suffered.
As our team works with you through this process, we will explain what to expect and evaluate all settlement offers you receive. Ultimately, our attorneys want to help you make the best possible decision for you and your family’s future.
Should You Seek a Verdict or Accept a Settlement?
We understand how stressful it can be to decide whether to accept a settlement or move forward with a lawsuit and jury verdict. But you should know that we will explain all the risks and rewards associated with going to trial vs. settling so you can make an informed choice.
Benefits of Settling
There are some upsides to taking a settlement ─ assuming you and your family agree that the amount you receive fully accounts for your losses. The main benefits of a settlement include:
- Guaranteed payment: When you accept a settlement, you are guaranteed that money. Whereas if you decide to go to trial, there is a risk as to whether the jury will side with you.
- Quicker resolution: Going through a full trial takes time and can delay your compensation. However, you will probably need to file a lawsuit and start the process in order to pressure the liable parties into offering a fair settlement.
- Privacy: What happens at trial is public, but you can keep the details of your settlement private, if that is important to you and your family.
Should You Take Your Mesothelioma Case to Trial?
Our experienced attorneys will work with you to assess the strength of your claim, and we will make sure you understand what to expect in the trial process. You may decide that you want a chance to tell your story to a jury, or you may just want to resolve the case as soon as possible and move forward with your life. The decision is completely up to you
If you or a relative has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please contact the compassionate mesothelioma attorneys at Belluck & Fox today. We can explain your options for filing a claim for compensation and help you decide the best path forward for you and your family.
What Factors Affect Settlement Amounts?
Every mesothelioma claim our firm handles is different, and many factors come into play when determining what a full and fair settlement should be for your claim. Some of the common factors our attorneys will consider include:
Medical bills, lost income and other expenses. The tragic fact is that mesothelioma patients and families may face hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical expenses. In addition, patients and caregivers miss time from work and struggle to cover other expenses related to their disease and treatment.
Our dedicated mesothelioma lawyers will document all of these expenses, including anticipated future losses, that should be included as part of your settlement.
Non-economic damages. In addition to economic damages, which are those that can be clearly accounted for, patients and families often face intangible losses like physical and emotional pain and suffering. It may seem impossible to tie a monetary amount to these kinds of losses, but our attorneys can explain the best way to account for these damages when negotiating a fair settlement.
Evidence that proves negligence. Our team will conduct a detailed investigation to collect solid evidence showing that the responsible asbestos companies knew of the dangers of their products but did not warn the public. Defendants will evaluate the evidence we have against them and determine whether a settlement is better than the financial risk of losing at trial.
Number of defendants involved. Because many asbestos cases involve multiple companies that should be held accountable for the victim’s disease, our attorneys will usually be working on multiple fronts to negotiate individual settlements. Many companies will opt to settle rather than go to trial.
State where claim is filed. Every state has different requirements for proving that a defendant is liable. Our experienced lawyers have a detailed understanding of the laws across the United States.
Having a well recognized and highly respected asbestos trial lawyer. Our nationally recognized trial law firm is focused on complex asbestos litigation, and asbestos companies know this. Defendants recognize the risk of going up against our skilled lawyers, so they negotiate accordingly.
What Is the Process for Negotiating a Mesothelioma Settlement?
The mesothelioma settlement process takes less time than pursuing a case through to a jury verdict, but it does begin in the same way. At Belluck & Fox, our seasoned attorneys always prepare a case as if it is going to trial so the defendants can see how strong our case would be before a jury.
The process for negotiating a mesothelioma settlement usually involves:
An initial consultation with a top-rated mesothelioma lawyer from our firm. We will provide this consultation free of charge, with no obligation to you.
A detailed investigation to gather all the evidence. We will collect information about your diagnosis, treatment plan, work history, service history, and anything you remember about past asbestos exposure.
Filing a complaint. This will start the lawsuit. The complaint will identify the company(s) that should be held liable for your asbestos disease.
The discovery process. During discovery, each side will exchange information about the evidence that backs up their arguments. This is the time when the defendants will assess how strong our case is.
Settlement discussions. With the evidence against them laid out, asbestos companies will usually start settlement negotiations. Our attorneys will be aggressive in pushing for a full and fair settlement, and these negotiations may continue even as the trial moves forward.
Statutes of Limitations for Asbestos Lawsuits
Mesothelioma has a long latency period, developing 15 to 60 years after a person was exposed to asbestos. However, even if you were exposed years ago, the statute of limitations (or time limit) for filing a claim for compensation is measured from the time you are diagnosed with a disease.
Each state has its own statute of limitations regarding how long asbestos victims have to file a mesothelioma lawsuit. In addition, family members who lose loved ones to mesothelioma also face a time limit for filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
In New York, patients typically have three years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury claim, and families have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. However, under certain circumstances, that window may be as short as 90 days.
It is crucial that you speak with a knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible after a mesothelioma diagnosis to ensure you and your family does not miss the deadline for filing a claim for compensation.
Let Our Experienced Mesothelioma Lawyers Fight for You
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos disease, Belluck & Fox is here for you. We are committed to helping patients demand the compensation they deserve from the asbestos companies that put their lives at risk.
Schedule a free case consultation with our knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyers at Belluck & Fox, LLP today, and let us help take the burden off you. Visit our Law firm in New York City and Albany.
If you have been exposed to asbestos and now have mesothelioma, you have a right to use mesothelioma lawsuits to help you seek money from the companies responsible for your illness.
Here are several important points to keep in mind:
- Any lawsuit is time sensitive, so it is important to act quickly.
- The time limit for any lawsuit begins to run when you are diagnosed with your disease.
- The deadline for filing a claim varies from state to state.
- If you do not file suit within the specified timeframe, you will lose your rights to seek damages.