What You Need to Know Before Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit

There is one known cause of mesothelioma, and that is exposure to asbestos. Thousands of people have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the manufacturers of this deadly material, and found justice in the form of substantial compensation. If you are considering legal action as well, here are some steps you’ll need to take in order to have the best chance of achieving a positive result in your case before you file a lawsuit.

Step 1: Gather as Much Information as You Can Regarding Your Diagnosis

You’ll need to gather as many details as possible and write them down, such as:

• when you first noticed symptoms
• all of the doctors you visited
• types of diagnostic tests that were performed
• copy of any pathology reports from your doctors

While most of this information will be found in your medical file, you should also keep a journal to make sure your attorney has a complete picture of your situation. For example, make a note of how you were affected by the tests, your physical and emotional state when you received your diagnosis, and anything you can remember about what you were told by your doctors.

In addition you should gather medical bills, prescription receipts, and any other proof of out-of-pocket medical expenses for reimbursement.

Step 2: Determine How Your Asbestos Exposure Occurred

You were more than likely exposed to asbestos through your job. Hundreds of different occupations posed very high risks of exposure, such as veterans, residential & commercial construction workers, refinery & chemical plant workers, factory employees and many others.

But a lot of people suffered second-hand exposure. For example, you may have inhaled asbestos dust brought home on the clothes of a spouse or parent. Take a close look at all the jobs you have had in the past, and whether or not any loved ones held positions that may have resulted in your second hand asbestos exposure.

If you are unsure of how you were exposed but you were diagnosed with mesothelioma, skip step 2 and move to step 3. Your lawyer should be able to track down the source of exposure.

Step 3: Talk to a Lawyer

It will be imperative that you hire a law firm that has a long history of success in asbestos litigation and staffed with attorneys who have a detailed knowledge of this area of the law. An experienced lawyer will be able to handle all of the legal details so that you can focus on getting the treatment you need.