Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Where Can You Find the Best Mesothelioma Attorney in Philadelphia?

By Tomaso Corvene


A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating to the patient, as well as the family. This insidious form of lung cancer differs from other lung cancers in that it is caused by unprotected exposure to asbestos. Even worse, mesothelioma takes years, even decades, to manifest. This means that workers, who were exposed to asbestos as long as 50 years ago, may be experiencing newly developed symptoms that bring about the dreaded diagnosis.

Philadelphia, and other cities in Pennsylvania, has had a higher incidence of mesothelioma cases than surrounding states, due to the large number of power plants, ship yards, refineries, and other industries that used asbestos prolifically before the dangers became known. It is for this reason that mesothelioma lawsuits in Philadelphia have increased exponentially in the past couple of decades, and why it is crucial that victims of this horrible disease seek top Philadelphia legal counsel who only practices in mesothelioma cases.

The quest for such litigators can seem to be a daunting challenge at first, simply due to the sheer volume of lawyers who practice in Philadelphia. For this reason, it is important to remember that the attorney being sought must specialize in asbestos-related injury claims, including mesothelioma. The reason that specialization is paramount is that, due to the large volume of similar type cases that have already been filed and heard by Pennsylvania courts, the legislature has imposed certain restrictions and provisions for awards to be granted in these cases. Only a Philadelphia lawyer who knows the intricacies of these laws, can successfully maximize the compensation awarded for his/her client.

In the quest for the best mesothelioma attorney in Philadelphia, the following aspects should be of primary concern: (i) The attorney must know the intricacies of the disease, its causes, and the horrid effects that it wreaks upon the victim and his family; (ii) The attorney must have sufficient experience in the process of appropriate documentation to secure, and the course of action that will yield the best results for his client; (iii) The attorney must be willing to calculate the future anticipated financial impact of this disease upon the patient and his family, and include that amount in the claim for damages; (iv) The attorney must be willing to accommodate the patient by traveling to the patient's home for consultations; (v) The attorney must work on a contingency basis, and never charge fees to his client before the claim is settled. By using a contingency basis, the attorney receives no payment until a monetary award is granted, and his fee is based upon a percentage of the award. This is a stellar incentive for the lawyer to seek the maximum possible compensation award for his client. It is also highly recommended that the patient seek an attorney who provides the initial consultation free of charge.

Sometimes the most difficult aspect of finding the best mesothelioma attorney in Philadelphia is knowing where to start. One of the best places to begin the quest is with the Pennsylvania State Bar Association. While they cannot recommend any attorney's services over another, they can provide a list of attorneys who are in good standing with the bar association, as well as provide information as to the specialty of the practice.

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.

Word of mouth is the absolute best source of information about the capabilities of a mesothelioma lawyer in Philadelphia. If the patient or family member knows of no one else who has experienced the trauma of mesothelioma, the internet is a rich source of information for mesothelioma support groups and other resources. There are also online databases that will allow the mesothelioma victim to perform searches for qualified attorneys. Attorneys who provide an initial consultation free of charge should be given first consideration.

Just as there are attributes of a good mesothelioma attorney in Philadelphia, there are some unfavorable traits that, if observed, should be an indicator that the attorney is not a good choice to handle the claim. One such trait is that of promises of monetary rewards. Until the case can be properly assessed, investigated, and all considerations studied, it is impossible to guarantee a specific monetary award. An attorney who speaks quickly of a specified amount is most likely one that has a tendency to push through standard claims for the same amount on each claim. A good mesothelioma attorney will assess each case individually to determine the merit of the case. A process for investigation and discovery should take place before any monetary amounts are suggested.

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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