If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your illness or injury. While the internet will provide countless personal injury attorneys who handle asbestos claims, choosing the right attorney can help you obtain maximum compensation. If you have been harmed by asbestos exposure, your first point of contact should be our Harrisburg personal injury lawyers.
Asbestos-Related Experience
If you have been affected by asbestos exposure, you want an attorney who has experience with asbestos/mesothelioma cases. An attorney with knowledge about asbestos exposure claims will know how to handle evidence collection. This will include gathering your medical documents, including hospitalization records, doctor’s notes, and your care plan. You also want to find someone familiar with relevant case law, allowing them to provide more effective representation. Additionally, an attorney with asbestos-related experience can navigate filing a bankruptcy trust fund claim, which is common in asbestos claims.
Fee Structure
Most personal injury lawyers operate on a contingency basis. In Pennsylvania, most personal injury lawyers’ contingency fees range from 25 to 33 percent. A contingency fee basis means that the attorney does not get compensated unless you obtain a settlement or award. Be sure to sign a fee agreement that reflects what percentage of your award the firm will receive, and if there are any court costs or other fees you must pay regardless of your case outcome.
Who Handles Your Case
Many law firms assign paralegals to manage personal injury cases and provide the client with updates. Paralegals are responsible for tracking deadlines, preparing a claims package, and handling discovery (exchange of information between parties). After your initial consultation, you may not hear directly from the attorney until a settlement is reached. At Shollenberger Januzzi & Wolfe, LLP, our personal injury team is actively involved in each step of your case.
Staffing and Financial Resources
Given that many asbestos-related claims have multiple defendants, these cases can take years to resolve. When meeting with a personal injury lawyer, you should ask whether they have the staffing and financial resources to handle a multi-year litigation.
Knowledge of the Local Court System
In interviewing potential personal injury attorneys, inquire whether they have experience in the specific court where your case will be heard. This is important, since familiarity will allow them to know specific judges and procedural nuances. An attorney who has experience trying cases in a particular court will know what arguments resonate most with judges. This “insider” knowledge cannot be underestimated.
Free Consultation
Most Harrisburg personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation. This allows the attorney to evaluate your case to determine if you have a valid claim. The consultation also allows you to ask questions. If the attorney is not asking about your specific asbestos exposure or other details, you may consider interviewing other firms.
Contact Our Harrisburg Personal Injury Attorneys Today
If you have any questions regarding an asbestos-related claim, the legal team at Shollenberger Januzzi & Wolfe, LLP, would like to speak with you. With a track record of securing hundreds of six-figure verdicts, our legal team is ready to put our knowledge to work for you. To arrange your free consultation with one of our Harrisburg personal injury lawyers, contact us online or by calling (717) 229-6580 today.