How To Choose a Mesothelioma Lawyer
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. From cable television ads to free guides, the internet is awash in attorney advertising disguised as information for mesothelioma victims. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help families obtain maximum compensation and justice without undue cost or delay. But high volume “claims centers” and law firms based in other states may not be familiar with the unique legal options available to individuals exposed to asbestos in Washington and Oregon. This guide will help you choose the best mesothelioma lawyer for your case. If you need legal help, Bergman Oslund Udo Little, the Pacific Northwest’s premier mesothelioma law firm, is here to help.
- If you have been harmed by asbestos exposure in Washington or Oregon, a skilled and experienced mesothelioma lawyer can significantly increase your chances of obtaining maximum compensation.
- Most importantly, the attorneys should be licensed to practice law where you reside or where the exposures took place.
- Law firms should have a track record of both trial and appellate wins in Washington and Oregon mesothelioma cases, as well as experience filing workers’ compensation claims for asbestos victims.
- Key characteristics to look at when selecting a mesothelioma lawyer include experience, compassion, attention to detail, a track record of proven results, and the ability to work on a contingency fee basis.
- Local law firms have more specialized knowledge and experience dealing with local legal systems and causes of action than national law firms.
- Referrals from friends, family, colleagues, online references, and reviews can help you locate an asbestos lawyer.
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer affecting the mesothelium, the membrane surrounding your organs. It is solely caused by exposure to asbestos, a fibrous cancer-causing mineral widely used in construction and products throughout most of the 20th Century.
A mesothelioma diagnosis is devastating financially, physically, and emotionally. Fortunately, people with mesothelioma can file claims against the parties who exposed them to asbestos. These parties typically include manufacturers, contractors, suppliers, and premises owners. Workers’ compensation benefits may also be available. Mesothelioma claims can provide victims and their families with financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, emotional suffering, and other expenses.
To see whether you are eligible to file a mesothelioma claim, contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. This guide explains what criteria you should look for to pick the best lawyer for your needs.
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Characteristics of the Best Mesothelioma Lawyers
Finding the best asbestos lawyer for your case can be challenging, especially if you have never filed a lawsuit before. This is particularly true now that many informational websites and free guides targeted toward mesothelioma victims are, in fact, attorney advertising. Here are some of the characteristics to look for when selecting a mesothelioma attorney.
Experience
First, your lawyers should be licensed to practice law in the state where you or your family member was exposed to asbestos or where you reside. This is particularly true in Washington and Oregon because the laws in these states are unique, and claims should be filed in these jurisdictions whenever possible. Second, the attorney should be more than just a personal injury generalist. They should have in-depth knowledge of potential job sites, asbestos sources, and law governing asbestos claims where you were exposed and lived. Otherwise, your attorney will face difficulties gathering strong evidence for your case and negotiating for a fair and timely settlement.
At Bergman Oslund Udo Little, asbestos law has been our focus since 1995. We have represented hundreds of families dealing with a diagnosis or death from mesothelioma. This includes hundreds of workers and family members exposed at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, the Harbor Island shipyards in Seattle, Washington, paper mills in Tacoma, Longview and the Olympic Peninsula, oil refineries in Anacortes and Whatcom County, aluminum smelters in Wenatchee, Tacoma, and Ferndale and power plants in Richland (Hanford), Centralia, and Rainer, Oregon. We have established our firm as the Pacific Northwest’s premier mesothelioma law firm through record-setting verdicts and appellate wins, including at the Washington Supreme Court.
Compassion
Mesothelioma is a serious disease that has a heavy impact on victims and their families. Accordingly, your lawyer should be patient, kind, and compassionate with their clients. They should listen to your concerns and values. They should be available to meet in person and speak by phone at your convenience.
It is hard for me to express the gratitude I feel in regard to those of you who called when you heard of my husband’s death. Your thoughtfulness and kind expressions of sympathy will never be forgotten. – Verla H.
An experienced and skilled mesothelioma attorney will understand the toll a difficult medical diagnosis takes on a family and help guide their clients through the legal process with patience and compassion.
Attention to Detail
Your lawyer should treat you as an individual, not a case number. They should look into all of the individual factors of your case and be able to explain your legal options. You can then decide whether settling or going to trial is better for you.
It means so much to me and my family that you took the time to listen to my Dad’s concerns and emotions about what was happening to him. The funds coming in have been an unbelievable help to another family member in a health crisis. – Medy G.
When you hire Bergman Oslund Udo Little, our team takes the time to understand the impact of their diagnosis and build a personalized strategy to hold those responsible for your illness accountable. We will help guide you through the legal process, including filing, settlements, and workers’ compensation, where applicable. You’ll get a whole team who will tackle every detail and provide comprehensive support.
Track Record of Proven Results
A good mesothelioma lawyer should have a track record of proven results, demonstrating they have the resources, knowledge, and experience to fight for your rights.
Bergman Oslund Udo Little made things a whole lot easier for me & my kids. I’ve spent the money wisely. I think I’m set for life. – anon.
Time and again, Bergman Oslund Udo Little has demonstrated our commitment to hold corporations responsible for putting profits over people. We have achieved many significant victories in mesothelioma verdicts and settlements for our clients, including the largest mesothelioma verdict in Oregon state history and more significant asbestos verdicts in Washington than any other law firm. Our attorneys have obtained over $1 billion in compensation for our clients in the Pacific Northwest. Here are some of our most noteworthy verdicts and settlements.
Giving Back
A successful law firm supports causes that help its clients and our community outside of the courtroom. At Bergman Oslund Udo Little, we have supported and sponsored medical research targeting mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases, as well as initiatives that provide support to asbestos victims and their families. In fact, we were awarded the Swedish Foundation’s Community Impact Award for our support of a research fellowship in Swedish hospital’s thoracic surgery group, whose ongoing research benefits patients in the Seattle area and around the country.
Are They a Local or National Firm?
National and local firms both have their pros and cons.
National law firms tend to have more lawyers, offices, and cases. However, the total number of Washington and Oregon cases they handle is small in comparison. Many national law firms based in the mid-west, or the east coast lack specialized knowledge about legal claims, jobsites, and local courts in Washington and Oregon. Some of these firms advertise nationally, offering free guides and informational websites that are designed to obtain your contact information and pressure you into signing up for their services.
Some red flags include unsolicited phone calls or emails from lawyers that obtained your contact information from websites without your consent; Contact from attorneys who are based in other states and not licensed where you live or were exposed; Claims centers or law firms that simply refer you to another law firm without fully investigating your case.
In contrast, local law firms specializing in mesothelioma cases will offer to meet with you first to explain your legal options. They will have an in-depth understanding of local legal systems and legal options available to Washington and Oregon residents and those exposed here. They will be licensed to practice law where you live or where you were exposed to asbestos. They will not refer your case to another firm without an in-depth investigation of your case.
With Bergman Oslund Udo Little, you get the best of both worlds. We have the resources of a national firm but focus on a small number of cases in Washington and Oregon. Since asbestos law has been our primary focus, we can maximize the compensation recovered by our mesothelioma clients, while still providing individualized service to each of our clients during a difficult time in their lives.
With our deep roots in Washington and Oregon have an in-depth knowledge of local asbestos exposure sites, including shipyards, paper mills, refineries, power plants, and other locations where asbestos exposure may occur.
In addition, Bergman Oslund Udo Little has an extensive proprietary database with exhaustive information on sources of asbestos exposure throughout the Pacific Northwest, including contaminated job sites, asbestos-containing products, witness testimony, and occupations with increased risk of asbestos exposure.
Legal Fees and Expenses
Last but not least, mesothelioma treatment is expensive. You shouldn’t have to take on the burden of legal fees while dealing with mounting medical bills. Therefore, you should pick a lawyer or law firm that works on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing unless they win your case.
At Bergman Oslund Udo Little, we work on a contingent fee basis and do not charge any upfront fees. We’ll front the litigation costs and won’t charge you anything unless and until we recover compensation for you.
Referrals From Friends and Colleagues
To locate the best lawyer for your case, consider referrals from friends, family, and former and current colleagues and co-workers.
Ask them about their experiences with asbestos attorneys and what to look for in a potential pick. If they have never experienced mesothelioma, you can ask if they know anyone with the condition and whether they would recommend any mesothelioma lawyers. Many of our cases are referred to us by current and former clients.
References & Reviews
Besides asking for referrals from friends and colleagues, you should also research asbestos-exposure lawyers online. Look for reviews on sites like Google Business, case write-ups, results, and testimonials. These documents can reveal a prospective attorney’s customer service quality, depth of knowledge, negotiation skills, courtroom skills, and track record. However, beware that many asbestos and mesothelioma informational websites are published or paid for by law firms—something that should be readily disclosed but often is not.
At Bergman Oslund Udo Little, we are proud of our strong relationships with our clients. They have provided testimonials praising our compassionate service and diligent representation.
Schedule a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has mesothelioma, you should contact a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more difficult it can be to gather evidence to build a strong case.
Bergman Oslund Udo Little’s personalized, client-centric approach allows us to provide unparalleled representation to families dealing with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness. Our trusted Seattle and Portland mesothelioma lawyers have an extensive track record of success with some of the highest settlements and largest verdicts in Washington and Oregon.
If you’re looking for a mesothelioma lawyer in the Pacific Northwest, contact us to learn more about your legal options.
