Mesothelioma Lawsuit Timeline

Mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly disease that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is popular for its strength, ability to absorb sound, and its ability to resist, heat, fire and electricity. Asbestos exposure can happen in many different situations but thousands of people were put at risk at their places of work before regulations to curb the use of this hazardous material were established in the 1970s.

If someone has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or even if they just know that they have been exposed to asbestos, it is important to seek compensation for expenses related to being exposed to asbestos, as soon as possible. Many people do not have much time left once they develop symptoms of mesothelioma. It is important that people with this awful disease, or with the potential to develop it, get compensation that will allow them to have access to the best possible healthcare.

Mesothelioma Lawsuit

An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help you with the complicated process of starting a mesothelioma claim and a good mesothelioma lawyer will fight for you fiercely through the process. The following is a rough outline of the kind of timeline you can expect when fighting for your or another mesothelioma victim’s rights.

Find a Lawyer

It is important to find a lawyer who is experienced with successfully defending the rights of mesothelioma victims and their families, as well as one who is licensed to practice in the state where the illness or exposure occurred.

Develop Your Case

Once you have found a trustworthy lawyer or law firm to represent you, they will need to gather information and evidence to use in your case. If it is not already known, they will determine what company or employer caused the asbestos exposure that triggered your illness. There is a good chance that your lawyer/s will ask you questions and for information during this phase.

Defendant’s Response

Once your mesothelioma claim has been filed, the defendant will have a chance to respond to it. Defendants are typically give up to 30 days to do this.

Discovery

In the rare event a defendant does not respond to a claim, the plaintiff (the mesothelioma victim) wins by default but typically, the defendant’s response triggers the discovery phase. This is a period where both the plaintiff and the defendant’s legal teams investigate, and gather more information and evidence to build their cases.  

Settlement

Many mesothelioma cases settle before they get to the trial phase of a lawsuit.   

Trial

If a case does not settle, it goes to trial. Trials can be decided on by a judge or by a jury under a judge’s instructions. Trials tend to take longer than trying to settle a case but the amounts of times for both of these vary from case to case.

Appeals

Both sides involved in a trial have the right to appeal its outcome if they are
unsatisfied.

Even though it can’t take back a mesothelioma diagnosis, having the Best Mesothelioma Lawyer Waco, Texas has to offer, may help you to get the compensation that you and your family deserve and are entitled to.