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10 Keys to Choosing a Mesothelioma Attorney

Hiring a lawyer can be an intimidating process, especially ifyou've never hired one before. Mesothelioma and otherasbestos-related cases are complex and require experienced, topnotch attorneys. How do you know which lawyer will bring theattention and skill to your case that it deserves? We'vecompiled the following list to help you with your decision:

1.Trust your instincts. Do you feel comfortable talking withthe prospective attorney? Does he or she listen and askquestions? If you feel that you are not being taken seriously,go elsewhere.

2.Check the attorney's professional credentials. Carefullyreview the firm's website and brochures, and check theattorney's profile and rating at www.martindale-hubbell.com. Ifyou're still unsure, ask for references.

3.Make sure the firm is customer-oriented. Do you have directaccess to the attorney who is actually responsible for yourcase? Does he or she return your phone calls promptly? Rememberyou are the customer and have the right to expect good service.

4.Ask if your case will be handled individually. Some firmswill accept your case, only to bundle it with a large group ofsimilar cases. This practice tends to diminish the value ofstronger cases in order to help weaker ones.

5.Find an attorney with experience in mesothelioma litigation.Does your attorney have direct experience in mesotheliomalitigation? Look nationally for a firm with a solid track recordin this area.

6.Make sure your attorney has trial experience. Many attorneyshave limited trial experience. Although most cases settle out ofcourt, a lawyer with a strong trial record puts you in a betterbargaining position during the negotiating process.

7.Find a skilled negotiator. Does your attorney have trainingin negotiation? What is his or her settlement value trackrecord? Even though most lawyers spend a much greater percentageof their time negotiating than trying cases, very few attorneyshave training or expertise in this area.

8.Ask the firm who their strategic partners are. Under certaincircumstances law firms join forces to share their research,expertise and other resources in order to build the bestpossible case for you.

9.Make sure the firm works on a contingency fee basis. Withthis type of arrangement the law firm incurs all the financialrisk. You don't pay any out-of-pocket costs until the firmrecovers compensation for you; fees are a percentage of therecovery.

10.Check to see if the lawyer is AARP-approved.



If not, go tothe AARP Legal Services Network to find an attorney. Besidesbeing extensively screened by AARP to become approved, AARPattorneys offer AARP members a 20% discount on their standardlegal fees.

Although selecting a qualified mesothelioma attorney is noteasy, don't get discouraged. There are great lawyers out therewho are genuinely interested in helping others. Your casedeserves no less. For more information visitwww.mesotheliomaadvice.org/legal/mesothelioma-attorney.asp.

About the author:Scott Hendler is Founder of HendlerLaw, a plaintiff's firmfocused on mesothelioma litigation(www.mesotheliomaadvice.com).His firm has won record verdicts and settlements in numerouscases and recently won an argument in front of the U.S. SupremeCourt. In 2003 Scott was honored with an AV rating byMartindale-Hubbell. You can reach him at 800.443.6353 orhelp@hendlerlaw.com.