Choose the Right Thing

Choosing the Right Attorney

If you have developed a serious medical condition due to asbestos exposure, such as mesothelioma, it is important to talk to a lawyer right away about your case. By waiting, your state’s statute of limitations may run out, meaning you will not be eligible to file suit. In some states, this time period is as short as one year. Keep in mind, it is important to find a lawyer that is right for you instead of just choosing the first one you find. How to go about choosing the right attorney? Use the follow tips to find the attorney that is right for your mesothelioma case:

Ask many questions during the initial meeting. To achieve a good understanding of your case, the attorney will probably ask many questions about your experiences with asbestos and your mesothelioma diagnosis. Make sure to ask your lawyer about his or her practice, as well as what you can expect if you choose to work with him or her on the case.

Be clear about your needs. Finding the right attorney starts with understanding what kind of legal help you need. Are you filing a personal injury case for yourself or a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a deceased relative? What sort of medical conditions are you experiencing? What are you seeking in damages? It is also important to talk to your lawyer about the possible outcome of your case.

Look for a lawyer that has time for you. Some asbestos-related cases can take years to resolve. It is not necessary for a lawyer to call you every day. In some cases, you don’t even need a lawyer that calls you every week. What you do need is an attorney that can have a meeting with you without being distracted by other cases. If the lawyer picks up the phone a few times during your meeting, chances are he or she may be too busy to devote enough time to your case.

Look for experience. In the case of medical lawsuits, it is always best to find a law firm that has handled similar cases in the past. Mesothelioma can be hard to understand, and every hour your lawyer spends researching your condition is time that could be better spent looking at helpful evidence. Ask about the lawyer’s experience in dealing with asbestos victims, as well as his or her track record concerning asbestos or mesothelioma cases.

Talk about costs with your attorney. Of course, quality is very important, but you should also look for a lawyer who is fair with pricing. Some attorneys charge an initial interviewing fee, while others charge an hourly rate. However, in most cases, the best option is to go with a lawyer that only recieves compensation if you do. Instead of paying per hour or a flat fee, he or she will be entitled to a percentage of your awarded compensation.

Read over the generic written agreement the lawyer provides. The right attorney will be willing to change things in the agreement, but if you find yourself questioning every other line, this is probably not the lawyer for you. You shouldn’t need a lawyer to sign a contract with a lawyer! Also, keep in mind every lawyer should provide a written agreement. This is important in order to protect your rights.

Avoid lawyers who tell you what you want to hear. No lawsuit is a “sure thing.” If your lawyer seems to be telling you what you want to hear for the sake attaining a client, consider other options. You need an attorney who will be straightforward with you about your legal options and the potential outcomes of your case, both good and bad.

Overall, the most important part of hiring a lawyer for a mesothelioma case or another asbestos-related case is to find one that makes you feel comfortable. Again, asbestos-related cases can take years to resolve, so you may be working with this individual for a long time. If you do not get along with your lawyer, or feel uncomfortable telling him or her the truth, you may want to think about hiring another attorney. Remember, you will have to disclose all information to your lawyer, so comfortability is a major factor in winning a case.

If you would like more information about choosing an attorney and other legal issues surrounding asbestos and mesothelioma, please fill out the form on the right to receive an information packet.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid for People Diagnosed with Mesothelioma

After a patient has been diagnosed with cancer of any type, the implications of the medical and financial burdens can be staggering. Receiving a diagnosis of mesothelioma is no exception, as victims lives may be considerably shortened and a great deal of legal costs surely ensue. In a patient’s overwhelmed and weakened condition, they may not explore all possible avenues of assistance, which puts additional burdens on their family. Many mesothelioma patients have health insurance that may cover a major portion of treatment options. However, some people do not have health insurance or may need additional financial assistance. Patients should not lose hope, as government and nonprofit organizations can be easily reached for information that may save the patient and their family thousands of dollars. The following programs may be able to offer assistance:

The Health Resources and Services Administration’s Bureau of Primary Health Care provides health care, transportation, and translation services to low-income individuals. For more information, please visit http:// ask.hrsa.gov/pc/.

Another resource is the Hill-Burton Program, a provision granting government funds to facilities, that, in return, offer discounted services to those exhibiting financial need. Visit http://www.hrsa.gov/hillburton/default.htm to find hospitals that offer services to those who cannot afford hospitalization costs.

Medicaid is funded by federal and state budgets and provides a health insurance program to individuals who require financial assistance. It is usually supported by home care services to those who also are eligible for social security income and aid for families with dependent children. Medicaid may provide part-time nursing, at-home aide services, and medical supplies as well. Program details can be obtained through state welfare offices, health departments, social services agencies, or the state medicaid offices. For more information, please visit http://www.cms.gov/medicaid/consumer.asp, or call (877) 267–2323.

Medicare may be an option for folks who are at least 65 years of age and those of any age or who are considered disabled. There are two distinct divisions, Part A and Part B. Medicare Part A is responsible for hospitalization, home health care, hospice care, and nursing facilities that are Medicare-certified. Diagnostic studies, physicians’ services, home equipment, ambulance transportation, and screening exams fall under the jurisdiction of Medicare Part B. For more information, please call (800) 633–4227 (800-MEDICARE), or visit http://www.medicare.gov.

The Veterans Administration can help veterans for conditions that are service-connected, and may even offer some benefits to veteran’s families. For more information on VA benefits and services, please visit http://www1.va.gov/cancer/index.cfm.

The Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America, a national nonprofit organization, offers help to patients and their families and provides funding to mesothelioma research studies. For more information on this foundation, please visit http://www.mesorfa.org.

Another national nonprofit agency is CancerCare, which offers financial assistance in limited grants that apply towards specific treatment. To reach CancerCare by phone, please call (800) 813–4673 (800-813–HOPE), or visit http://www.cancercare.org/get_help/assistance/cc_financial.php.

NeedyMeds is a website offering assistance to those who cannot afford medicine or health care costs by helping them find programs. For more information, please visit http://www.needymeds.com/.

The Patient Advocate Foundation may be able to assist with legal counseling, insurance, financial issues, job discrimination, and debt crisis matters. To reach this foundation, please call (800) 532–5274, or visit http://www.patientadvocate.org. Their Co-Pay Relief Program may be able to offer assistance for medicine to patients who qualify ( http://www.copays.org).

Certain pharmaceutical manufacturers supply patient assistance in 475 public and private programs. Parameters are available by calling (888) 477–2669 (888-4PPA–NOW) or visiting https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php.

The American Cancer Society provides a workshop (Taking Charge of Money Matters) regarding financial concerns during or after cancer treatment. For more information, please visit http://www.cancer.org/ or call (800) 227–2345.

Community agencies such as United Way, Salvation Army, Lutheran Social Services, Jewish Social Services, and religious charities may offer help and can be found in local phone directories. Plus, certain nonprofit community hospitals and state or local service agencies offer programs funded by state and local governments. They can be found through hospital social workers, the local health department, or by calling the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service: (800) 4–CANCER.

The Internal Revenue Service can also be consulted regarding deductions for costs that insurance may not cover, such as travel, out-of-pocket costs, meals during medical visits and other expenses. Patients can call (800) 829–1040, or visit http://www.irs.gov for more information.

The following include some other additional resources:

GovBenefits: (800) FED–INFO; http://www.govbenefits.gov/
Social Security Administration: (800) 772–1213; http://www.ssa.gov/reach.htm
Supplemental Security Income: http://www.ssa.gov/
Hope Lodge: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/SHR/content/SHR_2.1_x_Hope_Lodge.asp?sitearea=SHR
The Road to Recovery-Patients should contact their local American Cancer Society office.
National Patient Travel Helpline: (800) 296–1217; or visit http://www.patienttravel.org/.