Many decades ago, when the effects of asbestos exposure became painfully apparent to manufacturers and users of this material, many companies made a very expensive mistake. They continued to use asbestos, exposing many employees to it on a daily basis. Many companies failed to tell their workers about the risks and hazards faced by this exposure, and simply let them continue their work and breathe in the asbestos dust. This was a mistake that was to cost these companies millions of dollars in years to come. Worse still, it was to cost many of their employees their lives.

Mesothelioma has a very long latency period, and it can be decades after the exposure to asbestos before the disease manifests itself. That’s why many people are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos thirty, forty, even fifty years ago. And with the diagnosis of the disease comes the right for the sufferer to file a lawsuit against the companies responsible for their death sentence.

There are a great many lawyers who now specialize in mesothelioma lawsuits, and many of them have been successful in obtaining multi-million dollar settlements for their clients. They encourage anyone that is diagnosed with mesothelioma to file a lawsuit, and will only take a fee if they are successful in securing compensation for the client.

However, mesothelioma patients must file their lawsuit almost immediately upon diagnosis. Many states have placed a time limit on filing a mesothelioma lawsuit, and is a claim is not made as soon as possible it may be too late. It is therefore important for sufferers to contact a specialist law firm and check how long they have to file their lawsuit.

For the families and loved ones of mesothelioma patients who have already passed away, the regulations are slightly different. However, the lawsuit must still be filed as soon as possible, and it is highly recommended that these families make contact with a suitably experienced lawyer as soon as possible.

You may also be eligible to file a lawsuit if you suffer from respiratory problems and are the close family member of someone who worked with asbestos. Because asbestos fibres and dust were often carried on the clothes of worker, this material often found its way into their homes thus exposing other family members to the dangers. It is quite possible that the family members could have contracted an asbestos-related disease even from this minimal exposure.

Whatever your connection with an asbestos-relates disease – whether you are a sufferer of mesothelioma, a family member who suffers from a related disorder, or a family member who is claiming on behalf of a deceased loved one – it is important that you look into filing your lawsuit as soon as possible to increase your chances of a successful settlement. There are many legal options which your lawyer will need to discuss with you in detail. In addition to this, the law firm may have to hire an investigator to determine when and where you or your loved one was exposed to asbestos. All this takes time, and with the time limitations that are set in most states, it means that you need to get the ball rolling as soon as you can.

Although it is impossible to say when you will receive a settlement, how much you will get, or even whether your lawsuit will be successful, all mesothelioma sufferers or their families are entitled to look into the matter of filing a lawsuit. With most lawyers working on a contingency fee basis – that is, a percentage of whatever your final settlement figure is – you will not need to worry about upfront costs or paying your lawyer if your lawsuit is unsuccessful.

By contacting an experienced mesothelioma lawyer at the earliest opportunity, you can discuss the various options and the lawyer will inform you of the viability of your lawsuit and whether you should proceed.