Common Questions
Q: How much will this lawsuit cost me?
A: You will never write a check to this law firm. Attorney fees are on a contingency basis. In the event that no money is received from the lawsuit, we will never charge you, the client, for those costs that may have incurred from the case.
Q: What if I don’t feel well enough to come to the trial?
A: We work very quickly from the time you contact us to make sure we get all the information as soon as possible. In addition, we videotape your testimony so that regardless of your condition on the day of trial we have a video that we can show the jury.
Q: My loved one recently passed away from mesothelioma, do I still have a lawsuit?
A: In Illinois you can file a lawsuit up to two (2) years after the date of death. However, there are exceptions to the statute of limitations and just because it’s been more than two years doesn’t necessarily mean a lawsuit cannot be filed. Such a determination must be made on a case by case basis.
Q: I don’t live in Chicago can you still represent me?
A: Yes. Our attorneys have represented people with mesothelioma from across the country. The first consultation is generally at your home, wherever you live. Medical care is first priority and we will work around your schedule and abilities when it comes to bringing this lawsuit. If after the meeting a determination is made that the case cannot be filed in Illinois, we will work in conjunction with other lawyers throughout the nation to insure that your case is filed in the proper jurisdiction. This will not result in a higher fee, you will simply have more lawyers at your disposal.
Q: I am incredibly busy trying to run my own life and take care of my loved one who has been recently diagnosed with mesothelioma. Do I have time to work with a lawyer and file a lawsuit while dealing with his/her disease?
A: Getting the information and work history directly from the person with mesothelioma is extremely helpful in the lawsuit. We work to minimize any intrusion this case may have on your every day life.
Q: How long will the lawsuit take?
A: It generally takes about a year and half if the case is filed in Chicago. Sometimes it can be as short as nine months and other times it may take up to two years.
Q: How much money will I get from the case?
A: Cases settle for varying amounts depending on the types of exposure to asbestos products. Some cases may end up with no money due to lack of exposure to asbestos products. Other cases have ended up with verdicts for millions of dollars. There is no guarantee of recovery and without a consultation it is impossible to put a value on a case.
Q: My employer has been very good to me for the last forty years and I don’t want to sue him. Do I still have a lawsuit?
A: In Illinois the general rule is that we don’t sue employers because they are protected under the Worker’s Compensation Act. In addition, if there is a particular defendant or entity that you don’t want to sue, for whatever reason, then that entity will not be sued.
Q: I don’t know what asbestos-containing products I was exposed to or how I got my mesothelioma. Should I still bother to contact a lawyer?
A: In the 1960′s and 1970′s there were thousands of products that contained asbestos. Until we speak with you, you may have no idea that the products that you used twenty, thirty or forty years ago had asbestos in them. Don’t be discouraged simply because you do not recall asbestos exposure at this point.