Written by Joe Lahav, Esquire | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: December 21, 2023

Why Hire a Boston Mesothelioma Lawyer?

Hiring a Boston mesothelioma lawyer benefits your case because attorneys who specialize in asbestos-related disease lawsuits have years of experience and success winning similar cases. A local attorney in Boston can provide a free case review to determine your eligibility to file a lawsuit and inform you of potential compensation options.

Working With Boston Attorneys
  • Local attorneys provide the advantage of familiarity with your area’s most common sources of asbestos exposure. Their prior knowledge and experience with cases similar to yours increase your chances of reaching a favorable settlement, while you also benefit from their advice and guidance.
  • A local attorney is able to meet in person in an office setting. However, top attorneys also provide options for immunocompromised people, such as home visits and video conferences.
  • When selecting a mesothelioma attorney, it’s important to choose someone who has both local knowledge and access to national resources. Nationwide law firms with lawyers available anywhere in the U.S. provide support and have great success rates.

Expertise and access to critical resources both influence the outcome of your lawsuit. Top asbestos attorneys at national firms have nationwide availability and experience with state and federal legislation. These large law firms also have access to international asbestos databases and other resources essential for winning your case and getting you the compensation you deserve.

When Do You Need to Hire a Mesothelioma Attorney?

It’s best to seek out an experienced mesothelioma lawyer in Boston as soon as you receive a mesothelioma diagnosis. The legal process can be lengthy, so getting started as soon as possible with an experienced law firm can help ensure your claim is successful.

Every state has a statute of limitations that typically begins from the date of diagnosis and not the date of exposure. Massachusetts residents have three years to file a claim after a diagnosis of mesothelioma. 

A top asbestos lawyer, however, will be able to determine the best timing and location to file depending on where your exposure took place, the defendants involved and other variables. Mesothelioma lawyers in each state will advise you on the best options you have for filing a case. National law firms have experience handling cases across the nation and can provide you with valuable insights. 

Asbestos Exposure in Boston

Several prevalent occupations in the Boston area, such as shipyard work, exposed workers to asbestos in Massachusetts, especially before the 1970s. Legacy asbestos still presents risks and the state ranks 11th in the United States for mesothelioma and asbestosis deaths. 

Known Asbestos Exposure Sites in Boston:

  • Blackburn & Union Privileges Superfund Site: Previous use of the land caused pollution from asbestos and other toxins. Efforts to restore 22 acres of land continue. 
  • Boston Naval Shipyard: The shipyard closed in the 1970s following a report detailing findings of 300 asbestos-containing components on each ship. 
  • Healy Elementary School in Fall River: The act of tearing down the school released asbestos into the area. Authorities found demolition crews in violation of the Massachusetts Clean Air Act, exposing both workers and residents to asbestos. 
  • Somerville Public School: A Massachusetts school closed down after officials found asbestos in materials that don’t normally contain the toxin. 
  • Worcester renovations: A contractor violated asbestos regulations while renovating a property in Worcester, causing exposure risks and spurring clean-up efforts.

W.R. Grace, a company known for making asbestos-containing products like insulation, cement and plaster, had a facility outside of Boston in Acton, MA that became a superfund site. The company’s asbestos products were installed in homes throughout the U.S. W.R. Grace asbestos trusts have paid millions of dollars in personal injury claims and clean-up efforts. 

With the knowledge that asbestos causes serious health consequences, laws and regulations have come into effect to hold companies responsible for putting people at risk. The Massachusetts Clean Air Act, for example, outlines the safe handling, transport and disposal of asbestos. 

Boston Occupations & Industries Known for Asbestos Exposure

The workplace is the primary way people in Massachusetts are exposed to asbestos. Workers in industries known for high levels of occupational exposure may not show symptoms for decades after initial exposure.

Boston Workplaces With High Asbestos Exposure Risk

  • Auto parts factories
  • Power plants
  • Schools
  • Shipyards
  • Textile mills

Asbestos exposure causes several health issues, including mesothelioma, when fibers become airborne and people inhale them. While current regulations, increased use of personal safety equipment and safe handling practices have reduced exposure, there are still risks associated with legacy asbestos that remains in older machine parts and facilities.

Secondary Asbestos Exposure

Like primary asbestos exposure, secondary exposure may cause mesothelioma and other diseases. Secondary or take-home exposure happens when laborers exposed to asbestos during their jobs bring the fibers home on their bodies and clothing. Family members then come into contact with the asbestos through contaminated clothing, furniture or even hugging one another. 

Secondary exposure is most common in women and children. In the 1970s, the United States enacted regulations to help stop indirect exposure. Requiring employers to provide showers and changing facilities encouraged workers to wash away clinging asbestos fibers before returning home. 

How to Find The Right Boston Mesothelioma Lawyer

Choosing a Boston asbestos or mesothelioma attorney is an important step toward getting you adequate compensation for your medical bills, ongoing treatments and other needs. Working with a law firm with a record of success can improve your chances of receiving the financial compensation you need.

What to Look for in a Mesothelioma Lawyer

  • A track record showing a long and successful history of fighting on behalf of their client’s best interests
  • Access to relevant informational databases
  • Clear and easy-to-understand communication regarding complex legal matters
  • Free case evaluations to determine eligibility to file a lawsuit while showcasing their abilities for you to consider
  • Knowledge of possible compensation options
  • Nationwide reach emphasizing their knowledge and ability to litigate asbestos cases in different states
  • Years of experience specializing in asbestos cases

Select a lawyer you can work comfortably with during all steps of the legal process. Take the time to talk to potential candidates. Ask your questions and get a feel for how you interact. 

Look for someone who makes you feel comfortable speaking openly. Also consider who meets your personal requirements such as preferred communication methods, frequency of contact, local availability and other qualities important to you. 

Boston Mesothelioma Law Firms

Residents of Boston looking for a skilled lawyer can choose from several prominent firms in the state. You may wish to narrow your attorney search to those who work for a nationwide law firm to ensure you get the best advice regarding which state to file your lawsuit.

Weitz and Luxenburg
  • $8.5 Billion Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • Rated #1 by U.S. News & World Report for 2022
Simmons Hanly Conroy Logo
  • $8.9 Billion Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • Rated a Tier 1 Law Firm in 2022 by U.S. News & World Report
meirowitz & wasserberg logo
  • $200 Million Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • Rated in the Top 10 Asbestos and Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers
Nemeroff Law Firm Logo
  • $500 Million Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • Rated a “Hall of Fame” law firm by The Legal 500
Cooney & Conway Logo
  • $7 Billion Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • Rated a National Tier 1 Firm by U.S. News & World Report in 2022

Mesothelioma law firms specialize in asbestos law and have experience reaching a settlement and getting you compensation. They handle asbestos litigation for personal injury claims, trust fund claims and wrongful death suits. Boston mesothelioma lawyers understand the emotional aspect of working for people with mesothelioma and can provide you with compassionate support while you fight for your rights.

What Is It Like to Work With a Boston Mesothelioma Lawyer? 

Hiring a mesothelioma lawyer gives you the support and expertise you require to build your case with the best chance for success. Every lawsuit claim is different, but most resolve in under 18 months. While the complex legal system may seem overwhelming, a case consists of five basic steps from start to finish. 

Asbestos Litigation Steps

  1. Schedule a consultation with a mesothelioma lawyer to discuss your case and the best option to pursue.
  2. Confirm your eligibility through documentation of your exposure and diagnosis.
  3. File the lawsuit. Your attorney will handle this and all other legal steps for you. 
  4. Build the case during the discovery period. Your lawyer will gather information, and conduct research, interviews and depositions to build a solid case with evidence to back up your claims. 
  5. Reach a resolution through settlement or trial and verdict. A settlement offer resolves most cases.

Working with an attorney who specializes in mesothelioma cases can give you the peace of mind you need to put your health first while knowing your case is in the hands of an expert. Your lawyer will complete each step of the legal process on your behalf, from filing the lawsuit to reaching a resolution. 

How Do I Know If I’m Eligible for Compensation?

Speak with an experienced attorney who specializes in malignant mesothelioma cases to discover if you qualify to receive financial compensation. As part of your free consultation, your attorney will need information regarding your exposure, diagnosis, work history and medical records. If you have a case, your lawyer then gathers the necessary documentation and proof needed to build a strong case. 

Your attorney understands how difficult it is to undergo treatment for cancer while pursuing legal action. They’ll take care of each step of the process for you, working hard to get you the compensation you deserve so you can focus on your physical and emotional health.

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