MESOTHELIOMA LAWYER IN FORT LAUDERDALE

The only known cause of Mesothelioma is asbestos exposure, so those affected should be entitled to compensation. Understanding your legal rights is crucial in determining whether you have a valid claim in Fort Lauderdale. To pursue compensation, you must establish key legal elements that prove liability. Here’s what you need to demonstrate:

Exposure to Asbestos

A mesothelioma claim generally requires showing that you were exposed to asbestos. That exposure may have occurred at construction sites, shipyards, industrial facilities, or through contact with asbestos-containing products. Identifying when and where the exposure happened can be an important part of building your case.

Negligence or Liability

You must show that a company, employer, or product manufacturer was responsible for your asbestos exposure. Liability may arise from:

• Failing to warn about the dangers of asbestos
• Providing unsafe working conditions
• Manufacturing or selling asbestos-containing products
• Violating workplace safety regulations

Causation

Showing that asbestos exposure occurred is only part of a mesothelioma claim. You must also connect that exposure to the diagnosis. Medical records, employment history, and expert testimony may help establish that relationship.

Damages

A successful mesothelioma claim must demonstrate that you have suffered damages due to the illness. These may include:

• Medical expenses (diagnostic tests, treatments, surgeries, medications)
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Funeral costs (for wrongful death claims filed by family members)

Given the complexity of mesothelioma cases, consulting with an experienced mesothelioma attorney is the best way to determine if you have a claim. Contact Morgan & Morgan in Fort Lauderdale today for a free case evaluation.

Mesothelioma often develops decades after exposure to asbestos. High-risk occupations include:

• Construction workers handling insulation, roofing, and flooring materials containing asbestos.
• Shipbuilders exposed to asbestos in ship insulation and piping.
• Automotive mechanics working with asbestos-containing brake pads and gaskets.
• Military personnel, particularly Navy Veterans, who served on ships where asbestos was heavily used.
• Industrial workers in factories and power plants where asbestos was a common insulating material.

If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma after asbestos exposure, you may have legal options for pursuing compensation. The process may include:

• Case evaluation: A mesothelioma attorney reviews your medical records, employment history, and possible sources of asbestos exposure.
• Filing a claim: Legal action may be brought against responsible companies, and claims may also be submitted to asbestos trust funds when applicable.
• Discovery: Both sides gather and exchange evidence, which may include medical records, employment documents, and exposure history.
• Settlement negotiations: Many mesothelioma cases are resolved through settlement before trial.
• Trial, if necessary: If the case cannot be resolved through settlement, it may proceed to court.

Some companies connected to asbestos exposure entered bankruptcy and created trust funds to compensate people with asbestos-related illnesses. Filing a claim with one of these trusts is different from pursuing a traditional lawsuit and may involve:

• Showing that you were exposed to asbestos linked to the company, rather than proving negligence in the same way as a lawsuit
• A potentially faster claims process than traditional litigation
• Compensation that varies based on the specific trust and the severity of the illness

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer linked to asbestos exposure. Because it can be difficult to diagnose, doctors may use several different tests, including:

• Imaging scans: X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs may be used to look for abnormalities in the lungs, abdomen, or around the heart.
• Biopsies: A tissue sample may be removed and examined to confirm whether mesothelioma cells are present.
• Blood tests: Certain biomarkers may provide additional information, although blood tests alone generally cannot confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Early detection can be important for treatment, particularly because mesothelioma may progress quickly once symptoms develop.

Mesothelioma is generally classified by the area of the body where the cancer develops:

• Pleural mesothelioma (lungs): The most common form, affecting the lining around the lungs. Symptoms may include chest pain, shortness of breath, and a persistent cough.
• Peritoneal mesothelioma (abdomen): Develops in the lining of the abdomen and may cause abdominal pain, bloating, and digestive problems.
• Pericardial mesothelioma (heart): A rare type that affects the lining surrounding the heart. Symptoms can include chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and difficulty breathing.
• Testicular mesothelioma: The rarest form, affecting the lining of the testicles. Possible symptoms include swelling or lumps in the scrotum.

Yes, family members can file a mesothelioma lawsuit if the patient has passed away. In such cases, the family can file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the deceased. This lawsuit is typically pursued by a surviving spouse, children, or other close family members. The purpose is to seek compensation for the losses the family has suffered due to the loved one's death, including medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and funeral expenses.

The family may also be able to file a survival action, which seeks damages for the deceased person's pain and suffering prior to death.

The laws and filing deadlines for mesothelioma claims can vary from state to state. Speaking with a mesothelioma attorney can help you understand the rules, rights, and legal process that may apply to your case.

It varies because every case is unique and involves multiple complicated factors. For this reason, some cases settle in a few months, while others that go to trial may take longer.

For a clearer picture of what your case may involve and the time it may take to resolve, contact Morgan & Morgan for a free case evaluation.

In a mesothelioma claim, you may be able to recover various types of damages, depending on the circumstances of your case. The primary types of damages you can pursue include:

Compensatory Damages

Below are the most common types of damages in a mesothelioma case, and they are intended to compensate for the actual losses the victim or their family has experienced.

• Medical expenses: Compensation may cover past, ongoing, and future medical expenses related to mesothelioma, including hospital stays, surgeries, chemotherapy, and other necessary care.
• Lost wages: If the patient is unable to work due to their illness, you may be able to recover compensation for the lost income, both past and future.
• Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional distress the victim has endured as a result of the illness.
• Loss of consortium: If a spouse is involved, they may seek compensation for the loss of companionship, affection, and support caused by the illness.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages may be available when a defendant’s conduct is found to be especially reckless, intentional, or wrongful. These damages are meant to punish serious misconduct and discourage similar behavior in the future. In mesothelioma cases, they may be pursued when a responsible party allegedly knew about the dangers of asbestos exposure but continued to expose workers anyway.

Wrongful Death Damages

If the mesothelioma patient has passed away, the surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim. This can include:

• Funeral and burial expenses: Compensation for the cost of funeral and burial services.
• Loss of financial support: If the deceased provided financial support for the family, you may recover damages for the loss of that support.
• Emotional distress: Compensation for the emotional and psychological impact of losing a loved one.

Loss of Household Services

If the deceased was the primary caretaker or did significant household work, the family may be entitled to compensation for the loss of those services.

The specific damages available in your case will depend on the jurisdiction, the circumstances of exposure to asbestos, and the severity of the illness. Consulting with a mesothelioma attorney in Florida can help you understand what types of damages you may be eligible for in your specific case.

Yes, attorneys can help identify exposure sources through employment history, military records, and product usage.

For a clearer picture of your legal options, contact Morgan & Morgan for a free case evaluation.

Mesothelioma claims are generally filed against manufacturers, distributors, and/or sellers of asbestos products who knew or should have known the dangers of asbestos exposure, such as ship, turbine, or construction material manufacturers. We do not pursue claims against the government, military, or the VA.

The asbestos manufacturing companies pay – this does not come from taxpayer dollars.

Even when a manufacturing company has filed for bankruptcy, claims are paid out through a bankruptcy trust. This is money that comes from the asbestos companies’ insurance, purchased years ago to protect themselves against these claims.

After working with mesothelioma clients for more than 15 years, we understand the physical, mental, and emotional toll this disease can take. We try to keep the demands on our clients as minimal as possible so they can focus on treatment, rest, and their well-being.

A client may be asked to:

• Meet with their attorney initially. This can often be done by phone or Zoom, depending on what works best for the client.
• Discuss their work and exposure history. This may include where they worked, which asbestos-containing products they believe they were exposed to, and any other potential sources of asbestos exposure, including exposure through others.
• Give a deposition. Think of this as recorded testimony or a legal question-and-answer session. Depositions often do not require the client to appear in person and may be conducted electronically. Our team will help prepare the client and provide the materials they need.
• Be available to review and sign paperwork as the case moves forward.

Our goal is to make the process as manageable as possible while handling as much of the legal work as we can on the client’s behalf.

How frequently a client is contacted depends on the stage of the case. In the beginning stages, they may be contacted more frequently to allow the attorney and investigators to get more details about their exposure or ask new questions.

Further into the case, the client will be contacted if they are needed to sign necessary documents or leading up to any legal interviews.

Clients are always welcome to contact our legal team if they have questions or would like updates.

The timeline can vary from case to case. When we file a lawsuit, our goal is to move the case toward trial as efficiently as possible, with the trial date serving as an important milestone in the process.

Some cases may also involve bankruptcy trust claims, which can follow separate timelines and payment schedules. While those claims may continue independently, much of the litigation may be resolved by the time the case reaches trial or another resolution.

While we hope this is never the case, in the event that a client passes away before a claim is settled, the case will continue with the next of kin. If there are any questions or concerns regarding this, please reach out to our firm.

Mesothelioma cases often involve unique legal considerations, such as asbestos trust funds established for compensation and varying filing deadlines depending on state laws.

At Morgan & Morgan, we fight for mesothelioma victims and their families. Our experienced attorneys can help you navigate the legal process and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

No. Consultations at Morgan & Morgan are completely free. We believe everyone deserves access to legal advice, regardless of their financial situation.

Hiring one of our asbestos litigation lawyers in Fort Lauderdale is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation on our site or by phone.

When you hire Morgan & Morgan, you gain the support of America’s Largest Injury Law Firm, with more than 1,100 lawyers and attorneys licensed in every state.

Your case will be handled by a dedicated team of professionals, including Mesothelioma lawyers, paralegals, and support staff. You will be assigned a care team that includes a primary attorney who will oversee your case and ensure you receive personalized attention throughout the process.

After your initial consultation about your asbestos claim, your care team will schedule regular meetings to discuss your case, provide updates, and prepare you for any upcoming proceedings. We are committed to maintaining open lines of communication and keeping you informed every step of the way.

These meetings can be handled in person, virtually, and by phone, depending on your case’s requirements and your ability to do so.

Morgan & Morgan’s mesothelioma lawyers in Fort Lauderdale work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that there are no upfront fees or expenses until your asbestos case comes to a successful conclusion, whether by a mesothelioma settlement or trial verdict. That’s right—The Fee Is Free™, and you only pay if we win.

Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict amount, ensuring we are motivated to achieve the best possible outcome for you.

At Morgan & Morgan in Fort Lauderdale, our team of experienced mesothelioma attorneys has successfully represented countless clients in similar situations, securing millions in compensation. As the largest personal injury law firm in the country with over 1,100 lawyers nationwide, we have the resources, knowledge, and dedication to fight for your rights.

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t have to pay unless we win your case. Morgan & Morgan believes justice should be accessible to all, so our motto is the Fee Is Free™—you only pay if we win.

We fight for individuals and families affected by mesothelioma, holding negligent companies accountable for asbestos exposure. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed, you don’t have to face this battle alone. Contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free case evaluation and learn more about your legal options.