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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 What
Are The Stages Of The Lawsuit And What Is My Involvement?
Many of our clients have never been involved in a lawsuit. Although each case is
different, there are some common elements to every case:
FIRST CONTACT
Our first contact with you is a personal telephone call from Mr. Belluck or Mr.
Fox. During that telephone call, if we determine that you should pursue a legal
claim, we will schedule an appointment to meet with you within one week. During
that initial meeting, which can be at your home or in our office, we:
- explain the process of filing and prosecuting a lawsuit;
- explore your work, life and medical history; and,
- obtain signed authorizations to get copies of medical and employment records
During the meeting, if we conclude that there is a reasonable chance of a
successful outcome, we will present you with a retainer agreement. A retainer is
a legal fee agreement between Belluck & Fox and our clients that explains
the legal fees and other terms related to our representation. The attorney who
meets with you will explain the details of this agreement.
FILING THE COMPLAINT
After researching and investigating the responsible companies, we file an
individual legal claim on your behalf in a state court. These companies include
manufacturers, distributors, suppliers and installers of asbestos materials.
These companies are the defendants in your case.
We do not sue your employer(s), because this is generally prohibited by workers'
compensation laws. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants are responsible for
manufacturing, selling and/or installing defective asbestos products and
equipment, caused you to be exposed to asbestos and that they failed to warn you
of the dangers of asbestos. The defendants have approximately one month to
answer the allegations in your complaint.
PROSECUTING THE CASE
The first consideration is your health. We will do everything possible to
respect your privacy and minimize any further disruptions in your life. We may
ask the court to advance your case quickly so we can assure you a fast
resolution of your case, usually no longer than one year from the filing of the
complaint.
Once the Court issues a schedule for your case, the discovery phase of your case
begins. This means that we secure all of the evidence necessary to prove that
the corporations we sued on your behalf are held responsible for your injuries.
As part of this process, you will testify at a deposition and answer questions
about your background. We arrange for your deposition to be conducted at a
location which is convenient for you, even, if necessary, at your home. Of
course, Belluck & Fox will be present at every step of the process.
We also conduct a thorough investigation in your case, including talking to your
co-workers, demanding documents from the asbestos companies and reviewing your
medical history. We also hire medical and other experts to help us in the case.
We wish to emphasize that most, if not all, of the work required to prosecute
your case is undertaken by Belluck & Fox, and does not require us to disturb
you or your family.
SETTLEMENTS
As the case progresses, some defendants may seek to resolve your case for fair
value settlements. In many instances a case will settle your prior to the date
that the trial is scheduled to begin.
TRIAL
If we do not receive a full and fair settlement for your claims, we will advise
you of the options for trial. During the trial, we will present testimony and
evidence in support of your claim. We will also have medical and other experts
testify on your behalf. Belluck & Fox are experienced trial lawyers and will
fully represent you and your family in every phase of the trial.
Belluck & Fox provides individualized and professional representation from
the first client meeting to the last appeal in your case. If you have been
diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis or lung cancer, contact Belluck &
Fox, by clicking here.
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Asbestos & Mesothelioma Medical FAQs
-
What is asbestos?
-
What types of injuries
are caused by asbestos?
-
What trades and
occupations work with asbestos?
-
What types of products
contain asbestos?
-
Could I have been
exposed to asbestos in my home?
-
Why was asbestos used in building and insulation
products?
-
What did companies know and when did they know it?
- What is Mesothelioma? How do you get Mesothelioma?
-
What are the symptoms
of Mesothelioma?
-
How is Mesothelioma
diagnosed?
-
What is the medical staging of
Mesothelioma?
-
What are the
treatment options for those diagnosed with Mesothelioma?
-
How do I locate and participate in
clinical trials?
Legal Help FAQs
-
What Legal Options Are
Available To Individuals Injured By Asbestos?
-
If I Don't Remember How I
was Exposed To Asbestos, What Can I Do?
-
What Are The Stages Of
The Lawsuit And What Is My Involvement?
-
How Do You Prove Which
Asbestos Companies Are Responsible For My Injury?
-
Will You File My Case As
A Class Action Or As An Individual Lawsuit?
-
What If My Loved One Had
Died Or Is Too Sick To Speak To An Attorney?
-
Do I Have To Pay For The
Costs Of My Lawsuit?
-
Are There Time Limits
For Filing A Legal Claim?
-
If I Smoked Cigarettes,
Can I Still File A Claim Against The Asbestos Companies?
-
Which Companies Are Sued
In Asbestos Cases?
-
I Have Read About Many
Asbestos Companies Filing For Bankruptcy, How Do These Bankruptcies Affect My
Case?
-
Which Asbestos Companies
Are Bankrupt Or Out Of Business?
-
How Can I Find Out If I
Should File An Asbestos Lawsuit?
-
Is There Going To Be A
Trial In My Lawsuit?
-
How Long Will It Take
For My Lawsuit To Be Completed?
-
How Do I Know That
Belluck & Fox Will Treat My Family With Dignity And Give Individual Attention
To My Case?
-
Can I Contact You On
Behalf Of My Father, Husband Or Relative?
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evaluation, please complete
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