How Long Does It Take to Settle a Mesothelioma Lawsuit In North Carolina? 2024

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and you have grounds to pursue legal recourse, it is natural to wonder, how long does it take to settle a mesothelioma lawsuit in North Carolina? The answer varies from case to case, and some factors in your case may extend the time required to reach a settlement while others may expedite the settlement process. An experienced attorney can provide an estimate for your case’s likely timetable.

Elements of a Mesothelioma Lawsuit

If you have developed mesothelioma, your condition was the result of asbestos exposure, the only known cause of this form of cancer. If you are to have grounds to file a personal injury claim in response to your diagnosis, you must be ready to prove that another party is directly responsible for your asbestos exposure. Success with any personal injury case requires proof that a defendant directly caused your claimed damages.

An experienced North Carolina mesothelioma lawyer can be an essential resource for this type of personal injury case. Many attorneys do not accept mesothelioma claims due to the high volume of research and intense investigation they require, but the team at Wallace & Graham, P.A., focuses on these cases to provide effective representation to those who need it most. We can help you identify the party responsible for your mesothelioma and hold them accountable.

Asbestos exposure can take years to cause mesothelioma to develop, and it is possible for a single exposure to be enough to cause mesothelioma in the future. This makes it very difficult for some victims to determine exactly when and where they were exposed. Your attorney will need to carefully review several types of documentation in order to identify the party responsible for the asbestos exposure that caused your mesothelioma.

Recovering Compensation for Mesothelioma

If you file a personal injury suit for mesothelioma, it is possible to claim compensation for any economic damages related to your condition, such as medical treatment costs and lost income if you are unable to work due to the disease. Additionally, you have the right to claim pain and suffering compensation. If the defendant is clearly liable for your asbestos exposure, they will generally try to settle the case outside of court as quickly as possible.

During settlement negotiations, the plaintiff and their attorney meet privately with the defendant and their attorney to discuss mutually acceptable terms for resolving the case. This may take some time, but it is typically faster than a trial. When you have an experienced attorney representing you, you are more likely to reach a positive conclusion to settlement negotiations in a timely manner.

Settlement may only take a few weeks to a few months, whereas a trial can take more than a year to complete. However, there are potential benefits and drawbacks to both settlement and litigation in any mesothelioma case. Your attorney can help you make informed decisions when it comes to pursuing compensation for mesothelioma with a personal injury suit.

Mesothelioma Lawsuit FAQs

Q: How Much Is a Mesothelioma Lawsuit Worth?

A: The value of a mesothelioma lawsuit in the state hinges on multiple variables. If you are filing a personal injury claim, you can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, your lost future earning capacity, and the pain and suffering you have experienced. If you file a claim to a mesothelioma injury trust, you may not be able to recover as much as you could from a personal injury suit, but this type of claim typically settles more quickly.

Q: How Do I Prove Liability for Mesothelioma?

A: Proving liability for mesothelioma requires proving exactly when, where, and how you developed the disease. The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure, so you will need to do extensive research and investigation to determine the source of the exposure that caused your condition. Once you have determined the source, your attorney can advise you as to whether any other party is liable for your condition.

Q: Do I Need a Lawyer to Settle a Mesothelioma Lawsuit?

A: Yes, you need a lawyer to settle a mesothelioma lawsuit to ensure you secure as much compensation as possible. One of the biggest mistakes anyone can make with a mesothelioma claim in North Carolina is attempting to negotiate a settlement on their own. They may accept a much lower payout than an attorney could have obtained for them, and they will be unable to revisit the claim again to seek additional compensation.

Q: What Happens if I Cannot Settle a Personal Injury Suit?

A: If you cannot settle your personal injury suit in the state, you will need to take the case to court. Litigation will take much longer, and the judge or jury overseeing the case will have the final say concerning liability for your damages and the amount of compensation owed to you by the defendant, if any. However, while litigation will take longer than settlement, it is possible to secure more compensation with a trial verdict than you could have secured through settlement.

Q: What Does It Cost to Hire a North Carolina Mesothelioma Attorney?

A: The cost to hire a North Carolina mesothelioma attorney will depend on the attorney’s billing policy. At Wallace & Graham, P.A., we take mesothelioma cases on contingency, meaning we only collect a fee from our clients if and when we win their cases. If we do win, our fee is a percentage of the total amount recovered for the client. If we are unable to recover compensation, the client pays nothing.

The compassionate team at Wallace & Graham, P.A., has successfully helped many clients throughout the state settle complex mesothelioma cases, and we are also experienced litigators when a trial is unavoidable. If you are concerned about how long it could take to settle a mesothelioma claim, trust our team to expedite your case as much as possible. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our team and learn more about the services we provide.