AsbestosAsbestos FAQs
What distinguishes Early, Ludwick, Sweeney & Strauss from other law firms which handle asbestos cases?
Early, Ludwick, Sweeney & Strauss has been specializing in Mesothelioma cases for over twenty years, and we give each of our cases equal care, time, and attention. We make a concerted effort to limit the number of new cases we take on in order to insure that we can devote enough energy to each one of our clients. You will not be lost in the shuffle at Early, Ludwick, Sweeney & Strauss, where we assign separate lawyers and legal assistants to each an every case. Taking cases from the medical-legal standpoint, we value proper medical treatment and care for our clients.
To stay abreast of the latest Mesothelioma treatments and research, our attorneys attend frequent medical conferences. We also put hours of research into analyzing the companies who knowingly exposed our clients to harmful asbestos, making them ill for years to come. The enormous effort and time that Early, Ludwick, Sweeney & Strauss puts into each case is the reason that we have brought scores of Mesothelioma cases to trial, often earning our clients multi-million dollar settlements.
Early, Ludwick, Sweeney & Strauss has offices in New York and Connecticut, but I live in California or Texas. Why should I hire Early, Ludwick, Sweeney & Strauss instead of a local lawyer?
No matter where you were exposed, it is to your benefit to choose a law firm that specializes in Mesothelioma cases. Early, Ludwick, Sweeney & Strauss has been handling these kinds of cases for over twenty years, and we understand the specific issues that must be addressed in these cases. There are also two very specific reasons why you may not want to file your case in the state where you were exposed:
- In certain jurisdictions, such as New York, courts may respond to your asbestos exposure case more favorably. Filing your case in a more receptive jurisdiction may help to earn you a larger settlement.
- Your asbestos exposure may have occurred in more than one state.
For these reasons, the selection of jurisdiction for your case is extremely important. Early, Ludwick, Sweeney & Strauss is an expert at determining where your case should be filed so that your case is worth the most amount of money. When cases are filed in other states, we associate with "local" attorneys from that state, as we have developed an extensive network of the very best attorneys throughout the country. Thus, you will have two of the very best law firms handling your case for the same fee, and at no additional cost to you.
How long will it be before I see any money if I do file a lawsuit?
The length of time it will take before your receive a settlement can vary depending on the severity of your illness. If you are diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, you may receive money as quickly as four months, with your entire case lasting only between six to twelve months.
If I decide to file a lawsuit and bring a case against asbestos companies, how much work will be involved for me?
That is what we are here for. Our job is to make this process as painless and easy for you as possible, and most likely, the hardest thing you will have to do is make the decision to file a lawsuit.
Will my case require that I go to trial?
Most of our cases never see the inside of a courtroom. Generally, cases like yours result in a settlement, and unless you demand a trial, it is unlikely that you will be forced to endure one. If you do have to go to trial, and you are subject to cross examination in a deposition or in court, rules have been established to avoid embarassment and to make the process as uninvasive as possible.
Will it cost me anything to bring a lawsuit?
A lawsuit will cost you nothing. There is no financial risk involved in filing your suit, because Early, Ludwick, Sweeney & Strauss only collects a fee if and when you earn a settlement.
Will I be responsible for huge expenses even if I don't receive any money?
No. Expenses related to your lawsuit are only recovered if you receive settlements. You will not be responsible for any fees or expenses unless Early, Ludwick, Sweeney & Strauss earns you a settlement.
Won't expenses take away a big part of the money to which I am entitled?
No. Expenses can be significant in a lawsuit, but because Early, Ludwick, Sweeney & Strauss has been working in this area for so many years, our expenses in bringing lawsuits are very low. If you receive settlement money prior to trial, expenses tend to run only between 3% to 5% of the moneys received.
Is it possible that my case will be placed in a group or class action settlement?
No. Occasionally, asbestos producers and their lawyers request that we handle a collection of cases as a group. If we agree to this process, cases will then be grouped together according to disease, and cases within each of these disease categories will be assigned a range of settlement values. This procedure means that weaker cases will not overshadow stronger ones, and exceptional cases will not be impaired by weak ones. The best treatment and highest settlements will go to these exceptional cases. In the end though, you as the client must always approve any settlement before it can be finalized.
What if I don't want to settle because I think that value is too low or that I want my day in court?
You are not required to accept a settlement that is less than you think you deserve. Early, Ludwick, Sweeney & Strauss cannot bind you to any settlement without your approval. Additionally, you have the right to your day in court if you do choose to reject your settlement.
