If something has gone amiss in your life and you feel someone else should be held accountable, you might consider filing a lawsuit. For example, you may have contracted mesothelioma after asbestos exposure and want to sue for damages. You feel that it’s a great idea and the right thing to do, but you’re not sure how to get started. Should you contact the at-fault party? Should you contact the court? Should the doctor who diagnosed your disease do something? The following should get you started on the right path.
Speak with a Lawyer
The very first thing you need to do is speak with a lawyer. Though there are general practice lawyers, if you have been exposed to asbestos you want a lawyer with experience in dealing with that kind of case, like an asbestos lawyer in Maryland. Asbestos cases are tricky because of the statute of limitations. Unlike personal injury cases in which you typically know exactly how, where, and when you were injured, it could take some detective work and some deep searching into your past to figure out when you were exposed.
While the statute of limitations doesn’t typically begin until discovery or diagnosis, you still have to figure out whom to file a claim against. Keep in mind, asbestos-related disease can manifest itself up to twenty years after exposure. If you moved around a lot during that time, you may not be sure where exposure took place. With an experienced lawyer on your side, you’ll more easily be able to navigate the complexities of the situation.
File a Complaint
After you have secured a lawyer you trust, it’s time to file the complaint. Your lawyer can help you properly fill out the documents required. In the paperwork, details of your claim will be outlined so that the defendant can offer an answer to the court. Your allegations should be honest and complete to the best of your knowledge so that the case can move ahead smoothly.
Getting Started Today
As you can see, perhaps the most important step in filing a lawsuit is contacting a lawyer for assistance. Whether you know exactly where your asbestos exposure happened or need some direction in finding out, let an attorney take the reins and guide you through the process of litigation. Contact an asbestos lawyer today to obtain the representation that you deserve to fight your case.
Thanks to Brown Kiely, LLP for their insight into filing an asbestos lawsuit.