Thursday, June 11, 2009

Choosing an Asbestos Lawyer in Michigan

By Bart Icles

Asbestosis is an awful medical condition contracted from exposure to asbestos or materials and substances that contain harmful levels of asbestos. An asbestos diagnosis is bad enough. Matters get worse as you start to think about medical treatment, medical bills, emotional effects on your family and on yourself, lost time at work, lost income due to sickness, and many other things. The last thing you would want to fail at is getting a lawyer who can best help you in this time of need. In Michigan, there are a lot of lawyers who specialize in asbestos lawsuits. Many of them can help you claim the appropriate compensation for damages you have sustained due to an asbestosis diagnosis. However, not all asbestos lawyers in Michigan can offer you the same kind of help. It is therefore important that you choose your lawyer well.

Before you head out on your hunt for an asbestos lawyer in Michigan, you must understand that you are looking for someone who can represent you legally, not a best friend. Keep in mind that you will be building a professional relationship with your lawyer, not a personal one. It is important to note that you will be building more or less a business relationship with a Michigan asbestos lawyer.

Do not hire a lawyer immediately after seeing their ad on TV or in the phonebook. Do not allow yourself to be amazed by superfluous ads. Great advertisements do not always translate to quality performance and assistance. Always check the background of a prospective lawyer. Review his record of asbestos cases - how many has he handled, how many has he seen being litigated in the court of law, and his win-loss record.

You can check the background of a Michigan asbestos lawyer from local bar associations. You can also ask relatives and friends who might know the lawyer and how he has helped his previous clients. Feedback is always a nice thing to hear. You can also browse the internet for recommendations from previous clients or fellow attorneys.

You can also browse online directories of lawyers in Michigan who specialize in asbestos litigation. Local libraries also have listings of lawyers in the area, including their contact numbers, office addresses, and field of specialization. It would not be a lot of help to hire a real estate lawyer if your case at hand is on asbestos and asbestosis.

Another area you might want to consider is payment options. Different kinds of lawyers ask their clients for payment in different ways. There are those who give free initial consultations, there are those who charge per visit or consultation, and there are those who refuse to accept payment until the case is taken to court or unless his client is able to collect payment for damages.

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