Why do I Need an Attorney for a PFAS Cancer Lawsuit?
Getting a Lawyer for a Firefighting Foam Cancer Lawsuit
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances also known as PFAS have caused the development of cancer and other severe health issues among an unprecedented number of Americans due to the gross negligence of several major chemical companies. Companies such as Dupont, 3M, and Chemour knowingly polluted water supplies with and sold products containing dangerous amounts of PFAS. Now consumers and other people unwittingly exposed to PFAS are attempting to take legal action to try and hold these chemical companies accountable and get compensation for the damages they suffered because of PFAS exposure. The best thing that one can do when considering this course of action is to speak to an attorney.
PFAS Cancer Lawsuits and Hiring a Lawyer
Many people may wonder why they should even bother hiring a lawyer. It's pretty obvious that they were hurt and the party that caused the injury is clearly responsible. Shouldn't getting compensation be simple? Despite what you may believe about the circumstances of your case, seeking compensation in a civil lawsuit is rarely simple. Every case is unique and comes with its own set of challenges and curveballs that can easily ruin a person's chances of getting the compensation that they need.
If you are going to file a lawsuit against the companies responsible for exposing you to PFAS then you should know that you will be among thousands of plaintiffs of similar circumstances that are all looking for compensation just like you. Like them, you will be going up against a defendant that is one of the most wealthy and powerful companies in the world that has seemingly unlimited resources and money to power the defense against a very high profile flood of class action lawsuits. You owe it to yourself to enlist the assistance of an expert in order to handle such an undertaking.
Lawyer Knowledge and Experience is Invaluable
You may be very capable, well-read, and an excellent debater but that counts for nothing when you try to handle your own lawsuit and lack the proper education and experience. Lawyers on average will spend around 7 to 8 years in school learning the ins and outs of their trade and then start to practice law. Even then, it isn't until a lawyer has several years of experience under their belt that they can be considered a top provider of legal representation.
Put simply, the law is complicated. There are all kinds of loopholes, formalities, and nuances that come with the law and the only way to avoid a mistake in your case caused by one of these is education and experience which only a good attorney can provide.
For example, an experienced lawyer will be able to determine whether or not you can challenge a piece of evidence that has been introduced to the case on grounds that it was not obtained properly. They are also very adept at assessing witness testimony in order to root out any contractions someone may state in regard to previous testimony which can greatly help your case.
Filing the Right Documents at the Right Time
Having an attorney assist you with your case can also help you with a seemingly innocuous aspect of your lawsuit. Paperwork. Which documents and when can have a very large effect on your case. A good attorney will have experience in dealing with this clerical aspect of the lawsuit. They will know how to avoid very common mistakes people make like filling out forms improperly, the deadlines for filing certain documents, as well as the proper protocol for filing certain documents. Believe it or not, many a promising case has descended into catastrophe over a single document filed improperly.
Attorneys Have Resources You Don't
When filing a lawsuit over PFAS exposure, a plaintiff needs to be able to prove that they have suffered an injury due to their exposure, show that the defendant is responsible for the exposure and liable for the damages the injury causes, and also be able to properly claim and quantify the damages that they suffered. An attorney will typically have resources to help you do this effectively. Lawyers will often work with investigators that can help gather evidence for your case, they can also get in touch with experts that can provide testimony about the severity of your injuries, as well as help you calculate the extent of damages PFAS exposure may cause you.
Not Having an Attorney Can Actually Lose You Money
Trying to take on a PFAS lawsuit on your own can potentially lose you money. There are a number of costs that can come up in your lawsuits like form filing fees, court costs, expert fees, travel expenses, etc. that may not seem all that large on their own but can add up to a significant investment. Lawsuits require significant investments of not just resources but time as well which can cost you even more potential income. Without a lawyer, you can easily make a mistake that can either cost you your case or force you to settle for a payout that won't even help you break even.
Good attorneys know how to handle this and understand the financial situation their clients are coming to them with. This is why personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. Your lawyer does not get paid by the hour or upfront to have their services secured. Instead, they make an agreement with their client to take a portion of the compensation they manage to get you. This is usually a 33% portion of the total compensation although this can change depending on the attorney. In addition to this, if your attorney fails to get you any compensation they are not entitled to payment from you. This ensures that they are just as invested in the success of your case as you are.
Getting a Lawyer for Your PFAS Lawsuit
Since many people are looking to file lawsuits because of damages caused by PFAS exposure the demand for experienced attorneys that can effectively fight on the behalf of those harmed by chemical company negligence has grown significantly. It is important to remember that when looking for a lawyer to assist you in an endeavor such as this you don't make the mistake of getting the wrong kind of legal assistance.
Many people have a lot of preconceived notions regarding attorneys, what they do, how to get one, etc. that can be very far from the actual truth. Getting the right help can make all the difference when seeking compensation for PFAS caused damages.
Get the Right Kind of Attorney
Make sure that you hire an attorney that specializes in dealing with cases like yours. In this case, you would want to go to a personal injury law firm that has handled lawsuits over harmful products that negligent companies distributed.
You may know some lawyers already that have helped you with different cases successfully but that does not mean they can help you with every legal issue that you may have. Take the time to make sure that your attorney has not only the right specialization in the legal field appropriate for your case but also make sure they have experience in handling similar cases to yours successfully.
Seek an Experienced Florida Product Liability Attorney
We rely on the producers of various chemical products to provide us with the proper safety information necessary to ensure that those using their product do so aware of any potential risks to their health. If you have developed cancer or another severe illness because of a company's product that contained dangerous ingredients you were unaware of, you may be able to seek compensation for damages you suffered by filing a product liability lawsuit.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA has been assisting those that have suffered at the hands of negligent companies for years by representing injured plaintiffs in product liability lawsuits. Do not hesitate to contact our Clearwater office about your case. We offer free consultations to those that have found themselves in this terrible situation. Our attorneys can assist you in building your case, calculating the damages you've suffered, negotiating settlements, and representing you at trial if need be.
The lawyers of Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA will walk you through every step of the process and maintain close communication with you in regard to your case's progress. We provide the resources and experience of a larger law firm while also giving each case the personal touch and investment one would expect from a smaller firm.
Call us for a free consultation today at (727) 451-6900 or fill out a contact form online.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 451-6900
https://www.dolmanlaw.com/firefighting-foam-cancer-attorneys/
Matthew Dolman
Personal Injury Lawyer
This article was written and reviewed by Matthew Dolman. Matt has been a practicing civil trial, personal injury, products liability, and mass tort lawyer since 2004. He has successfully fought for more than 11,000 injured clients and acted as lead counsel in more than 1,000 lawsuits. Always on the cutting edge of personal injury law, Matt is actively engaged in complex legal matters, including Suboxone, AFFF, and Ozempic lawsuits. Matt is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for resolving individual cases in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. He has also been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Superlawyer and as a member of Florida’s Legal Elite on multiple occasions. Further, Matt has been quoted in the media numerous times and is a sought-after speaker on a variety of legal issues and topics.
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