Talking to Family About Filing an Asbestos Claim
An asbestos claim can provide financial stability and peace of mind, allowing your family to spend time together, instead of worrying about medical bills and other expenses. It’s important to have conversations about this as soon as possible. It always seems too soon — until it’s too late.
Talking with your loved one about filing a claim can bring you closer together, help them feel prepared for the future, and ensure their needs are met.
At Simmons Hanly Conroy, we’ve secured over $9.6 billion for families impacted by mesothelioma. Call (800) 326-8900 now to see if we can support you.
Legally Reviewed and Fact Checked by: John Simmons, Chairman of Simmons Hanly Conroy
How to Talk to Your Loved One About an Asbestos Claim
Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis can be overwhelming. While you can’t plan for everything that happens after a diagnosis, you can support your loved one during this challenging time by helping them understand their options.
Encourage them to start thinking about their priorities and what matters most. It’s important to have open conversations about health, family, and finances as soon as possible to ensure their wishes are understood and respected.
Below are some questions to help navigate these conversations:
- Are there some things about the future that concern you?
- Does the financial aspect of a cancer diagnosis worry you?
- Who do you want to be involved in your health and financial decisions?
- If your health condition changed, would your family or loved ones be secure?
By filing an asbestos claim, your loved one can get the compensation they need for treatment and other costs related to their illness.
Here are 6 tips to help guide you through the conversation with a friend or family member.
- We fight to maximize your results
- Many get results in as few as 90 days
- No out-of-pocket costs for your family
1. Explain the Diagnosis Is Not Their Fault
Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. It’s not the result of any personal mistakes or smoking.
In most cases, patients were unknowingly exposed to this dangerous mineral:
- At work
- During renovation projects
- Through secondhand exposure from a family member who brought asbestos fibers home on their clothing
Many companies that made or sold asbestos products knowingly hid the dangers from the public for decades. They chose to put their profits over people’s safety.
Your loved one didn’t deserve to get sick, and taking legal action is a way to hold those responsible for their illness accountable.
“It makes me mad and sad to think that these manufacturers knew asbestos could hurt people and continued to make these products for years and years — and look what it’s done to the love of my life.”
– Dee, Wife of a Mesothelioma Survivor
2. Encourage Them to Share Their Mesothelioma Story
Every mesothelioma patient’s journey is unique. Each victim has an individual voice that deserves to be heard.
Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit ensures your loved one’s story is brought to light and given the attention it deserves.
Sharing their story helps:
- Other victims understand what happened to them
- Raise awareness about mesothelioma and the dangers of asbestos exposure
- Prevent companies from getting away with poisoning the public and their workers
- Leave a lasting legacy for loved ones
Similarly, reading the stories of others impacted by mesothelioma can offer reassurance and hope, reminding your loved one that they are not alone in their fight.
Simmons Hanly Conroy can give victims a powerful voice in the legal system, ensuring their story is heard and pursuing justice for the harm they suffered.
“It truly made such a difference for my husband to know that good guys can actually win and bad guys can actually lose, and there’s somebody out there that wants to help you make that happen.”
– Lori, Wife of Mesothelioma Warrior Norris
3. Let Them Know What to Expect Filing an Asbestos Claim
Walk your loved one through the legal process and let them know what to expect. When someone hasn’t filed a lawsuit before, it can be easy to assume it’s a stressful process — but it doesn’t have to be.
By working with a leading mesothelioma law firm like Simmons Hanly Conroy, they’ll have a dedicated team that will handle every step of the legal process on their behalf.
“Filing the lawsuit was easy because my attorney made it easy. We didn’t have to do anything. We just had to be here when he was and talk to him, so he could explain to us how the process worked.”
– John, Mesothelioma Survivor
Your loved one may not even realize they were exposed to asbestos. An investigator can travel to them for free and ask questions about their background, so they can identify how they were exposed and which asbestos companies may be responsible.
Then, their attorneys will get to work building their case and taking care of every detail. This approach allows your loved one to focus on their health and spending time with family.
Remember: At the end of the day, the purpose of filing an asbestos claim is to seek justice for what happened to your loved one and provide them with financial security.
4. Start Conversations About Estate & Financial Planning
With treatments often amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars, around 50% of Americans with cancer face financial difficulties, according to a JAMA Network Open study. Lost wages, deductibles, and medication costs can add up quickly — and insurance may not cover everything.
Filing an asbestos claim can allow your loved one to secure the compensation they need for treatment and shield their family from significant debt.
Many of our clients have received over $1 million from out-of-court mesothelioma settlements, with compensation often starting to come in just a few months after contacting us.
Some of our past results include:
- $60 million for a New York laborer
- $40 million to a U.S. Navy veteran in Washington
- $24.4 million for an Illinois janitor who was exposed to asbestos in talc
- $5 million to a clerical worker in Ohio
- $5.7 million to a contractor and engineman in Florida
- $7 million for a Pennsylvania welder
- $34.1 million to a Missouri roofer
- $10.3 million for a longshoreman in Texas
- $5.72 million to a Massachusetts engineer
- $34 million for a mechanic in California
A settlement may also leave a legacy for those left behind, easing their pain and suffering while helping to provide for their futures.
“We spent all of our savings, all of our Roth IRA, and we were looking for more money to pay for my treatment. We were deeply in debt, and if we hadn’t gotten the settlement, we probably wouldn’t still be living on our farm.”
– Dr. Bonnie Snyder, Mesothelioma Survivor
The main reason we can’t help someone is because the statute of limitations or deadline has passed in their case, so it’s important to get started with an asbestos claim as soon as possible.
Call (800) 326-8900 now. Don’t let your loved one miss out on the justice and compensation they deserve.
5. Address Concerns & Practice Active Listening
Filing a lawsuit can seem daunting. By creating a supportive environment where your loved one feels heard and understood, you can offer meaningful reassurance and address their concerns.
You won’t be alone in helping them navigate this process. In addition to their legal team, our firm has registered nurses on staff who can provide medical support throughout every stage of their diagnosis.
“The Simmons Hanly Conroy difference was having someone we could trust with everything. It was the best experience we could’ve ever hoped to have. We were hand-held through everything.”
– Kelley, Wife of a Mesothelioma Patient & Firm Client
Our firm was founded by a U.S. Army veteran who lost his grandmother to mesothelioma. We know firsthand what your loved one is going through and are here to help.
There are no upfront costs or hourly fees to work with our team, so patients can get the support they need without facing any financial risk.
6. Prepare Them for Their Free Mesothelioma Consultation
If your friend or family member seems interested in pursuing an asbestos claim, you can help them prepare by encouraging them to consider how they may have been exposed to asbestos.
Ask simple questions about their upbringing and work history, like:
- Did any of your family members work around asbestos?
- Did you ever use talc products for hygiene or cosmetics?
- Have you completed any home renovation projects?
- Did you serve in the U.S. military?
- What were your previous jobs?
Explain that, ultimately, our attorneys will figure out how they were exposed to asbestos, even if they have no memory of being around this dangerous mineral.
We have a warehouse of evidence on asbestos products and decades of experience handling similar cases, which will help us identify the sources of their exposure and the companies that are responsible.
- We fight to maximize your results
- Many get results in as few as 90 days
- No out-of-pocket costs for your family
Hear from Families We’ve Helped File an Asbestos Claim
At Simmons Hanly Conroy, we take great pride in supporting our clients through their mesothelioma journey and fighting for justice on their behalf.
Read about some of the families we’ve worked with whose friends, loved ones, and coworkers have started these conversations and helped them file an asbestos claim after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Dennis’ Story
As a child, Dennis spent most of his free time with his father and grandfather at the family’s automotive shop, never realizing there was asbestos in the air. Decades later, he was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma at just 52 years old.
Because of his illness, Dennis was no longer able to work. His union’s benefits administrator reached out to him and suggested he contact a mesothelioma law firm.
“He said, ‘I think you need to call them, they help victims like yourself get benefits.’ I actually thought it was a scam at first,” expressed Dennis. “But in two days, there were two guys at my house. Simmons Hanly Conroy made the legal process for my family and I very easy.”
The compensation Dennis received provided him with a sense of peace, knowing that his wife, children, and grandchildren would be taken care of.
Linda’s Story
When Linda was diagnosed with mesothelioma, she and her husband Howard were shocked. They had no idea that the asbestos products at her job could cause cancer.
“She said to Melissa, my daughter, ‘I don’t think I’m going to make it through this, and I don’t think your dad will bother hiring a lawyer,’” explained Howard.
As Linda’s health declined, Howard focused on caring for her. Meanwhile, their children contacted a mesothelioma lawyer on their behalf.
Tragically, Linda passed away before the lawsuit was resolved. However, the compensation her family received after her death provided them with much-needed closure and financial support.
“When it came time for her to actually go to the cemetery, we were concerned about where the money was going to come from,” said Howard. “When we got the first check, we went down and had the headstone done right away, and they went ahead and planted it where it was supposed to be.”
Focus on What Matters Most: Your Family
At Simmons Hanly Conroy, we can help families in all 50 states seek compensation and justice after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
This way, you can focus on supporting your loved one, while we focus on getting your family compensation.
Our mesothelioma law firm has:
- Over 25 years of experience taking on powerful asbestos companies
- Successfully helped over 6,000 families nationwide
- Secured more than $10.1 billion in asbestos compensation
Money from a mesothelioma claim has allowed many patients to access live-extending treatments and provide their loved ones with a sense of security.
There’s no financial risk to work with our team, and we’ll handle every step of the process. Our clients only stand to benefit from filing an asbestos claim.
Call (800) 326-8900 now or fill out our contact form for a free, no-obligation case review. Our team is available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have.
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Filing an Asbestos Claim FAQs
Who can file mesothelioma lawsuits?
Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed by a patient, their family immediate members, or their estate representative.
At Simmons Hanly Conroy, we can determine if you or a loved one may be eligible to pursue compensation from an asbestos lawsuit — at no cost to you.
Get a free consultation now to find out more about your options after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
How much is compensation for mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma compensation may be worth hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on different factors in each case.
Some results we’ve secured for our mesothelioma clients include:
- $10 million to a boiler tender with pleural mesothelioma
- $8 million for a pipefitter in Texas
- $6 million to the family of a laborer who passed away
- $4.14 million to a U.S. Air Force veteran and welder
- $7.1 million for the family of a nurse who was exposed to asbestos secondhand
Call (800) 326-8900 now to see if our asbestos attorneys can fight for the compensation your family deserves.
How long do you have to file an asbestos claim?
In most states, you only have 1 to 3 years to file an asbestos claim after a mesothelioma diagnosis or the death of a loved one.
It’s important to contact our firm as soon as possible, so you don’t miss your chance for justice. Once the deadline in your case passes, you won’t be able to take legal action again.
What if my loved one passes away before their claim is filed?
If your loved one passes away before filing a claim, you may be able to seek justice on their behalf by pursuing an asbestos claim after their death.
Mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuits can help families secure compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost wages, and more.
Reviewed by: John Simmons Chairman of Simmons Hanly Conroy
- Fact-Checked
- Legal Reviewer
John Simmons is a founder and Chairman of Simmons Hanly Conroy. After serving in the U.S. Army, he went on to earn his Doctor of Law degree from Southern Methodist University School of Law. He has helped recover some of the biggest verdicts and settlements in asbestos litigation history and is rated as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers.