What You Need to Prove in Mesothelioma Cases
Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with this disease, you may be able to take legal action against the companies that made or sold the asbestos-containing products you were exposed to.
At Sokolove Law, we know the details of your exposure may be unclear. However, all you need is a mesothelioma diagnosis — we can handle the rest.
In a mesothelioma case, our attorneys need to prove:
- You were diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma or lung cancer
- You were exposed to asbestos at some point in your life
- The company responsible for your exposure knew asbestos was dangerous but used it anyway
“If there's no asbestos, there's no mesothelioma — it's that simple. If you have mesothelioma and say, ‘Well, I've never been exposed to asbestos,’ you're exposed to it. You just don't know where.”
– Dr. Raja Flores, Mesothelioma Specialist at Mount Sinai Hospital
Because mesothelioma can take 20-50 years to develop, patients often struggle to remember when or how they were exposed — but that’s where our mesothelioma law firm can help.
With over 45 years of experience, thousands of successful cases, and a warehouse of evidence on different asbestos-containing products, Sokolove Law can help you pinpoint which products and companies are to blame for your illness.
All you have to do is let us know where you worked and what you did there.
Find Out How You Were Exposed
We've helped thousands of patients determine how they were exposed to asbestos — and get results. Let us work to get you answers.
How to Prove Asbestos Exposure for Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Proving asbestos exposure for a mesothelioma lawsuit typically involves a combination of your work history, medical records, and other supporting evidence.
Clients can meet with an attorney and our on-staff investigators, who will ask about your work and family history. If you have a case, a legal team will be assigned to handle your lawsuit while you focus on your health.
Evidence collected to prove your asbestos exposure may include:
- Medical records confirming a mesothelioma diagnosis
- Imaging scans showing the location and stage of your cancer
- Testimony from your doctor linking your illness to asbestos exposure
- Past employment records or paystubs from job sites where asbestos-containing products were used
- Statements from former coworkers or family members who saw your exposure
- Military service records, if applicable
- Testimony from expert witnesses about the dangers of asbestos exposure
Many mesothelioma cases involve around 70 defendants, and you may qualify for compensation from each one. We’ll work to identify every past exposure, maximizing your chances of getting the most compensation possible.
“You may only recall one defendant, but as we look at job sites you or your loved one worked at and the products they were around, we often find that there may be multitudes of defendants that should have claims brought against them.”
– Ricky LeBlanc, Managing Attorney at Sokolove Law
Find out more about the types of evidence our asbestos attorneys and investigators gather when preparing for a mesothelioma lawsuit.
Biopsy & Medical Records
To establish that you have mesothelioma, we’ll need to gather medical records from a doctor that confirm your diagnosis.
Biopsies are used to prove mesothelioma, while imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can show the location and severity of your disease.
Doctors may also find asbestos fibers in a biopsy sample, which can further support the connection between your illness and exposure history.
In one case, our mesothelioma attorneys were able to trace the fibers in a patient’s lungs back to a specific mine and asbestos-related company.
Employment Records
Paystubs, job assignments, and other records that prove where and when you worked can help establish which asbestos-containing products you may have been exposed to.
Use our job site database to see if a location you worked at may have used asbestos-containing products.
These records can help prove you were in environments where asbestos-containing products were present, supporting your exposure claim.
Expert Testimony
At Sokolove Law, we have relationships with experts — like public health officials and mineralogists — who can testify about the dangers of asbestos exposure and how it may have occurred in your workplace or home.
Our firm also works with physicians who can provide testimony connecting your illness to asbestos. Their opinions will help strengthen your case, confirming how exposure led to your diagnosis and how the disease has progressed.
Military Service Records
All branches of the U.S. military used asbestos during the 20th century, putting many veterans at risk of mesothelioma today.
Records like your DD 214 form can verify your service and help us understand which branches, assignments, or facilities may have put you at risk, linking your asbestos exposure to your time in the service.
If you were exposed to asbestos while serving in the military, you may also be eligible for VA benefits worth over $3,800 each month.
Call (800) 647-3434 now to see if we may be able to help you secure compensation for mesothelioma. It costs nothing to speak with us.
Witness Statements
Statements from former coworkers or family members can provide vital details about your exposure to asbestos. They may have observed you working with or around asbestos-containing materials, adding credibility to your claim.
"Our primary role in the very beginning stages of a mesothelioma lawsuit is to be detectives. We have to find products that were around the victim during the time of their exposure to asbestos."
– Jim Sokolove, Founder (Retired 2013)
Proof of Corporate Negligence
Once your asbestos exposure is established, the next step is proving that the responsible companies knew their products were dangerous but hid the risks to continue making money.
In fact, some asbestos-related companies were aware of these risks for decades. Internal documents and communications show how executives covered up the deadly effects of asbestos and were indifferent toward worker safety.
“If you have enjoyed a good life while working with asbestos products, why not die from it? There’s got to be some cause.”
– E. A. Martin, Bendix Corporation (1966)
Many employees went to work to provide for their families, only to develop a disease their employers knew about. These companies didn't inform workers of the dangers and put their profits ahead of people.
We have a warehouse of evidence on asbestos-containing products and corporations. Our investigators, including former police officers and families impacted by mesothelioma, have what it takes to build a strong case on your behalf.
Our Team Can Prove Asbestos Exposure for You
At Sokolove Law, we understand how devastating a mesothelioma diagnosis can be. Our asbestos lawyers can help prove how you were exposed and handle every step of the legal process on your behalf.
If you have a case, your legal team can:
- Travel to you for free: Whether it’s in the comfort of your home or another convenient location, we’ll meet with you at a time that works best. No matter where you are in the U.S., we’re here to help.
- Investigate your exposure history: We’ll track down the specific asbestos-containing products you were exposed to and which locations put you at risk.
- Gather evidence: Our attorneys will collect documents proving that asbestos-related companies knowingly put you in harm’s way and are responsible for your exposure.
- File your mesothelioma claim: After building a strong case, we'll file your claim before any deadlines and pursue the compensation you deserve.
- Negotiate a settlement: We’ll work to negotiate settlements with the defendants. If a settlement isn’t reached, we’re prepared to take your case to court and fight for a trial verdict.
With decades of experience handling mesothelioma lawsuits, we’ve likely already represented someone exposed to asbestos at the same workplace as you.
“I was surprised at the stuff that my mesothelioma lawyer knew. He knew the names of all the pumps and the valves going far back. They were prepared. They could go back to day 1.”
– Walter, U.S. Navy Veteran & Firm Client
A Few of Our Past Asbestos Exposure Results
We’ve helped thousands of clients secure compensation for asbestos exposure, recovering more than $5.2 Billion for families across the country.
Some of our past mesothelioma settlements and verdicts include:
- $40 Million for a boiler tender and U.S. Navy veteran in Washington
- $11.49 Million to a Florida demolition worker
- $8.26 Million for an auto mechanic in Louisiana
- $3.4 Million to an Arizona teacher with mesothelioma
- $6.5 Million for a manual laborer in Texas
- $3 Million to the family of a union electrician
- $7 Million for a welder with mesothelioma
- $3.4 Million to a Colorado laborer and U.S. Army veteran
- $5.3 Million for a client who was exposed to asbestos secondhand
- $3.5 Million to an Iowa roofer
- $4.31 Million for a researcher and biologist
- $3.9 Million to a New York client who did heating and cooling work
- $9.6 Million for a California construction worker
While there’s never a guarantee of compensation in any case, we’ll fight hard to get you everything you’re entitled to.
Contact us now to find out if your family may qualify for a mesothelioma settlement. It costs nothing to speak with us.
Sokolove Law: Fighting for Asbestos Exposure Victims for Over 45 Years
Since 1979, Sokolove Law has been dedicated to helping families affected by asbestos exposure — and we’ve secured life-changing results for clients in all 50 states.
Find out how Sokolove Law stands out from the rest:
- Our team has successfully proven asbestos exposure in 8,800+ cases
- We’ve recovered over $5.2 Billion for mesothelioma patients and their families
- There are no upfront costs or hourly fees to work with our team
- No firm has handled as many mesothelioma cases
If you or a loved one has gotten sick from asbestos exposure, our attorneys are prepared to help you file a mesothelioma lawsuit and seek the compensation you deserve.
Call (800) 647-3434 now or fill out our contact form now. We may be able to help you prove asbestos exposure and pursue justice.
Proving Asbestos Exposure & Mesothelioma FAQs
How do you know if you were exposed to asbestos?
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you were exposed to asbestos at some point — even if you don’t know where or how it happened.
Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma. Many people don’t realize they were exposed until decades later, when the symptoms of this cancer begin to appear.
Contact Sokolove Law now for help proving how, when, and where your exposure may have taken place — and which companies may be to blame.
How do you prove asbestos exposure for mesothelioma lawsuits?
Proving asbestos exposure often involves documenting your work history, identifying any asbestos-containing products you may have been exposed to, and gathering witness statements from coworkers or others who can verify your exposure.
When filing a lawsuit, medical records confirming a mesothelioma diagnosis are also crucial in establishing a link between your illness and asbestos exposure.
At Sokolove Law, our team can gather the evidence needed to prove your asbestos exposure for a mesothelioma lawsuit. Call (800) 647-3434 now to get started.
How do you prove asbestos exposure in the military?
To prove military asbestos exposure, our attorneys may gather:
- Military base assignments
- Records showing the use of asbestos-containing materials during your time in the military
- Service records
Asbestos was widely used across all military branches throughout most of the 20th century, particularly in U.S. Navy ships, barracks, vehicles, and equipment.
This extensive use puts many veterans at risk of asbestos-related diseases, even decades after their service.
Can you check if you have been exposed to asbestos?
Doctors can perform tests or screenings to check for signs of asbestos exposure, like scarring in the lungs. These tests may include chest X-rays or CT scans, which can help detect lung damage or abnormalities caused by asbestos exposure.
While these tests can indicate past exposure, they can't confirm when or how exposure occurred. If you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, it’s important to work with an experienced attorney to trace the source of your exposure.
How do you prove mesothelioma?
A biopsy is the only way to prove mesothelioma. During this procedure, a small tissue or fluid sample is removed and analyzed in a lab to confirm the presence of mesothelioma cancer cells.
Imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans can also help identify abnormalities that may be signs of mesothelioma.
