Sokolove Law Is Fighting To Get Mesothelioma Victims Justice

This Patch article is sponsored by Sokolove Law, LLC.

For over 40 years, Sokolove Law has helped thousands of families nationwide receive settlements and has recovered over $4.5 billion for victims of mesothelioma and their loved ones.

As a national law firm, with an office and licensed attorney in almost every state, their national reach allows them to help families across the country and maximize the value of their cases and potential settlements. Right here in Utah, Sokolove Law has helped many mesothelioma victims and their families.

Patch caught up with Ricky LeBlanc, managing attorney of Sokolove Law LLC, to learn more about the firm, as well as how it's helping those diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.

Patch: Why did you pursue a career in the law in the first place?

LeBlanc: As the son of a pipe fitter and my mother who was a factory worker, I've always had a keen sense for fairness. Growing up in a dying Massachusetts factory town, I saw that folks with lower incomes or education levels were not always fairly treated because there was nothing they could do about it.

I had always admired what a skilled attorney could do to balance this uneven playing field. Whether it was to protect someone’s civil rights in a criminal trial or to stop a foreclosure or eviction in order to keep a roof over someone’s head, lawyers could couple logic and reasoning skills with writing and public speaking skills to save the day.

I wanted to do that — save the day, make it right and make it fair.

Patch: How did you first become interested in a plaintiffs’ practice?

LeBlanc: You have many options once you are admitted to the bar. I knew litigation was the place for me, defending or enforcing the rights of individuals or corporations. As a product of a working-class family, standing up for the little guy against major manufacturers or insurance companies was my calling.

I believe every individual or entity deserves representation, but to me, it is just more rewarding to help an individual who has been harmed find some justice than it is to ensure a major corporation keeps more of its billions in profits.

Patch: What types of cases do you focus on?

LeBlanc: After all of these years, I focus on asbestos litigation, primarily representing individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare cancer whose only known cause is asbestos exposure. This takes up the majority of my time.

The number of people diagnosed with this deadly disease has remained the same for decades, and there does not yet seem to be evidence of any decline in the near future.

Patch: What exactly is mesothelioma?

LeBlanc: Mesothelioma is the abnormal growth (cancer) of the mesothelium cells. The mesothelium has been described to me as being like greasy plastic wrap that surrounds your organs. The mesothelium stops the organs from rubbing against each other, and this is the disease of that mesothelium. It's a cancer — a very aggressive, fast-moving cancer.

Patch: How long does it take for someone to know they developed mesothelioma?

LeBlanc: It can take anywhere from 10 to 50 years for symptoms to appear. After a certain amount of time, your body stops being able to react to the infiltration of asbestos. And then you start developing this disease. At first, it may just feel like low back pain or it may feel like a little cough, or other symptoms that could be pneumonia-like, and so you think that's what you have. But if you're exposed to asbestos, it's important to let your doctor know that you were. This causes them look at something further than pneumonia or back pain.

Patch: Who can be affected by asbestos exposure?

LeBlanc: The majority of the people who developed this disease were in trade occupations. Many occupations including pipe fitters, plumbers, carpenters, electricians and mechanics are high-risk occupations for asbestos exposure. Another significant audience is anybody who's worked on ships, whether you were in the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard or Merchant Marines. This means you may have been exposed to asbestos. Every year, thousands of hard-working American families are impacted by asbestos exposure, including many right here in Utah.

Patch: How can Sokolove Law help people who were diagnosed with mesothelioma?

LeBlanc: At Sokolove Law, we understand that mesothelioma victims have been given this devastating news and they have to do something about it medically. They can call us, and we will take care of the legal aspects of a case. We are here to help, even in these uncertain times. Sokolove Law is available 24/7, providing free legal consultations. We can arrange a video conference or phone call with a member of our legal team today. From the comfort of your home, you can call us or even video chat with our legal team and quickly find out if you're eligible for mesothelioma compensation. Because the asbestos trusts are not closed — we can still file claims online — some clients begin receiving money within 90 days of talking to us. We make it as easy as possible. Mesothelioma victims should concentrate on fighting this disease. We'll concentrate on getting them the justice.

Patch: How are Utah residents affected by asbestos exposure?

LeBlanc: Workers at over 370 job sites across Utah were exposed to asbestos, jeopardizing their health and even their lives on a daily basis. Family members could also have been exposed when loved ones brought the dust home on their clothes (this is often called second-hand exposure). The historic steel, mining and manufacturing industries in particular are high-risk industries for asbestos exposure.

Patch: Is there a case in your career that is particularly memorable?

LeBlanc: I have many, but there's one case that illustrates why I do what I do and why I am sure many plaintiffs’ lawyers do what they do. It is a sad case, as all mesothelioma cases are.
I had represented the widow of a man who had died from mesothelioma. The widow was a young woman in her early 50s when I met with her and her 20-year-old daughter and brought her husband’s case to a successful conclusion. But a few years later, I received a call from the daughter telling me that her mother had also developed and lost her own battle with mesothelioma.
This illustrates the relentless destruction asbestos causes — first by attacking those who worked with it directly and then attacking the unsuspecting family who were exposed through the clothing of the worker, often the husband or father.

All this destruction would be avoidable if manufacturers had any morality and just used an alternative to asbestos — or at least warned of the dangers of asbestos. But there is no limit to corporate greed.

Patch: What is the question you are asked the most?

LeBlanc: I hear a lot of questions or confusion about Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. It’s important to know filing an asbestos legal claim does not impact VA benefits. There are two ways to get compensation for asbestos-related industries. In addition to the VA benefits earned by our veterans through their service, veterans or immediate family members can also file a separate mesothelioma lawsuit against the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products — not the U.S. government. Often, their rights can be enforced without ever having to go to court.

Patch: So, if someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma in Utah, what should they do?

LeBlanc: If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, it is important to contact a law firm because protecting your rights is essential. For over 40 years, Sokolove Law has helped thousands of mesothelioma victims. Many of those victims live right here in Utah and could be your neighbors or co-workers. In fact, Sokolove Law has recovered millions of dollars for Utah mesothelioma victims. Mesothelioma victims and their families can always call Sokolove Law at 800-707-7809 for a free legal consultation and take the first step toward pursuing justice.

Ricky LeBlanc admitted in Massachusetts only. This is general information only and should not be taken or relied on as legal advice. No attorney-client or other professional relationship is created by providing or using this information.