Editing Mesothelioma Claim Process (section)

=== Phase 3: Evidence Gathering (2-6 Months) ===

Comprehensive evidence gathering forms the foundation of maximum recovery. Your legal team reconstructs decades of work history, identifying every potential asbestos exposure source. According to [https://dandell.com/mesothelioma/mesothelioma-compensation/filing-mesothelioma-claims-guide/ filing guidance], complete documentation can mean the difference between $300,000 and $1.4 million in total recovery.

'''Employment Documentation Required:'''
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Document Type !! Purpose !! How to Obtain
|-
| Social Security Earnings Statement || Verifies employment history || Request online at SSA.gov
|-
| W-2 Forms / Tax Returns || Confirms employers and dates || Personal records, IRS transcripts
|-
| Union Membership Records || Documents trade and job sites || Contact former union locals
|-
| Military DD-214 || Establishes service dates/locations || National Personnel Records Center
|-
| Pension/Retirement Records || Links to specific employers || Former employer HR departments
|}

'''Witness Statements:'''
* Co-workers testifying about workplace conditions and specific products used
* Family members documenting secondary exposure from contaminated work clothes
* Supervisors who can describe job duties and materials handled

"One photograph showing asbestos products in the workplace can be worth thousands of dollars in additional compensation," notes Michelle Whitman, attorney at Danziger & De Llano. "We encourage families to search photo albums, company newsletters, and any visual documentation from job sites."