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Posts tagged ‘John B. Woelfel’

“What If?” – Questions facing those with Mesothelioma or asbestos-related disease

Posted on May 6th, 2011 by John B. Woelfel

Recently, I had an ultrasound performed on my kidneys. The results showed a 4-inch, solid lesion on the left kidney. Generally, solid lesions on the kidney are cancerous, but fortunately, a follow-up CT scan showed that the original ultrasound was incorrect.

This experience created in me a greater empathy for our clients, especially those who suffer from mesothelioma and lung cancer. During the time frame in which it appeared I had kidney cancer, I was consumed with thoughts of “what if?”

What if don’t see my children graduate from high school or college? What if I don’t see them get married? Have I instilled in them enough fortitude to get by in their lives in the best possible manner?

This time of worry also made me consider the financial situation for myself and my family. I wondered how my family would cope with the loss of my income, should I perish.

I know that my temporary experience is the current reality for many of our mesothelioma clients. And I know that depositions can seem difficult for clients when these thoughts, worries, and “what ifs” weigh heavily on the mind. However, doing a deposition will help with a mesothelioma client’s case a great deal. Therefore, it’s important to get complete depositions with our clients who have these illnesses as soon as we can.

My job as an attorney is to get our client through their case when they are living with many difficulties, and I believe this new empathy will make me a better advocate for my clients’ cause.

To discuss your asbestos case, please contact John B. Woelfel.

Asbestos Depositions

Posted on January 20th, 2011 by John B. Woelfel

One of the most important parts of a case, especially in an asbestos case, is the deposition. Deposition is an action where the lawyers get to ask the person bringing the suit questions about their case. Since I do most asbestos cases, most of my depositions are asbestos depositions.

Therefore, most of my clients are asked questions about their exposure history. I tell my clients that this will be a memory test; they will be asking you to remember what kind of products you used, and even the brand name of products used over the years. This may seem difficult, however, it is much easier than it sounds. Most clients are surprised at how much they remember once they start thinking about what and how often they did certain things at their work sites.

Sometimes we do depositions in hotels or in client homes, depending on the situation and where our client is most comfortable. Generally, a deposition is your chance to get out your side of the story as to what actually happened to you with these products – products you thought were safe to use at the time, but looking back, you now have an asbestos-related disease and realize they weren’t so safe.

Getting your story out via the deposition is very important, especially letting people know which products you used during which periods of your career.

So when you have an asbestos related disease and you get to your deposition, just remember to relax, and answer the questions to the best of your ability. One of your attorneys will be there, along with a number of defense attorneys. If any problems pop up, the attorneys will take of it.

To learn more, or to discuss your asbestos case, contact John B. Woelfel.

Take Me Out To the Ballgame

Posted on June 9th, 2010 by John B. Woelfel

As a father of four, my favorite time of year is baseball/softball season. All of my kids love the sport and their games become the centerpiece of our time together as a family. With the 6 year-old in Tee Ball, the 7 year-old playing soft pitch softball, the 11 year-old playing fast pitch softball and the 13 year-old playing fast pitch baseball, there are lots of ups, downs and learning opportunities.

I love being a lawyer almost as much as I love being a Dad. As a lawyer, it’s important to me I teach my children how to respect the law and be aware of how to behave properly. One of the best ways of getting them to listen to me, not always an easy task when it’s Dad talking about the office, is to make stories about sports analogous to life lessons about the law.

I explain how Tee Ball is similar to the start of a case. You are learning the fundamentals about the defendants and your client, trying to figure out which base to run to and where to throw the ball. Then I try and illustrate to the 7 year-old how the next step is more complicated, investigating product identifications and placing certain products around the environment of our clients that could help our case. It’s similar to learning the subtleties of reading the pitcher before you attempt to steal second base. Finally, we move on to the “Big Leagues” where the competition intensifies, just like with the older kids and fast pitch. That’s where the combination of skill, preparation and work ethic determine success. Being able to read the seams on a pitch to determine whether it’s a fastball or a changeup can be the difference between success and failure. I try to impart to them how hard I work is as important to winning a case as it is to them winning a game.

Succeeding at the highest level of law means delivering for your clients. Doing your best is fulfilling as an attorney, much like it is as a father, and beneficial for our clients and children. Along the way, we deal with the other team, opposing counsel. However, at the end of the day we are friendly with each other, displaying good sportsmanship. We understand that each team is trying to do their best for their clients.

Finding satisfaction in a job well done, we can rest easy when we go home at night to hear about the kid’s day at practice. The next morning we wake up anticipating what the day will hold as we come into the office and work together as a team in order to win cases for our clients and hoping our kids get the game ball.

Feel free to contact John Woelfel if you would like to discuss this or any legal matter.