But before we discuss in more detail what exactly they can do for their clients and when you may want to consider their services, we should have a brief look at how asbestos was used in the past and how this once highly praised substance experienced a sudden downfall after the public became aware of the associated health risks.

Asbestos is the single known and verified proven cause for the development of mesothelioma and a number of other asbestos induced diseases, including cancer of the kidney, lung cancer and asbestosis.

Typically, individuals who are exposed to the material over longer periods of time, are at an increased risk of developing any of the aforementioned health conditions. With that being said and taking into account the fact that the intensity of the asbestos contact is another important aspect, a person who gets diagnosed has most likely a history of occupational exposure. However, there is a small subset of patients who got ill due to so called ‘second-hand’ exposure. For example, spouses of asbestos workers came into regular contact to the toxic fibers of the material while washing their working clothes.

The diagnosis of all asbestos related diseases has a common denominator: it is extremely difficult to detect those conditions at an early stage. This is attributed to the fact that asbestos illnesses have an extraordinarily long latency period, and in some instances, the disease was only detected 50 years after the initial contact to the substance. Hence, by the time a conclusive diagnosis can be made, in all likelihood the condition has already progressed into an advanced stage, which makes its treatment very challenging. If we go strictly by the books, mesothelioma is still defined as an incurable disease.

The last thing a patient wants to do after receiving his cancer diagnosis, is thinking about legal aspects. However, in the case of asbestos diseases, this becomes an important factor. The truth of the matter is, if your diagnosis can be linked to another party’s negligence or misconduct, you are entitled to file a claim or lawsuit for your personal injuries. And for that reason, you should get in contact with reputable asbestos attorneys right away. Time is of essence as the statute of limitations sets forth strict regulations regarding the timing in which a claim needs to be brought to the attention of a court. The procedure can be highly bureaucratic and there are many legal implications – for that reason it is recommended to identify an asbestos lawyer who has a proven track record in litigating successfully claims that are similar to your situation.

However, do not chose your lawyers prematurely. Take advantage of the fact that most mesothelioma attorneys offer free consultations to evaluate your situation and provide you with advice on your next steps. Further to that, make sure that you feel comfortable with them on a personal level. An asbestos lawsuit can be a lengthy process and therefore you should feel that you are in good hands with the asbestos lawyers of your choice.

Once a collection agency becomes involved in the collection of your debts you will find yourself in the middle of a war. Collection agencies have a bad reputation of doing everything and anything to collect debts. If they have to harass you they will. Not all collection agencies are evil, but there are enough of the bad ones that you really need to be aware of them. There are ways to fight back once you find yourself dealing with a harassing collection agency.

Your secret weapon will be the laws that govern what collection agencies can and cannot do when contacting people. Your secret ally will be the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act or better known as the FDCPA. This particular legal friend of yours is what forces debt collectors from not using deception, harassment, and abusive tactics when talking with you while trying to collect a debt. The FDCPA also clearly spells out a structure that debt collectors must adhere to when collecting a debt.

So let’s take a look at collection law in a way that everybody can understand. First things first…The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act lays out in no-nonsense terms what type of practices debt collectors can and can’t use.

For instance, collectors can’t call you whenever they want.  It is assumed by all that 8am to 9pm are decent times for them to call. Be aware that debt collectors can call you at your place of employment.  But here you have a right that you should exercise. If you tell the collector that your boss does not want you receiving these calls at work then then the collection agent must legally stop calling you at your job. There are also codes of conduct that a collection agency is legally obligated to abide by when collecting a debt.  In order to destroy collection agency harassment you will need to make sure the collectors and the collection agency is following the law.

Collectors are not allowed to harass a debtor when attempting to collect a debt. A few examples of harassment would be: Constant and unrelenting calling on the telephone, being insulting, rude and obnoxious to the person who is in debt. Obscene and nasty language is also forbidden. Falsifying facts and trying to pass off inaccurate information to the debtor is strictly forbidden.

False statement may be hard to spot but you should definitely be on the lookout for them. A common practice among dishonest debt collectors would be when they try to pass themselves off as a government official, trying to scare the debtor with the possibility of lawsuits, prison, and loss of house and property. Some collectors will actually tell debtors that the balance of their debts are higher then they actually are. Unfair practices by a debt collector is forbidden.

Maybe on top of the list of forbidden practices is suing the debtor for a debt that they don’t even owe. Debtors have rights and collection agencies have an obligation to tell the debtors what those rights are.

Any information told to the debtor over the telephone or through the mail must also include statements that clearly states that all information that is collected will be used to collect the debt. Something else that you should be aware of is the collector may contact your family and friends in order to gain access to your phone number and place of residence. If the agency already has your phone number and address then they may not contact anyone concerning your debt. When these agencies do contact your family, they are not allowed to tell them that they are trying to collect money from you.

The Fair Credit Act was made into law to protect debtor’s rights and make sure that the collection agents had a full, complete, and clear understanding of what they are allowed to do when they attempt to collect a debt.

If a debt collector starts to violate your rights then it will be necessary for you to keep accurate records of of the misconduct. You will want accurate documentation so that you will have evidence to prove your claim if you decide to to take legal action.

Having a full and complete understanding of collection agency law should help let you feel more confident if and when you are ever in he position to have to deal with a debt collector.

The FDCPA is there to help you stop collection agency harassment. It is your right to use it to your advantage.  You are now prepared to destroy collection agency harassment!