A mesothelioma lawsuit is a legal claim filed by patients or their family members against companies responsible for asbestos exposure that caused illnesses such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These lawsuits help victims recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income and other related costs.
A total of 1,907 mesothelioma lawsuits were filed in the U.S. in 2024, according to KCIC’s Asbestos Litigation: 2024 Year in Review. Of these filings, 78% were all filed in the top 10 jurisdictions for filing. Madison County, IL is the No. 1 jurisdiction with 5 times as many mesothelioma filings than the second highest jurisdiction.
List: Status of Asbestos Lawsuits
November2025: A New York jury awarded Walter Twidwell $40.1 million after he developed pleural mesothelioma from working as a boiler tender and fireman on U.S. Navy ships. His lawsuit accused Goodyear of negligence for making and selling asbestos-containing gaskets and not warning him about the risk.
October2025: A Los Angeles jury awarded $966 million to Mae K. Moore’s family after finding Johnson & Johnson liable for her fatal mesothelioma. The verdict determined asbestos-contaminated talc in J&J’s baby powder caused Moore’s cancer. J&J continues to deny its talc products are unsafe and will appeal the decision.
September 2025: A New York jury awarded $12.25 million to the family of Anna Bishop, who died of mesothelioma after decades of asbestos exposure near Vanderbilt Mining’s talc operations. Evidence showed asbestos fibers from the mining site polluted the environment, leading to Bishop’s diagnosis. Courts rejected Vanderbilt’s claim that their talc was asbestos-free, with this verdict marking a rare finding for environmental asbestos exposure.
Asbestos lawsuits serve a dual purpose. First, they hold companies accountable for exposing workers and consumers to asbestos. Second, they help patients cover medical bills and other expenses related to their cancer. Asbestos-related lung cancer filings in 2024 continued to trend upward. KCIC reports a 4% increase in these filings from 2023 to 2024.
Why Should Someone File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit?
Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit offers more than financial relief, it provides a pathway to justice, closure and support during a challenging time. While the primary benefit is often compensation to cover medical and living expenses, other important advantages include emotional healing and holding negligent companies accountable.
Key Facts About Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Mesothelioma trials can result in multimillion-dollar verdicts.
Many mesothelioma cases settle out of court, with average payouts ranging nationally from $1 million to $2 million.
Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma may file a personal injury claim.
Families who lost a loved one to mesothelioma may file a wrongful death claim.
Deadlines limit when you can file claims. Mesothelioma lawyers can help you file if you’re eligible.
Many asbestos product manufacturers were aware of the health risks but failed to protect workers and consumers. For those who were exposed to asbestos because of this negligence, a lawsuit becomes a powerful tool in seeking justice. A qualified asbestos attorney can help you decide whether to pursue a lawsuit and can guide you through the process. Their expertise can help you receive monetary damages that may build you a more secure financial future for your loved ones.
Do I need to know the exact details of my asbestos exposure to qualify for a mesothelioma legal case?
A lot of people have this question. There’s a lot of confusion because people say, hey, look, I have idea. And in some cases, even you’ll have wives or loved ones who are secondarily exposed, meaning that they got exposed to products that were brought home in the hair or on the clothing of a loved one. So they certainly don’t know what kind of asbestos they were around. The important thing to understand is the attorneys know this very, very well. There’s not a lot of attorneys that do this, but the ones that do it tend to be experts in it. So they’re gonna understand where you are exposed? What kind of job sites had a lot of asbestos at them? What kind of products had a lot of asbestos in them? And what they do typically is they’ll sit down you. And they’ll work up your job history or your loved one’s job history or a parent or something like that that you might have been exposed second rarely through. And they’ll say, Hey, look, where do they work? What kind of products were they around? What jobs did they do? And they can figure it out that way. The attorneys know this very, very well. And even if whatever reason you were secondarily exposed and your loved ones are dead. So you think I might not have a claim. Usually what they’ll do in that situation is they’ll find co workers of your loved one. And they’ll look up for those people, and they’ll talk to those people and figure out what your loved one did at work. So it’s very, very common. People don’t know, but the lawyers really understand this process very well and make it very smooth for you.
What’s the difference between an experienced asbestos lawyer and other personal injury lawyers?
One of the big differences between somebody who’s relatively new handling asbestos cases versus folks that have been doing this for a while is once you have developed information about the various companies that manufacture asbestos containing products, and you sort of have the playbook. You know what questions to ask. You know what products, are the most dangerous and why they’re the most dangerous. And so having that information and having had prior cases with a variety of different companies really makes a difference in what type of recovery you’re able to make for your clients.
What Factors Determine Compensation from a Mesothelioma Lawsuit?
[MUSIC PLAYING] The factors that go into compensation for asbestos cases are commonly, what types of products were used? Was asbestos used during the period when a victim may have used those products? How often did they use them? And how many different types of products can they remember?
Mesothelioma Survivors Who Have Filed Asbestos Lawsuits
Epifanio Figueroa (Peritoneal Mesothelioma): Figueroa was exposed to asbestos-containing auto parts during his career in automotive work. Diagnosed in 2016, he says filing a claim helped his family immensely. He was able to build a home for himself and his wife and support loved ones. “It’s actually been a game changer for us. Also, I’ve been able to help my family, which I couldn’t before,” he said. “I have been able to leave a legacy for my kids and my grandkids.” Kim Madril (Pleural Mesothelioma): Exposed to asbestos in art and automotive shop classrooms during middle and high school, Madril felt nervous about filing a lawsuit in 2019. She found the experience less daunting than expected: “I was very anxious and scared about it. And in the end, I thought, hey, it wasn’t that bad. And I think if you have the right support, the right legal team, if you don’t have any expectations, it makes the process much easier.”
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Types of Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Mesothelioma lawsuits fall into 3 common categories: personal injury lawsuits, wrongful death lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Each type serves different purposes depending on the plaintiff and situation. Asbestos personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits frequently involve multiple legal approaches. While often filed under negligence, alleging a company failed to warn or protect individuals from asbestos, they often also include product liability claims because of the inherent danger of the asbestos-containing products themselves.
Asbestos-Related Lawsuit Filings By Disease
Disease
2024 Filings
2023 Filings
2022 Filings
Mesothelioma
1,907
1,940
1,896
Lung Cancer
1,644
1,577
1,356
Other Cancer
76
65
65
Non-Malignant
228
267
276
Unknown
76
80
113
Source:
KCIC Asbestos Litigation: 2024 Year in Review
Mesothelioma cases comprised 49% of all asbestos lawsuits in 2024, according to KCIC. In its latest industry report, KCIC notes the most significant disease-related change was a 4% increase of asbestos-related lung cancer filings from 2023 to 2024.
Speaking with Patient Advocates and legal experts to help you understand your legal options can help. They can share a unique perspective with you about options and top law firms to speak with for initial consultations. As a survivor or family member facing significant health care costs, an asbestos lawsuit may be right for you.
Personal Injury Lawsuit
In a personal injury lawsuit, a mesothelioma patient files a lawsuit to seek compensation from the companies responsible for their asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma lawsuits can name various asbestos companies responsible for exposing them to the carcinogenic mineral. If the lawsuit is successful, the mesothelioma patient receives compensation for their injury.
Timing can affect your eligibility for a personal injury lawsuit. Each state has a different mesothelioma statute of limitations, which sets a time limit of typically around 2 or 3 years for a plaintiff to file a lawsuit. The statute of limitations usually begins to run from the date a patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Perspective From a Mesothelioma Lawyer
“I think it’s important for patients to know that it’s a group decision as to how a case is handled. We provide the legal advice, but we also put together a range of different options depending upon what a client is physically capable of doing.”
Sam Meirowitz, mesothelioma lawyer
Wrongful Death Lawsuit
A wrongful death lawsuit is filed by the estate of a deceased mesothelioma patient. Money awarded from an asbestos case filed after death may include compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost financial support, loss of companionship and past pain and suffering.
If a mesothelioma patient files a personal injury lawsuit but dies before resolution, it can be converted to a wrongful death lawsuit. The estate can then continue pursuing the mesothelioma lawsuit. The estate is the recipient of any funds awarded in this lawsuit.
Product Liability Lawsuit
Mesothelioma lawsuits may be considered product liability claims because they allege an asbestos-containing product caused a personal injury or wrongful death. The areas of product liability law involved in asbestos lawsuits include negligence, strict liability and breach of warranty.
Once exposure to an asbestos product has caused asbestos-related illnesses or death, the injured party or surviving loved ones may file a lawsuit. A company’s failure to warn employees and consumers about the dangers of asbestos is often the basis for liability in a lawsuit.
Who Can File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit?
Mesothelioma patients and family members are eligible to file a mesothelioma lawsuit. Anyone interested in filing an asbestos lawsuit must provide documentation proving they or their loved ones were exposed to asbestos and received a mesothelioma diagnosis or other asbestos-related disease.
Documentation to Support Your Lawsuit
Affidavits or testimony from co-workers and others familiar with exposure
Employment records showing asbestos exposure history
Medical reports and diagnosis confirmation
Military service records for veterans exposed during duty
Skilled law firms have investigators who research your work history and evaluate other places where you may have been exposed. Evidence to help prove your case is gathered during what’s called the discovery phase.
Experience From a Mesothelioma Survivor
I was happy to learn that you can get financial assistance from companies that have asbestos in their products.
Carla Fasolo, peritoneal mesothelioma survivor
What Could Affect My Eligibility to File an Asbestos Lawsuit?
Several key factors can affect your eligibility to file an asbestos or mesothelioma lawsuit. These factors determine whether you can pursue legal action and receive compensation.
Factors Affecting Your Filing Eligibility
Identification of responsible parties: Your attorney will need to identify and prove which companies or entities are liable for your asbestos exposure. This process often involves extensive investigation and expert testimony.
Jurisdictional rules: Laws vary from state to state and can affect filing procedures, deadlines and available damages.
Medical diagnosis: A confirmed diagnosis of mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness is essential. Your medical records, a pathology report and a physician’s statement connecting your diagnosis to asbestos are needed.
Proof of asbestos exposure: You must show evidence of how, when and where you were exposed with employment records, coworker testimony, military service records or documentation of environmental exposure or asbestos product use.
Quality and availability of evidence: Lack of documentation or difficulty proving exposure can limit eligibility or reduce compensation amounts.
Statute of limitations: Each state sets legal deadlines called statutes of limitations that limit when you can file your claim. These typically range from 1 to 6 years from the date of diagnosis or the patient’s death for wrongful death claims. Filing as early as possible is crucial to preserve your rights.
It’s important to consult with a specialized mesothelioma attorney soon after diagnosis. Early legal guidance ensures your case is properly evaluated and all necessary factors are addressed to protect your rights.
How to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit
To file a mesothelioma lawsuit, it’s easiest if you find an asbestos attorney who will prepare and file a legal complaint with a court. Your attorney will handle the filing process from start to finish. They will advise the best course of action for your case and communicate throughout the litigation process.
The litigation process may take several months or years. If you’re very sick, your attorney may ask the court to speed the process along. Your attorney will advocate on your behalf throughout each step.
Your attorney will walk you through every step of the mesothelioma lawsuit process.
1. Choose an Attorney
An important first step in a successful filing process is choosing an attorney experienced in asbestos claims. Top mesothelioma law firms should provide you with a free consultation to talk about your case and address your legal options.
Gather relevant information about your diagnosis and how you were exposed to asbestos as you prepare for an initial consultation with a law firm. Don’t worry about recalling all the details now or being able to answer every question. A good mesothelioma law firm will help investigate your asbestos exposure history to aid your lawsuit.
2. Case Review and Preparation
A case review is also called a case evaluation. This is an opportunity for you and the asbestos law firm to learn about each other. How the firm handles the case review process will tell you a lot about how it operates and communicates with clients.
The first steps of a mesothelioma case review can take place virtually or in person. Often, the review will begin with a phone conversation between you and the asbestos attorney. The attorney will ask broad questions to learn more about your diagnosis and asbestos exposure. A reputable law firm will typically travel to your home at no additional charge to meet in person.
3. File Mesothelioma Lawsuit
Your attorney will research what lawsuit and asbestos compensation options best fit your individual needs. A skilled attorney will help you prepare all the documentation needed to support your lawsuit. They’ll handle everything when you file a personal injury lawsuit, a wrongful death lawsuit or an asbestos trust fund claim.
After gathering relevant information, your attorney will file the lawsuit on your behalf. They’ll manage the legal proceedings and recommend when to take a settlement offer or negotiate for more compensation.
Perspective From a Mesothelioma Lawyer
“It’s so important for mesothelioma patients to go through the litigation process. They can tell their story in front of a jury of their peers to say it’s not right that a corporation knew or should have known about a poison they were putting into their products and did it anyway.”
Jim Kramer, mesothelioma lawyer
4. Responses and Discovery
Each defendant in your mesothelioma lawsuit will receive a copy of your complaint. They will have a certain amount of time, usually 30 days, to respond. Defendants rarely admit fault. They often deny allegations and argue against your complaint’s validity. Defendants may contend that someone else is to blame. Your attorney will respond and argue on your behalf.
Lawyers on both sides will gather information about your allegations. Plaintiffs and defendants answer questions, produce documents and take part in depositions. Some of the information may become evidence used at trial. During a deposition, questions are answered under oath. This is often done from the comfort of your own home and under the guidance of your attorney.
5. Settlement or Trial
Before a trial starts, defendants may offer you money to resolve the case. Mesothelioma settlements depend on multiple factors and can influence your decision about whether to go to trial. If you decline a settlement offer, it’s possible the defendant will make another offer. Your attorney will negotiate on your behalf.
Going to trial is rare. Even if a case does go to court, you may not be required to appear. The trial process varies depending on multiple factors.
Results depend on factors such as your history of asbestos exposure, the state where the lawsuit is filed and your medical history. If you win and the defendant doesn’t appeal, you may start receiving payments a few months after the verdict.
6. Resolution
If you win the trial, asbestos defendants may decide to file an appeal. There is a limited amount of time to file an appeal, usually between 30 and 180 days after the verdict. This may delay any monetary award, but defendants will need to post a bond for the amount awarded while the appeal proceeds.
If the defendants lose their appeal, you’ll receive payment. If the appeal is successful, defendants may end up paying a smaller amount or nothing at all.
Get Your Free Legal Guide
Request our updated 2025 legal guide, and find out which type of mesothelioma lawsuit is right for you.
Some of the most notable mesothelioma verdicts have reached and exceeded tens of millions of dollars. The average asbestos verdict in 2023 was $20.7 million based on an analysis of legal cases that year. If your case proceeds to trial, there is a possibility of reaching a settlement. Most cases are resolved through settlements, which average between $1 million to $2 million, according to legal experts.
We follow the latest mesothelioma lawsuits to provide you an understanding of the types of awards plaintiffs can receive as part of their legal compensation. The following notable asbestos lawsuit verdicts represent recent outcomes and historically significant cases.
$29.4 million: Awarded in a talc lawsuit to a long-time talcum powder user in 2019 over exposure to talcum powder contaminated with asbestos.
$24.4 million: Awarded to the family of a janitor in 2024 who filed a lawsuit alleging his asbestos exposure resulted from his work at an Avon manufacturing facility.
Verdict amounts have historically varied widely depending on the specific circumstances of each case. You and your lawyer can discuss the typical mesothelioma lawsuit settlement amount, average verdict amounts, and the details in your individual case as you navigate the litigation process together.
The state where you file can also impact mesothelioma compensation. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help you and your family decide the best jurisdiction in which to file your asbestos claim.
A mesothelioma lawsuit is a legal claim people with mesothelioma or their families file against the companies that made asbestos products. These claims say the companies are responsible for the asbestos exposure that caused their illness. Plaintiffs can get money for medical bills, legal fees or lost wages.
How long does a mesothelioma lawsuit take?
A mesothelioma lawsuit may take anywhere from a year or more, depending on the jurisdiction where the lawsuit was filed.
Answered By: Carl Money, Mesothelioma Attorney, Nemeroff Law Firm
How much will I need to pay a mesothelioma lawyer?
It does not cost anything to hire a mesothelioma attorney. A mesothelioma attorney represents you on a contingency fee basis (no win, no fee) so that you have no out-of-pocket costs. The mesothelioma attorney only receives a fee if they obtain compensation for you and your heirs.
Answered By: Carl Money, Mesothelioma Attorney, Nemeroff Law Firm
What should you expect from a mesothelioma lawsuit?
You should expect to meet with an attorney so that they can obtain a contract, authorizations for medical records and employment records, and take notes about your history of asbestos exposure.
Answered By: Carl Money, Mesothelioma Attorney, Nemeroff Law Firm
Will I need to travel?
Generally, you do not need to travel. The attorney will come to your house and obtain all necessary information to pursue litigation and file claims against the asbestos trusts.
Answered By: Carl Money, Mesothelioma Attorney, Nemeroff Law Firm
Who are the parties involved in a mesothelioma lawsuit?
Mesothelioma lawsuits are often filed against companies that manufactured, distributed, or used asbestos-containing products without disclosing its risks to people.
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Meirowitz, S. (2025, November 17). Mesothelioma Lawsuit. Asbestos.com. Retrieved November 17, 2025, from https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma-lawyer/lawsuit/
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Meirowitz, Samuel. "Mesothelioma Lawsuit." Asbestos.com, 17 Nov 2025, https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma-lawyer/lawsuit/.
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Meirowitz, Samuel. "Mesothelioma Lawsuit." Asbestos.com. Last modified November 17, 2025. https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma-lawyer/lawsuit/.
Samuel Meirowitz represents plaintiffs across the United States in mesothelioma and asbestos legal cases. He is a partner at the Manhattan-based Meirowitz & Wasserberg law firm.
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