Our fact-checking process begins with a thorough review of all sources to ensure they are high quality. Then we cross-check the facts with original medical or scientific reports published by those sources, or we validate the facts with reputable news organizations, medical and scientific experts and other health experts. Each page includes all sources for full transparency.
The content on this page was medically or scientifically reviewed for accuracy and clarity by medical doctors, scientists, researchers or other subject-matter experts.
Mesothelioma and Asbestos Lawyers
A mesothelioma lawyer specializes in asbestos compensation through litigation such as settlements and asbestos lawsuits. The best attorneys for asbestos cases are knowledgeable, understanding and resourceful in all aspects of asbestos law and practice at a well-established national law firm.
A mesothelioma attorney can help you get the compensation you or a loved one deserves.
Find a Top Mesothelioma Attorney
Why Should You Hire a Mesothelioma Attorney?
You should hire a mesothelioma attorney because the asbestos-related cancer could have been prevented. You have the legal right to file a mesothelioma lawsuit or other legal actions against negligent companies and manufacturers.
A mesothelioma attorney can:
- Represent you in court because they are familiar with the complex legal process involving asbestos and mesothelioma cases
- Access the tools needed to prove negligence
- Get you the compensation you deserve for your wrongful exposure to asbestos
What Are the Qualities of a Great Mesothelioma Attorney?
A mesothelioma lawyer is unlike family, criminal and general practice lawyers because mesothelioma lawyers specialize in time-sensitive cases dealing with asbestos exposure caused by negligent companies.
The best mesothelioma lawyers should have the following qualities:
Provide a Free Case Review
Experienced asbestos attorneys offer free consultations that address your legal options for you or your loved one with no obligation.
Track Record of Success
The mesothelioma lawyer has a proven track record of winning asbestos lawsuits, successful verdicts and recovering large settlements.
Years of Experience
The lawyer or their mesothelioma law firm shows decades of filing mesothelioma cases, representing patients and families in court, and is well versed in state asbestos laws and federal legislation.
Nationwide Availability
Mesothelioma lawyers should be able to travel to you when gathering information about a case and have practices in many states.
Good Communication Skills
You want an attorney who makes you feel comfortable when talking about intimate health and work details as well as answering your questions, so you understand the process.
Access to Databases
Mesothelioma lawyers can access databases that contain information about companies that used asbestos, manufacturers of asbestos products and other tools not available to other types of attorneys.
Knowledgeable About Compensation
A mesothelioma lawyer should explain all the types of potential compensation available to you and your loved ones.
How Do You Find a Top Mesothelioma Lawyer?
Finding the right mesothelioma lawyer who fits all these qualities is not easy and takes time. Let us help you find the best one and connect you and your loved ones to the most qualified attorney.
Find a Top Mesothelioma LawyerYou should think about choosing a mesothelioma attorney the same way you would choose a mesothelioma doctor. You wouldn’t go to a podiatrist if you needed treatment for mesothelioma in your lungs. Likewise, you shouldn’t just assume any attorney is capable of handling a mesothelioma claim.
Joe Lahav Legal Advisor at The Mesothelioma Center
What Expenses Can Be Covered by Legal Compensation?
A trustworthy mesothelioma attorney will never guarantee a settlement or a successful jury verdict. However, finding a mesothelioma lawyer who can offer a high probability of success will make it easier to obtain compensation for your expenses.
Common Expenses for Mesothelioma Patients
- Treatment costs
- Lost wages
- Caregiver costs
- Travel expenses
- Therapy and grief support
- Funeral expenses
TIP
Save all your medical and financial records, so your mesothelioma lawyer can have updated information about your expenses.
Types of Claims Handled by Mesothelioma Lawyers
A qualified asbestos lawyer will help you decide the best way to pursue compensation, whether it’s through a settlement or verdict from a mesothelioma lawsuit or through an asbestos trust fund claim.
Some of the top mesothelioma law firms have on-staff military veterans who help other veterans receive compensation for asbestos-related illnesses through VA claims and legal claims.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
A person diagnosed with mesothelioma can file a personal injury lawsuit against one or more companies that may be responsible for their illness.
Read More
Wrongful Death Lawsuits
The estate of a person who died from mesothelioma may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against one or more companies that exposed the deceased to asbestos.
Read More
Mesothelioma Settlements
The vast majority of mesothelioma lawsuits never go to trial. Although a jury verdict may result in a larger reward, mesothelioma settlements are guaranteed compensation and typically a quicker resolution to a case.
Read More
Asbestos Trust Funds
Bankrupt asbestos companies have set aside billions to compensate people diagnosed with mesothelioma. Qualified asbestos lawyers are well versed in the asbestos trust fund claims process.
Read MoreMesothelioma Verdicts
Mesothelioma lawsuits have helped thousands of people receive compensation from companies that negligently exposed them to asbestos.
$117 Million
Retired banker Stephen Lanzo III and his wife won $117 million in 2018 against consumer goods giant Johnson & Johnson and talc supplier Imerys Talc America. Lanzo claimed he developed mesothelioma after using asbestos-contaminated talcum powder products from 1979 to 2003.
$75 Million
In 2017, the wife of a race car driver won a mesothelioma lawsuit in New York against a group of auto-part manufacturers. For years, she had swept the garage where her husband worked with asbestos-containing gaskets, which carried no warnings about health risks from asbestos exposure.
$22 Million
A California jury in 2017 awarded $22 million to the estate of a man exposed to asbestos-contaminated talc used in paint manufacturing. The award included $17.57 million for malice on the part of Vanderbilt Minerals and Imerys Talc America, along with $4.6 million in punitive damages.
$18.6 Million
In 2014, a Dallas County jury awarded $18.6 million to the family of a tire builder who died of mesothelioma. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. employee was repeatedly exposed to asbestos over 30 years while working with Goodyear tire machines at a plant in Tyler, Texas.
Top Mesothelioma Law Firms
The best mesothelioma lawyers work at the top mesothelioma law firms in the United States. These firms have a team of attorneys who specialize in asbestos litigation. They have a proven track record of winning cases and negotiating settlements for people affected by mesothelioma and their loved ones.
We can help connect you with some of the top mesothelioma law firms in the nation, including:
- Weitz & Luxenberg
- Cooney & Conway
- Simmons Hanly Conroy
- Nemeroff Law
- Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman
BILLIONS RECOVERED
The best law firms have a history of getting large verdicts and settlements for families affected by mesothelioma. They have recovered billions of dollars over the past three decades. Connect with a Top Law FirmMesothelioma Legal Information by State
Laws, procedures and rules relating to asbestos claims vary from state to state. Some state courts are considered more lenient to businesses, while other courts tend to be more sympathetic to people harmed by asbestos exposure.
Experienced mesothelioma attorneys understand the differences between jurisdictions, including the filing deadline for each state.
Common Legal Questions for Mesothelioma Attorneys
We answer frequently asked questions about getting compensation for mesothelioma because it’s a complex process. Don’t let misconceptions prevent you from seeking important legal help from specialized mesothelioma lawyers.
- How Much Compensation Is Available from Asbestos Legal Claims?
- If you are awarded compensation, the amount you receive will depend on several different factors. The average mesothelioma trial award is about $2.4 million, while a lawsuit settlement ranges from $1 million to $1.4 million, according to a 2016 Mealey’s Litigation Report. An experienced and trusted asbestos lawyer will never guarantee an amount, but they will work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve.
- Am I Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit?
- If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may have the option to file a personal injury lawsuit against one or more companies that may be responsible for your cancer. Factors affecting your eligibility include statutes of limitations, your asbestos exposure history and medical records proving your diagnosis. A qualified mesothelioma lawyer can provide a free consultation to review your case and go over your legal options.
- When Should I Contact a Mesothelioma Lawyer?
- The sooner you seek legal help, the sooner you may be able to receive compensation to cover medical expenses. Mesothelioma lawsuits are time sensitive because of statutes of limitations. State laws may prevent you from filing a claim one or two years after learning about your diagnosis.
- How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Mesothelioma Lawyer?
- Most mesothelioma attorneys offer free consultations. It’s possible to discuss your case with a qualified lawyer with no obligations, giving you a chance to find someone you are comfortable with at no cost. If you decide to file a lawsuit, your lawyer typically only gets paid if you receive an award from a settlement or trial verdict.
- How Long Does It Take to Get Compensation?
- Every mesothelioma case is unique. Once a qualified mesothelioma lawyer knows the details of your case, they can provide a more realistic idea of how long it will take to get compensation. Settlements and asbestos trust fund claims typically resolve sooner than trial verdicts. Your lawyer may be able to expedite your lawsuit if you are at an advanced stage of cancer.
- Do I Sue the Military or the Government?
- Mesothelioma lawsuits are usually filed against companies that produced and sold asbestos, not the government. If you were exposed to asbestos during military service, you may have the option to sue a company that supplied asbestos-containing products to the armed forces. If you don’t feel comfortable filing a lawsuit, you may be able to recover funds by filing a VA claim.
Quick Fact
You have a limited amount of time to get compensation for treatment costs, lost wages and other expenses caused by a mesothelioma diagnosis.
File a Mesothelioma LawsuitLast Modified January 7, 2020
Joe Lahav, Esquire
Lawyer and On-Site Legal Advisor
Joe Lahav is a lawyer and legal advisor at The Mesothelioma Center. He graduated with honors from the University of Florida College of Law in 2000, and he's licensed to practice in Washington, D.C., and Florida. Joe lost his mother to cancer, and he understands the emotional toll mesothelioma can have on families.
9 Cited Article Sources
The sources on all content featured in The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com include medical and scientific studies, peer-reviewed studies and other research documents from reputable organizations.
-
Bellon, T. (2018, April 11). Johnson & Johnson, Imerys must pay $117 million to New Jersey man in asbestos cancer case.
Retrieved from: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-johnson-johnson-cancer-lawsuit/johnson-johnson-imerys-must-pay-117-million-to-new-jersey-man-in-asbestos-cancer-case-idUSKBN1HI2ZD -
Christensen, J. (2018, April 11). Does talcum powder cause cancer? A legal and scientific battle rages.
Retrieved from: https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/11/health/talc-ovarian-cancer-cases/index.html -
Christensen, J. (2018, April 6). New Jersey couple awarded $37 million in talcum powder case.
Retrieved from: https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/06/health/talc-mesothelioma-asbestos-damages/index.html -
Talcum Powder Litigation Report. (2017, December 13). Calif Jury Awards $22.17 Million at Conclusion of Asbestos Talc Trial Against Imerys Talc, Vanderbilt Minerals.
Retrieved from: https://harrismartin.com/article/22980/ -
Halleman, L. (2017, March 13). Dana Cos. set to appeal $75 million asbestos verdict in New York court.
Retrieved from: https://setexasrecord.com/stories/511088757-dana-cos-set-to-appeal-75-million-asbestos-verdict-in-new-york-court -
Myers, J. (2016, December 2). Record-setting $18 million award could set precedent for future talcum powder cases.
Retrieved from: https://norcalrecord.com/stories/511042178-record-setting-18-million-award-could-set-precedent-for-future-talcum-powder-cases -
Pass, H., Metula, S. and Vento, S. 100 Questions & Answers About Mesothelioma. New York: Jones and Bartlett, 2010.
-
Castleman, B. Asbestos: Medical and Legal Aspects, Fifth Edition. New York: Aspen Publishers, 2005.
- Cornell University Law School. (n.d.) 42 U.S. Code § 7412. Hazardous air pollutants. Retrieved from: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/7412
How did this article help you?
What about this article isn’t helpful for you?
Did this article help you?
Thank you for your feedback. Would you like to speak with a Patient Advocate?
Related Topics
Share this article
Last Modified January 7, 2020
