- Written by Joe Lahav, Esquire
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Mesothelioma and Asbestos Lawyers
Fact CheckedA 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.
Start with a quick and free case evaluation to get the compensation you deserve.
Find a Top Mesothelioma Attorney
What a Mesothelioma Lawyer Can Offer You
Asbestos lawsuits are complicated and time sensitive. A qualified mesothelioma lawyer will offer a free case review, focused legal support and the knowledge and tools to build a strong case. Asbestos attorneys are also understanding and compassionate to what you and your family are going through.
1. Free Case Review
Experienced asbestos attorneys from reputable mesothelioma law firms offer free consultations for you or your loved one with no obligation. These free case reviews will address your legal options.
2. Access to Available Compensation
A successful mesothelioma law firm that specializes in asbestos litigation will have attorneys who know the intricacies of filing a mesothelioma lawsuit or asbestos trust fund claim.
3. Nationwide Availability
Qualified mesothelioma lawyers understand what you and your family are facing. That’s why they will often travel to your home to advise you, so you can stay comfortable. Most established mesothelioma law firms serve clients nationwide.
4. Access to Asbestos Databases
The best mesothelioma lawyers have access to databases that contain information about companies that used asbestos, manufacturers of asbestos products and other tools not available to other types of attorneys. They also are well-versed in state asbestos laws and federal legislation.
HOW MUCH DOES A MESOTHELIOMA LAWYER COST?
Mesothelioma lawyers typically work on a contingency-fee basis. This usually means you pay nothing until you receive compensation and nothing at all if your case is not successful. Connect With 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.
Common Expenses for Mesothelioma Patients
- Treatment costs
- Lost wages
- Caregiver costs
- Travel expenses
- Therapy and greif 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.
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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.
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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.
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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 Lawsuit
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.
12 Cited Article Sources
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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.
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Halleman, L. (2017, March 13). Dana Cos. set to appeal $75 million asbestos verdict in New York court.
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Myers, J. (2016, December 2). Record-setting $18 million award could set precedent for future talcum powder cases.
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Pass, H., Metula, S. and Vento, S. 100 Questions & Answers About Mesothelioma. New York: Jones and Bartlett, 2010.
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Castleman, B. Asbestos: Medical and Legal Aspects, Fifth Edition. New York: Aspen Publishers, 2005.
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Cornell University Law School. (n.d.) 42 U.S. Code § 7412. Hazardous air pollutants.
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Last Modified November 7, 2019
