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 mesothelioma lawyers work for well-established nationwide law firms with proven track records. Asbestos attorneys can help families suffering from a mesothelioma diagnosis get compensation to help cover associated costs.
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 specializes in asbestos litigation, including mesothelioma lawsuits, settlements and asbestos trust funds. Some of the top mesothelioma lawyers work for well-established national law firms such as Weitz & Luxenberg and Simmons Hanly Conroy.
These attorneys work hard for mesothelioma cancer patients and their families to get them the compensation they deserve.
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. Because every case is unique, it is difficult to accurately determine your case value.
$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.
According to a KCIC industry report, the nation’s top 10 mesothelioma law firms handled 71% of mesothelioma claims in 2019.
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.
Key states for asbestos litigation include:
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
- West Virgina
- Arizona
- North Carolina
- Hawaii
- Montana
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.
- What is a mesothelioma attorney?
- A mesothelioma lawyer works for a law firm specializing in asbestos cases and will help you pursue compensation for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.
- Who is eligible to file a mesothelioma lawsuit?
- If you have received a mesothelioma diagnosis, you or your family may be eligible to file an asbestos personal injury lawsuit, or a mesothelioma lawsuit after death, against companies responsible for your cancer. An asbestos attorney will review your eligibility factors to file an asbestos claim, including statutes of limitations, asbestos exposure history and medical records proving your diagnosis.
- When should I hire a mesothelioma attorney?
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 an asbestos claim one or two years after learning about your diagnosis.- Will I need to travel to meet with a good mesothelioma attorney?
Top mesothelioma lawyers work for national law firms and will travel to you, preventing the need for you to leave home during the COVID-19 pandemic. These lawyers have experience in asbestos litigation and have practices in many states, and will work to get you the compensation for mesothelioma that you deserve.- How much does it cost to hire a mesothelioma lawyer?
Most mesothelioma attorneys offer free consultations and will discuss your case with no obligation. If you decide to pursue a lawsuit within the deadline to file an asbestos claim, your lawyer typically receives payment only if you receive an award from a settlement or trial verdict.- How can I prove my mesothelioma was caused by asbestos exposure?
A mesothelioma lawyer can gather evidence for an asbestos lawsuit to prove that exposure from asbestos products was responsible for your cancer and that a company is liable for your illness.- Do I sue the military or the government?
Mesothelioma lawyers usually help clients file lawsuits against companies that produced and sold asbestos, not the government. Veterans exposed to asbestos during military service may have the option of filing a VA claim, filing an asbestos trust fund claim or suing a company that supplied asbestos-containing products to the armed forces.- Can I still meet with my mesothelioma lawyer during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Yes, mesothelioma lawyers across the country are transitioning to remote and teleconferencing services. Lawyers are using virtual meetings, electronic signatures and other tools to keep patients safe and continue processing mesothelioma claims during coronavirus.
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 August 20, 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.
10 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.
-
KCIC. (2020). Asbestos Litigation: 2019 Year In Review.
Retrieved from: https://www.kcic.com/media/2059/kcic-2019-asbestos-report.pdf -
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 August 20, 2020
