Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Types of Mesothelioma Lawsuits

As a  survivor or family member coping with mesothelioma and associated significant healthcare costs, an asbestos lawsuit may be right for you. There are options available for seeking compensation.

Speaking with patient advocates and legal experts to help you get started on your journey, exploring your legal options can help. They can share a unique perspective on options and top law firms to speak with for initial consultations.

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Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you lost a loved one to an asbestos-related disease, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit. If asbestos companies are liable for your exposure and they filed for bankruptcy, your lawyer may help you file a trust fund claim instead of a lawsuit.

Product Liability Lawsuit

Generally, mesothelioma lawsuits are 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 claims include negligence, strict liability and breach of warranty.

Once exposure to an asbestos product has caused an asbestos-related disease or death, the injured party or surviving loved ones may file a claim. The steps for filing a mesothelioma lawsuit vary depending on the type of claim filed.

Personal Injury Lawsuit

Mesothelioma patients may file a personal injury lawsuit. The lawsuit can name various asbestos companies that are responsible for exposing them to the carcinogenic mineral.

A company’s failure to warn employees and consumers about the hazards of asbestos is the basis for liability in a lawsuit. If the lawsuit is successful, the mesothelioma patient receives compensation for their injury.

Wrongful Death Lawsuit

The estate of a deceased mesothelioma patient may file a wrongful death claim. Compensation awarded is for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost income and past pain and suffering.

If a mesothelioma patient files a personal injury lawsuit but dies before resolution, the claim can be converted to wrongful death and the estate can continue pursuing the claim. The estate is the recipient of any compensation awarded in wrongful death lawsuits.

Who Is Eligible to File an Asbestos Lawsuit?

You’re eligible to file a mesothelioma lawsuit if you can provide documentation of your mesothelioma diagnosis. Documentation includes medical reports from the cancer center or hospital where you received the diagnosis.

You may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit if you’ve lost a loved one to mesothelioma. You would need to be appointed as the representative or administrator of your loved one’s estate in order to file this type of lawsuit.

Key States for Asbestos Litigation

According to a leading industry report, filing of more than 3,600 mesothelioma claims occurred throughout the U.S. in 2020. California, New York and Illinois rank among the top states with the most legal claims for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Asbestos exposure in these states commonly traces back to manufacturing plants, automobile factories, power plants and construction sites. Exposure most often occurred at commercial and industrial job sites. Secondary exposure also occurred when workers brought asbestos fibers home on clothing.

You may be able to file a mesothelioma lawsuit outside of the state in which you live depending upon the details of your case. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help you and your family decide the best jurisdiction in which to file your asbestos claim.

Statute of Limitations on Asbestos Lawsuits

In both personal injury and wrongful death, plaintiffs must file a lawsuit soon after diagnosis. Each state has a different statute of limitations, which sets a time limit of typically around two years, for a plaintiff to file a lawsuit after injury or discovery of their injury. 

In mesothelioma cases, the statute of limitations usually begins to run after the date of diagnosis of mesothelioma. Speak with a mesothelioma lawyer to ensure you are within the statute of limitations to file your claim.

Why File an Asbestos Lawsuit?

Compensation from an asbestos lawsuit may help with the significant costs of mesothelioma treatment for you and your family. Mesothelioma lawsuits can provide money for both medical expenses and compensate you for pain and suffering.

Should mesothelioma patients seek compensation for their exposure? Tamron Little | 0:53

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 compensation that can help you build a more secure financial future for your loved ones.

Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit

First, you must find an attorney who will prepare and file a written complaint with a court. Your attorney will walk you through every step of the mesothelioma lawsuit process.

Filing and each step of the process may take several months. If you’re very sick, your attorney may ask the court to speed the process along. Your attorney will guide you and represent you every step of the way.

1. Choose an Attorney

The first step in a successful filing process is choosing an attorney experienced in asbestos cases. Top mesothelioma law firms will provide you with a free consultation to talk about your case and address your legal options.

You can prepare for an initial consultation with a law firm, gathering relevant information about your diagnosis and asbestos exposure. 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 claim.

2. Case Review and Preparation

A case review is also called a case evaluation. This is an opportunity for you and the 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 begins with a phone conversation between the patient and asbestos attorney. The attorney will ask broad questions to learn more about the patient’s diagnosis and asbestos exposure.

3. File Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Your attorney will research what claim and compensation options best fit your individual needs. A skilled attorney will help you prepare all the documentation needed to support your claim. They will handle everything when you file a personal injury lawsuit, a wrongful death lawsuit or a claim with an asbestos trust.

After gathering relevant information, your attorney will file the lawsuit on your behalf. They will manage the legal proceedings and recommend when to take a settlement offer or negotiate for more compensation.

Most Lawsuits Are Settled Before Trial

The average mesothelioma settlement is between $1 million and $2 million.

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4. Responses and Discovery

Each defendant in your 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, and typically they will deny your allegations and argue against your complaint’s validity. 

Defendants may contend that someone else is to blame for your asbestos exposure. However, your attorney will respond to the defendant’s assertions and argue on your behalf.

Lawyers on both sides will gather information about your allegations. They ask the other side to answer written questions, produce documents and take part in depositions. Some of the information may become evidence used at trial. You may need to do a deposition and answer questions under oath from both your lawyer and the defendants’ lawyers. This is often done from the comfort of your own home and always 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 where you file a claim. 

Results depend on your history of asbestos exposure, the state where the lawsuit is filed, your medical history and other factors. If you win and the defendant does not appeal, you will usually start receiving payments a few months after the verdict.

6. Resolution

If you win the trial, 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 will delay any monetary award, but defendants will need to post a “bond” for the amount awarded while the appeal proceeds.

What Factors Determine Compensation from a Mesothelioma Lawsuit? Jim Kramer | 0:28

If the defendants lose their appeal, you will receive payment. If the appeal is successful, defendants may end up paying a smaller amount or nothing at all. If you win at trial and the defendant does not choose to appeal, you will typically receive payments within a few months after the verdict.

Notable Asbestos Lawsuit Verdicts

There have been many notable asbestos lawsuit verdicts, including:

Verdict amounts have historically varied widely depending on the specific circumstances of each case. You and your lawyer can discuss average verdict amounts, typical settlements and the details in your individual case as you navigate the litigation process together.

History of Asbestos Litigation

Asbestos litigation is the longest-running mass tort in U.S. history, dating back to the late 1960s. Lawsuits continue to be filed and courts are actively hearing asbestos cases currently.

Dozens of companies have filed for bankruptcy under the weight of asbestos lawsuits. They established asbestos trust funds to compensate future victims and their families. Your attorney can advise you if you should file a trust fund claim.

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Common Questions About Mesothelioma Lawsuits

What Are Mesothelioma Lawsuits?

Mesothelioma lawsuits are legal actions that people diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease can take. These lawsuits seek compensation from companies responsible for their asbestos exposure.

How long does a mesothelioma lawsuit take?

The legal process for an asbestos-related lawsuit depends on the health of the plaintiff. The process can take several months or even longer, however, it can be expedited depending on your health.

In either scenario, the defendants may try to delay the progress of your case. Your attorney will work to resolve your case as soon as possible. They will handle each step so you can focus on your wellbeing and spend time with your loved ones.

Should I join a mesothelioma class-action lawsuit?

In general, mesothelioma class-action lawsuits are uncommon. Patients with mesothelioma and their families usually have a better chance of receiving compensation through an individual personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits. You may be able to join a multidistrict litigation, where many individual claims get grouped and processed together without lumping plaintiffs into a single class. For example, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania manages the largest multidistrict litigation for mesothelioma cases.

How much do mesothelioma lawyers charge?

Most mesothelioma law firms work on a contingency fee basis. This means your attorney gets paid if you agree to a settlement or obtain a favorable verdict. When you receive compensation, your lawyer’s fee is a percentage of the funds. However, if you do not receive any compensation, your attorney does not receive any fee.

What should you expect from a mesothelioma lawsuit?

Each case is different. Results depend on your history of asbestos exposure and your medical history. The jurisdiction in which your case is filed can also play a role. The best person to advise you on what to expect is your attorney.

Will I need to travel?

You may not need to travel. Mesothelioma attorneys can often handle the entire case process from their office and travel to you when necessary.