Mesothelioma Settlements & Verdicts

Mesothelioma Settlements vs. Verdicts: Understanding the Differences

Mesothelioma settlements and verdicts are types of compensation awarded in mesothelioma lawsuits that help cover diagnosis-related costs like medical bills, lost wages and funeral costs. A mesothelioma settlement is an agreement between parties to avoid going to court or end an ongoing trial before a verdict. It typically results in quicker compensation. Trial verdicts may offer higher compensation than settlements but take longer and carry more risk.

Mesothelioma settlements and verdicts also differ in how they’re determined. Settlements result from negotiation between parties, while judges or juries decide verdicts based on the evidence presented at trial. The process affects compensation, whether case details remain private or become public, the potential for appeals and the degree of control families have over the outcome.

What Are the Average Mesothelioma Settlement & Verdict Amounts

The national average settlement people with mesothelioma receive is $1 million to $2 million. The average mesothelioma trial verdict was $20.7 million in 2024, according to the Mealey’s Litigation Report. Settlement amounts differ for each case. They depend on specific details and circumstances. 

A Los Angeles jury recently awarded the family of Mae K. Moore a historic $966 million in damages, including $950 million in punitive damages. This landmark mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit claimed asbestos-contaminated talc in Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder caused Moore’s mesothelioma. The nearly $1 billion trial verdict is the largest talc verdict and the largest mesothelioma verdict in U.S. history to date. Johnson & Johnson does plan to appeal the verdict. 

“Because settlements provide compensation faster than lawsuits, they may be a more immediate solution to pay expenses,” says Joe Lahav, a lawyer and Asbestos.com legal advisor. “I’ve seen verdicts typically result in higher amounts of total compensation, but the majority of lawsuits are settled before trial.”

Additional forms of financial assistance exist for many mesothelioma survivors. Examples include asbestos trust fund payouts from bankrupt companies and VA claims for veterans. Talk to an attorney to evaluate the best options for you and your family.

Expert Take

Daniel Wasserberg: What is the average settlement payout for a mesothelioma case?

View Transcript

I’m always reluctant to tell people what the national average is for asbestos settlements in a mesothelioma case. And there’s a variety of reasons, one of which is settlements are confidential. And there’s really no way for anyone to know exactly precisely what the national average is. But let’s just say that it’s a million dollars, give or take, national average for a mesothelioma case.

Our goal is always going to be to exceed a million dollars in every mesothelioma case that we have. Unfortunately, not every case is a seven figure case. There are some cases that are very difficult. Either the person really can’t figure out how they were exposed to asbestos. Maybe they came to the United States from a foreign country later in their life.

Maybe the exact defendants that they were exposed to are bankrupt, and they’re only gonna get a percentage of what they should have gotten, if the company was not bankrupt. But by and large, we are trying to get north of a million dollars. And as far north as possible, but, it’s case by case.

Factors Influencing Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts

When you file an asbestos claim, factors such as medical expenses and lost wages, case strength and jurisdiction will affect your potential settlement or verdict amount. A defendant’s litigation history can also play a role. If a defendant has settled or lost cases, they may want to settle quickly to avoid another trial.

Factors Affecting Average Mesothelioma Settlements

• Case strength: Strong evidence of liability usually leads to higher settlements.
• Company liability and negligence: Financial liability may be significant with strong evidence of negligence.
• Compensatory and punitive damages: Jurors consider compensatory damages, such as the plaintiff’s economic losses, and punitive damages to punish a defendant.
• Jurisdiction: Different state laws and previous court verdicts in that jurisdiction significantly impact compensation awards.
• Medical expenses, lost wages and illness severity: The severity of your illness can be a factor. Medical expenses can mount while patients and caregivers focus on mesothelioma treatment.
• Number of companies in lawsuit: Some mesothelioma lawsuits name multiple defendants.
• Trust fund payouts: If you’ve received a payout from an asbestos trust fund, this amount may be deducted from your mesothelioma settlement payout.

Mesothelioma lawyer Samuel Meirowitz of Meirowitz & Wasserberg explains, “What certainly helps in determining the value of a [mesothelioma] case is the work history of the person that’s sick. The most important part of the process is taking down an occupational history and asking all the right questions in terms of what work was done, and what products were used.”

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What Can You Expect From the Asbestos Settlement Process?

Filing an asbestos lawsuit is a complex process involving multiple steps. Your attorney will manage the process for you, helping you weigh compensation options at each stage and guiding you through decisions about whether to accept or reject settlement offers.

Asbestos Settlement Process

1. Hire an experienced mesothelioma attorney: Contact a lawyer specializing in asbestos cases. Your attorney will evaluate your exposure history and medical records to build your case.
2. Filing the lawsuit: Your attorney will file the legal claim against the asbestos companies in the appropriate jurisdiction. Defendants usually have about 30 days to respond, either by accepting liability or fighting the claim.
3. Discovery phase: During discovery, both sides exchange evidence and witness testimony. This phase can take several months as attorneys gather decades-old documents and medical records.
4. Settlement negotiations: Settlement discussions may happen throughout the process. Most mesothelioma cases resolve with a settlement before trial. Your attorney negotiates on your behalf to secure the best possible outcome.
5. Trial: If no settlement can be reached, the case will proceed to trial. A judge or jury will decide the verdict and your compensation amount. Trials take longer and carry more risk compared to settlements.
6. Payout: Settlement payments typically begin within 90 days. Trial verdicts may take longer if defendants appeal.

Families may also pursue compensation through a mesothelioma wrongful death claim if a loved one has passed away from the disease. Surviving family members file these claims, which follow a similar legal process as personal injury lawsuits. A wrongful death settlement can help cover funeral expenses, medical bills and the loss of household income or companionship.

Perspective From a Mesothelioma Lawyer

“We’re prepared to take every one of our cases to trial. A very small percentage, though, ever get to a verdict,”

Dan Kraft, mesothelioma attorney at Meirowitz & Wasserberg

Is Accepting an Asbestos Settlement the Right Choice?

Choosing to accept a settlement offer is a personal decision you and your family will make together with the guidance of your experienced, skilled attorney. Your asbestos attorney can provide valuable insights, ensuring you receive a fair amount.

Latest Mesothelioma Lawsuit Settlement and Verdict Updates

For the past 5 years, between 3,500 and 4,100 asbestos lawsuits have been filed in U.S. courts each year, according to the consulting firm KCIC. Most of these claims are settled privately before reaching a jury trial.

Status of Asbestos Lawsuits and Settlements

• October 2025: A Los Angeles jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $966 million to the family of Mae Moore, an 88-year-old woman who died from mesothelioma in 2021. Jurors found asbestos contamination in J&J’s talc-based baby powder caused her cancer. The company denies wrongdoing, maintaining its products are safe and free of asbestos, and says it will appeal the verdict.
• September 2025: A Portland jury recently awarded $34.2 million to Richard Long, a 71-year-old former shipyard laborer who developed mesothelioma after years of exposure to John Crane Inc.’s asbestos-containing gaskets and packing. Long worked at the Dillingham ship repair yard on Swan Island from 1972 to 1985, regularly handling these products in engine rooms.
• August 2025: A Boston jury awarded Paul Lovell more than $42 million in damages, finding Johnson & Johnson’s talcum-based baby powder responsible for his mesothelioma. The jury concluded J&J knowingly sold asbestos-contaminated talc without warning consumers, deliberately concealing evidence and misleading the public. This verdict stands as one of the largest mesothelioma awards ever in Massachusetts.

These recent settlements and verdicts highlight the significant legal and financial consequences companies responsible for asbestos exposure face. They also call attention to the ongoing risks linked to asbestos-related diseases.

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Notable Mesothelioma Lawsuit Settlements and Verdicts

Exact mesothelioma settlement amounts are kept private, and confidentiality agreements bind claimants. However, some mesothelioma lawsuit settlement amounts can become public on occasion.

Settlement amounts can vary widely, often reaching millions of dollars. Many people diagnosed with mesothelioma and their families want to know what compensation they may receive. Your case is unique, and working with an experienced mesothelioma attorney can help you better understand and navigate the complexities of asbestos litigation to maximize your settlement potential.

Metal Worker: $250M Verdict

U.S. Steel was ordered to pay $250 million in 2003 to the wife of a former steel worker who died of mesothelioma. U.S. Steel reached a post-verdict settlement for an undisclosed amount believed to be substantially less than the trial award.

Talc Consumer: $117M Verdict

A jury awarded damages to Stephen Lanzo III and his wife totaling $117 million in 2018. A jury found Johnson & Johnson and Imerys Talc America liable for his mesothelioma. Lanzo bought their asbestos-contaminated talcum powder from 1979 to 2003. 

Navy Veteran: $70.8M Verdict

A California jury awarded $70.8 million to U.S. Navy machinist Robert Whalen in 2014. Whalen claimed he developed mesothelioma working with John Crane’s asbestos-containing products. He served for 26 years in the Navy. 

Drywall Worker: $13.4M Verdict and $75K Settlement

A drywall worker received a $13.4 million verdict and $75,000 in settlements in 2020 from a lawsuit filed in Washington. Drywaller Raymond Budd said he developed mesothelioma from working with multiple asbestos-containing products. Among them was Kaiser Gypsum’s asbestos-containing joint compound. 

Mechanic: $630K Settlement

The family of a mechanic from Redding, California, received a $630,000 settlement in 2018. It resolved a wrongful death lawsuit over asbestos-related lung cancer. Exposure to asbestos brakes, clutches and gaskets led to their loved one’s mesothelioma.

Common Questions About Mesothelioma Settlements

Are mesothelioma settlements taxable income?

Mesothelioma settlements are not considered taxable income. 

Answered By: Carl Money, Mesothelioma Attorney, Nemeroff Law Firm

How much does an attorney cost?

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

How are mesothelioma settlements paid out?

Mesothelioma settlements are paid out once the asbestos company has made an offer and you have accepted it. 

Answered By: Carl Money, Mesothelioma Attorney, Nemeroff Law Firm

How long does it take to receive a mesothelioma settlement check?

Generally, it takes 1-3 months to receive a settlement check once you have accepted the offer to settle with the asbestos company. 

Answered By: Carl Money, Mesothelioma Attorney, Nemeroff Law Firm

Who is eligible to receive a mesothelioma settlement?

Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma or family members representing them are eligible to pursue compensation. Even if the responsible company no longer exists, many have established asbestos trust funds to pay claims.

How long does a mesothelioma lawsuit take to settle?

Most cases settle within 6 to 12 months, though complex cases or trials can take longer. However, many families receive settlement payments within a few months after signing agreements.