Mesothelioma Lawyer

Companies made and sold products with asbestos — the only known cause of mesothelioma — for decades without revealing the risks. Legal assistance may be available if you or a loved one developed mesothelioma. Mesothelioma lawyers specialize in asbestos lawsuits and can help you receive compensation to pay for treatment and other expenses.

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Written and Fact-Checked by: Lung Cancer Group

What Is a Mesothelioma Lawyer?

People talking with mesothelioma lawyerA mesothelioma lawyer is a type of personal injury attorney who can help those diagnosed with this rare and aggressive cancer pursue justice and compensation.

Mesothelioma is only caused by exposure to asbestos, and attorneys can file lawsuits against the makers of asbestos-containing products. These manufacturers knew asbestos was dangerous but used it anyway, hiding the facts to keep their profits high.

Asbestos lawyers can also help:

  • Build and file a legal claim
  • Collect records to help strengthen the case
  • Identify and prove how asbestos was used in certain materials or products
  • Secure compensation from makers of asbestos-based products

The best mesothelioma lawyers will handle most of the legal work on behalf of their client and support them through each step of the legal process.

Our team can help you find top mesothelioma lawyers. Call (877) 446-5767 or submit a free case review to get started.

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What Is a Mesothelioma Lawsuit?

Mesothelioma lawsuits, also known as legal claims, are filed by mesothelioma lawyers for mesothelioma patients. These lawsuits are most often filed against asbestos companies and come in various types. Learn about the types of mesothelioma legal claims below.

Personal Injury Lawsuit

A personal injury lawsuit is a common legal claim filed when someone suffers injury or harm from another party. In the case of mesothelioma lawsuits, manufacturers of asbestos-containing products are held accountable for their negligence that resulted in millions being exposed.

Mesothelioma lawyers filing a personal injury lawsuit will explain:

  • When and where you were exposed to asbestos
  • Which companies made the asbestos products you were exposed to
  • How the asbestos led to your mesothelioma diagnosis
  • Why you deserve financial compensation

Most personal injury lawsuits are settled before a jury trial. This means that the lawyer has negotiated and secured compensation for damages. The settlement agreement will include your financial compensation.

In rare cases, personal injury lawsuits might not reach a settlement agreement. This means the case must go to trial in court, where a judge or jury will decide if and how much compensation is owed.

Trials are often unpredictable, and lawyers will work to reach a settlement beforehand to secure you compensation.

Wrongful Death Lawsuit

A wrongful death lawsuit can be filed if a family member or loved one died of mesothelioma. Since the only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos, these lawsuits allege that the loved one would still be alive if it were not for the asbestos manufacturers.

Similar to personal injury lawsuits, wrongful death lawsuits often reach settlement agreements before going to trial.

Each state has different laws for wrongful death lawsuits, so it is important to connect with an experienced law firm to help you navigate which legal claim will be right for you or your loved one.

Contact the Lung Cancer Group team for help connecting with the nation’s top asbestos law firms.

Asbestos Trust Fund Claims

Mesothelioma lawyers can also help you file asbestos trust fund claims to pursue compensation. These claims aren’t technically lawsuits, but they are another way for a mesothelioma lawyer to hold asbestos manufacturers financially accountable.

Asbestos trust funds were created by companies that declared bankruptcy after facing thousands of lawsuits from those with asbestos-related diseases. Bankrupt companies cannot be sued. However, the U.S. courts forced bankrupt asbestos companies that wanted to stay in business to put money into trusts for those that were harmed by their products.

Today, asbestos trust funds hold over $30 billion that mesothelioma victims can access. Through asbestos trust fund claims, your mesothelioma lawyer will explain where you were exposed and which asbestos manufacturers are liable for your exposure.
If several manufacturers are responsible, you could be eligible for compensation from more than one trust.

Asbestos Class-Action Lawsuits

There is a common misconception that asbestos lawsuits and mesothelioma lawsuits are filed as class actions. Class-action lawsuits are filed when there are many victims who are harmed in exactly the same way.

However, asbestos exposure can cause many types of illnesses, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Further, each person may have been exposed to asbestos in different ways. For these reasons, it is not suitable to file asbestos class-action lawsuits.

Each victim of asbestos exposure deserves compensation that specifically addresses their situation. Because of this, asbestos lawyers will not file class-action lawsuits and instead pursue personal injury or wrongful death claims.

Why Work With a Mesothelioma Lawyer?

A mesothelioma diagnosis is a life-changing event. Legal help from a mesothelioma lawyer may ease some of the stress and financial burdens that follow a diagnosis.

Mesothelioma medical bills and treatments can cost $500,000 or more. Additionally, patients may incur additional costs for travel to mesothelioma specialists and treatment centers.

Further, mesothelioma patients often lose income because they are unable to work following their diagnosis.

All of these costs add up. Seeking financial compensation can provide you and your loved ones some financial security so you can focus on what matters most.

Mesothelioma Lawsuit Compensation

Because each lawsuit is unique, victims and their loved ones may receive different compensation amounts from mesothelioma lawsuits.

The average mesothelioma settlement pays between $1 million and $1.4 million.

The average trial verdict awards between $5 million and $11.4 million.

Some specific lawsuit compensation amounts include:
  • $10.2 million settlement for a U.S. Navy veteran
  • $9.5 million verdict for a construction worker in California
  • $6.5 million settlement for a U.S. Army veteran and oil field worker
  • $1.2 million settlement for a secondhand exposure victim

Mesothelioma patients can often start to get financial compensation from a lawsuit within 90 days after filing. A mesothelioma lawyer can give you a better idea of when you’ll start receiving compensation as your case moves forward.

How to Choose a Mesothelioma Lawyer and Law Firm

Choosing a trusted mesothelioma law firm is an important decision. You’ll want to find the best lawyers for mesothelioma. It is also crucial to find a law firm with expertise and proven success in handling mesothelioma lawsuits.

Learn about some important questions to ask when looking for mesothelioma lawyers below.

  • What are the law firm’s costs or fees for mesothelioma lawsuits?

    The firm should offer free case reviews to potential clients. Further, there should be no upfront costs to work with a mesothelioma law firm. The best mesothelioma lawyers and law firms will work on a contingency basis, meaning that they will only get paid if they secure compensation for you.

  • Is the law firm experienced with mesothelioma and asbestos cases?

    The best law firms will have dedicated mesothelioma lawyers with decades of experience handling these cases. These lawyers have access to many resources, such as asbestos databases, to help pinpoint exposures and build strong cases. General law firms may not have the resources needed to increase your chance of getting compensation.

  • Does the law firm have a national presence?

    National mesothelioma law firms have a proven reputation of success. Additionally, they will be able to understand asbestos exposure in every state and can file a lawsuit no matter where you live.

  • Is the mesothelioma lawyer professional, friendly, and respectful?

    Mesothelioma patients should focus on treatment, therapy, and spending time with their loved ones. The lawyers handling their cases will know this and strive to keep the legal process as simple as possible. Additionally, with years of experience in asbestos litigation and working alongside people impacted by asbestos-related diseases, they will lead with kindness and professionalism to ensure a positive attorney-client relationship.

  • Can the mesothelioma lawyer help me if I’m a U.S. veteran?

    Top mesothelioma lawyers can help veterans gather the records needed to file a benefits claim with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Some of the nation’s leading asbestos lawyers are veterans themselves or are accredited with the VA to help veterans get military benefits. Attorneys can also help veterans with mesothelioma file private asbestos legal claims just like they do with normal clients. Legal claims do not impact a veteran’s ability to file for VA benefits.

What to Expect During a Mesothelioma Lawsuit

After you have chosen the best mesothelioma lawyer for your case, they will work to quickly file your lawsuit and seek compensation for your asbestos exposure. Below is what you can expect during the mesothelioma lawsuit process.

  1. Lawyer Identifies Companies at Fault

    Your mesothelioma lawyers and legal team, consisting of investigators and medical experts, will work to identify when and where you were exposed to asbestos. During this time, your legal team will also discover which asbestos manufacturers may be liable in your case.

    Since many people were exposed to asbestos 10-50 years ago, it may be hard to remember specifically where they were exposed. This is why the best mesothelioma lawyers will have access to unique asbestos resources and databases to build the strongest case.

  2. Lawyer Files Mesothelioma Claim

    Once your case and legal options are better understood, your mesothelioma lawyer will determine which legal action to take — a personal injury lawsuit, a wrongful death lawsuit, or an asbestos trust fund claim — on your behalf.

    Because every state has different statutes of limitations, a national law firm will best know when to file your claim. You will not need to file the claim yourself. Your mesothelioma attorney will work on your behalf so you can focus on getting treatment and spending time with your family.

  3. Claim Is Resolved With Settlement or Jury Trial

    After filing your claim, your lawyer and the whole legal team will work together to secure as much mesothelioma compensation as quickly as possible.

    Because mesothelioma is often not detected until stage 4, mesothelioma lawyers know how important it is to seek compensation early to help fund treatment and other medical expenses.

    You may start to get money from out-of-court mesothelioma settlements within 90 days after your case has been filed. Trials are typically more time-consuming.

Get Help Finding a Mesothelioma Lawyer

Finding a trusted mesothelioma lawyer is key to getting compensation and justice for this cancer. That’s why the team at Lung Cancer Group is prepared to help connect you with top mesothelioma law firms and attorneys across the country.

There are resources available to support you. Start a free case review or call us at (877) 446-5767 to get started.

FAQs About Mesothelioma Lawyers

When is the best time to hire a mesothelioma lawyer?

The best time to begin searching for a mesothelioma lawyer is shortly after your mesothelioma diagnosis. Because mesothelioma is often not diagnosed until it is in advanced stages, patients may need access to financial support for treatments and specialist visits.

Top mesothelioma lawyers know how important it is to work quickly to secure compensation for you so you can focus on treatment and spending time with loved ones.

It is unlikely that you will need to travel if you work with a national law firm with experienced asbestos attorneys in each state. Your mesothelioma lawyer will work for you to gather the information needed to build your case.

With access to several asbestos resources, national law firms will also be able to file your case wherever you reside.

The patient advocates at Lung Cancer Group can help connect you with some of the top national law firms. Contact the team today to get started.

Mesothelioma patients may start to get financial compensation from a lawsuit within 90 days after filing a lawsuit.

Your mesothelioma lawyer can give you a better idea of when you may start to receive compensation as your case progresses.

Lung Cancer Group was established by a team of caring advocates so those with lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases can get the help they deserve. Our site provides the most accurate and up-to-date information about lung cancer, its link to asbestos, and financial compensation available to patients. Contact us to learn more and get assistance.

  1. Mealey’s Litigation Report. “Asbestos.” Retrieved from: https://www.bateswhite.com/media/publication/59_media.285.pdf. Accessed on October 17, 2022.

  2. RAND Institute for Civil Justice. “Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts: An Overview of Trust Structure and Activity with Detailed Reports on the Largest Trusts.” Retrieved from: https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/technical_reports/2010/RAND_TR872.pdf. Accessed on October 17, 2022.

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