Mesothelioma Lawsuit Payouts and How to File
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused almost entirely by asbestos exposure. People diagnosed with it, and families who lost someone to it, can bring claims against the companies that made, sold or used asbestos products without adequate warnings. Mesothelioma claims are among the highest-value injury cases, and billions of dollars set aside in asbestos bankruptcy trusts provide a separate source of compensation. Use our mesothelioma settlement calculator for an educational estimate.
Types of Mesothelioma
- Pleural mesothelioma (lining of the lungs), the most common form
- Peritoneal mesothelioma (lining of the abdomen)
- Pericardial mesothelioma (lining of the heart)
- Testicular mesothelioma, the rarest form
Who Can File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit?
- People diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis or asbestos-related lung cancer
- Those exposed at work, such as in construction, shipyards, the military, manufacturing or power plants, or through secondhand exposure at home
- Claimants within their state’s deadline, which is usually one to three years from diagnosis
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims
Many former asbestos makers created bankruptcy trusts that pay claims separately from lawsuits. Many people qualify to file with more than one trust while also pursuing a lawsuit against companies still in business. Each trust pays according to its own schedule and payment percentage.
More Exposure Claim Guides
- Average Settlement for Mesothelioma
- PFAS Lawsuit Eligibility
- Firefighter Foam Lawsuit Qualifications
- Who Qualifies for the Talcum Powder Lawsuit?
Mesothelioma Lawsuit Questions
How long does a mesothelioma lawsuit take?
Courts often move mesothelioma cases quickly because of the prognosis, and many resolve within about a year or two. Trust claims follow their own timelines and can sometimes be paid within months of approval.
What do mesothelioma lawsuits pay?
Mesothelioma settlements are often substantial, but there is no fixed amount. Payouts depend on the diagnosis, age, work and exposure history, lost income, medical costs, the defendants and trusts involved and the state where the case is filed. Families can also bring wrongful death claims after a loved one dies.
