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Legal Options for Mesothelioma
People who develop an asbestos-related disease, like mesothelioma, may be eligible for compensation through lawsuits or other claims. A lawyer or law firm with experience working with asbestos victims can help individuals determine their best legal options.
Key Facts
- Average settlement secured by mesothelioma lawyers: $1–$1.4 million
- Amount set aside in asbestos trust funds: $30 billion
- Range of asbestos lawsuit filing deadlines: 1–6 years
- Number of asbestos lawsuits filed by attorneys in 2022: 3,550 ¹
Types of Mesothelioma Compensation
Mesothelioma patients may be eligible for different kinds of compensation claims, depending on their specific circumstances. For instance, victims and family members may be eligible for compensation from mesothelioma settlements, lawsuit verdicts and asbestos trust funds. One of the services mesothelioma lawyers can provide is helping victims explore their legal options.
The average compensation amount a victim may receive depends on a variety of factors. These may include diagnoses, how the asbestos exposure occurred and the type of claim.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits
A mesothelioma lawsuit is one way victims of asbestos exposure and their families can seek compensation from companies that used or produced asbestos products that put people at risk.
- Personal injury lawsuits are filed by mesothelioma patients against companies who used asbestos that led to injury or illness, like mesothelioma. Many companies who used, manufactured or sold asbestos products exposed people to the dangerous mineral, and may be liable. Mesothelioma lawyers can help their clients figure out where and when they may have been exposed and which companies may be at fault.
- Wrongful death lawsuits are usually filed by family members or loved ones of a mesothelioma patient who has died. These lawsuits are also brought against companies responsible for exposing the victim to asbestos.
Settlements and Verdicts
Two possible outcomes of a mesothelioma lawsuit are a settlement and a verdict.
- A settlement is an agreement between an asbestos victim and an asbestos company before, during, or after a trial. The average mesothelioma settlement amount is between $1 million and $1.4 million.
- A verdict is a decision reached by a judge or jury at the end of a trial determining liability. The average mesothelioma verdict award is around $2.4 million.
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims
Asbestos trust funds are funds set aside by a company specifically for mesothelioma claims. Over the years, many asbestos companies have faced thousands of claims related to asbestos exposure, contributing to many of them going bankrupt. Asbestos trust funds are set up by negligent companies during bankruptcy proceedings to help compensate existing and future victims. Mesothelioma patients and their families may be eligible to file a claim against trusts.
VA Claims
Veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their service may be able to file a Veterans Affairs (VA) claim with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. A VA claim can provide monthly benefits that can help veterans and their families with treatment costs and lost wages.
Workers’ Compensation
Mesothelioma patients who were exposed to asbestos at work may be eligible for workers’ compensation. This is a type of insurance that may provide funds or medical care for workers who were injured or developed illness because of their job. Asbestos exposure qualifies as a work injury.
The Importance of Working With a Mesothelioma Lawyer
Mesothelioma lawyers are experienced in providing legal help to asbestos victims and getting them financial compensation. Victims may receive a free consultation to learn about their legal options.Â
Mesothelioma attorneys have the expertise needed to secure compensation from asbestos companies. They can build strong cases by gathering evidence, identify companies that may be liable and handle the entire legal process on behalf of their clients.
