A lung cancer diagnosis brings a flood of emotions and questions. Most families are focused on treatment and next steps, not on what may have caused the disease.
It’s not always immediately clear that asbestos exposure from decades ago could be connected. But for many people who worked in certain industries or served in the military, that past exposure may open the door to filing an asbestos lung cancer claim.
To help clarify how lung cancer claims work, we spoke with Ricky LeBlanc, a top VA-accredited asbestos lawyer and managing attorney of Sokolove Law. Ricky has over 35 years of experience helping clients across the country pursue compensation through asbestos lung cancer lawsuits, trust fund claims, and VA disability benefits.
To date, Sokolove Law has secured over $5.7 billion for patients with lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma.
In the conversation below, Ricky explains how asbestos lung cancer compensation claims work, who may qualify, and what families can expect if they decide to move forward.
Q. Can Asbestos Exposure Cause Lung Cancer?
A. Yes, it absolutely can. Asbestos has been known to cause lung cancer for decades. When asbestos fibers are released into the air and inhaled, they can settle deep in the lungs. Your body cannot break them down or remove them. Over time, those fibers can cause scarring and cellular damage that leads to lung cancer.
I have represented many clients who were exposed for years, even decades, before their diagnosis. They worked around insulation, pipes, boilers, construction materials, or machinery that contained asbestos.
Most of them had no idea they were being exposed. That’s exactly why asbestos lung cancer compensation claims exist. Companies put dangerous products into the workplace, and people got sick as a result.
Q. How Do I Know If My Lung Cancer Was Caused by Asbestos?
A. This is one of the first questions people ask me, and it’s a fair one. Most folks are not walking around with a list of products they were exposed to 30 years ago, and many people assume it was their smoking habit, however many years ago, instead of toxic exposure.
When someone calls me about a possible asbestos lung cancer claim, I start by listening. I want to know where you worked, what you did day to day, whether you served in the military, and what kinds of materials you were around. You don’t need to know the product names. You do not need to have documents in your hand. You just need to tell your story.
At Sokolove Law, we have access to decades of records from prior cases, including product logs, company documents, and job site histories. That’s how we build asbestos-related lung cancer claims . You focus on your history, and we focus on proving your exposure.
In many cases I’ve handled, a client just remembered working in a dusty environment around certain types of equipment. By matching those recollections with documented asbestos-containing products used at the facility, we were able to secure compensation.
Q. Who Can File Asbestos Lung Cancer Compensation Claims?
A. I have represented a wide range of clients in asbestos lung cancer compensation claims. Workers who directly handled asbestos products can file a claim if they develop lung cancer tied to that exposure. This includes construction workers, mechanics, factory workers, shipyard workers, and many others.
Military veterans can also file claims. Asbestos was widely used in ships, barracks, and equipment. I have represented veterans who were exposed while simply doing their jobs in service to this country.
In most lung cancer cases, the exposure happened directly at work, sometimes years or even decades before the diagnosis. People worked around insulation, pipes, boilers, construction materials, and other equipment that contained asbestos, without any warning that breathing the dust could eventually lead to lung cancer.
If someone has passed away from asbestos-related lung cancer, their surviving spouse, family member, or estate representative can often file a wrongful death claim on their behalf.
Q. Can You File an Asbestos Lung Cancer Claim If You Were a Smoker?
A. Yes, you can still file asbestos lung cancer claims if you were a smoker. Smoking doesn’t cancel out asbestos exposure. In fact, medical research shows that smoking and asbestos together significantly increase the risk of lung cancer.
I’ve handled cases where the defense tried to point the finger at smoking alone. But if asbestos exposure was a contributing factor, companies can still be held responsible and you can still get compensation.
The law doesn’t say asbestos has to be the only cause. It just has to be a substantial factor.
Q. What Types of Asbestos Lung Cancer Compensation Are Available?
A. There are generally several potential sources of asbestos lung cancer compensation. One source is asbestos trust funds. Many companies that manufactured asbestos products filed for bankruptcy and were required to establish trust funds to compensate victims. These trust fund claims are handled through an administrative process rather than the courts.
Another source is filing an asbestos lung cancer lawsuit against companies that are still operating. The overwhelming majority of these cases settle out of court. Companies typically prefer to resolve these cases privately rather than risk a public trial. Of course, if a fair settlement isn’t offered, your legal team will be fully prepared to take the case to trial.
For veterans, monthly VA disability benefits may also be available. In many situations, a veteran can pursue VA benefits while also pursuing asbestos lung cancer compensation claims against the companies that made the asbestos products. These are separate systems, and neither cancels out the other.
Q. What Is the Average Payout for Asbestos Lung Cancer?
A. Every asbestos lung cancer claim is different, so the value really depends on the specific facts of the case. When we talk about asbestos lung cancer settlements, compensation can be around $100,000 on average, but we’ve gotten significantly more than that for many clients, even more than $1 million in some cases.
The amount of a settlement depends on several factors — the strength of the evidence showing asbestos exposure, the number of companies responsible, the severity of the illness, medical expenses, lost income, and the overall impact on the individual and the family.
I always tell my clients that I cannot promise a specific number at our first meeting. What I can promise is that my team and I will thoroughly investigate the case and pursue the maximum settlement possible based on the facts and the law.
Q. How Long Does It Take to Start Receiving Asbestos Lung Cancer Compensation?
A. The payout timeline varies depending on the type of claim and the circumstances. Some asbestos trust fund claims begin paying within 2 to 3 months
Lawsuits may take longer, especially if there are multiple defendants. However, courts often give priority to cases involving serious illnesses like lung cancer.
In certain cases I’ve handled, we were able to move quickly because of the client’s health condition. I understand that time matters in these situations, and we do everything we can to move the process forward as efficiently as possible.
Q. How Much Does It Cost to Hire An Asbestos Lung Cancer Attorney?
A. There are no upfront costs to start an asbestos lung cancer claim with us. We offer a free case review, which means you can call, tell us your story, and get your questions answered without paying anything out of pocket.
Our team handles these cases on a contingency fee basis. That means there’s only a fee if we successfully recover compensation for you. We advance the costs of investigating the claim, gathering records, consulting experts if necessary, and pursuing the case. We only get paid if we secure a settlement or other compensation on your behalf.
If there’s no recovery, you owe us nothing. That structure is intentional. It allows families to focus on medical treatment, spending time together, and making important decisions without the added burden of legal bills.
Q. Is There a Deadline to File an Asbestos Lung Cancer Claim?
A. Yes, there is a deadline, and it can be shorter than people expect. Each state has a statute of limitations that sets a time limit for filing asbestos lung cancer claims. In some states, that deadline can be as short as 1 year from the date of diagnosis or from the date of death in a wrongful death case.
If you wait too long, you could lose your right to pursue asbestos lung cancer compensation entirely. That’s why I encourage families to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after a diagnosis.
Get Help Pursuing Asbestos Lung Cancer Compensation
Every asbestos lung cancer claim is unique, but you don’t have to navigate the legal process alone. Sokolove Law has recovered billions of dollars for individuals and families affected by lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases, including lung cancer.
The firm has successfully helped clients in all 50 states and handles cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs. Most asbestos lung cancer claims are resolved through settlements, allowing families to pursue compensation without added stress.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with lung cancer and suspect asbestos exposure may have played a role, call (866) 608-8933 for a free case review. Speaking with an experienced asbestos lung cancer attorney can help you understand your rights and determine whether pursuing asbestos lung cancer compensation is the right next step for your family.
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