Mesothelioma Compensation Amounts
If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma or an asbestos-related disease, you may be able to receive compensation from a lawsuit, trust funds, or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). There are several different factors that can affect the amount of asbestos compensation (if any) you may receive from your claim, so case values can vary.
Mesothelioma Settlement Amounts
You can seek compensation through a mesothelioma settlement after filing a lawsuit against manufacturers of asbestos products.
A settlement prevents you from having to go to trial, which means you can receive money faster. The average mesothelioma lawsuit settlement is between $1 million and $1.4 million.
Some notable mesothelioma settlements include:
$12 millionLaborer, Illinois - $9.5 millionConstruction worker, California
- $8 millionPipefitter/plumber, Texas
- $6.8 million Mechanic, Florida
Get a free legal consultation from our partner law firm, Simmons Hanly Conroy, to learn if you can collect mesothelioma compensation.
Mesothelioma Verdict Amounts
If your lawsuit proceeds to a trial, a judge or jury will determine if you can get mesothelioma compensation and decide on the amount awarded. The average mesothelioma trial verdict is between $5 million and $11.4 million.
Some notable mesothelioma verdicts include:
- $250 million for a steelworker in Indiana
- $60 million for a laborer in New York
- $40 million for a U.S. Navy veteran in Washington
- $20 million for a mechanic in Missouri
Take the first step in seeking mesothelioma compensation by connecting with our partner law firm today.
Types of Mesothelioma Compensation
Asbestos victims have several options to pursue legal action and receive compensation from negligent asbestos companies. Depending on your diagnosis and work history, you may be able to get financial assistance in multiple ways.
A mesothelioma lawyer can help you decide which of the following asbestos compensation options is best for your needs.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits
There are two types of mesothelioma lawsuits filed against manufacturers of asbestos products that can help you secure compensation.
Types of mesothelioma lawsuits include:
- Personal injury lawsuits: Mesothelioma victims can file a lawsuit to pursue compensation for at-home care, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Some judges will also order punitive damages (monetary punishment for the defendant).
- Wrongful death lawsuits: Family members who have lost a loved one to an asbestos-related disease can file lawsuits to pursue financial assistance for travel expenses, lingering medical bills, funeral costs, and more. Punitive damages can also be awarded in wrongful death cases.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be able to file a mesothelioma compensation claim. Reach out to our knowledgeable and compassionate team today at (866) 608-8933 to see if you are eligible.
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims
Many companies that knowingly exposed people to asbestos filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after facing an flood of legal claims.
Manufacturers of asbestos-based products that go bankrupt can no longer be sued. However, these manufacturers were required to set aside significant amounts of money in asbestos trust funds to compensate mesothelioma victims.
Today, there is an estimated $30 billion available in asbestos trust fund compensation. Some people who file an asbestos claim are awarded money in as soon as 90 days.
According to the RAND Institute for Civil Justice, the average asbestos trust fund claim pays out around $41,000.
Those who were exposed to many asbestos-containing products may qualify for mesothelioma compensation from multiple trusts.
It’s important to work with an asbestos attorney to make sure your trust fund claim is filed correctly. Reach out to our team today to learn whether you may be eligible for an asbestos trust fund claim.
VA Benefits Claims
Former service members may also be eligible to receive compensation for mesothelioma through veterans benefits. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs considers mesothelioma a disability and provides monthly payments to veterans diagnosed with this cancer as part of its VA benefits package.
Additionally, most or all of a veteran’s medical expenses could also be covered if they receive treatment through the VA health care system.
Veterans can still pursue legal action and continue to collect VA benefits. In these cases, no legal action is taken against the U.S. military or government. A mesothelioma lawyer can help veterans gather the information needed to file a strong VA claim and a lawsuit.
Who Is Eligible for Mesothelioma Compensation?
Patients with a mesothelioma diagnosis or other serious asbestos-related illness such as asbestosis or lung cancer may be able to apply for legal compensation. Patients do not need to know how they were exposed to asbestos to pursue compensation.
A mesothelioma attorney can help you determine how much mesothelioma compensation you might be eligible to receive.
Are Families Eligible to File for Compensation?
Yes, lawyers can help obtain mesothelioma compensation for family members. Surviving spouses, children, and estate executors can file for compensation if a loved one passed due to mesothelioma.
The best way to see if you can pursue compensation is to speak with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. Download our free Questions to Ask Your Lawyer checklist to ensure you get the answers you need.
How Long Does It Take to Get Mesothelioma Compensation?
Each case is different, but some claimants may start to receive mesothelioma financial compensation from asbestos lawsuits and asbestos bankruptcy trust funds in as few as 90 days.
However, there are many factors that can affect the amount of time it takes to resolve your mesothelioma case. This includes the type of claim, the statute of limitations in the state where you file, the number of manufacturers being sued, and whether the asbestos case settles or goes to trial.
How to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit
Mesothelioma patients and their loved ones can file mesothelioma compensation claims with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer.
Mesothelioma lawyers can file a lawsuit or trust fund claim on your behalf. They can also help you gather the right resources to access VA benefits. It is important to work with a lawyer with experience in asbestos litigation to ensure your claim is filed correctly.
The steps for accessing compensation are as follows:
- Hire a Mesothelioma Lawyer
Connect with an experienced mesothelioma attorney to learn your eligibility to different types of compensation and which option(s) are best for you and your family. - Gather Evidence
In this phase of the claims process, your lawyer will outline the facts and collect documentation that supports your claim. This might include medical records, work history, military service documents, and a list of asbestos-containing products you were exposed to along with their manufacturers. - File a Mesothelioma Compensation Claim
Your lawyer will file a claim for compensation on your behalf. The steps that follow will vary based on your chosen type of claim (lawsuit, trust fund, etc.). - Receive Compensation
If you file a trust fund claim, you will typically get compensation much faster than through a mesothelioma lawsuit. For lawsuits that reach a settlement, you’ll receive compensation outside of court. If your lawsuit goes to court, a judge or jury may award you compensation through a trial verdict.
You can avoid any delays that might come with a legal claim by working with a dedicated mesothelioma law firm. Your legal team will keep you updated throughout the process and will be committed to getting you the amount of compensation you deserve.
Connect with a lawyer today to learn more about your legal options and filing a claim for mesothelioma compensation.
Other Types of Financial Assistance for Mesothelioma
If you’re unable to seek legal compensation for mesothelioma, there might be other ways to help cover expenses.
- Community Organizations: Mesothelioma cancer foundations and charities such as the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (Meso Foundation) and Cancer Care offer financial assistance to cover patients’ travel costs and other expenses.
- Long-Term Disability Insurance: Mesothelioma may be considered a long-term disability since it has no cure. This type of insurance provides monthly payouts if you cannot work for a long period of time. You can access long-term disability on your own or through your employer.
- Medicaid and Medicare: These government-funded programs can help eligible senior citizens, people with disabilities, and those with limited income pay for medical expenses after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
- Private Insurance: Mesothelioma health care costs may be covered by your health insurance depending on your plan and provider.
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Since mesothelioma is considered a terminal disease, patients are eligible to receive SSDI.
Seek Mesothelioma Compensation Today
You should not be responsible for the costs associated with your cancer if you developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure.
Asbestos companies hid the dangers of their products from the public for decades, exposing millions to this deadly substance. They should be held accountable if they caused you to get sick.
Mesothelioma compensation from a legal claim can help you afford treatment to potentially improve your life expectancy and quality of life. Compensation may also provide your family with financial security in the future.
Working with a lawyer is the best way to ensure your claim is filed properly. Get a free legal consultation today to learn if you may be able to collect mesothelioma compensation.
Mesothelioma Compensation FAQs
What is the average settlement for mesothelioma victims?
The average mesothelioma settlement is anywhere between $1 million and $1.4 million.
There are many factors that can impact your potential payout amount. For that reason, the best way to determine your case value is to speak with a mesothelioma lawyer.
What is the highest mesothelioma settlement?
Settlement amounts are not always made public, so it’s impossible to identify the largest settlement reached in a mesothelioma lawsuit.
Verdicts, however, are often public record. An Indiana steelworker named Roby Whittington was awarded $250 million in the largest asbestos verdict against a single defendant in the history of asbestos litigation.
How do I file a mesothelioma claim?
You can file your claim by working with a mesothelioma lawyer.
A mesothelioma attorney with experience handling claims similar to your own can help you file your claim in a timely manner. This can help you get the compensation you deserve as soon as possible.
How much is a mesothelioma case worth?
A mesothelioma lawsuit is worth $1 million to $11.4 million on average. This includes settlements and trial verdicts.
One national legal reporter said juries in 2022 handed out more than $177 million in total damages to mesothelioma victims in the verdicts that it had analyzed as of September. The median award in those cases was $14 million and the average award was $17.8 million.
