Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts

What Are Mesothelioma Lawsuit Settlements and Verdicts?

In a mesothelioma lawsuit settlement, manufacturers of asbestos-containing products (the defendants) agree to pay a specific sum of money to victims of asbestos exposure (the plaintiffs). The amount of compensation is determined through settlement negotiations between each side’s attorneys.

Most lawsuits involving asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer result in a settlement.

Mesothelioma victims can pursue a settlement by filing a personal injury lawsuit. If the victim passes away, a family member or estate representative can seek a mesothelioma settlement on their behalf through a wrongful death lawsuit.

If neither legal team can agree on a mesothelioma settlement amount, the case usually goes to trial, where a judge or jury will listen to each side and determine if and how much compensation should be awarded in a verdict.

Settlements vs. Verdicts

Generally speaking, mesothelioma verdicts are more time consuming and riskier than settlements. Read more about the differences between a mesothelioma settlements and a mesothelioma verdict below.

Working with a lawyer who specializes in mesothelioma cases will give you the best chance of securing compensation from a settlement as quickly as possible.

Get a free legal consultation today to find an experienced mesothelioma lawyer who can handle your case.

What Is the Average Settlement for Mesothelioma Victims?

Mesothelioma settlements award between $1 million and $1.4 million on average. Some lawsuits may award more or less depending on the specifics of the case.

The asbestos victim and their legal team will request a certain amount of money based on the case value when the mesothelioma claim is first filed. The victim’s lawyer will ask for sufficient compensation to cover the victim’s medical expenses and provide financial security for their family.

“With the settlement checks, our kids are taken care of. John has peace of mind knowing there’s money there for his kids, and that’s really important to both of us.”
— Dee Stahl, wife of stage 4 mesothelioma survivor John Stahl

Settlement amounts vary by case and depends on the individual’s asbestos exposure, age, diagnosis, and other factors. If the victim or their family takes the lawsuit to trial and wins, they can expect a verdict between $5 million and $11.4 million.

Mesothelioma Settlements Secured by Our Partner Attorneys

Our partner law firm, Simmons Hanly Conroy, has more than 20 years of experience handling mesothelioma cases and has obtained over $8.8 billion in financial compensation for clients around the country.

Notable settlement amounts secured by our legal partner include:

What Are the Benefits of Mesothelioma Settlements?

There are many advantages associated with a mesothelioma settlement. One of the main benefits is that the money can help mesothelioma patients pay for treatment plus related expenses like travel, transportation, and lodging.

Three additional benefits of mesothelioma settlements are listed below.

• They’re quicker to award compensation: Settlements allow patients to receive mesothelioma compensation in under a year’s time so they can pay their medical bills and keep their families financially secure.
• They hold manufacturers accountable: Asbestos companies knew their products were dangerous but covered this up to continue making money. Mesothelioma settlements force these product makers to acknowledge the harm they’ve caused and pay for their negligence.
• They’re safer than a mesothelioma trial: Unlike a mesothelioma settlement, money from a verdict is not guaranteed. If the case goes to trial, a judge or jury may rule on the side of the defendant and determine that the victim is not entitled to compensation.

Take the first step toward a mesothelioma settlement by requesting a free, no-obligation case review today.

How Factors Affect the Amount of a Mesothelioma Settlement?

Your legal team will look at several factors to determine how much money to request in the agreement and try to negotiate the largest settlement amount for your mesothelioma claim.

Keep reading to learn about the factors that affect mesothelioma lawsuit settlement amounts.

Age of Victim

Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed in people over the age of 65, but it sometimes affects younger adults and even teenagers. Settlement amounts may be higher for younger victims who are likely to have more years of pain and suffering and lost wages.

Severity of Illness

Asbestos attorneys must show not only how asbestos exposure caused their clients to develop mesothelioma but how the disease has impacted their life.

Generally, since mesothelioma is such an aggressive and rare cancer, it can lead to larger settlement amounts than other types of illnesses. This is because these patients may require extensive medical treatment and care, experience substantial pain and suffering, and have a shorter life expectancy.

Economic Loss

Mesothelioma patients who cannot work because of their illness may not be able to pay for basic living expenses or support their dependent family members.

If your illness has prevented you from working and earning a living — leading to significant financial hardship for you and your family — it may contribute to a higher mesothelioma settlement amount.

However, each case is unique, so it’s best to consult with an experienced attorney who can guide you through the legal process and help you seek fair compensation. They can estimate how much your case is worth based on their history of reaching asbestos lawsuit settlements for their clients.

Number of Asbestos Manufacturers

Most people are exposed to asbestos through numerous products made by different manufacturers. It is not uncommon for mesothelioma lawsuits to name dozens of defendants.

“I want people to realize that they can get a mesothelioma settlement from these manufacturers that continued to use asbestos and knew it was dangerous to people.”
— Dee Stahl, wife of stage 4 mesothelioma survivor John Stahl

In general, the more asbestos companies responsible for your illness, the more legal claims you can file and the more settlements you may receive.

Medical Expenses

The total cost of mesothelioma treatment can exceed $500,000. Since most patients cannot afford to pay for everything out-of-pocket, it’s important that the mesothelioma settlement amount awarded covers all of the victim’s medical expenses.

Pain and Suffering

A mesothelioma diagnosis puts a great deal of stress on the entire family. Mesothelioma victims and their family members may be entitled to additional financial compensation that addresses the emotional damages of this disease.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Mesothelioma Settlement?

Mesothelioma lawsuit settlements can start paying out in 90 days or less.

The settlement payout timeline typically depends on how quickly the defendants (the asbestos product manufacturers) reach an agreement with your asbestos attorney. If you are suing more than one manufacturer, you may receive money from one defendant sooner than another.

Learn more about the steps to pursue a mesothelioma settlement below.

Mesothelioma Settlement Process

All mesothelioma settlements begin with a lawsuit. Although each case is unique, most lawsuits follow a similar settlement process.

1. Build a Case: The victim’s lawyer begins by collecting evidence and details of asbestos exposure to build their client’s case. This evidence can include work history, medical records, and types of asbestos products handled.
2. File the Claim: The lawyer will file the lawsuit and request a certain amount of money to be paid to the victim. All manufacturers named in the lawsuit must respond within 30 days.
3. Share Discovery: If the manufacturers refuse to pay the victim, attorneys from both sides then collect and share evidence, such as witness testimonies (depositions), to support their arguments.
4. Receive a Settlement or Verdict: The lawyers will try to resolve the case through a mesothelioma lawsuit settlement. If the attorneys cannot agree on a settlement, the case proceeds to a trial to be decided by a judge or jury. Some lawsuits may reach a mesothelioma settlement during or even after a trial.

An experienced asbestos lawyer can estimate how long it may take for your lawsuit to settle out of court and handle every aspect of your case to make the legal process as easy and stress-free as possible.

Learn more about your legal rights. Connect with our partner firm today to find a lawyer who can handle your case.

Other Mesothelioma Payout Options

Mesothelioma lawsuit settlements are not the only option victims have to pursue financial assistance.

Learn more about other sources of mesothelioma compensation below.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Asbestos trust funds were established by product manufactures to compensate victims diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. These manufacturers were ordered by the courts to set aside large sums of money into trust funds after they had filed for bankruptcy.

These trusts currently contain over $30 billion in available compensation, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

All asbestos trust funds have established rules that allow mesothelioma victims to access compensation. Victims who meet these criteria are eligible to receive a payout from the trust fund. Many qualify for payouts from multiple trust funds.

Military Compensation

All U.S. military branches used asbestos from the 1930s until the early 1980s. Today, more than 30% of all mesothelioma victims are veterans.

For this reason, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has established a number of programs to compensate veterans with mesothelioma and their family members.

Examples of VA compensation for mesothelioma include:

• Disability compensation: Veterans with mesothelioma usually qualify for tax-free disability payments of nearly $4,000 a month.
• VA pensions: Veterans and eligible survivors may qualify for a monthly pension if they meet certain income limits.
• Other VA benefits: Some veterans may qualify for Aid & Attendance (A&A), burial compensation, and other forms of financial assistance.

Veterans and their loved ones can apply for VA compensation and health care benefits with legal help from a VA-accredited mesothelioma lawyer or claims agent.

Download our Free Veterans Guide to learn more about your options for military compensation.

Find Out If You Can Get a Mesothelioma Settlement

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the last thing you should be worrying about is how to pay your bills.

Compensation from mesothelioma settlements can be used for anything, from treatment costs and unpaid medical bills to in-home health care and living expenses. You can also gain much-needed peace of mind and ensure your family’s financial security well into the future.

Working with a trusted mesothelioma law firm is the best way to ensure your case is successful. Get a free consultation to learn more about taking legal action.