What Are Mesothelioma Statutes of Limitations?
A mesothelioma statute of limitations is a law that sets a time limit on how long a mesothelioma victim or their loved one has to file a claim.
The statute of limitations on mesothelioma claims differs from typical personal injury claims and often follows a discovery rule.
Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure and can have a latency period of 20 to 50 years. Victims may not show any lung cancer symptoms until decades after initial exposure. Because of this, mesothelioma case timelines begin after a victim receives a diagnosis rather than the date they were exposed to asbestos.
Mesothelioma lawsuit time limits can vary by state and can be affected by local laws. Generally, the asbestos statute of limitations are around 1 to 3 years.
Mesothelioma Statutes of Limitations by State
The statutes of limitations on mesothelioma claims can vary depending on the state and the specifics of each case. There are separate mesothelioma statutes of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death claims.
Mesothelioma victims should always speak with an experienced asbestos attorney to learn how long they have to file their asbestos case.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Alabama *2 years
- $4.8 million - Navy Veteran
- $3.54 million - Auto Mechanic
- $2.7 million - Plasterer
Alaska *2 years
- $3.5 million - Auto Mechanic
- $3.2 million - Laborer
- $3.69 million - Navy Veteran
Arizona *2 years
- $4 million - Teacher
- $2.4 million - Navy Veteran
- $2.9 million - Pipefitter
Arkansas *3 years
The average mesothelioma settlement awards around $1 million.
California *2 years
- $5.1 million - HVAC Worker
- $3 million - Navy Veteran
- $5.6 million - Airline Worker
Colorado *2 years
- $3.7 million - Truck Driver
- $1.1 million - Laborer
- $3.8 million - Navy Veteran
Connecticut *2 years
- $2.2 million - Pipefitter
- $3.8 million - Navy Veteran
- $2.1 million - Air Force Veteran
Delaware *2 years
- $3.4 million - Navy Veteran
- $1.48 million - Pipefitter
- $2.6 million - Bricklayer
Florida *4 years
- $6.76 million - Auto Mechanic
- $2.2 million - Pipefitter
- $2.4 million - Navy Veteran
Georgia *2 years
- $4.8 million - Navy Veteran
- $3.7 million - Truck Driver
- $1.5 million - Laborer
Hawaii *2 years
The average mesothelioma settlement awards around $1 million.
Idaho *2 years
The average mesothelioma settlement awards around $1 million.
Illinois *2 years
- $3 million - Millworker
- $2.4 million - Electrician
- $3.4 million - Navy Veteran
Indiana *2 years
- $2.1 million - Steelworker
- $4.8 million - Navy Veteran
- $1.36 million - Marine Veteran
Iowa *2 years
- $4.8 million - Navy Veteran
- $2.53 million - Laborer
- $1.8 million - Mechanic
Kansas *2 years
- $3.64 million - Welder
- $1.8 million - Truck Driver
- $3.9 million - Auto Mechanic
Kentucky *1 years
- $3.69 million - Navy Veteran
- $2.82 million - Truck Driver
- $3.9 million - Auto Mechanic
Louisiana *1 years
- $3.4 million - Navy Veteran
- $3.26 million - Pipefitter
- $2.53 million - Maintenance Worker
Maine *6 years
- $1.48 million - Pipefitter
- $1.5 million - Electrician
- $3 million - Navy Veteran
Maryland *3 years
- $3.9 million - Army Veteran
- $5.2 million - Welder
- $2.9 million - Secondary Exposure
Massachusetts *3 years
- $3.8 million - Navy Veteran
- $2.4 million - Construction Worker
- $3.6 million - Factory Worker
Michigan *3 years
- $4.8 million - Navy Veteran
- $4.9 million - Welder
- $3.1 million - Auto Worker
Minnesota *2 years
The average mesothelioma settlement awards around $1 million.
Mississippi *3 years
The average mesothelioma settlement awards around $1 million.
Missouri *5 years
The average mesothelioma settlement awards around $1 million.
Montana *3 years
- $3.4 million - Navy Veteran
- $1 million - Auto Mechanic
- $2 million - Laborer
Nebraska *4 years
- $3.4 million - Navy Veteran
- $3.26 million - Pipefitter
- $1.37 million - Truck Driver
Nevada *2 years
- $1.5 million - Mechanic
- $1.46 million - Army Veteran
- $2.4 million - Navy Veteran
New Hampshire *3 years
- $3.4 million - Navy Veteran
- $1.5 million - Mechanic
- $3.2 million - Army Veteran
New Jersey *2 years
- $3.4 million - Mechanic
- $1.75 million - Navy Veteran
- $2.1 million - Carpenter
New Mexico *3 years
- $3.3 million - Navy veteran
- $1.5 million - Mechanic
- $2.73 million - Air Force Veteran
New York *3 years
- $3.4 million - Roofer
- $2.5 million - Navy Veteran
- $1.2 million - Truck Driver
North Carolina *3 years
- $4.6 million - Welder
- $1.77 million - Electrician
- $2.73 million - Air Force Veteran
North Dakota *6 years
- $3.4 million - Navy Veteran
- $3.9 million - Auto Mechanic
- $1.48 million - Pipefitter
Ohio *2 years
- $3.3 million - Pipefitter
- $2.95 million - Army Veteran
- $1.4 million - Boilermaker
Oklahoma *2 years
The average mesothelioma settlement awards around $1 million.
Oregon *2 years
- $3.69 million - Navy Veteran
- $1.56 million - Army Veteran
- $1.6 million - Electrician
Pennsylvania *3 years
- $3.69 million - Navy Veteran
- $1.56 million - Army Veteran
- $2.9 Million - Factory Worker
Rhode Island *3 years
- $3.4 million - Navy Veteran
- $1.5 million - Mechanic
- $2.1 million - Carpenter
South Carolina *3 years
- $1.32 million - Insulator
- $1.8 million - Truck Driver
- $2.1 million - Carpenter
South Dakota *3 years
- $3.4 million - Navy Veteran
- $1.57 million - Mechanic
- $2 million - Laborer
Tennessee *1 years
- $1.48 million - Pipefitter
- $2.35 million - Navy veteran
- $1.57 million - Mechanic
Texas *2 years
- $3.2 million - Army Veteran
- $2.35 million - Navy Veteran
- $1.4 million - Boilermaker
Utah *4 years
- $3.9 million - Auto Mechanic
- $1.54 million - Custodian
- $2.56 million - Navy Veteran
Vermont *3 years
The average mesothelioma settlement awards around $1 million.
Virginia *2 years
The average mesothelioma settlement awards around $1 million.
Washington *3 years
- $2.25 million - Army Veteran
- $2.5 million - Navy veteran
- $1.8 million - Pipefitter
Washington D.C. *3 years
The average mesothelioma settlement awards around $1 million.
West Virginia *2 years
- $1.48 million - Pipefitter
- $3.4 million - Navy Veteran
- $3.9 million - Auto Mechanic
Wisconsin *3 years
- $1.7 million - Navy Veteran
- $4.6 million - Welder
- $1.28 million - Auto Mechanic
Wyoming *4 years
- $3.4 million - Navy Veteran
- $3.9 million - Auto Mechanic
- $2.73 million - Air Force Veteran
The mesothelioma lawsuit statutes of limitations listed above are subject to change. Claimants should work with a mesothelioma lawyer to navigate the deadlines in your state and ensure your claim is filed in a timely manner.
Get a free consultation with our partner law firm to learn if you are eligible to file a mesothelioma claim.
Work With a Mesothelioma Lawyer to File Your Claim
The best and only way to make sure your claim is filed correctly and within the statute of limitations for mesothelioma is to work with an experienced lawyer.
An asbestos attorney can help you file your mesothelioma claim without the stress of the legal process. Mesothelioma law firms have the resources and experience necessary to file your mesothelioma claim within the statute of limitations.
Your mesothelioma attorney will also ensure your claim is as strong as possible to help your family get the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, take action as soon as possible. It is critical to remember that you may lose your right to sue and collect compensation forever if you miss the deadline to file your claim.
Don’t wait: get started with a free consultation from our partner law firm today.
Mesothelioma Statute of Limitations FAQs
Is there a statute of limitations on mesothelioma cases?
Yes. Each state has its own statute of limitations for mesothelioma claims. It is important to check the statute of limitations in your state and work with an experienced mesothelioma attorney to ensure your lawsuit is filed within the correct amount of time.
What is the average settlement for mesothelioma victims?
The average settlement for mesothelioma victims is around $1 million. Settlement amounts can vary depending on your specific case.
It is important to remember if you do not file your lawsuit within the mesothelioma statute of limitations, you will lose your right to get compensation forever.
Can you sue for mesothelioma after death?
Yes. Spouses, children, and other family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit for mesothelioma if a loved one has died from their condition.
The statute of limitations for wrongful death can differ from the personal injury statute of limitations. Work with a lawyer that specializes in asbestos litigation to see if you can file.
How long do mesothelioma claims take?
It depends. Many past mesothelioma patients have started to get compensation from their claims in 90 days or less. While it may take years to resolve a case depending on your unique circumstances, you and your family may receive payouts throughout this time.
Remember: you cannot get any compensation if the statute of limitations has passed in your case. It is crucial to file an asbestos lawsuit as soon as possible to avoid losing out.