Asbestos Claims After Death

Asbestos claims after death allow families to pursue compensation on behalf of a loved one who has passed away from asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma. These claims are filed against asbestos companies and often award over $1 million. See if LawFirm.com can connect you with a top mesothelioma attorney who can fight for the justice your family deserves.

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Why Take Legal Action?

By filing a lawsuit, you can pursue financial compensation and justice from the asbestos companies that caused you or a loved one harm.

Results Secured

$40 million for a U.S. Navy veteran in Washington
$15 million for a New York construction worker
$7 million for a Pennsylvania welder

Written by: Rae Theodore

Last updated: Sep 15, 2025

Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Amy E. Garrett

What Is an Asbestos Claim After Death?

When someone passes away from mesothelioma or another disease caused by asbestos, their surviving family members may be able to file an asbestos claim after death on their behalf.

This legal action is a way to hold negligent asbestos companies accountable and send a message that their actions won’t be tolerated. Many of these companies knew asbestos was dangerous but failed to warn the public, putting millions of Americans in harm’s way.

About Asbestos and Mesothelioma Claims After Death

Family members or the patient’s estate may be able to file a wrongful death claim.
Qualifying illnesses include mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
Mesothelioma wrongful death claims award over $1 million on average.
Top mesothelioma law firms can identify the asbestos products that made your loved one sick.
Most claims name multiple asbestos companies as defendants, and you may be entitled to compensation from each one.

Compensation from asbestos claims after death can cover your loved one’s remaining medical expenses, funeral costs, loss of income, and more.

LawFirm.com works with experienced mesothelioma lawyers who’ve recovered over $10.7 billion for families impacted by mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. They can help families in all 50 states and never charge any upfront costs.

Get a free case review to see if they may be able to fight hard for everything you deserve.

Asbestos Wrongful Death Settlement Amounts

The average asbestos settlement is between $1 million and $1.4 million, according to Mealey’s^® Litigation Report: Asbestos. However, the mesothelioma attorneys in our network have secured much more compensation for many families.

Asbestos wrongful death settlements and verdicts secured by our legal partners include:

$10 million for the loved ones of a Missouri insulator
$6.3 million to an Iowa asbestos worker’s family
$4.4 million for the family of an Illinois woman who suffered secondhand asbestos exposure
$5.7 million to the loved ones of a maintenance worker in Florida
$3.75 million for the family of a Pennsylvania laborer
$7.1 million to the family of a nurse who was exposed to asbestos secondhand

These results show how asbestos claims after death can provide financial relief and a sense of justice. Every case is different, but an experienced mesothelioma lawyer can fight for the compensation families need to honor their loved one’s legacy and move forward.

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or chat with a case manager to see if you may be eligible for an asbestos wrongful death settlement.

Factors Affecting Asbestos Compensation After Death

Asbestos compensation after death often differs from case to case, since each family’s circumstances are unique. Settlement values are typically influenced by a range of factors specific to the asbestos victim and their exposure.

Key factors that may affect compensation for mesothelioma after death include:

Age of the victim: Younger victims may recover larger settlements, since their families are considered to have lost more years of support, care, and companionship.
Funeral expenses: Funeral and burial expenses may be included as part of the compensation in a mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit.
Impact on the family: Settlement values for asbestos claims after death may reflect whether the victim had dependents and the emotional and financial toll their death had on surviving loved ones.
Lost income: Compensation from a mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit may account for wages and future earning capacity lost due to the victim’s premature death.
Pain and suffering: The level of physical and emotional suffering the victim endured before passing can affect settlement amounts.
Strength of evidence: Strong documentation linking asbestos exposure to a specific product or company often leads to higher mesothelioma settlements.
Type of disease: Mesothelioma wrongful death claims typically result in higher compensation than other asbestos-related illnesses because mesothelioma is aggressive and costly to treat.

An experienced asbestos attorney can evaluate all of these factors and use their resources and legal expertise to pursue the maximum amount possible on behalf of a family after the loss of a loved one.

“The first check ended up paying for mother’s funeral, and it was nice that when Dad and I were picking things out, we didn’t have to worry about anything. We knew that we could pay for it.”

– Debbie, Daughter of Mesothelioma Warrior Burlene Jones

Eligibility for a Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Lawsuit

You may be able to file a mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit if you’re the:

Immediate family member (usually a spouse, child, or parent) of someone who has passed away due to mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease
Estate representative of an asbestos victim

Filing asbestos claims after death can’t erase the pain connected to losing a loved one. However, it’s a way to honor their memory and fight back against greedy companies that put profits above the health and safety of innocent people.

“Under no circumstance will my husband’s death go unpunished. A young, athletic, completely healthy individual who had never suffered from anything — all of a sudden, he fell apart. It was devastating.”

– Alicia Sanchez, Wife of Mesothelioma Warrior Jose

Steps for Filing an Asbestos Claim After Death

Mesothelioma lawyers understand the toll that the loss of a loved one can take, so they strive to make filing a mesothelioma lawsuit after death as easy and stress-free as possible.

With a skilled professional handling the legal process on your behalf, you’ll have time to grieve and be with your family. Learn more about the process of filing a mesothelioma wrongful death claim.

1. Contact LawFirm.com

LawFirm.com offers free case reviews, so you can find out whether you may be able to file asbestos claims after death without any financial risk.

One of our case managers will ask questions about your loved one’s diagnosis, work history, and asbestos exposure. They can connect you with a top mesothelioma lawyer if you qualify.

2. Collect Evidence of Asbestos Exposure

Your attorney and their legal team will gather evidence on the asbestos-containing products your loved one was exposed to and the companies that made and sold them.

Evidence proving a victim’s exposure history may include:

Employment documents and co-worker testimony
Medical records
Military service records, if applicable
Reports from medical experts

Our legal partners have warehouses of evidence that can help them determine when, where, and how your loved one was exposed and which asbestos companies are to blame.

3. File Your Mesothelioma Lawsuit After Death

Your lawyer will file your mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit in the court most likely to result in a positive outcome. The lawsuit will be filed against all of the asbestos companies that caused or contributed to your loved one’s illness.

State laws known as statutes of limitations set time limits for filing asbestos claims after death. Once this deadline has passed, you’ll be unable to take legal action to pursue justice in honor of your loved one.

The best way to ensure that your asbestos lawsuit after death is filed on time is to reach out to an asbestos lawyer as soon as possible after your loved one has passed.

4. Access Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Settlements

Your lawyer will work to negotiate settlements with each defendant named in your lawsuit to maximize the total mesothelioma compensation after death you may receive.

Almost all mesothelioma lawsuits end in settlements, providing quicker access to compensation without going to court. In the rare event your asbestos claims after death don’t settle, your legal team can fight for you in court and seek compensation from a trial verdict.

While the payout timeline for asbestos claims after death may vary, many families start receiving compensation in as few as 90 days.

If your family is considering legal action, don’t wait — an experienced asbestos attorney can explain your options, guide you through the process, and work to secure the support your family deserves.

Get a free case review to see if a top asbestos attorney may be able to fight for justice on behalf of your family.

Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Compensation Options

In addition to an asbestos wrongful death lawsuit, your legal team will explore other possible sources of mesothelioma compensation.

These may include:

Asbestos trust fund claims: There’s over $30 billion sitting in trust funds created by bankrupt asbestos companies to compensate current and future victims.
VA benefits: Families of veterans who developed asbestos diseases from military exposure may be entitled to benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

In many cases, families have been able to file multiple types of asbestos claims after death, increasing the amount of money that they received.

An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will explore all available legal options to maximize your potential payout.

Get Help Seeking a Mesothelioma Settlement After Death

Losing a loved one to mesothelioma can be devastating, but seeking justice in their name is one way to honor their legacy.

The mesothelioma law firms in the LawFirm.com network have helped thousands of families secure financial compensation and closure following the death of a loved one.

The asbestos attorneys in our network:

Are leaders in asbestos litigation
Can help families in all 50 states
Don’t charge any upfront costs or out-of-pocket fees
Have secured over $10.7 billion for clients nationwide

“We have the experience, we have the know-how, and we have the verdicts. We have the size and the ability and the experience to square off against some of the largest companies in the world.”

– Daniel P. Blouin, Partner and Asbestos Attorney at Simmons Hanly Conroy

Call (888) 726-9160 right now or complete our online form for a free consultation.

Mesothelioma Claims After Death FAQs

Can I file asbestos claims after the death of a loved one?

Yes. If your loved one passed away from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim on their behalf.

Asbestos claims after death allow surviving family members to seek compensation for a mesothelioma patient’s medical bills, funeral expenses, lost income, and the emotional impact of their loss.

An experienced asbestos attorney can review your wrongful death case, determine which companies may be responsible, and handle the legal process so your family can focus on healing. Get started with a free case review.

What do I do if my family member died of asbestos?

If your loved one passed away from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, consider contacting an experienced asbestos attorney. A lawyer can determine whether you’re eligible to file asbestos claims after death against the companies responsible for your loved one’s exposure.

Acting quickly is important, since there are strict deadlines called statutes of limitations that restrict how long you have to file an asbestos lawsuit after a loved one’s death.

What is the average settlement for an asbestos death?

Average settlements for asbestos claims after death are around $1 million to $1.4 million for illnesses like mesothelioma. In many cases, surviving family members may receive settlements from multiple asbestos companies, increasing their total payout.

Call (888) 726-9160 now or chat with a case manager to see if one of our legal partners can pursue an asbestos settlement for you.

What is the asbestos death lawsuit?

An asbestos lawsuit after death is a legal claim filed after someone has passed away from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness. Mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuits are filed against the asbestos companies responsible for the victim’s exposure.

A successful asbestos lawsuit after death provides families with compensation to cover their loved one’s medical bills, funeral expenses, pain and suffering, and more. Filing a mesothelioma claim is also a way to honor your loved one and pursue justice in their name.

What is the time limit for asbestos claims after death?

The time limit to file asbestos claims after death is set by state laws known as statutes of limitations. In most states, families have 2 to 3 years from the date of their loved one’s death to take legal action.

Because these deadlines vary by state and missing them can prevent you from filing a claim, it’s important to speak with an asbestos attorney as soon as possible. A lawyer can confirm the specific time limit in your state and help you file before it expires. Get a free case review to take the first step toward justice.

Fact-Checked and Legally Reviewed by: Amy E. GarrettPartner

Lawyer
Editor

Amy Garrett is a partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy with more than 22 years of litigation experience. Amy has helped the firm secure billions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for clients. Over the past two decades, she has gained a reputation as a litigator who advocates for her asbestos and complex litigation clients both inside and outside the courtroom.