What Are Mesothelioma Settlements?
Mesothelioma settlements are the most common outcome of lawsuits filed by patients with this cancer.
In a settlement, the mesothelioma victim’s lawyers negotiate with lawyers representing asbestos manufacturers to get compensation for the victim.
From the 1930s to the early 1980s, manufacturers used asbestos in thousands of products without revealing that asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma. As a result, you may qualify for mesothelioma settlements from these manufacturers if you got sick from using their products.
Almost all mesothelioma lawsuits reach settlements, with few being decided through an in-court trial verdict.
Our legal partners have secured billions of dollars in mesothelioma lawsuit settlements for other victims. Explore your legal options right now — get a free case review to see if you’re eligible to pursue mesothelioma settlements.
What Is the Average Mesothelioma Settlement Amount?
The average mesothelioma settlement is worth between $1 million and 1.4 million. That said, every mesothelioma legal claim is different and settlement amounts vary.
Notable mesothelioma settlements and verdicts include:
- $250 million for an Indiana steelworker
- $60 million for a laborer in California
- $40.1 million for a U.S. Navy veteran in Washington
- $30 million for a mechanic in California
- $10.3 million for a chiropractor and longshoreman from Louisiana
- $9.5 million for a construction worker in California
- $8.26 million for a school bus driver and gas station worker in Louisiana
- $6.5 million for a U.S. Army veteran and oil field worker in Louisiana
- $4.7 million for a laborer in New York
- $4 million for a teacher in California
- $2.53 million for a Michigan maintenance worker
- $2.19 million for a U.S. Navy veteran in Pennsylvania
- $1.2 million for a Missouri woman who suffered secondhand asbestos exposure
Factors That Affect Mesothelioma Lawsuit Settlement Amounts
The specifics of each person’s lawsuit may affect how much they receive from mesothelioma settlements.
These factors include:
- Expenses: Mesothelioma can cost $500,000 or more to treat. Asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuit settlements should be high enough so that all expenses are covered. Settlements could also award mesothelioma compensation for pain and suffering.
- Jurisdiction: Some legal jurisdictions (court systems in which lawsuits are filed) may be more or less favorable to asbestos victims. Asbestos lawyers will make sure to choose the jurisdiction that best fits your case.
- Number of companies involved: It’s possible to reach settlements with dozens of asbestos companies. More companies may mean more mesothelioma payments. Which companies will be sued depends on the products the patient was exposed to and if the companies that made them are still in business.
- Statute of limitations: Laws called the statutes of limitations limit the amount of time a patient has to take legal action. The statute of limitations is different in each state, but it typically ranges between 2-3 years. A mesothelioma lawsuit can’t be filed if the statute passes, meaning it won’t be possible to get a settlement.
Call (866) 447-8466 now to learn which factors could impact mesothelioma settlement amounts in your case.
Am I Eligible for a Mesothelioma Settlement?
Possibly, yes. Many people qualify for asbestos lawsuit settlements.
You may be eligible for a mesothelioma settlement if:
- You or a loved one worked with or around asbestos prior to the early 1980s
- Your doctor has diagnosed you with mesothelioma
- You qualify to work with an attorney who can file a lawsuit on your behalf
Spouses, children, or estate representatives can also pursue mesothelioma settlements after the death of a patient through wrongful death lawsuits.
Get a free case review to determine if you’re eligible to secure mesothelioma settlements with help from an experienced mesothelioma attorney.
How Mesothelioma Lawyers Help Secure Settlements
It’s usually in your best interest to work with an asbestos lawyer to pursue mesothelioma settlements.
Mesothelioma takes 10-50 years to develop after asbestos exposure, so many patients may not know how they were exposed. Further, the average person won’t know how to file a mesothelioma claim as the legal system is very complex.
An experienced mesothelioma attorney can do all of the heavy lifting during the legal process. This includes filing a lawsuit and pursuing a settlement on your behalf, allowing you to spend time with your family members and get treatment without added stress.
How Do Mesothelioma Settlements Work?
The mesothelioma settlement process generally follows the steps below.
- Determine eligibility: Learn if you’re eligible to seek a mesothelioma settlement payout. If so, you can work with a legal team who will start gathering evidence for a lawsuit. Get a free case review to see if our legal partners can help you.
- File a lawsuit: An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit on your behalf against the companies that exposed you to asbestos. You may be eligible to file lawsuits against multiple companies and get several settlements depending on the products you were exposed to.
- Enter discovery: During the discovery phase, your lawyers and the lawyers for the defendants (asbestos companies being sued) will strengthen their cases and exchange information as needed.
- Begin settlement negotiations: Both legal teams present their arguments and enter settlement negotiations to try to resolve the lawsuit out of court.
- Receive mesothelioma payouts: If your lawyers successfully negotiate a mesothelioma settlement offer, you will get compensated. In the rare event that a settlement isn’t reached, a lawsuit may progress to a trial.
The mesothelioma law firms that we have partnered with reach asbestos settlements in more than 99% of cases.
The asbestos attorneys we work with will prepare a lawsuit so it’s very strong in the event a trial occurs.
Benefits of Mesothelioma Lawsuit Settlements
Mesothelioma settlements offer many benefits when compared to trials.
| Mesothelioma Settlements | Mesothelioma Trial Verdicts |
|---|---|
| Typically resolve faster than a trial | Add more time to the legal process |
| Worth $1 million to $1.4 million on average | Worth $5 million to $11.4 million on average (if successful) |
| Pay out without an in-court appearance | May require you to appear in court |
| Predetermined payout not subject to appeal | A verdict in your favor could be appealed |
You may win more compensation through a trial, but there is no guarantee. You could actually wind up with less money (or no money at all) through trial jury awards than if the case settled.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Mesothelioma Settlement?
While all mesothelioma settlement time frames are different, many patients start to get financial compensation in as little as 90 days when they work with experienced asbestos attorneys.
The best lawyers have the ability to quickly file a strong asbestos lawsuit, ensuring clients can get the largest mesothelioma settlements as fast as possible. Experienced mesothelioma attorneys usually secure all available settlements in 1 year to 18 months.
Your asbestos lawyers will keep you notified as your lawsuit progresses and tell you when you can expect to get compensation from mesothelioma settlements. Get legal help pursuing mesothelioma settlements now with a free case review.
Find Help to Access Mesothelioma Settlements
The best way to recover a mesothelioma settlement is to work with a reputable asbestos attorney. Fortunately, LawFirm.com can connect you with top mesothelioma attorneys near you.
It costs nothing out of pocket to file an asbestos claim when you work with our asbestos lawyers. The attorneys we work with have secured over $9.3 billion in settlements and verdicts for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Many clients get their first settlement payout in 90 days or less — without ever stepping foot in a courtroom.
Get a free case review now to find out how to connect with an attorney and seek a mesothelioma settlement.
Settlements for Mesothelioma Cases FAQs
What is the average settlement for a mesothelioma lawsuit?
The average mesothelioma payout from a settlement is worth between $1 million and $1.4 million, according to Mealey’s® Litigation Report: Asbestos. Some mesothelioma patients have received even higher settlements depending on the facts of their case.
Factors such as the patient’s health, medical bills, and the attorneys they work with can all impact the value of mesothelioma settlements.
Does everyone with mesothelioma get a settlement?
No, some mesothelioma patients may not wish to take legal action. Others may wait too long to do so, causing the statute of limitations (time limit to sue) to expire.
It’s in your best interest to quickly pursue settlements after a mesothelioma diagnosis. A settlement can allow you to afford mesothelioma treatments (which can cost $500,000 or more).
How long does it take to get compensation for mesothelioma?
How long it will take to secure compensation from a settlement varies by case. That said, it’s often possible to start getting mesothelioma lawsuit payouts in 90 days or less.
An asbestos lawyer can give you a better idea of when you’ll receive compensation through mesothelioma settlements. Contact us to get help quickly accessing mesothelioma settlements that you qualify for.
Are mesothelioma settlements taxable?
It depends on the nature of your settlement. The Internal Revenue Service notes that settlement compensation for physical injuries or to reimburse for lost wages isn’t usually considered taxable income at a federal level.
A lawyer can help determine if taxes will affect the amount of money you receive from mesothelioma verdicts or settlements.
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