If a loved one died from mesothelioma, their surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit to get compensation. Mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuits usually reach out-of-court settlements. Some mesothelioma wrongful death settlements have awarded $1 Million or more.
What Are Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Settlements?
An out-of-court settlement is the most common outcome of a mesothelioma lawsuit.
Through a mesothelioma wrongful death settlement, the family of someone who died from this cancer receives money from manufacturers of asbestos-based products. Settling the lawsuit allows the family to receive money faster than if the case would go to trial.
The families of veterans who passed away from mesothelioma may be able to file a lawsuit and reach a wrongful death settlement. Veterans have a greater risk of mesothelioma since the U.S. military relied on asbestos up through the 1980s. Mesothelioma is only caused by asbestos exposure.
The companies that made asbestos-containing products will be named in a mesothelioma lawsuit, not any branch of the military. These companies knew asbestos could be life-threatening but hid the truth for decades.
With a mesothelioma wrongful death settlement, families and loved ones can receive much-needed compensation.
Compensation from a mesothelioma wrongful death settlement can pay for:
- Funeral expenses
- Lost income
- Unpaid medical bills
- Almost anything else (including non-medical costs)
Family members can learn more about mesothelioma wrongful death settlements by speaking to an asbestos attorney.
Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Settlements vs. Personal Injury Settlements
Not all asbestos lawsuits will reach a mesothelioma wrongful death settlement. If a mesothelioma victim is still alive, they can work with a lawyer to file a personal injury lawsuit and reach a settlement.
Compensation from a personal injury settlement is typically awarded to the victim, though it can also go to immediate family members or caregivers as well.
Mesothelioma wrongful death settlements only occur if the victim has died. The settlement generally goes to family members and caregivers.
Average Wrongful Death Settlements for Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma settlements typically award a total of $1 million to $1.4 million from all manufacturers of asbestos-containing products that were sued.
That said, some mesothelioma wrongful death settlements can award more or less money.
Mesothelioma wrongful death settlements have included:
- Roughly $122,000 to the family of a man who died from mesothelioma
- $30 million to 100 families whose loved ones got sick or died from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases
Families can learn more about average mesothelioma settlements by speaking to an attorney.
How Can I Reach a Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Settlement?
You can reach a mesothelioma wrongful death settlement by working with a skilled asbestos lawyer. Mesothelioma lawyers will fight on your behalf to get the highest amount of compensation from a settlement.
Mesothelioma lawyers can:
- Learn which manufacturers of asbestos-based products may have caused your loved one’s cancer and death
- File mesothelioma lawsuits against these manufacturers
- Negotiate mesothelioma wrongful death settlements
Most settlements begin to pay compensation within a year.
Why Should I Work With a Lawyer to Reach a Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Settlement?
Mesothelioma lawyers have handled these types of lawsuits for years and know how to get the most compensation from a settlement in the shortest amount of time.
Without a lawyer’s help, you might not receive as much money from a mesothelioma wrongful death settlement as you otherwise could. You may even lose out on getting any compensation at all.
What If a Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Settlement Cannot Be Reached?
Most manufacturers of asbestos-based products in a mesothelioma lawsuit will agree to settle the case. If a manufacturer does not agree to a settlement, then the case may go to trial before a jury.
Through a trial, the jury may force the manufacturer to pay more money than if they settled the case — but the jury could also side with the manufacturer, meaning your family gets no money from them.
A mesothelioma lawyer can tell you more about the outcomes of a trial. In most cases, the risks of a trial outweigh the benefits.
Learn More About Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Settlements
To get more information about mesothelioma wrongful death settlements, connect with an asbestos lawyer today.
It’s important to speak with lawyers who have handled mesothelioma lawsuits in the past when discussing settlements. General lawyers may not know how to get as much money from mesothelioma wrongful death settlements.
Since there may be time limits on filing a mesothelioma lawsuit, get in touch with an asbestos lawyer as soon as possible.