Mesothelioma claims can allow patients and their families to receive compensation and hold the asbestos companies responsible for their illness accountable. A qualified attorney can help you secure compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more. Find out more about the different types of mesothelioma claims and how to file them.
Filing a Mesothelioma Claim
A mesothelioma claim is a legal action taken against the companies that made or sold the asbestos products you were exposed to. These claims can include mesothelioma lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims.
U.S. veterans with mesothelioma may have been exposed to asbestos while serving in the military, which would also make them eligible to file mesothelioma VA claims with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Regardless of when and how you were exposed to asbestos, you may be able to work with an experienced asbestos attorney to file a mesothelioma claim for compensation. Download our free checklist now for help finding a lawyer that's a good fit for your case.
Legal Claims vs. VA Claims for Mesothelioma
Veterans and civilians who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma are able to file asbestos legal claims. However, there are additional benefits available to veterans through the VA.
- Legal claims require you to work with an attorney. They can identify all of the different types of mesothelioma legal claims you may be able to file and handle the work for you. Deadlines known as statutes of limitations determine how long you have to file a legal claim, so it's important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
- VA claims: Veterans with mesothelioma can apply for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, including disability compensation, health care, and VA pensions. A VA claims agent or VA-accredited attorney can help you prepare your claim and file for these benefits.
Compensation from these mesothelioma claims can play a vital role in helping pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other financial concerns that may accompany an asbestos-related disease diagnosis.
Video Summary: Military veteran Walter talks about his time in the U.S. Navy, being diagnosed with mesothelioma, and filing a mesothelioma claim. View Transcript
The word mesothelioma I didn’t know anything about. When I turned 70 I started getting pneumonia, but then as time went on they kept getting closer and closer and closer together [the occurrences] and I asked the doctor, I said, I wanna know why.
And they sent me downstairs to get a chest X-ray and the X-ray made it back before I got back up there.
He says, we're gonna go inside and take a look. He come up right to my bedside after the operation and showed me the pictures they took on the inside of the lung and he pointed out the cancer.
I really can’t explain it. I got a knot in my stomach, you know. But he told me then that there was no cure for it.
I was impressed by the Navy – seeing my uncle in that Navy uniform, you know – take pictures of him. So I just decided when I come outta school that I was gonna join the Navy.
I was very proud of that uniform. I was a boiler tender when I went aboard my first ship and started doing my first job. They told me — I asked them what the material was made out of and they told me it was asbestos.
It didn’t kill anybody on the spot that’s for sure, but it took years later when it started catching up with us. But, my understanding [is] that the powers-that-be knew.
I didn’t wanna sue my government and I damn sure didn’t wanna sue the Navy cause they're still feeding me. I wasn’t suing the government, I wasn’t suing the U.S. Navy, I was suing the manufacturer.
It was only 2 or 3 days and he was here [the lawyer]. He came and seen me, talked to me personally. He knew what kind of a man I was and how involved I was with my job in the Navy. Felt very comfortable with them. I was watching the way they handled it, they did good.
[It was] positive thinking, there was nothing negative about it, it was positive. They were prepared, they could go back to day 1, and I appreciated that. There was no guessing about it, they had the paperwork to back them up.
It was a hands-on approach I guess, and that’s what drew me. Cause that’s the way I do things – a hands-on approach. They damn well earned it.
Why You Need an Attorney for Your Mesothelioma Claim
An attorney can handle every step of your mesothelioma claim, so you can focus on getting medical treatment and spending time with your loved ones.
Additionally, mesothelioma attorneys have the resources and experience necessary to hold large asbestos companies responsible for their negligence. These companies knew the dangers of asbestos, but they kept this information hidden from the public to protect their profits.
An experienced attorney with a mesothelioma law firm can:
- Collect evidence of negligent behavior from asbestos companies
- Document your asbestos exposure history, service history, and work history in detail
- Prepare and file all your mesothelioma claim documents with the correct courts
Mesothelioma attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means it costs you nothing to file a mesothelioma claim, and your attorney will only receive a portion of your total compensation if they win your case.
In the unlikely event that you do not receive compensation, you won't owe your attorney a penny. However, 99% of mesothelioma claims end in an asbestos settlement for the victim.
Find a top mesothelioma lawyer now to see if they can help you pursue compensation from mesothelioma claims.
Types of Mesothelioma Claims
The types of mesothelioma claims you may qualify for depend on the unique details of your case, like what asbestos products you were exposed to and where you were exposed. If you are eligible to file multiple claims, an attorney can pursue compensation from each on your behalf.
1. Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust Claims
There have been thousands of mesothelioma claims filed against companies that have since declared bankrupt. These bankrupt companies have put money into asbestos trust funds to compensate current and future victims of asbestos-related diseases.
An estimated $30 billion is still available in these trust funds, and you may be eligible for a portion of this money. If a company that exposed you to asbestos has since filed for bankruptcy, a lawyer can help you file asbestos trust fund claims from the comfort of your own home.
See if you can file an asbestos trust fund claim now.
2. Mesothelioma Lawsuit Claims
Mesothelioma lawsuits are asbestos claims filed in court against the companies responsible for your illness. The average mesothelioma settlement is $1 million to $1.4 million, while the average trial verdict is $5 million to $11.4 million.
There are two types of mesothelioma lawsuits. Patients with mesothelioma may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit, while the family members of a patient who has passed away may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
With a lawsuit, your lawyer will pursue compensation for all of the damages resulting from your illness, like any pain or suffering you experienced, lost wages from being unable to work funeral costs, and medical expenses.
3. Veterans Benefits Claims
Anyone who developed mesothelioma from military service may be able to file VA benefits claims. Disability benefits for mesothelioma are worth nearly $4,000 a month.
Asbestos was used extensively by all branches of the military, putting veterans at a greater risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. It could be found in buildings on bases, ships, aircraft, and other military work areas.
Men and women who served in the U.S. Navy have an especially high risk of developing mesothelioma, especially true if they worked in shipyards. In fact, approximately one-third of all mesothelioma diagnoses are linked to military ships and shipyards.
If you have a case, we can connect you with VA-accredited attorneys who can help you start your VA mesothelioma claim now. They specialize in navigating the VA system and can cut through red tape to process your claim faster.
Get Help Filing a Mesothelioma Claim
Nearly all mesothelioma patients are eligible for some form of financial compensation from an asbestos claim. At the Mesothelioma Veterans Center, we can connect you with the legal resources you need to help file a claim.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center can help you:
- File for mesothelioma VA benefits
- Get a 100% VA disability rating
- Pursue legal claims without impacting your VA benefits
- Access health care, compensation for medical bills, and more
The average compensation for mesothelioma claims is $1 million to $1.4 million if settled out of court. There are no limits to what you can do with your compensation, and there are mesothelioma attorneys who can handle your claim from start to finish.
See if a lawyer can file your mesothelioma claims and fight for the compensation you deserve.
FAQs About Mesothelioma Claims
What is the average payout for a mesothelioma case?
Mesothelioma claims are worth $1 Million to $11.4 Million on average. The amount of compensation you may receive depends on many factors, like whether your case results in a settlement or trial verdict, the severity of your illness, and the number of asbestos products you were exposed to.
How long do mesothelioma claims take?
It depends on the type of claim. In some cases, victims may start to receive compensation from mesothelioma claims within 90 days.
An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can give a better estimate of how long your claim may take. Request a free legal consultation to get started.
Who can file a mesothelioma claim?
Anyone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma may be able to file a claim, as long as their lawyer can prove that their condition was caused by asbestos exposure.
Additionally, family members and estate representatives may have the legal right to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit after their loved one has passed away from mesothelioma.
It is essential to contact a lawyer and file a mesothelioma claim within the proper statute of limitations so you don't miss your chance to take legal action.
