Mesothelioma claims can allow U.S. veterans, civilians, and their families to receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more. Filing a claim can also hold negligent asbestos companies accountable. The Mesothelioma Veterans Center is able to help families affected by this cancer file different types of claims — get started below.
Filing a Claim for Mesothelioma
If you or a veteran you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, financial compensation could be available through different types of claims.
Mesothelioma can cause a lot of unexpected expenses, from paying for treatment, traveling to see specialists, not being able to work, and more. Mesothelioma claims help you and your family offset these costs so you can focus on getting better.
Common mesothelioma claims include:
- VA benefits claims: The VA considers mesothelioma to be a 100% disability, awarding $4,158.17 monthly to eligible veterans.
- Legal claims: The average payout for a mesothelioma legal claim is $1 million or more, with the first payouts coming in 90 days or less in many cases.
- Trust fund claims: There is over $30 billion available currently in asbestos trust funds, and you may be eligible for money from multiple trusts.
Since 2015, the Mesothelioma Veterans Center has helped thousands of veterans and families file claims to access VA benefits and financial compensation. Today, Major Jonathan Nelson (Ret), an experienced VA-accredited attorney and fellow U.S. veteran, assists veterans like you in pursuing claims.
“I am here to help veterans. I want to make sure that they have the opportunity to get the benefits that they need now and to ensure that their families are provided for in the future.”
– Major Jonathan Nelson, VA-accredited attorney & Marine Corps veteran
Get a free case review now to learn how Major Nelson and the rest of our team can help you file mesothelioma claims, if eligible.
Benefits of Mesothelioma Claims
The average cost of treating mesothelioma is very expensive, sitting at over $400,000 — and insurance might not cover all the costs. Since mesothelioma legal claims typically pay out over $1 million, they allow you to afford expenses and protect your family from debt.
Other benefits of mesothelioma claims include:
- Filing a legal claim doesn’t involve taking legal action against the military or government. You can still get VA mesothelioma claims payouts at the same time.
- It costs nothing upfront to file a mesothelioma legal claim when you work with experienced asbestos attorneys.
- There’s no limit to how you use the money from mesothelioma claims. They can pay for health care costs, basic living expenses like mortgages, traveling to treatment, in-home care, vacations, and more.
- You can get a sense of justice knowing that you’re holding asbestos manufacturers, which knew of the health risks but hid them, accountable.
“Veterans who file legal claims with our help often start to get money in just a few months, with many receiving millions of dollars. Also, VA-accredited attorneys like myself can fight to quickly get you the military benefits you deserve, giving you and your family one less thing to worry about.”
– Major Jonathan Nelson, VA-accredited attorney & Marine Corps veteran
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center has attorneys on staff who handle every step of the mesothelioma claims process for you, making it easier for you to get the money you deserve.
Video Summary: Military veteran Walt 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
The mesothelioma claims process can be very difficult to navigate without help from a dedicated lawyer. Mesothelioma attorneys across the country work with families affected by this cancer every day and know how to build the strongest claims possible.
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. Your attorney will only receive a portion of your total compensation if they win your case, and they take nothing from your VA benefits.
Types of Mesothelioma Claims
The types of mesothelioma claims you may qualify for depend on the unique details of your case, like which 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.
Veterans Benefits Claims
Anyone who developed mesothelioma from military service may be able to file VA benefits claims. Benefits for mesothelioma pay out $4,158.17 a month.
Veterans can also access free or low-cost medical care through their VA benefits. The VA has some of the best mesothelioma doctors in the world, and since this cancer is considered a 100% disability, veterans typically have the lowest copays for treatments through the military’s health care system.
Major Nelson can help you file for mesothelioma VA benefits right now at no cost, if eligible.
Mesothelioma Lawsuit Claims
The family members of a patient who has passed away may be able to file mesothelioma claims after death (wrongful death lawsuits).
Personal injury mesothelioma lawsuits are claims filed against companies responsible for your illness. Lawsuits typically reach out-of-court settlements worth $1 million to $1.4 million. In the very rare event a lawsuit goes to trial, verdicts range from $5 million to $11.4 million.
When you file a mesothelioma lawsuit, our attorneys do not sue the U.S. military or government. Instead, lawsuits are filed against manufacturers of asbestos-containing products.
Wrongful Death Legal Claims
If you lost a veteran you love to mesothelioma, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit.
Mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuits often award over $1 million, allowing families to afford expenses like funeral costs that stem from their loss and to get closure.
“After my dad’s terminal mesothelioma diagnosis, his desire for us was to not sit still and to pursue a wrongful death suit. Ultimately, my dad passed away unlawfully from asbestos.”
– Jeff Ambrose, son of U.S. Army veteran Clarence “Smoky” Ambrose
Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust Claims
An estimated $30 billion is available across dozens of asbestos trust funds. Trust fund claims allow you to access compensation without filing a lawsuit. In some cases, trust funds may pay out faster than lawsuits.
Bankrupt companies have put money into these trust funds to pay victims of asbestos-related diseases. An asbestos attorney can determine which trusts you qualify for and file claims to recover compensation from each.
Get help filing asbestos trust fund claims for mesothelioma right now.
Who Can File Asbestos Claims?
Many different people may be eligible to file mesothelioma claims and pursue compensation with our team's help.
Those who qualify for mesothelioma claims include:
- U.S. veterans or civilians who have been diagnosed
- Family members like spouses and children if a patient dies
- Representatives of a mesothelioma patient's estate
It's also possible to pursue different types of claims for other asbestos-related illnesses outside of mesothelioma. These include lung cancer, asbestosis, and more. Many U.S. veterans have developed these illnesses as a result of asbestos exposure that occurred decades ago.
How Long Does a Mesothelioma Claim Take?
The asbestos claims payout timeline is different for each case. However, many who have worked with our legal team have started to get money from asbestos settlements as soon as possible.
"We can start getting compensation for clients quickly — often within months of filing. We work to resolve most lawsuits in 1-2 years depending on the state it was filed in, available evidence, and other factors."
– Captain Brian Cooke (Ret), mesothelioma attorney & Marine Corps veteran
Our mesothelioma lawyers will keep you updated as to when you can expect to start getting financial payouts in your case.
Steps to Filing a Mesothelioma Claim
The steps to filing a mesothelioma claim are much easier when you work with experienced asbestos attorneys. Learn how these lawyers guide you throughout the entire legal process and handle every step for you below.
1. Connect With a Mesothelioma Attorney
Get a free case review now to find out how our mesothelioma attorneys can help you. Our team will review the facts of your case and determine which types of asbestos claims you're eligible for.
2. Gather Asbestos Exposure Evidence
To build your claim, your attorneys gather evidence to determine when, where, and how you were exposed to asbestos. This may include information about your military service history and any jobs that you held where asbestos was used, such as construction.
Your mesothelioma lawyers may also request health care documents confirming your diagnosis from a pathologist, and a written statement from your doctor called a medical nexus. This letter is a professional opinion that your cancer was caused by asbestos.
3. Determine Liable Companies
With your asbestos exposure information gathered, your lawyers will work to determine which companies made the products you were exposed to. It's likely that you will have been exposed to asbestos-containing products made by many different manufacturers.
4. File the Asbestos Claim
Your mesothelioma legal team will file your claim against all at-fault manufacturers. You will not have to file yourself, saving you extra stress and time. Your lawyers will make sure to file in the best court for your case.
5. Enter Discovery & Negotiations
With the legal claim filed, your attorneys will enter the discovery process, requesting information from asbestos product manufacturers to strengthen your case.
Your lawyers will then work to negotiate a fair payout, typically through a mesothelioma settlement.
6. Receive Financial Compensation
In the vast majority of cases, your mesothelioma legal claim will be settled out of court and you will start getting compensation. It is likely that you will receive multiple settlements at different times throughout the course of the claim.
In the very rare case that a settlement isn't reached, your attorneys will fight for a strong payout through a trial verdict.
Statutes of Limitations on Mesothelioma Compensation Claims
You only have a limited amount of time to file mesothelioma legal claims due to laws called statutes of limitations.
Under these laws, you typically have 1-6 years after a diagnosis or loved one’s death to file asbestos lawsuits, with the time limits varying by state. If you miss the deadline, you will not be able to file an asbestos claim to get compensation.
Asbestos trust funds and VA benefit claims do not follow the statutes. Each trust has its own set limits to file, and there are no deadlines to file VA claims.
Understanding which deadlines apply to your case can be confusing. For this reason, it's important to reach out to an asbestos attorney soon after diagnosis or a loved one’s passing.
Experienced mesothelioma lawyers in our network can help assess your situation and file claims before it’s too late.
Insurance and Other Claims for Mesothelioma
It is important to understand how insurance claims work when you're facing a serious cancer like mesothelioma. Different insurance plans can help you afford medical expenses.
You can use any of the following insurance plans for mesothelioma:
- Medicare or Medicaid
- Private insurance
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
However, you may still face significant financial expenses even if insurance covers some of your mesothelioma health care costs.
“There are expenses you don’t even consider that you’ll have during this process that won’t be covered for you, even if you have insurance. In our case, insurance would only pay for either a walker or a wheelchair, but not both.”
— Connie Bonnin, wife of U.S. Army mesothelioma veteran Alan Bonnin
Workers' compensation may also be available if you developed mesothelioma from workplace asbestos exposure. However, this typically awards much less than you could get from lawsuits or VA benefits.
Because of these factors, it's important to consider working with an attorney to file legal and military asbestos claims to cover costs related to a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Get Help Filing a Claim for Mesothelioma
Different mesothelioma claims can help you access VA benefits, low-cost or free military health care, and compensation, taking some of the stress off you and your family.
At the Mesothelioma Veterans Center, Major Nelson and our other mesothelioma attorneys can file claims so you can get the payouts and benefits you deserve.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center can help you:
- File mesothelioma VA benefits claims
- Get a 100% VA disability rating through a VA claim
- Pursue legal claims without impacting your VA benefits
Get a free case review to pursue mesothelioma claims now with help from our experienced network of asbestos lawyers.
Filing a Claim for Mesothelioma FAQs
What is a mesothelioma claim?
Mesothelioma claims are actions taken to pursue financial compensation and other benefits. If you or a U.S. veteran you love has this cancer, you may be able to file legal claims, trust fund claims, and VA benefits claims to afford expenses and get peace of mind.
At the Mesothelioma Veterans Center, we make filing a claim for mesothelioma much easier for your family, with on-staff attorneys handling the work for you. This means you can get the payouts you need with minimal extra hassle.
What is the average payout for mesothelioma victims?
Mesothelioma claims are worth $1 million to $11.4 million on average. The amount of compensation you may receive depends on whether your case results in a settlement or trial verdict, the severity of your illness, which asbestos products you were exposed to, and more.
Call (877) 450-8973 to get help filing a claim for mesothelioma now. While every case is different, you could start getting claim payouts in 90 days or less when you work with us.
Will I have to travel in order to file my mesothelioma claim?
No, you won't have to travel to file a mesothelioma claim. If you're looking to file a VA benefits claim, Major Nelson can help you through the process digitally or over the phone.
For mesothelioma legal claims, our partner attorneys will travel to you. This means you'll be able to file from the comfort of your home, a hospital, or anywhere else you wish.
How much will it cost to file a mesothelioma claim?
It shouldn't cost you anything upfront to file a mesothelioma claim. Our asbestos attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only take a percentage of the money they secure for you.
In addition, there’s no cost to file for mesothelioma VA benefits with our help. Work with Major Nelson to pursue VA benefits claims for free right now.
What evidence is needed for a mesothelioma claim?
Evidence required to build claims include military service and work records to prove your exposure to asbestos, medical records confirming your diagnosis, and bills to show how the cancer impacted you financially.
Our VA-accredited mesothelioma lawyers can help collect all of this information and use it to build and file different types of claims, allowing you to pursue the benefits and compensation you deserve.
Why should I use an attorney to file a mesothelioma claim?
It is often in your best interest to get a mesothelioma attorney’s help to file an asbestos claim. This is because the legal systems are very complicated.
Our asbestos attorneys can handle every step in the claim process for you, making it much easier to recover the compensation and benefits you rightfully deserve.
Top mesothelioma lawyers know how to:
- Collect crucial evidence for asbestos claims
- Determine which asbestos companies are liable
- File claims within set deadlines
- Maximize your VA benefits
- Negotiate strong payouts quickly
Do you have questions about how an attorney can help you or about filing a claim? Ask Major Nelson your mesothelioma questions now.
Are there limits on how I can use compensation from a mesothelioma claim?
No, there are no limits on how you use the money you receive from a mesothelioma compensation claim. Once you get the payout, it's yours to use in any way that you see fit.
Other families have used their mesothelioma compensation to pay for:
- Basic living expenses like groceries and utilities
- Expenses related to traveling for treatment
- Funeral costs if someone passed away
- Lost earning capacity or wages
- Mesothelioma treatment expenses
- Mortgages or rent
Working with experienced mesothelioma attorneys in our network may give you a better chance at securing financial compensation than if you go it alone.
