What Is a Mesothelioma Class Action Lawsuit?
A mesothelioma class action lawsuit involves multiple victims who were harmed by asbestos exposure. Their claims are combined and filed together against the companies responsible for their exposure.
Class action lawsuits for mesothelioma seek compensation for families impacted by this cancer and accountability from those who caused their suffering.
About Mesothelioma Class Action Suits
- Mesothelioma class action lawsuits are a combination of many legal claims.
- These cases typically address similar injuries or illnesses from asbestos exposure.
- In a class action for mesothelioma, a lump sum is awarded to the group and divided among victims.
- Almost all mesothelioma lawsuits are now filed individually, rather than as a class action.
For more than 45 years, Sokolove Law has worked with families across the country to secure the most compensation possible by filing individual mesothelioma lawsuits.
Our firm has recovered over $5.1 Billion for mesothelioma patients and their loved ones.
Contact us now to see if we can fight justice on your behalf. There are no hourly fees or out-of-pocket costs to work with our firm.
Why Aren’t Asbestos Class Action Lawsuits Filed in 2024?
Today, most mesothelioma lawyers prefer to file individual lawsuits over asbestos class action lawsuits, as no two cases share the same details.
Mesothelioma class actions often lump several different diseases together like mesothelioma and asbestosis — but treatment costs can vary greatly.
Class action lawsuits for asbestos are rarely filed because they:
- Fail to account for the severity of an individual’s illness
- Lack the personalization needed to address varying exposures to asbestos
- Don’t provide families with enough money for medical bills and other expenses
Each mesothelioma lawsuit is unique and requires an individualized approach to ensure victims receive justice.
In 1997, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an asbestos class action settlement in the case of Amchem Products, Inc. v. Windsor. The justices expressed concern that a mesothelioma class action settlement wouldn’t properly address the diverse range of illnesses presented by members of the class.
In some cases, victims are exposed to multiple asbestos-containing products, which may allow them to hold more companies accountable and qualify for additional compensation.
“We filed a mesothelioma claim to hold companies accountable. I don’t know how these people slept at night, knowing people were being exposed to asbestos. They need to pay anyone that’s been affected by this.”
– John, Mesothelioma Survivor & Firm Client
Our firm has the resources and experience necessary to hold companies accountable and pursue compensation on your behalf. Contact us now to see if you have a case.
Mesothelioma Class Action Lawsuit Settlements vs. Individual Payouts
At Sokolove Law, our goal is always to maximize a client’s potential mesothelioma settlement amounts, which is why our asbestos attorneys only handle mesothelioma lawsuits on an individual level.
Mesothelioma class action lawsuit settlements often award less compensation, leaving families without the money they need.
| Mesothelioma Class Action Settlements | Individual Lawsuit Payouts |
|---|---|
| Results are based on a single case out of a potentially large group of individuals. | Payouts are based on the specific details of your case, like the severity of your illness, total cost of medical bills, lost wages, and more. |
| The asbestos class action settlement is divided among everyone in the group. | Settlements are awarded to a single mesothelioma patient or their family. |
| It may take years for families to begin receiving compensation, delaying the opportunity for closure and justice. | Many of our clients start receiving compensation in as few as 90 days. |
In 1985, the first asbestos class action lawsuit resulted in a $137 Million settlement. With around 800 plaintiffs in the case, the payout would be approximately $171,000 per person.
The average mesothelioma settlement amount for an individual lawsuit is $1 Million to $1.4 Million — and many of our clients have received more than that.
Our Past Asbestos Lawsuit Payout Amounts
At Sokolove Law, we’ve recovered over $5.1 Billion for families impacted by mesothelioma. Our team has successfully helped clients in all 50 states fight for the justice they deserve.
Some of our past individual asbestos lawsuit payouts include:
- $40 Million to a U.S. Navy veteran in Washington
- $11.49 Million for a Florida demolition workers
- $9.3 Million to the family of a U.S. Navy veteran from Massachusetts who passed away
- $7 Million for a California wire installer and laborer
- $5.31 Million to a U.S. Army veteran in Maryland
- $3 Million for a Wisconsin pipefitter and steamfitter
- $4.38 Million to a home remodeler and maintenance worker in Florida
- $5.39 Million for a Utah carpenter, roofer, and factory worker
- $6.48 Million to an electrician in Texas
- $4 Million for an Illinois auto mechanic and union laborer
In one class action lawsuit for asbestos exposure, approximately 7,500 victims were awarded a total of $80 Million. This would’ve averaged around $10,600 per person.
While there’s never a guarantee in any case, our team will fight hard to get you everything you’re entitled to.
Call (800) 647-3434 now to find out if your family may qualify for an asbestos lawsuit settlement. It costs nothing to speak with us.
Who Can File a Mesothelioma Class Action Suit?
Eligibility for a mesothelioma class action lawsuit is more difficult to determine than an individual lawsuit, as you’d need to prove that the details of your case are similar to those of the other cases filed in a class action.
While these class action suits are no longer filed, you may be eligible for compensation from an individual asbestos lawsuit instead, which can award more money than mesothelioma class action settlements.
You may qualify for compensation from an asbestos exposure lawsuit if you:
- Were diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease
- Are the family member or estate representative of a mesothelioma patient who passed away
There’s only a limited amount of time to file a mesothelioma lawsuit due to state laws known as statutes of limitations.
Contact our team as soon as possible, so you don’t miss out on your chance for justice. Determining your eligibility costs nothing.
How Did Class Action Lawsuits for Mesothelioma Work?
Companies knew the risks of asbestos when they used it in their products — yet they provided no warnings. As the dangers became known to the public in the 20th century, multiple mesothelioma class action lawsuits were filed throughout the U.S.
Asbestos victims and their families teamed up to file joint claims aimed at holding these companies accountable and securing compensation.
These asbestos class actions generally involved:
- Identifying negligent companies and filing a claim: A person or multiple people with similar illnesses could work with a mesothelioma class action lawyer to file a claim against the companies at fault.
- Combining cases into a mesothelioma class action suit: A judge would then either approve or deny the creation of an asbestos class action lawsuit.
- Inviting victims to join the class action: If you’re eligible to join an asbestos class action suit, you’d receive an invitation from the court and have the option to join or file individually.
- Negotiating a mesothelioma class action settlement: Your legal team would attempt to negotiate a settlement for the entire class action group — or present the case against the company in court.
- Distributing compensation: The total sum awarded to the plaintiffs would be divided by the number of victims involved, with each person receiving a portion of the money.
However, mesothelioma class action lawsuits aren’t filed often anymore due to various limitations. Mainly, they often failed to award individual Americans with the compensation they deserve from the companies responsible for their illness.
As a result, judges across the country began denying class action status for the majority of mesothelioma lawsuits, allowing families to file individually instead.
Advantages of Filing an Individual Mesothelioma Lawsuit
In 2024, most attorneys file mesothelioma lawsuits individually, not as asbestos class actions. This allows us to provide our clients with personal attention as we work to secure the most compensation possible on their behalf.
Advantages of filing an individual asbestos lawsuit include:
- Having a dedicated legal team: With an individual claim, your legal team is dedicated to your family and can put all of their resources toward building a strong case on your behalf. With a mesothelioma class action, lawyers must manage a potentially large group of clients.
- Making the decision to settle: In individual cases, the asbestos victim alone can agree to or reject a settlement offer. A mesothelioma class action settlement, however, requires the approval of multiple people as well as the court before it’s accepted.
- Presenting a personalized case: Individual lawsuits are tailored to the specific facts of the victim’s injury and history of asbestos exposure. If multiple companies are responsible for your illness, we'll work to get compensation from each of them, securing compensation for what you suffered as a result.
- Receiving higher compensation: In general, individual lawsuits result in higher compensation than class actions.
At Sokolove Law, we strive to make filing a mesothelioma lawsuit as simple and stress-free as possible. Our team will travel to you at no cost and handle every aspect of your case, so you can focus on your health and family.
Call (800) 647-3434 now to see if you qualify for compensation from a mesothelioma lawsuit.
“They made the legal process for my family and I very easy, and I was very comfortable.”
– Dennis, Mesothelioma Warrior & Firm Client
Alternatives to Asbestos Class Action Lawsuits
There are several alternatives to asbestos class action lawsuits that may be able to provide you with compensation for financial and emotional damages.
Our team can pursue all of the options available to you in order to maximize the compensation you may receive.
Many families begin receiving compensation in as few as 90 days, with additional payments coming in over the following months.
Mesothelioma Lawsuit
Mesothelioma lawsuits are a type of personal injury claim filed by patients against the companies responsible for your illness. Compensation can be awarded through an out-of-court settlement or a trial verdict.
Mesothelioma lawsuit payouts are between $1 Million and $11.4 Million on average, depending on if your case settles or goes to court.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit
A mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by the spouse, children, parents, or estate representative of the mesothelioma patient who has passed away.
These claims seek compensation from the companies that made or sold the asbestos-containing products your loved one was exposed to.
Wrongful death lawsuits for mesothelioma can provide families with a sense of closure while also helping to pay for funeral costs, outstanding medical expenses, and more.
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims
Asbestos trust fund claims can allow mesothelioma patients or their loved ones to access compensation from companies that declared bankruptcy and can no longer be sued.
Because these companies were ordered to set money aside for future victims, an estimated $30 Billion is still available, and you may be owed some of this money.
See if you can access money in asbestos trust funds and get compensation without going to court.
Mesothelioma Veterans Benefits
Veterans with mesothelioma may be eligible for financial and medical benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Mesothelioma veterans benefits include:
- Disability compensation resulting in over $3,700 per month
- Monthly VA pension payments
- Free health care and access to top mesothelioma specialists
- Additional compensation for those severely impacted
The VA typically grants veterans with mesothelioma a 100% disability rating, which makes them eligible for the most compensation possible.
We have VA-accredited attorneys on staff who can help you prepare and file your mesothelioma VA claim or increase your current disability rating.
Sokolove Law: Filing Asbestos Lawsuits in All 50 States
At Sokolove Law, our mesothelioma attorneys have helped thousands of families across the country seek justice by filing asbestos lawsuits.
Over the last 45 years, we’ve recovered more than $5.1 Billion in mesothelioma compensation for our clients.
While a class action lawsuit for mesothelioma may not be an option, we can identify all of the other claims you qualify for and seek compensation on your behalf.
Call (800) 647-3434 now or fill out our contact form for a free case review. We’ll fight hard to get you everything you’re entitled to.
Asbestos & Mesothelioma Class Action Suits FAQs
Is mesothelioma a class action lawsuit?
Mesothelioma lawsuits are typically filed individually, rather than being combined as a class action. Asbestos cases often involve exposure to many different products, meaning the companies at fault are specific to each person.
As a result, asbestos class action lawsuit settlements often didn’t provide families with enough compensation for medical bills and other expenses linked to their diagnosis.
Contact Sokolove Law now to learn more about your legal options during a free case review.
Can I join an asbestos class action lawsuit?
Most asbestos claims aren’t approved as class action lawsuits, but an attorney can help you file an individual lawsuit to pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
This approach will provide you with a more personalized legal experience that’s tailored to your needs and the unique details of your case.
Call (800) 647-3434 now to see if you qualify for compensation from a mesothelioma lawsuit. It costs nothing to speak with us.
What is the average payout for a mesothelioma claim?
The average payout for a mesothelioma settlement is $1 Million to $1.4 Million and between $5 Million and $11.4 Million for a trial verdict.
Get a free case review now to see if we can pursue a mesothelioma claim payout on your behalf.
How does asbestos compensation work?
Asbestos compensation is awarded to a mesothelioma patient or their family from a lawsuit, trust fund claims, or VA benefits. An attorney can help you access asbestos compensation by gathering evidence and filing these claims on your behalf.
In an asbestos class action suit, however, all of the victims are awarded one lump-sum payment. A plan is then created to give each plaintiff a portion of this compensation.
How do you prove asbestos exposure?
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you’ve likely been exposed to asbestos, which is the only known cause of this cancer.
Our attorneys will handle all of the work needed to prove how you were exposed to asbestos, including:
- Using our warehouses of evidence to find the asbestos-containing products that made you sick
- Identifying each of the asbestos-related companies that made or sold these products
- Proving these companies knew their products posed a risk but failed to provide warning
- Working with our on-staff investigators and medical experts to link your illness to asbestos
Let us find the evidence needed to build a strong case on your behalf. Call (800) 647-3434 now to get started for free.
How long does a mesothelioma lawsuit take?
In as few as 90 days, many of our clients start receiving compensation from their mesothelioma lawsuits. Most lawsuits are fully resolved within 12 to 18 months, once negotiations with all companies have been completed and final payments have all come in.
However, the mesothelioma lawsuit payout timeline will vary depending on the unique details of each case. We’ll work to get the most money for your family as quickly as possible.
What is the time limit on asbestos lawsuits?
Depending on where you file your claim, the time limit on asbestos lawsuits is 1 to 6 years after your diagnosis or the death of a loved one.
These legal deadlines vary from state to state. Once the deadline for your case passes, you won’t be able to take legal action for your illness again.
Contact us now to get started with your case before it’s too late. Meaningful compensation may be available.
Is mesothelioma a mass tort?
Yes. Mass torts involve an act or omission that injures multiple people, like widespread exposure to asbestos.
Thousands of victims across the country have gotten sick from similar products and filed lawsuits against the companies responsible for their asbestos exposure.
What is the mesothelioma class action lawsuit commercial?
Mesothelioma class action lawsuit commercials are usually made by personal injury law firms to inform asbestos victims about their rights after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Jim Sokolove, the founder of Sokolove Law, was a pioneer in the world of legal advertising. His mesothelioma commercials have reached millions of families across the country and given many the courage to pursue the justice they deserve.
