Can You Sue for Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, you may be able to sue for asbestos exposure and pursue compensation.
Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. When many companies used asbestos in their products, they knew it was dangerous. By not warning the public about the risks, they put millions of Americans in harm’s way.
Mesothelioma lawsuits are filed against companies that made, sold, or distributed asbestos-containing products you were exposed to. An experienced attorney can help identify how you were exposed and which companies may be at fault.
By suing for mesothelioma, asbestos exposure victims can hold these companies accountable and pursue compensation to help pay for medical bills, lost wages, and more. The average settlement for mesothelioma claims is over $1 Million.
At Sokolove Law, we have over 45 years of experience helping families seek justice after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Contact us now to see if you may be able to sue for asbestos exposure and mesothelioma.
Asbestos Lawsuit Requirements: Who Qualifies?
Generally speaking, mesothelioma patients or their immediate family members may be able to take legal action if they meet certain asbestos lawsuit requirements.
Mesothelioma lawsuit criteria revolve around:
- Demonstrating that you or a loved one was exposed to asbestos
- Proving that the exposure caused an asbestos-related illness
- Taking action before any legal deadlines have passed
Find out more about what’s needed to sue for asbestos exposure and if your family may qualify for a mesothelioma claim.
Mesothelioma Diagnostic Criteria & Medical Records
Simply being exposed to asbestos is not enough to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Your mesothelioma lawyer will need to collect evidence like your medical records to show you became ill as a result of asbestos exposure.
Qualifying asbestos-related illnesses include:
- Mesothelioma
- Asbestosis
- Lung cancer
When asbestos fibers are breathed in or swallowed, they can irritate healthy tissues and lead to cancer 20-50 years later.
If you or a loved one worked near asbestos and later developed symptoms like a persistent cough or unexplained weight loss, be sure to mention your exposure history to your doctor.
Relatives of Mesothelioma Patients
If a mesothelioma patient is too sick to file a claim or they have already passed away, their family may be able to take legal action on their behalf. This includes:
- Spouses or partners
- Children or dependents
- Representatives of the patient’s estate
Our legal team can work with you to figure out how your loved one was exposed to asbestos and fight for the compensation your family deserves.
By filing an asbestos wrongful death claim, you can honor their memory and seek justice on their behalf.
Proof of Asbestos Exposure
Before suing for asbestos exposure, your attorney must first determine which companies made, sold, or distributed the asbestos-containing products that led to your illness.
Exposure could have occurred in various ways, including:
- While at work: Many workers in high-risk industries like construction, shipbuilding, and manufacturing were directly and routinely exposed to asbestos while on the job.
- In older buildings: Since asbestos was commonly found in construction materials before the 1980s. Workers who renovate or demolish older buildings could be exposed to asbestos.
- Through secondhand exposure: Anyone who works around asbestos may get asbestos fibers on their hair, uniform, and belongings. When they go home, these fibers may travel with them, potentially exposing family members unintentionally.
- From contaminated products: Some consumer products, like baby powder and makeup, are made with talcum powder, which has been found to contain asbestos. There was a 40% increase in asbestos talc claims in 2023, according to KCIC.
Even if you’re unsure of how or where your exposure occurred, our experienced attorneys can review your history, identify the sources, and prove asbestos exposure occurred.
Statute of Limitations on Suing for Asbestos Exposure
Statutes of limitations are legal deadlines that determine how long you have to sue for asbestos exposure and mesothelioma.
These deadlines vary by state, with most giving you 1-3 years from the date of your diagnosis or the death of a loved one to file a lawsuit.
If you miss the deadline, you may lose your chance to seek justice and compensation for asbestos exposure, so it’s important to act fast.
Call (800) 647-3434 now to make sure your legal claim is filed in time. It costs nothing to speak with us.
Why You Can Sue for Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma are preventable, according to the World Health Organization. Despite this, around 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year due largely to corporate negligence.
For much of the 20th century, millions of workers, military personnel, and everyday consumers were exposed to asbestos in products like construction materials, vehicle parts, and even household goods.
Many asbestos-related companies were aware of the risks as early as the 1920s but chose not to warn workers or provide them with protective equipment. Their deliberate corporate cover-up lasted until the 1970s.
In 1977, mesothelioma lawyers uncovered the Sumner Simpson papers. These internal documents from executives detailed their knowledge about the risks of asbestos — and their coordinated effort to hide this information from the public.
The release of these documents made it easier for victims to sue for asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, providing thousands of families with the compensation they need and deserve.
“The reason why we're able to bring claims against the manufacturers who used asbestos in their products is because they knew it was dangerous. It's not your fault, and it should never have happened to you.”
– Ricky LeBlanc, Managing Attorney at Sokolove Law
How Suing for Asbestos Exposure Works
Before you can sue for asbestos exposure, you or a loved one must be diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease.
Once a doctor has confirmed the diagnosis, our mesothelioma law firm can handle every step of the legal process on your behalf, allowing you to focus on your health and family.
Suing for asbestos exposure generally involves your legal team:
- Providing you with a free case review to learn more about your situation and confirm you meet the asbestos lawsuit requirements
- Gathering information about which asbestos-containing materials you were exposed to and the companies that made or sold these products
- Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit against these companies before any deadlines
- Negotiating a settlement with each of the defendants in your case
Our team has handled over 8,800 asbestos exposure cases nationwide. We’re prepared to fight for the justice you deserve — while making the process as easy and stress-free as possible.
“Hiring Sokolove Law was the smartest thing we ever did. Filing the lawsuit was easy because the firm made it easy. We didn’t have to do anything.”
– John, Mesothelioma Survivor & Firm Client
Our Asbestos Lawsuit Settlements & Verdicts
At Sokolove Law, we’re committed to securing as much compensation as possible for families impacted by mesothelioma and asbestos exposure.
To date, our mesothelioma law firm has secured more than $5.2 Billion for patients and their loved ones across all 50 states.
Some of our past asbestos lawsuit settlements and verdicts include:
- $40 Million for a U.S. Navy veteran in Washington
- $11.49 Million to a Florida demolition worker
- $7 Million for a welder in Pennsylvania
- $11.12 Million to an Arizona mesothelioma patient
- $5.12 Million for a union millwright and laborer in Minnesota
- $8.26 Million to a Louisiana auto mechanic
- $6.5 Million for a manual laborer in Texas
- $9.3 Million to the family of a mesothelioma patient in Massachusetts
- $10.23 Million for a California boiler tender and U.S. Navy veteran
- $15 Million to a New York construction worker
While there's never a guarantee of results, many of our clients start receiving compensation within 90 days of first contacting us.
We have the resources and experience needed to help you pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more. Let us fight for you.
See If You Meet Mesothelioma Lawsuit Criteria
We understand how difficult it can be to understand your options after a mesothelioma diagnosis. At Sokolove Law, we make it easier by offering all potential clients a free case review to see if they meet the mesothelioma lawsuit criteria.
Our experienced asbestos attorneys have:
- Helped families in all 50 states secure results
- Don’t charge any upfront costs or hourly fees
- Secured more than $5.2 Billion in mesothelioma compensation
“Families impacted by mesothelioma have the right to find out what’s possibly available to them. The only way they're going to get that information is to contact a lawyer who's had extensive experience handling asbestos and mesothelioma claims — and that’s where we come in.”
– Jim Sokolove, Firm Founder (Retired 2013)
Our team is prepared to guide you through every step of the legal process and handle all aspects of your case.
Call (800) 647-3434 now to see if you can sue for mesothelioma and asbestos exposure.
Asbestos Lawsuit Requirement FAQs
What are the requirements for the mesothelioma lawsuit?
To file a mesothelioma lawsuit, you or a loved one need to have been exposed to asbestos, diagnosed with mesothelioma, and take action within the statute of limitations for your case:
- Proof of asbestos exposure: Even if you don’t think you were exposed to asbestos, you likely were if you have mesothelioma. We’ve helped thousands of clients determine which asbestos-containing products they were exposed to — and which companies were to blame.
- Asbestos-related disease diagnosis: Your medical records or a loved one’s death certificate can be used to confirm a mesothelioma diagnosis.
- Legal deadlines: There’s only a limited amount of time to file a mesothelioma lawsuit due to laws called statutes of limitations, so it’s important to act fast.
Get a free case review now to see if you meet the asbestos lawsuit requirements.
Can I sue for asbestos exposure?
Yes, potentially. You may be able to sue for asbestos exposure if you develop an asbestos-related illness like mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis.
Many companies that made or sold asbestos-containing products knew about the risks but prioritized profits over safety. As a result, victims of asbestos exposure may be able to take legal action and seek compensation.
How do I prove that I was exposed to asbestos?
Your lawyer will work to prove you were exposed to asbestos by gathering evidence like your medical records and work history, along with any relevant details about where you might have been exposed.
Our mesothelioma attorneys and on-staff investigators can prove how you were exposed to asbestos. All we ask is that you tell us your story, and we’ll handle the rest from there.
With our extensive database of evidence on different asbestos-containing products, we can determine if your exposure occurred at work, home, or another location. Our team will gather the necessary evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.
Can you sue for mesothelioma?
You may be able to sue for mesothelioma if you:
- Have been diagnosed with this cancer
- Are the spouse or family member of a mesothelioma patient
- Represent the estate of a patient who has passed away
Call (800) 647-3434 now for a free legal case review. We can let you know if you meet the mesothelioma lawsuit criteria and can sue for asbestos exposure.
Can children sue for mesothelioma?
Yes. If you’re the child of a mesothelioma patient who has passed away, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the companies responsible for your parent’s illness.
While no amount of compensation can make up for the loss of a parent, money from a mesothelioma lawsuit can help with medical bills, funeral costs, lost income, and the pain and suffering your family has endured.
How long does a mesothelioma lawsuit take?
Many of our clients start receiving compensation from a mesothelioma lawsuit in as few as 90 days. Additional payments may continue to come in over the next year or so as your lawyer negotiates settlements with the other companies involved in your case.
While the time required to process a mesothelioma lawsuit varies, we’ll work to secure the most compensation within the shortest payout timeline possible.
What is the statute of limitations on asbestos claims?
In most states, the statute of limitations on asbestos claims is only 1 to 3 years after a mesothelioma diagnosis or the death of a loved one. These deadlines vary by state and the type of claim you file.
It’s important to work with an experienced asbestos attorney who can explain the specific deadline in your case and file your claim on time. Don’t miss your chance for justice.
Call (800) 647-3434 now to see if we may be able to help you take legal action before it’s too late.
