Getting Compensation for Mesothelioma
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, you may qualify for financial compensation from a lawsuit, trust funds, and/or benefits paid out by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Treating and managing this cancer can be expensive. You shouldn’t have to shoulder the financial burden of this diagnosis alone. Asbestos companies spent decades hiding the dangers of their products from the public, exposing millions of hard-working families to this deadly substance.
Nearly all mesothelioma victims who get legal compensation do so without going to court — and many receive their first payouts in 90 days or less.
- $30 billion has been set aside in asbestos trust funds to pay mesothelioma victims
- $1 million to $1.4 million average settlement amount
- $9.8+ billion recovered for families by Simmons Hanly Conroy
- $5 million to $11.4 million average verdict amount
Simmons Hanly Conroy, Mealey’s® Litigation Report: Asbestos, and the U.S. Government Accountability Office
Mesothelioma Hope has partnered with nationally recognized mesothelioma law firm Simmons Hanly Conroy to help patients and families pursue the compensation they deserve. To date, the firm has recovered more than $9.8 billion in mesothelioma compensation for clients nationwide.
Get a Free Case Review with Simmons Hanly Conroy today to find out whether you qualify for mesothelioma compensation.
Get a Free Mesothelioma Case Review
How to Get Mesothelioma Compensation: Top 3 Ways
Whether you’re a current patient or a surviving family member of someone who passed away from mesothelioma, there are three main ways you can pursue asbestos compensation.
You may be eligible for one or more of these mesothelioma compensation options. The mesothelioma lawyers at Simmons Hanly Conroy can help you determine your eligibility.
1. Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Mesothelioma lawsuits offer patients and families a chance to secure the compensation they deserve from the corporations that wronged them.
There are two main types of lawsuits to consider:
- Personal injury lawsuits: These are filed by patients seeking compensation for expenses such as medical bills, lost wages, home health care, and the emotional toll of their mesothelioma diagnosis.
- Wrongful death lawsuits: For families who lost a loved one to mesothelioma, this type of lawsuit can help cover expenses such as travel costs, unpaid medical bills, and funeral expenses, providing relief during a challenging time.
By pursuing these legal options, patients and families can find hope in securing the financial support needed to navigate the challenges of mesothelioma with greater ease and peace of mind.
“I want people out there to realize that there is help. They can get a settlement from these manufacturers that continued to use asbestos and knew that it was dangerous for people.”
2. Asbestos Trust Funds
After facing a flood of legal claims, many asbestos product manufacturers filed for bankruptcy protection in the early 1980s to try to avoid any accountability for the harm they caused.
Bankrupt manufacturers can no longer be sued, but were ordered by courts to set aside significant amounts of money in asbestos trust funds as compensation for mesothelioma victims. There’s over $30 billion set aside in these trusts as of 2025.
Most people are able to file claims with multiple trusts due to the widespread use of asbestos in the U.S. military and manufacturing industries up until the 1980s. On average, mesothelioma victims receive $300,000 to $400,000 in total from mesothelioma compensation funds.
We can help you or a loved one file asbestos trust fund claims. Check to see if you qualify now.
3. Veterans Benefits
If you or a loved one is a veteran with mesothelioma, you may be able to get government compensation in addition to any legal action taken.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognizes mesothelioma as a total disability, offering monthly payments as part of its benefits package to veterans with this cancer.
VA support may include:
- Disability compensation, paid out at $4,044.91 per month in most cases
- Free or low-cost treatment through the VA health care system
- Compensation for surviving family members of veterans who pass away from service-related mesothelioma
Additionally, VA benefits are not taxed, and filing a lawsuit won’t affect them.
Mesothelioma Compensation Amounts
If you’re considering pursuing compensation to help with mesothelioma-related expenses, it can be helpful to see what other patients have experienced. Below are actual settlement and verdict results secured by our partner law firm, Simmons Hanly Conroy.
Mesothelioma Settlement Amounts
You can seek compensation through a mesothelioma settlement after filing a lawsuit against the product manufacturers responsible for your asbestos exposure.
A settlement prevents you from having to go to trial, which means you can receive money faster if your asbestos claim is successful. The average mesothelioma settlement payout is between $1 million and $1.4 million, according to Mealey’s® Litigation Reports: Asbestos, but some people have received much more than this.
Notable mesothelioma settlements secured by Simmons Hanly Conroy include:
- $12 million for a laborer with pleural mesothelioma
- $6.3 million for the surviving family of an Iowa asbestos worker
- $4 million for a Navy veteran with pleural mesothelioma from serving on the USS Randolph
- $3.8 million for a restaurant worker with peritoneal mesothelioma
- $2.8 million to the surviving family of an Illinois heavy equipment operator
- $9.5 million for a construction worker with pleural mesothelioma
“The financial freedom from filing a lawsuit has made the time I have left even better.”
Mesothelioma Verdict Amounts
If your attorney cannot reach a settlement with the asbestos company’s legal team, your lawsuit will proceed to a trial. In a trial, a judge or jury will determine if you are owed compensation and, if so, how much.
According to Mealey’s® Litigation Reports: Asbestos, the average mesothelioma trial verdict ranges from $5 million to $11.4 million. However, some asbestos victims have been awarded much more.
Notable mesothelioma verdicts secured by Simmons Hanly Conroy include:
- $250 million for a steelworker in Indiana (the largest-ever mesothelioma verdict)
- $40 million for a Navy veteran in Washington
- $15 million for the surviving family of a New York construction worker
- $10 million for a Louisiana longshoreman
- $6 million for the surviving family of a Missouri laborer
- $34 million for a California mechanic from Ford Motor Company
In July 2024, Simmons Hanly Conroy secured over $24 million for a Chicago man who developed mesothelioma after working as a janitor at a facility where asbestos-contaminated talc was processed.
In some trials, the judge or jury will order asbestos companies to pay punitive damages as additional punishment for their negligence.
What Compensation for Mesothelioma Can Be Used For
Any money recovered from a mesothelioma lawsuit or asbestos trust fund is yours, and you can use it however you like.
Many patients and families have relied on mesothelioma compensation to pay off debt, cover medical bills, and handle other expenses.
Mesothelioma compensation can help you and your family:
- Cover extended or experimental treatments
- Create trusts for children or grandchildren
- Handle basic living expenses
- Hire in-home support or respite care
- Make up for lost income during treatment
- Make donations to charities and meaningful causes
- Pay for mental health services
- Travel to top treatment centers
“I didn’t believe it until I saw that first settlement check. And then there was relief because I could pay off one of the medical loans. It was a great relief.”
Who Can Get Compensation for Asbestos Exposure?
Patients and family members affected by mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, or other serious diseases linked to asbestos exposure may be able to receive legal compensation.
You do not need to know when, where, or how you were exposed to asbestos to pursue compensation.
A qualified asbestos attorney can help you determine how much compensation you might be able to receive.
Mesothelioma Compensation for Family Members
An experienced lawyer can help secure mesothelioma compensation for family members. If their loved one is still fighting the disease, family members can help them file a personal injury lawsuit.
Money from the settlement or verdict can be used to cover things like lost wages or put into a savings account to support loved ones in the future.
If their loved one has passed away from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, surviving spouses, children, and estate executors can file for compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.
Still looking for the right mesothelioma lawyer? Our Free Attorney Checklist can help you find an attorney who will fight to get you maximum compensation.
Steps to Getting Asbestos Compensation
You can file mesothelioma compensation claims by working with an experienced lawyer.
A mesothelioma attorney can file a lawsuit or trust fund claims on your behalf. They can also help you gather the documentation you need to access VA benefits.
Here are the steps for accessing compensation:
- Hire a Mesothelioma Lawyer: Connect with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to see if you’re eligible for compensation and learn which options are best for you and your family.
- Let Your Attorney Gather Evidence of Asbestos Exposure: Your lawyer will outline the facts and collect evidence that supports your claim. This might include medical records, work history, military service documents, and a list of asbestos-containing products you were exposed to, along with their manufacturers.
- Have Your Lawyer File Your Mesothelioma Compensation Claim: Your lawyer will file a mesothelioma compensation claim on your behalf. They’ll make sure all the necessary documentation is correctly submitted and that your claim is presented effectively during the claims process to maximize your potential compensation.
- Receive Compensation for Your Family: Many clients start to receive payouts in 90 days or less after filing a claim. Trust funds and settlements will award compensation more quickly than if the lawsuit goes to trial. Your attorney will help you choose the best option to maximize your compensation and get you the money your family needs as soon as possible.
Working with a mesothelioma law firm will help prevent any delays in this process. Your legal team will keep you updated at every step and fight to get you the most compensation possible.
Take the first step toward accessing mesothelioma compensation with a Free Case Review.
How Long Does It Take to Get Mesothelioma Compensation?
Every case is different, but many people start to receive mesothelioma financial compensation from asbestos lawsuits and asbestos bankruptcy trust funds in 90 days or less.
Factors that can affect your payout timeline include the type of mesothelioma claim filed, the statute of limitations in the state where you file, and the number of asbestos manufacturers named in your claim.
“The first time we got a settlement check — and there have been a few — I was able to tell the kids, ‘We got some money today. Wow, this thing really works.”
Knowing that other families have received mesothelioma compensation within a few months can provide much-needed peace of mind during an uncertain time in your life.
Other Types of Compensation for Mesothelioma
In addition to legal compensation and disability benefits, you can pursue other avenues to help cover the costs of a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Other options include:
- Long-term disability insurance. If you have long-term disability insurance, you may be able to receive a percentage of your salary while you take time away from work to get treatment. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) also compensates family members who need to take a leave of absence to care for a loved one.
- Medicaid and Medicare. These government-funded programs can help you pay for medical expenses after a mesothelioma diagnosis. However, they typically don’t cover all the costs of mesothelioma treatment, which can easily exceed $400,000 per year on average.
- Mesothelioma foundations. Many cancer organizations and charities offer travel grants, co-pay assistance, and other types of financial aid for mesothelioma patients and caregivers.
- Private insurance. Depending on your plan and provider, health insurance may cover some of your mesothelioma treatment. This doesn’t cover out-of-pocket costs like travel, transportation, and hotel stays during treatment.
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). If mesothelioma has prevented you from working, you may qualify for SSDI. The Social Security Administration has a Compassionate Allowances program that reduces the wait time for qualified individuals with mesothelioma.
See if You Can Get Compensation for Mesothelioma Now
Mesothelioma Hope is dedicated to helping patients and caregivers overcome financial barriers, alleviate money-related stress, and feel empowered by knowing their financial options.
Our team is here to help you:
- Understand different compensation options and your eligibility
- Connect with a mesothelioma lawyer who will fight on your behalf
- File for VA disability or increase your existing benefits (if applicable)
Request a free case review to get started or call (866) 608-8933 to speak with a Patient Advocate right now.
Mesothelioma Compensation FAQs
What is the average payout for mesothelioma victims?
Every case is different, but these are the average payouts for each type of mesothelioma compensation:
- $1 million to $1.4 million for lawsuit settlements
- $5 million to $11.4 million for lawsuit verdicts
- $300,000 to $400,00 for asbestos trust fund claims
These averages reflect factors such as the severity of the illness, the extent of asbestos exposure, and other circumstances specific to each case.
How much is compensation for mesothelioma?
The average compensation for mesothelioma ranges from $1 million to $11.4 million, depending on whether your case ends in a settlement or a jury verdict.
This compensation may include financial damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs.
How much does a mesothelioma trust payout?
It varies. Each asbestos trust fund has different payout percentages, and the amount you’ll receive depends on several factors.
However, the average amount mesothelioma patients receive in total from asbestos trust fund claims is between $300,000 and $400,000. An experienced asbestos attorney can help you determine which trusts you are eligible for — give our team a call at (866) 608-8933 to get started.
How long does it take for a mesothelioma settlement?
Settlements resolve more quickly than trial verdicts. The time it takes for a mesothelioma settlement to resolve depends on several factors, but many Simmons Hanly Conroy clients receive their first check in 90 days or less.
Are mesothelioma settlements taxable income?
In most cases, you will not have to pay taxes on a mesothelioma settlement. Any money you receive from a settlement to cover expenses or emotional suffering is generally not taxable income.
In very rare cases, a portion of your settlement award may be subject to interest, which could be taxed.
If you are concerned about potential tax implications, you may want to work with a financial advisor.
Is there a deadline to file for asbestos cancer compensation?
Yes, there are deadlines called statutes of limitations for filing asbestos cancer compensation claims.
These deadlines range from 1-6 years, with most around 2-3 years after a diagnosis. The statutes vary by location and the type of claim (personal injury, wrongful death, or asbestos trust fund claims).
Failing to file within the specified time frame may impact your ability to receive compensation. This is why you should consult with an asbestos attorney as soon as possible after a diagnosis or the death of a loved one.
Your asbestos lawyer will guide you through the process and ensure your claim is filed within the necessary time frame to protect your legal rights. Contact us for help finding an attorney to file your claim in time.
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