Mesothelioma Compensation
Mesothelioma compensation can offer significant financial assistance to families facing a mesothelioma diagnosis. You and your family may qualify for compensation from lawsuits, asbestos trust funds and VA benefits. At Nemeroff Law Firm, we’ve recovered more than $650 million for our clients.
Types of Mesothelioma Compensation
The three main sources of compensation are lawsuits, asbestos trust funds and VA benefits. Each works differently and has its own timeline and eligibility requirements. Other programs may also apply, including workers’ compensation, Social Security Disability Insurance and the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. SSDI moves faster for people with mesothelioma through a program called Compassionate Allowances.
Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma qualify to pursue financial assistance from multiple sources at the same time. Filing one claim doesn’t block the others. A mesothelioma lawyer can identify every option available to you.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits
A mesothelioma lawsuit is a legal claim filed against the companies that manufactured or exposed people to asbestos-containing products. If you’ve received a diagnosis, you can file a personal injury lawsuit. If you’ve lost a loved one to mesothelioma, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit. Both hold negligent companies accountable for the harm they caused.
Most mesothelioma lawsuits end in a settlement before reaching trial. Settlements can provide substantial compensation without the uncertainty of a jury verdict. Every state sets its own filing deadline, so it’s important to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible after a diagnosis to begin your pursuit of compensation.
Asbestos Trust Funds
When asbestos companies filed for bankruptcy, often courts required them to set aside money in asbestos trust funds to compensate people they harmed. Today, more than 60 active asbestos trust funds hold more than $30 billion. Payouts typically range from $25,000 to $400,000 or more. The trust and the specifics of your claim determine your payout amount.
Trust fund claims often resolve faster than lawsuits, with many paid out within three to six months. Filing a trust fund claim doesn’t prevent you from also filing a lawsuit. These are separate processes for different companies. Trust claims apply only to bankrupt companies that established a fund. Lawsuits are filed against solvent companies and can’t be filed against companies with trusts. Because multiple companies are often involved in exposure, many people pursue both at the same time.
VA Benefits for Veterans With Mesothelioma
Veterans who developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure during military service may qualify for VA disability compensation. The VA recognizes mesothelioma as presumptively connected to military service, which simplifies the approval process. A 100% disability rating typically pays more than $3,700 per month, though rates adjust annually. Surviving spouses and dependents may also qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.
Filing for VA benefits doesn’t prevent you from also filing a lawsuit or trust fund claim. Many veterans exposed to asbestos pursue all three at the same time. Our attorneys help veterans and their families navigate pursuing legal action while also pursuing VA benefits.
Compensation Types at a Glance
| Type | Typical Payout | Timeline |
| Mesothelioma Lawsuit | See average mesothelioma settlements | 12 to 24 months |
| Asbestos Trust Fund | $25,000–$400,000+ | 3 to 6 months |
| VA Disability Benefits | $3,700+/month | 1 to 3 months |
Who Is Eligible for Mesothelioma Compensation?
Both patients and family members may qualify to pursue mesothelioma compensation. Family members who experienced secondhand exposure have the right to file their own separate claims. A mesothelioma attorney can confirm your eligibility and identify every claim available to you.
Did You Know?
Patients Diagnosed With Mesothelioma
People with a mesothelioma diagnosis from asbestos exposure may qualify for compensation. This includes people with primary exposure at work and those with secondhand exposure, such as a family member who washed a family member’s work clothes. You don’t need to know exactly when or where your exposure happened. We’ll investigate that for you. A diagnosis at any stage qualifies.
Family Members and Surviving Loved Ones
A wrongful death claim allows family members to seek compensation after a loved one passes. Surviving spouses, children, parents and dependents usually qualify to file. These claims can cover funeral expenses, lost income, loss of companionship and pain and suffering. Each state sets its own wrongful death filing deadline, so it’s important to act quickly.
Survival actions are a separate type of claim that the estate of a person diagnosed with mesothelioma files. Unlike wrongful death claims, which compensate the family for their own losses, survival actions recover damages the person diagnosed with mesothelioma experienced before their death. Both claim types can apply to the same case.
Family members can also file trust fund claims and VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation claims after a loved one passes. Claims can be filed even if the person diagnosed with mesothelioma never filed during their lifetime. Family members who developed mesothelioma themselves through secondhand asbestos exposure file their own independent claims.
Lost a Loved One to Mesothelioma? You May Be Entitled to Compensation.
How to File for Mesothelioma Compensation
Nemeroff Law Firm simplifies the filing process for our clients, handling every step, from the initial investigation to the final settlement. We also work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Steps to File for Mesothelioma Compensation
- Free consultation: Contact us for a free case review. We’ll listen to your situation, evaluate your options and explain the best path forward.
- Case investigation: Our team travels to you, gathers your exposure history, obtains medical records and identifies every responsible party.
- Claims filed: We file all claims you qualify for, including lawsuits, trust fund claims and VA benefits, pursuing them simultaneously when possible.
- Compensation received: We resolve your case through a settlement, trust fund payout or verdict. We keep you informed at every stage.
Filing for mesothelioma compensation with Nemeroff Law Firm is a simple, stress-free process. From the initial free consultation through case investigation, claims filing and final resolution, our team handles every step on your behalf, keeping you informed along the way.
Common Questions About Mesothelioma Compensation
In most cases, no. Federal law doesn’t tax compensation for physical injuries like mesothelioma. Punitive damages and any interest a settlement earns may face taxation. We recommend consulting a tax professional about your specific situation.
While it’s not legally mandated, having an experienced mesothelioma attorney significantly improves your chances of securing compensation. These cases involve complex asbestos exposure evidence that spans decades, and defendants are typically well-funded corporations. Nemeroff Law Firm works on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win your case.
You don’t need to know where you were exposed to asbestos. Nemeroff Law Firm maintains proprietary databases of asbestos-containing products and job sites across the country. Our investigators identify your exposure history in detail, including the specific products, worksites and time periods that establish liability.
Yes. Each state sets its own statute of limitations, typically one to three years from a diagnosis or a loved one’s passing. Missing that deadline can eliminate your right to compensation entirely. Contact a mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.
Yes. Mesothelioma typically takes 20 to 60 years to develop after asbestos exposure. Courts and trust funds account for this long latency period. A diagnosis today qualifies you to file regardless of when your exposure occurred.
D. Carl Money
D. Carl Money is a mesothelioma trial attorney and retired Army Lt. Col. licensed in TX, NY and the UK.