Mesothelioma Settlements & Verdicts

If you have been sickened by asbestos exposure, a mesothelioma settlement or verdict can provide you with compensation to cover the expenses and impacts on your life. At Bergman Oslund Udo Little, our attorneys are here to help you explore your legal options and determine the next steps.

Written by:

Brendan Little, Partner, Bergman Oslund Udo Little Last Updated: April 24, 2025

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Understanding Mesothelioma Settlements

Average Mesothelioma Settlement Amounts

Key Factors Influencing a Mesothelioma Settlement Amount

The Mesothelioma Settlement Process

Settlement vs. Trial: Which Is Best for You?

Our Notable Mesothelioma Settlements & Verdicts

Are You Ready To Pursue a Mesothelioma Lawsuit Settlement?

Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma Settlements

Key Takeaways

Mesothelioma settlements resolve asbestos lawsuits through discussions and negotiations involving the parties and their lawyers.
If a mesothelioma lawsuit cannot be resolved, with a settlement, you can take the case to trial and seek a verdict to hold those responsible for asbestos exposure accountable.
Settlements are faster and less costly than going to court, but trial verdicts may provide higher compensation.
The attorneys at Bergman Oslund Udo Little are experts in the mesothelioma and asbestos landscape in the Pacific Northwest.

Understanding Mesothelioma Settlements

Mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer with one known cause—asbestos exposure. A mesothelioma settlement provides monetary compensation for a patient sickened by asbestos exposure. Resolving a mesothelioma lawsuit allows victims to receive the financial relief they need without the cost and stress of going to trial.

Most mesothelioma lawsuits are resolved through settlements, primarily because they allow both parties to avoid a court case. However, Bergman Oslund Udo Little always prepares cases as if they were going to trial. This diligent, detail-focused approach allows us to argue your case effectively and maximize your potential compensation. If the opposition fails to offer a settlement that fully compensates you for your losses, we won’t hesitate to take the case to a jury.

We are proud of the client reviews and testimonials that attest to the high-quality representation we provide.

Mesothelioma Settlements vs. Mesothelioma Trial Verdicts

A mesothelioma lawsuit settlement is a negotiated agreement between the two parties in a case. They communicate through their lawyers to reach a resolution that both can agree is acceptable.

The settlement specifies how much and when the plaintiff will pay damages to the defendant. Once it becomes final, neither party can withdraw their consent or choose to go to trial.

A trial verdict is a judge or jury’s decision about the case. Both sides present their evidence, and the plaintiff must prove that the defendant was primarily responsible for their illness. In mesothelioma matters, that typically means demonstrating the defendant knew about and allowed the risk.

Average Mesothelioma Settlement Amounts

The average mesothelioma settlement is $1 million to $1.4 million, depending on the circumstances of the case. Trial verdicts often provide a higher level of compensation than a settlement, but the court process tends to take longer and cost more. If the option arises, your lawyer can advise you on whether to settle or go to trial.

Key Factors Influencing a Mesothelioma Settlement Amount

Every mesothelioma case is different, which means each settlement will be different. How much you could receive depends on factors such as the following:

The severity of your illness
Your age
Your history of asbestos exposure
The effects of your illness on your life
The extent of the defendant’s wrongdoing
The strength of the evidence
The number of defendants responsible for your exposure
The costs of your past and future medical care
Lost earnings and income resulting from your illness

In addition to the above factor, your attorney’s skill and experience matter. Our attorneys have a long track record of obtaining favorable settlements and verdicts for mesothelioma victims across the Pacific Northwest.

The Mesothelioma Settlement Process

If a doctor has diagnosed you or someone you love with mesothelioma, the first step is to contact one of our attorneys for a free case evaluation. We’ll listen to your story and discuss how to file a claim.

If you choose to work with us, we’ll investigate your claim and learn as much as possible about your asbestos exposure. We will use our extensive proprietary database of asbestos-related information to pinpoint the source of your exposure and the parties responsible for your illness. We will also determine the full impact of your illness on your life and calculate the full extent of your losses. Our team will then file a claim against the party or parties responsible for your exposure.

Once we’ve filed the claim, we will negotiate with the opposition and their attorneys for a full and fair settlement to compensate you for all your losses. We will stay in touch with you throughout the process and discuss the pros and cons of any offers.

If we can reach a fair settlement, you and the other party will sign and commit to the agreement. If not, we will prepare to go to trial.

Settlement vs. Trial: Which Is Best for You?

Settlements and trials have the same goal—to get fair compensation for your illness and related costs. Settling has a few benefits compared to a jury trial:

Faster resolution. Settlements resolve faster than a jury trial, so you get your money sooner.
More control over compensation: In the settlement process, you negotiate and agree to a specific amount. A trial leaves you vulnerable to uncertain jury verdicts, which may be higher or lower than expected.
Lower cost and less stress: Trials involve expert witness fees, court costs, and the need to prepare, testify, and wait for a verdict, all of which are especially difficult when you’re also dealing with illness.

In some cases, however, going to trial is worth the extra time and cost. Defendants may offer lower amounts during settlements, hoping you’ll choose to avoid trial. That amount may not fully cover your monetary or non-monetary losses, particularly if your expenses and losses are high.

At trial, your attorney will argue for the full amount you deserve. A trial may be your best approach if the defendant’s offer is insufficient and you have strong evidence of their liability.

Our Notable Mesothelioma Settlements & Verdicts

You can feel confident choosing Bergman Oslund Udo Little for your mesothelioma lawsuit. We have recovered many successful judgments that help clients cover medical costs, recoup lost wages, and cope with pain and suffering. Our experience and knowledge of mesothelioma liability have helped us win numerous settlements and verdicts for our clients.

Mesothelioma Settlements

The settlements we have recovered for Pacific Northwest asbestos-exposure victims have provided them peace of mind and financial security while dealing with their illnesses. Notable settlements we’ve negotiated include the following:

Mesothelioma Verdicts

Our attorneys have secured major mesothelioma verdicts in Oregon and Washington, including the following:

$30 million: This was the largest verdict of its kind in Oregon state history. We demonstrated that Ameron International Corporation failed to inform a factory worker of asbestos exposure.
$10 million: We recovered this verdict for a couple after the husband developed mesothelioma from secondary exposure during the 1940s.
$5.75 million: Our client repaired brakes at a Volkswagen dealership in the 1970s. We demonstrated that Volkswagen had not warned its employees about asbestos content in the parts he handled.
$4.2 million: Our client was an 81-year-old electrician who had worked at Seattle shipyards in the 1960s and70s. We secured a verdict against the distributor of asbestos insulation to the shipyard.

We are committed to maximizing awards for each client we serve, whether we settle or go to trial.

Are You Ready To Pursue a Mesothelioma Lawsuit Settlement?

If you have developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure, it’s important to act as soon as possible. The statutes of limitations limit the time to file a claim to two years in Oregon and three years in Washington.

Those time frames usually begin when you discover the illness. For mesothelioma patients, that date is usually when you receive your diagnosis. Because mesothelioma has a long latency period, diagnosis usually happens decades after asbestos exposure.

Depending on your state of residence, you then have two or three years to file your claim. The first step is to choose a lawyer experienced in asbestos cases who specializes in securing high mesothelioma settlement amounts.

Bergman Oslund Udo Little is the Pacific Northwest’s Premier Mesothelioma Law Firm. Since 1995, we have had a narrow focus—fighting to protect the interests of families facing the challenges of mesothelioma. We’re here to fight for you and your family so you can focus on your health and well-being.

Call 206-957-9510 in Washington or 503-447-6230 in Oregon to speak with an attorney. You can also contact us online to learn about your mesothelioma compensation options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma Settlements

What is the average settlement for a mesothelioma case?

The typical settlement for an asbestos claim averages $1 million to $1.4 million. Exact amounts vary depending on the type and severity of exposure and illness and numerous other factors, such as the strength of the case, the extent of the wrongdoing, the number of defendants, and more.

How does the result differ between a settlement and a verdict?

While the average mesothelioma settlement is in the low six figures, some clients have received more by going to trial. However, going to trial is more costly, and taking your case to a jury is a gamble. Your lawyer will advise you on the best approach for your case.

How long does it take to get a mesothelioma settlement?

Resolving an asbestos claim can take as little as 90 days, but more complex cases can take much longer. Settlement is generally faster than a jury trial, but court systems may prioritize severely ill patients. However, if the case goes to trial, it can take more than a year to resolve.