Average Compensation for Mesothelioma Cases
Bergman Oslund Udo Little has been fighting for mesothelioma compensation for victims of asbestos exposure since 1995 as the Pacific Northwest’s premier mesothelioma law firm. With a focus on asbestos-related lawsuits, we treat our clients with compassion and respect while being zealous advocates in the courtroom. Our years of experience enable us to provide expert legal assistance to those seeking justice and compensation for their suffering.
Asbestos is a cancer-causing mineral that naturally occurs in rocks and soil. It’s resistant to heat, corrosion, and electricity, so it had countless commercial uses. Companies widely used it in building materials historically. Unfortunately, people exposed to asbestos may develop mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer that forms in the membranes surrounding internal organs, especially the lungs. The only known cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure.
Most people with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos through products at work. The law allows mesothelioma victims to pursue compensation against the companies responsible for their asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma compensation will differ for each case depending on where the person was exposed and what products were involved.
About Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer that attacks the thin tissue that covers internal organs, including the lungs, heart, or abdomen. The latency period—or the time from when someone is exposed until they develop cancer—is between 10 and 50 years. Thus, people may not develop mesothelioma—or even know they were exposed to asbestos—until long after the exposure.
This devastating cancer often occurs in those who worked with asbestos at certain job sites, such as in construction, shipbuilding, automotive manufacturing, and military environments where asbestos was once commonly used.
The symptoms of mesothelioma can include the following:
- Chest pain
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Unexplained weight loss
Doctors diagnose mesothelioma with physical exams, imaging tests such as CT scans, and biopsies. Treatment typically involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Unfortunately, the mesothelioma survival rate is usually only 4 to 18 months after diagnosis, although some people have lived over 10 years after being diagnosed. Find more information in Bergman Oslund Udo Little’s guide to mesothelioma.
Compensation for Victims of Mesothelioma and Their Families
Mesothelioma compensation offers victims and their families financial relief for medical expenses, lost wages, other expenses, pain, and emotional suffering. Compensation can come from asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, or settlements. There are currently no ongoing class action lawsuits related to mesothelioma. Lawyers handle each case individually, reflecting the unique circumstances of each person.
Asbestos Trust Funds
In the United States, asbestos trust funds established by bankrupt companies have over $30 billion set aside to compensate people for asbestos-related diseases.
Companies that manufactured asbestos products faced so many claims from that many declared bankruptcy. As part of the bankruptcy process, these companies were required to establish trust funds to pay victims’ claims. Former workers and others sickened by asbestos exposure can request compensation from asbestos trust funds.
The compensation from mesothelioma bankruptcy trust claims can be up to several hundred thousand dollars. The process is generally quicker and simpler than filing a lawsuit. Our firm can tell you what factors will influence the amount of your claim and help gather the evidence you need to file a claim. If more than one company was involved, patients and their families may be entitled to receive funds from multiple asbestos trusts.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Mesothelioma compensation often comes from personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits. Compensation from a personal injury lawsuit can help pay for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other expenses.
Families who have lost a loved one to mesothelioma may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Our firm, with specialized knowledge of Pacific Northwest job sites, has successfully obtained multiple jury verdicts over $5 million for mesothelioma victims in Washington and Oregon. These personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits have helped families cope with the financial burden and emotional pain caused by this disease.
Settlements
Settlements occur when a company agrees to pay without going to trial. Our firm’s expertise and proven track record has often enabled us to secure significant compensation without lengthy litigation or a trial. Mesothelioma patients and their families can get timely financial support, allowing them to focus on treatment and healing.
Our experienced mesothelioma lawyers in Oregon or Washington can help patients and their families decide the best compensation option.
When Should I File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit?
Patients or their families must file mesothelioma lawsuits within a specific time frame known as the statute of limitations. This deadline can vary by state and the type of claim, such as personal injury or wrongful death.
In Washington, the statute of limitations is three years from the time the person knew or should have known they were suffering from an asbestos-related disease. This is typically three years from the time of diagnosis in a personal injury case and three years from the date of death in a wrongful death action provided the statute of limitations had not expired by the time the person died. In Oregon, the statute of limitations is two years from the discovery of your asbestos-related disease for a personal injury suit and two years from the time of death for wrongful death cases.
Filing the lawsuit immediately after diagnosis or death is often beneficial. Prompt action can help preserve evidence, allow time for a thorough investigation, and potentially lead to quicker compensation.
Process of Filing a Lawsuit
- Consultation: Initially, you’ll meet with a mesothelioma lawyer to discuss the case details, including exposure history and medical records. At Bergman Oslund Udo Little, our clients work closely with a small team that takes the time to understand the impact of their diagnosis and build a personalized strategy to hold those responsible for the illness accountable.
- Investigation: The law firm investigates the case, identifying responsible parties and gathering evidence, such as medical records, transportation costs, and documentation of other expenses.
- Filing the complaint: A formal legal document, the complaint, will be filed in the appropriate court by an Oregon or Washington mesothelioma lawyer, outlining the claims against the defendants.
- Discovery phase: Both sides will exchange information and evidence, including depositions and document requests.
- Negotiation or trial: The company may resolve the case through negotiation or settlement. You’ll have to decide if you want to accept a settlement offer. Your attorney can advise you on whether it’s a good offer. Otherwise, the case may go to trial, where a judge or jury will decide the outcome.
- Considerations for veterans: Veterans with military asbestos exposure might have additional options and considerations. A specialized attorney can guide veterans through the process, ensuring compliance with specific regulations. Veterans who receive compensation through the VA may also be eligible for compensation from asbestos trusts or lawsuits.
Mesothelioma Lawyers Who Care
Bergman Oslund Udo Little works diligently to defend patients and their families facing the tragic challenges of mesothelioma. Our guiding principle is “Asbestos Law is All We Do.” We’ve obtained over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for families in Washington and Oregon. Attorney Matt Bergman has represented over 850 mesothelioma victims.
Our firm’s compassionate, highly professional, client-first, and team-oriented approach has led to numerous notable victories, including:
- $30 million verdict for a 67-year-old mesothelioma patient and family: The client was exposed to crocidolite asbestos fibers while working for Ameron’s Bondstrand factory in Brea, California, for four months in 1974. This monumental verdict reflects the seriousness of the exposure and its lifelong consequences.
- $11.2 million to a man diagnosed with mesothelioma at age 75: This settlement was for a client who worked as a laborer for Zidell Dismantling in the Port Industrial Yard of Tacoma, Washington, where he was exposed to asbestos-containing insulation removed during the dismantling of former Navy ships.
- $10 million verdict for a 79-year-old mesothelioma patient and his wife: This significant verdict was based on World War II-era take-home exposures and was a complex, historic case.
At Bergman Oslund Udo Little, we’re committed to holding companies responsible for putting profits over people. We advocate for our clients to tell their stories about how mesothelioma has affected their lives. Reach out today to get a free case review.
Representing asbestos and mesothelioma clients throughout the Northwest.
