Mesothelioma Financial Assistance
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that nearly always develops due to asbestos exposure. Treatment can be costly, but various forms of financial assistance are available.
Brendan Little, Partner, Bergman Oslund Udo Little Last Updated: May 1, 2025
The expert attorney team at Bergman Oslund Udo Little is here to explain your options for mesothelioma financial assistance, including company trust funds, government benefits, and lawsuit compensation.
- Trust fund claims, lawsuits, and VA benefits can help ease mesothelioma’s financial burden.
- Public assistance, including Medicare and Medicaid, can make medical treatments more affordable for those with a limited income.
- An experienced mesothelioma attorney can explain your options and possible next steps.
The Financial Burden of a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Treating and living with mesothelioma is often costly. Medical costs begin with diagnosis, often including laboratory tests, expensive scans, and multiple doctor’s visits. The cost of treatment is high as well. Depending on the type of cancer and the extent of its spread, patients may need to undergo surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or experimental treatments.
Beyond the doctor’s bills, patients face the expenses required to undergo treatment. High gas prices make each trip to the hospital more expensive, whether you drive yourself or get a taxi or rideshare. Some patients must also hire home care during and after treatment or adapt their homes to make them more accessible.
If you carry the burden of these or other costs, help is available. You might be entitled to compensation for your expenses and impacts on your life, such as medical bills, out-of-pocket costs, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
Mesothelioma Financial Assistance – Your Guide To Getting Help
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral widely used by construction and manufacturing industries for decades because of its strength and fire resistance. However, the fibers pose a serious danger to human health, and asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Those affected The three primary sources of mesothelioma financial support are trust funds, lawsuits, and veterans’ benefits.
Lawsuit Compensation for Mesothelioma Patients
Mesothelioma patients can pursue financial compensation by filing a lawsuit against the companies responsible for exposing them to asbestos. Mesothelioma lawsuits often lead to high settlements and verdicts that alleviate the high costs of medical and personal care, allowing patients to focus on their health.
If your loved one has died from mesothelioma, you might be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit to hold the responsible asbestos company accountable for your loss and help take financial worries off your family’s plate.
Bergman Oslund Udo Little represents mesothelioma patients and their families on a contingency fee basis. You pay no out-of-pocket costs. You don’t pay us unless we recover compensation for you. If we win your case, you pay a pre-agreed percentage of the award. You come out ahead and still receive top-level legal services.
Our attorneys have expert knowledge of the Pacific Northwest legal landscape and asbestos exposure sources. Our experience and commitment to our clients have helped us secure more than $1 billion in settlements and verdicts.
Asbestos Trust Funds for Mesothelioma Victims
As the hazards of asbestos became increasingly apparent in the 1980s and 90s, more and more asbestos exposure victims filed suit against asbestos product manufacturers. Many of those companies filed for bankruptcy amid the mounting liability.
The courts required these companies to establish asbestos trust funds to compensate their victims. You may qualify to claim compensation from one of these funds if you have developed an asbestos-related illness, such as lung cancer or mesothelioma, and a company with an active trust is responsible for your asbestos exposure.
If your loved one would have qualified but died, you may be eligible to file an asbestos trust claim. Our experienced attorneys are here to help.
Veterans Benefits for Mesothelioma Patients
Veterans sickened by asbestos exposure during their service might be entitled to benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs to help cover their costs and expenses.
VA mesothelioma benefits include the following:
- Disability compensation
- VA health coverage
- Veterans Pensions
- VA Aid and Attendance Benefits for those with disabilities
- Benefits for dependent family members
If you have developed an illness from service-connected asbestos exposure—particularly if you served between the 1930s and 1980s—the attorneys at Bergman Oslund Udo Little can help you explore your options.
Financial Planning for Mesothelioma Patients and Families
When you live with mesothelioma, managing medical bills and daily living expenses takes careful strategizing. The first step is to consider your expenses, including health care costs. Your health is the priority, so you may need to reduce your living expenses temporarily. For example, you may be able to find cheaper cell phone service or car insurance.
If your medical bills are overwhelming and insurance hasn’t helped enough, file appeals for any denied claims. Also, collect your outstanding medical bills and call the providers to negotiate payment plans.
Also, explore your options for asbestos exposure compensation. Consult an experienced and knowledgeable mesothelioma attorney to learn about all your rights and options. Meanwhile, some government programs provide benefits that help with daily costs.
How To Apply for Government Financial Assistance
Many federal, state, and local programs provide financial assistance to people with illnesses and disabilities. The following are some of the available programs:
Social Security Disability Insurance
Social Security Disability, or SSDI, is a federal program that provides monthly payments to people with disabling conditions that prevent them from working. Take the following steps to apply for benefits:
- Check your eligibility status: Find out if you meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability and have a sufficient work history
- Download the Disability Starter Kit: These checklists and user-friendly worksheets explain the application requirements and help you organize information so it’s easy to find.
- Complete an application: Call the SSA’s toll-free number at 1-800-777-1213 or apply for benefits online.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a joint federal and state health insurance program for those with disabilities or limited income. Each state has its own eligibility and application process.
Oregon’s Medicaid program is called the Oregon Health Plan, or OHP. Take the following steps to apply:
- Complete the Health Plan Comparison Tool to check your eligibility.
- If you’re eligible, create an account at ONE.Oregon.gov and complete the application. You can also apply for benefits by calling 1-800-699-9075 or at an Oregon Department of Human Services office.
ONE.Oregon.gov can also direct you to cash, food, or childcare assistance resources.
Apple Health is Washington’s Medicaid program, offering free or low-cost coverage to those with limited income. To apply, take these steps:
- Gather documentation of your monthly income, date of birth, Social Security number, and immigration information if applicable.
- Create an account on Washington Health Plan Finder.
- Log in and follow the instructions to apply, or call 855-923-4633.
If you qualify for Medicaid, the health benefits can reduce the burden of your mesothelioma treatments.
Medicare
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older and those with disabilities. The following are the three main components:
- Part A: Inpatient and skilled nursing care
- Part B: Outpatient care and medical equipment
- Part D: Prescription drug coverage
Part C is a separate plan type called Medicare Advantage, an alternative type of coverage that you buy from private insurers. You can learn about these plans by searching for Medicare Advantage in your state.
To sign up for Medicare, do the following:
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit Medicare.gov to check your eligibility and estimate your monthly premiums.
- If you qualify, sign up online or call 1-800-772-1213.
If you receive Social Security retirement benefits, you will automatically receive Medicare when you turn 65. If you have a disability and receive SSDI, you will automatically receive Medicare Parts A and B after two years of benefits.
Additional Aid
States also have programs to help people with housing, heating costs, and other essentials. If you’re having trouble affording basic needs, contact a program in your state.
If you live in Oregon, the Oregon Energy Fund supports more than 30 agencies and nonprofits that can help. The Energy Fund website explains how to apply.
Oregon also has housing stability programs to help you with emergency rent assistance, renter support programs, tenant education, and emergency shelters. Housing counselors are available to walk you through the options, or you can browse the state lists of affordable housing and housing support programs.
Washington’s Housing and Essential Needs Referral Program provides access to various services, including rent, utility, transportation, and personal care assistance. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, specifically provides energy support, including help paying your bill. Washington Connection is an easy-to-use resource for finding links to aid programs.
Washington and Oregon both have assistance for non-emergency medical transportation. Oregon’s Non-Emergent Medical Transportation program works through the Oregon Health Plan, while Washington offers service through the Health Care Authority for Apple Health members.
Programs are also available at the county and municipality levels. Contact your local human services department to learn more.
How Bergman Oslund Udo Little Can Help You Secure Financial Assistance
Bergman Oslund Udo Little is committed to helping mesothelioma patients get the compensation they deserve. We have a strong track record of securing high settlements and verdicts for mesothelioma patients across the Pacific Northwest, including a record-setting $30 million wrongful death verdict.
We are particularly proud of the testimonials and reviews from many families whose lives we’ve changed. We continue to fight for families in the Pacific Northwest and can connect you with resources to ease the burden of your illness.
Call 206-957-9510 in Washington or 503-447-6230 in Oregon, or contact us online to learn about your mesothelioma compensation options.
520 Pike St. #1125
Seattle, WA 98101
206-957-9510
1355 NW Everett St.
Suite 100
Portland, OR 97204
503-447-6230
