Who Can File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit?
If you have received a mesothelioma diagnosis, you are entitled to sue for compensation. Companies continued mining for and manufacturing products containing cancer-causing asbestos despite knowing of its dangers, and you can still hold them accountable.
Brendan Little, Partner, Bergman Oslund Udo Little Last Updated: May 1, 2025
If you wish to pursue compensation, our skilled attorneys can help. Contact Bergman Oslund Udo Little by calling 206-957-9510 for our Seattle office or 503-447-6230 for our Portland office. You can also use our online contact form to get started.
- People diagnosed with mesothelioma and close family members of those who have died from the disease are eligible to file mesothelioma lawsuits.
- You can seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit, wrongful death claim, asbestos trust fund, or VA mesothelioma benefits.
- The statute of limitations for mesothelioma claims in your state can affect whether you qualify to file a lawsuit.
Who Qualifies For a Mesothelioma Lawsuit?
People diagnosed with mesothelioma and the family members of those who died from the disease can file mesothelioma lawsuits. You must have documentation from a qualified medical professional that proves your mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illness diagnosis. Your attorney can assist in collecting evidence regarding which manufacturer is liable for your damages.
You may also be eligible for compensation through other sources. Collecting from one does not preclude you from also filing a lawsuit.
Type Of Mesothelioma Lawsuits You Can File
If you qualify for an asbestos lawsuit, you might be eligible to pursue several avenues for compensation. You are not limited to seeking damages through only one source.
Personal injury Lawsuits
You can file a personal injury lawsuit if your doctor has diagnosed you with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness. A lawsuit can provide you and your family financial security and the means to pay for advanced treatments and compensate for the losses stemming from the disease. It can also hold asbestos companies accountable and encourage other victims to seek justice.
Wrongful Death Claims
If your loved one has died from an asbestos-related disease, you might be eligible to file a mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit to pursue damages. Compensation can help relieve your family’s financial burdens, such as medical bills, lost income, and funeral and burial expenses. An accomplished wrongful death attorney can advise you on which direct family members are eligible to make a claim and assist in collecting the necessary asbestos exposure evidence.
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims
Many asbestos product manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy protection in response to the mounting asbestos-related claims filed against them. As part of bankruptcy proceedings, the courts required many to establish asbestos trust funds to compensate asbestos-exposure victims. The asbestos trust fund claim process is typically quicker than litigation. Your attorney will determine if you can file a compensation claim against one or more funds for your mesothelioma or based on the death of a family member.
Veterans’ Benefits
Servicemembers exposed to asbestos during their military service who later develop mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease may be eligible for VA disability benefits. If your mesothelioma is service-related, you can receive monthly compensation, VA health care, and access to other VA programs. The VA also provides death benefits for the families of service members who died from service-related mesothelioma.
What Could Affect My Eligibility to File an Asbestos Lawsuit?
Who can sue for mesothelioma also depends on your state’s statute of limitations. These laws impose the deadline for filing a personal injury claim or wrongful death suit. Time limits vary by state and by the type of claim you file. The time begins to run from the diagnosis or the death of death.
Statutes of limitations can range from one to six years, depending on your jurisdiction. For example, in Washington state, you have three years to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim. In Oregon, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit and three years to file a wrongful death claim.
Partner with our experienced mesothelioma lawyers quickly so we can investigate your claim, file it on time, and seek the compensation you deserve.
Learn About Your Mesothelioma Compensation Options
There are several avenues of compensation you can pursue after a mesothelioma diagnosis or if your loved one died as a result of an asbestos-related disease. Partner with an experienced mesothelioma law firm quickly so you don’t miss critical deadlines and lose your chance at compensation.
Bergman Oslund Udo Little has been fighting for people in the Pacific Northwest since 1995, and we’ve collected over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for our deserving clients. Learn about your mesothelioma compensation options today by completing our online contact form or calling one of our experienced teams:
- Seattle Office: 206-957-9510
- Oregon Office: 503-447-6230
520 Pike St. #1125
Seattle, WA 98101
206-957-9510
1355 NW Everett St.
Suite 100
Portland, OR 97204
503-447-6230
