If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you’re probably dealing with a lot—medical bills, stress, and maybe even losing a loved one. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by asbestos exposure, and a mesothelioma claim can help you get money to cover your expenses and hold the companies responsible accountable. Let’s walk through what mesothelioma claims are, how they work, and how to get started in 2025.
Are Mesothelioma Claims?
A mesothelioma claim is a way to get money from companies that exposed you to asbestos, which caused your illness. These companies often knew asbestos was dangerous but didn’t warn workers or the public, putting people at risk. If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or if a loved one passed away from it, you can file a claim to help pay for things like doctor bills, lost wages, or even funeral costs. It’s not just about the money—it’s also about making these companies take responsibility for what they did.
What Kinds of Mesothelioma Claims Can You File?
There are a few different ways to get money through a mesothelioma claim, depending on your situation. Here’s what you can look into:
Personal Injury Lawsuit: If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you can file this type of claim against the companies that exposed you to asbestos. It can help cover medical bills, lost wages, and the pain you’re going through. These lawsuits often settle for $1 million to $2 million, but if your case goes to trial, you might get more—like an average of $20.7 million, according to some reports.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit: If a loved one died from mesothelioma, family members—like a spouse, kids, or parents—can file this claim. It helps cover things like leftover medical bills, funeral costs, and the emotional toll of losing someone. These can also settle for $1 million or more.
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims: A lot of asbestos companies went bankrupt because of so many lawsuits, but they had to set up trust funds to pay victims. There’s over $30 billion in these funds right now, and you can file a claim without going to court. These usually pay out $300,000 to $400,000 on average, and you might get the money in just a few months.
VA Benefits for Veterans: If you’re a veteran who got exposed to asbestos during military service, you can file for VA benefits. This isn’t a lawsuit—it’s a government benefit. You could get over $4,000 a month, plus extra for things like in-home care. Veterans can also file lawsuits or trust fund claims on top of this.
Workers’ Compensation: If you were exposed to asbestos at work, you might be able to get workers’ comp to cover medical costs and lost income. But because mesothelioma can take decades to show up, this can be tricky to claim.
You might be able to file more than one type of claim to get the most money possible. A good lawyer can help you figure out what’s best for your case.
How Can a Mesothelioma Claim Help You?
Filing a mesothelioma claim can make a big difference when you’re dealing with this illness. Here’s how it can help:
- Pay for doctor bills, treatments, and travel costs for medical care.
- Cover lost wages if you can’t work anymore because of your illness.
- Help with funeral costs and other expenses if a loved one passed away.
- Give you and your family some financial security during a tough time.
- Hold the companies that exposed you to asbestos accountable for their actions.
For example, if you’re a veteran who worked with asbestos in the military, you might get VA benefits to help with care, plus file a trust fund claim for extra money. It’s all about getting what you need to make things a little easier.
Top Law Firms for Mesothelioma Claims in 2025
There are a lot of law firms out there that handle mesothelioma claims, and some have a really good track record. Here are a few you might want to look into:
Simmons Hanly Conroy: They’ve won over $10.2 billion for clients as of February 2025. They’re known for being fast and treating clients like family. They’ve helped over 6,000 families and can handle everything for you.
Sokolove Law: They’ve been around for over 45 years and have secured billions for thousands of mesothelioma victims. They’ve handled more mesothelioma cases than any other firm and offer free case reviews.
Weitz & Luxenberg: They’ve worked on over 33,000 asbestos cases and won big—like a $190 million verdict in 2013. They’re great at figuring out where your asbestos exposure came from.
The Lanier Law Firm: With over 30 years of experience, they’ve helped lots of mesothelioma victims get money for medical care and lost wages. They handle every part of your case so you can focus on your health.
The Gori Law Firm: They’ve recovered over $4 billion for clients and are known for being leaders in asbestos cases. They offer free case reviews and can help you file quickly.
These firms usually let you talk to them for free to see if you have a case, and they don’t charge upfront—they only get paid if you win.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Mesothelioma Attorney?
You don’t usually have to pay anything upfront to hire a mesothelioma attorney. Most of them work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if you win your case. They’ll take a percentage of the money you get—usually 33% to 40%. So, if you settle for $100,000, they might take $33,000 to $40,000, and you keep the rest. If they don’t win, you don’t owe them anything. This makes it easier for people to get help, even if they’re already struggling with money.
What to Look for in a Mesothelioma Attorney
Picking the right attorney can make a big difference in your case. Here’s what to keep in mind when choosing one:
- Look for a firm that focuses on mesothelioma and asbestos cases. Firms like Simmons Hanly Conroy or Sokolove Law have years of experience with these kinds of claims.
- Check if they’ve won big settlements or verdicts before. For example, Weitz & Luxenberg has won millions for clients, and The Gori Law Firm has recovered billions.
- Make sure they have the resources to take on big companies. Firms like The Lanier Law Firm can handle tough cases and dig up proof of your asbestos exposure.
- See what other people say about them. A lot of clients say firms like Simmons Hanly Conroy are caring and get good results.
- Most firms let you talk to them for free to go over your case. It’s a good way to see if you feel okay with them and if they understand what you’re going through.
Why Are Mesothelioma Claims So Common Now?
Mesothelioma takes a long time to show up—sometimes 20, 30, or even 50 years after you were exposed to asbestos. Back in the 20th century, asbestos was used in tons of industries like construction, shipbuilding, and manufacturing, even though companies knew it was dangerous. Over 27 million Americans were exposed to asbestos products during that time, according to posts on X. Now, people are getting diagnosed, and they’re filing claims to get help. In 2023 alone, there were at least 3,800 asbestos-related lawsuits filed in the U.S., and about 1,800 of those were for mesothelioma.
How to Get Started with a Mesothelioma Claim
If you’re ready to file a mesothelioma claim, here’s how to get the ball rolling:
- Write down everything you remember about where you might have been exposed to asbestos—like jobs you had, places you worked, or even if a family member brought asbestos home on their clothes.
- Get your medical records that show your mesothelioma diagnosis. This is key to proving your case.
- Call a law firm for a free consultation. Many, like Simmons Hanly Conroy (800-326-8900) or Sokolove Law (800-647-3434), are available 24/7 to talk about your case.
- When you talk to the attorney, they’ll ask about your diagnosis, your work history, and where you might have been exposed to asbestos to see if you have a case.
- If you have a case, the law firm will collect proof, file your claim, and either work out a settlement or take the case to court if needed.
One thing to keep in mind—you only have a limited time to file a claim, usually 1 to 3 years from your diagnosis or a loved one’s death, depending on the state. So it’s best to act fast.
That’s all there is to it! A good attorney will fight to make sure you get the money you need to help with your mesothelioma in 2025.
