Find an Experienced Mesothelioma Attorney in Your State
Browse 131 attorney profiles across all 50 states and Washington D.C. Every listing is connected to a state-specific page covering statute of limitations, asbestos exposure history, and case results in that jurisdiction.
Quick Facts: Mesothelioma Legal Compensation
- –$30+ billion is set aside in active asbestos trust funds for victims of bankrupt asbestos manufacturers.
- –Most trust fund claims resolve in 60-90 days with no lawsuit required and no court appearance.
- –Mesothelioma settlements typically range from $1M to $2M, with verdicts averaging $5M-$20M.
- –You pay $0 up front. Featured attorneys work on contingency – fees only apply if they recover compensation.
- –Filing deadlines (statute of limitations) range from 1 to 6 years depending on your state. Most states allow 2-3 years.
- –Veterans are 30% of all mesothelioma victims due to military asbestos exposure, with additional VA benefits available.
Featured Mesothelioma Attorneys
Senior trial attorneys serving mesothelioma and asbestos victims nationwide. Free, confidential case review – no obligation.
Paul Danziger, J.D.
Paul Danziger is a Board Certified trial lawyer who has represented mesothelioma patients and asbestos victims for over 25 years. He frequently secures trust fund recoveries within 60-90 days of filing – no lawsuit required.
Rod De Llano, J.D.
Rod De Llano has dedicated his practice to asbestos and mesothelioma litigation. He has helped thousands of families recover compensation through trust fund claims, settlements, and jury verdicts.
Browse Mesothelioma Attorneys by State
Click your state to see attorneys, case results, statute of limitations, and asbestos exposure history specific to that jurisdiction. States with the shortest filing windows are marked RED.
What Types of Claims Can a Mesothelioma Attorney File?
Most mesothelioma cases combine multiple compensation paths. An experienced asbestos attorney evaluates which combination fits your exposure history and diagnosis.
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims
Filed administratively against bankruptcy trusts set up by former asbestos manufacturers. No lawsuit, no court. Most claims resolve in 60-90 days.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
Filed against still-solvent companies responsible for your exposure. Most settle before trial. Reserved for cases where trust funds alone are insufficient.
Wrongful Death Claims
Filed by surviving spouses or estate representatives when a mesothelioma victim has passed. Covers funeral expenses, loss of income, and loss of companionship.
VA Benefits (Veterans)
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma may qualify for disability compensation, dependency benefits, and free VA medical care – separate from any civil claim.
Workers Compensation
Available in some states for occupational asbestos exposure on the job. Generally lower payouts than civil claims but no fault must be proved.
Class Action (rare)
Most mesothelioma cases are NOT class actions – individual exposure histories vary too much. Be cautious of firms pushing class-action enrollment for mesothelioma.
How Mesothelioma Compensation Is Calculated
Total recovery in a mesothelioma case is usually the sum of multiple sources, not a single payout. An experienced attorney maps which sources apply to your exposure history.
Major Asbestos Trust Funds
Over 50 active bankruptcy trusts have been established by former asbestos manufacturers, holding more than $30 billion combined. These are the largest. Your attorney evaluates which apply to your specific exposure.
| Confianza | Industry | Total Funded | Current Pay % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manville Personal Injury Trust | Building materials | $2.5B+ | 5.1% |
| Owens Corning / Fibreboard Trust | Insulation / building materials | $5.2B | 5.0% |
| W.R. Grace Asbestos Trust | Specialty chemicals / vermiculite | $3.0B | 31.0% |
| Babcock & Wilcox Trust | Industrial boilers / power gen | $1.85B | 8.9% |
| Pittsburgh Corning Trust | Insulation / glass | $3.5B | 22.5% |
| Halliburton / DII Industries Trust | Oilfield services | $4.3B | 12.0% |
| Celotex Asbestos Trust | Building products | $1.0B | 9.0% |
| Combustion Engineering Trust | Industrial boilers | $1.4B | 23.5% |
Current payment percentages reflect each trust’s solvency ratio and change over time. Source: trust filings and asbestos-litigation industry reports. See full trust fund database ->
Veterans and Mesothelioma
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma have two parallel paths to compensation:
- VA Disability Benefits — typically rated 100% for mesothelioma; tax-free monthly disability payments; dependency benefits for spouses; free VA medical care for the diagnosis. Filed through the VA, not a court.
- Civil claims against asbestos manufacturers — even if exposure occurred during military service, you can still sue the private companies that supplied asbestos products to the military. You cannot sue the U.S. government for service-related exposure, but the manufacturers are fair game.
Branches most affected: Marina de guerra (engine rooms, boiler rooms, shipyards), Marines (ships, vehicles), Ejército (vehicle maintenance, base housing), Fuerzas aéreas (aircraft brakes, base housing), Guardia Costera (engine rooms). See veteran-specific exposure resources ->
Not Sure Where to Start?
Tell us about your situation. We will connect you with an experienced mesothelioma attorney who can evaluate your case at no cost. 100% confidential.
Why Use Mesothelioma Lawyer Center
BBB Accredited
Maintained an A+ Better Business Bureau rating since accreditation. You can verify our standing with the BBB directly.
Years of Practice
Featured attorneys have spent decades focused exclusively on mesothelioma and asbestos cases – not a side practice, not a general personal injury firm dabbling in asbestos.
In Asbestos Trust Funds
Trust funds, not lawsuits, are how most mesothelioma victims actually get paid. Featured attorneys recover trust fund compensation in 60-90 days for most claims.
Up-Front Cost
All featured attorneys work on contingency. You pay nothing unless they recover compensation for your family.
How to File a Mesothelioma Claim
A mesothelioma attorney handles each step on your behalf. From your side, the process is short:
- 1Free Case Review (15-30 minutes)Phone or in-person conversation about your diagnosis, work history, and family situation. No paperwork, no commitment. Attorney determines whether you have a viable case.
- 2Exposure History Investigation (2-4 weeks)Attorney’s team traces your asbestos exposure through employment records, military records, and industry databases. Identifies which manufacturers and which trust funds apply to your case.
- 3Trust Fund Claims Filed (60-90 days to first payments)Administrative claims filed with qualifying bankruptcy trusts. No court, no trial. Most resolve quickly with payments arriving within 60-90 days of filing.
- 4Lawsuit Against Solvent Defendants (parallel track, 12-24 months)If still-solvent companies share liability, attorney files a personal-injury lawsuit. Most cases settle out of court; trial is reserved for cases where settlement offers fall short.
- 5VA Claim Filed (if veteran, runs in parallel)Separate from civil case. VA benefits do not reduce or interfere with civil compensation. Attorney can coordinate or refer to a VA-accredited claims agent.
- 6You Pay Nothing Until You RecoverAll featured attorneys work on contingency (33-40% of recovery). If no recovery, no fee. Case expenses are typically advanced by the firm and deducted from the recovery, not billed to you.
10 Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Mesothelioma Attorney
A free case evaluation is also your interview of them. Strong mesothelioma attorneys will answer these directly without hedging.
- How many mesothelioma cases have you personally handled? Look for hundreds, not dozens. General PI experience is not the same.
- What percentage of your firm practice is asbestos litigation? 50%+ signals specialization; below 20% suggests a side practice.
- Will you come to me, or do I need to travel? Top mesothelioma firms travel to your home or hospital – no exceptions.
- What trust funds am I likely to qualify for? An experienced attorney can identify qualifying trusts from your work history in under 30 minutes.
- What is your contingency fee percentage? Industry standard is 33-40%. Anything higher is a red flag.
- Who in your firm will actually work on my case? Make sure a senior asbestos attorney – not a junior associate – handles your file.
- How long until I see initial trust fund payments? Reasonable answer: 60-90 days for trust funds, 12-24 months for lawsuit settlements.
- What is the statute of limitations in my state? They should know the answer instantly without looking it up.
- How do you handle wrongful-death conversions if a client passes during the case? Top firms preserve the case for the estate.
- Can you share results from cases similar to mine? Look for specifics on industry and exposure type, not just headline verdict numbers.
How We Select Featured Attorneys
Mesothelioma Lawyer Center is not a referral service and does not rank attorneys. Featured attorneys are senior asbestos-litigation specialists at law firms that have partnered with us. We feature them because they meet five criteria:
- Asbestos-specific track record. The firm handles mesothelioma and asbestos exposure cases as a primary practice area, not as side work.
- Trust fund proficiency. The attorney recovers compensation through asbestos trust fund claims (the most common path) in addition to lawsuits.
- State coverage. The firm or its trial partners are licensed to handle cases in your state, regardless of where the firm is headquartered.
- Free, in-person case review. The attorney will travel to you for an initial consultation at no cost.
- Contingency fee structure. No upfront fees, ever. The attorney only collects if you recover compensation.
All state-page listings are non-featured directory entries we maintain as an educational resource for visitors researching asbestos litigation in their jurisdiction. Listing on a state page does not constitute endorsement, sponsorship, or a referral.
Preguntas frecuentes
How do I find a mesothelioma attorney near me?
How much does a mesothelioma attorney cost?
How long do I have to file a mesothelioma lawsuit?
What should I look for in a mesothelioma attorney?
Do I have to file a lawsuit to get compensation?
Related Mesothelioma Legal Resources
Diagnosed in the Last 3 Years? Time Matters.
Statutes of limitations are strict. Trust fund claims have their own deadlines. The sooner you connect with a mesothelioma attorney, the more options you preserve.