Mesothelioma Lawsuit Timeline

The mesothelioma statute of limitation varies from state to state. The clock starts ticking from the time that a patient is diagnosed (for personal injury claims), or dies (for claims for wrongful death).

A skilled mesothelioma attorney understands the statutes of limitations in each state and can speed up the process to receive the compensation as fast as is possible. A quicker resolution means that compensation is available when the families and victims require it the most.

The Discovery Phase

After filing your mesothelioma lawsuit, attorneys for both sides will begin the discovery phase. This is an important part of the legal procedure and can take anywhere from 3 to 4 month. During this time, lawyers will examine the evidence provided to construct your mesothelioma claim and collect additional information about asbestos exposure you have had in the past. Your attorney will interview you as well as any witnesses involved in the mesothelioma lawsuit. This could involve both written and in person depositions. Our mesothelioma lawyers have experience in this area of litigation and will prepare for these interviews.

A mesothelioma lawyer who is skilled will utilize the information collected during the discovery phase to determine which asbestos-related companies are accountable for your injuries and illnesses. Asbestos defendants attempt to delay the process to avoid paying compensation for the damages caused by their negligence. This is why it's essential to hire mesothelioma lawyers who provide experienced and aggressive legal representation.

Settlements are usually used to pay compensation to asbestos victims financially. A large portion of these settlements are made even before the trial is scheduled to take place, which saves both parties a lot of time and anxiety.

Based on the laws of your state and statutes of limitations, you have one to five years from the date of diagnosis or discovery of mesothelioma in order to file a lawsuit seeking financial compensation. If Bridgeport mesothelioma lawsuit loved one of yours has died from mesothelioma, spouses and heirs have up to three years to submit a wrongful death claim for compensation on their behalf.

A mesothelioma suit is filed to secure the verdict of a judge or to reach an agreement prior to trial. The American legal system is generally supportive of the victims of asbestos manufacturers and that is the reason why most mesothelioma lawsuits end in a settlement rather than going to trial.

Some mesothelioma settlement offers are made as soon as litigation begins. Others are only available once lawyers have a strong understanding of the strength of each side's case. The mesothelioma average trial verdict is around $2 million, but most cases settle for less than that.

The Trial Phase

Mesothelioma cases that get to the trial phase of a lawsuit generally take months to a year to resolve. However, a lot of mesothelioma lawsuits end up in court. It is beneficial for victims to receive compensation faster than if they had to endure a lengthy verdict and trial process. Settlements do not oblige victims to file appeals, which could drag on for years and cause delays to the payment of compensation.

The initial phase of a mesothelioma suit is gathering evidence and information. A lawyer will review the history of employment of the victim to determine asbestos exposure as well as companies responsible for their illness. Then the list of defendants is compiled. Multiple defendants may be listed based on the kind of mesothelioma as well as the companies involved.

Asbestos defendants are not eager to settle large sums, and they may try a variety of tactics to avoid paying victims. They may try to conceal evidence or conceal medical records related to asbestos exposure. Our mesothelioma lawyers are experienced and know how to spot these tactics and deter them.

A mesothelioma lawyer may assist victims in reducing their legal timeframe. If a person is diagnosed as terminally sick, they may submit a motion to have priority in court to speed up the legal process.

The statute of limitation is another factor which affects the timeline for mesothelioma. This is because states have laws that limit the length of time a person can make a claim for injury. The injured party and their family members must act fast to prevent the time limit from expiring.


Lawyers who specialize in mesothelioma can also speed up the legal process by joining a multidistrict lawsuit. MDLs are used to group asbestos lawsuits for faster processing. The Williams Law Firm has extensive experience handling MDLs and can manage your case at a much faster rate than if you filed an individual lawsuit.

If the mesothelioma litigation procedure goes smoothly the final verdict could be obtained within days after the trial phase. If the trial is lengthy and results in an incorrect decision, it could take up to a year, or up to a year for the victims to receive compensation.

Settlement Negotiations

Many asbestos victims, as well as their families, get compensation without the need to go through an in-courtroom. This is because victims and their attorneys can settle a case prior to the trial. Settlements can happen after the initial offer has been made and the defendant is given a certain number of days to respond or after the trial has begun.

Mesothelioma lawsuits usually involve a back-and-forth exchange of offers during the settlement negotiation process whether in writing or over the phone. This process could take weeks, months, or even years. During this phase, a skilled mesothelioma lawyer can help their client get the maximum amount of amount of compensation they can get for their claim.

If a mesothelioma patient and their attorney are unable to reach a settlement in the negotiation process, they could move to mediation which is a third-party person who assists both parties agree on a fair amount for compensation. It can take a bit of time, but is usually much faster than waiting for the verdict of juries.

Asbestos manufacturers hid the dangers of their products for a long time. This is why many workers, military veterans and family members of those exposed to asbestos have been diagnosed with a deadly disease, mesothelioma. They are eligible for compensation to pay for funeral expenses, medical bills and lost wages.

While each case is unique, the majority of mesothelioma claims end in the form of a settlement. Asbestos companies prefer to settle rather than risk a negative verdict in court. They also realize that preparing a case for a trial will take time.

Asbestos victims and their lawyers can also accelerate the process by filing an action in the correct state and in the right jurisdiction. For example, some states have statutes of limitations that allow for a trial to be held within one year. A nationally recognized mesothelioma lawyer can assist victims in filing their case in the state where they can receive the most compensation in the shortest amount of time. Some states have laws that permit the statute of limitation to begin on a victim’s diagnosis date or death date, not their exposure dates. This is a great method to ensure that the statute of limitation does not run out before victims receive compensation for mesothelioma.

Final Verdict

The mesothelioma trial will conclude with a final verdict or settlement. The verdict could be awarded compensation to the victims or their families. The verdict may also decide if a defendant was liable for the death or injury caused by asbestos.

The time needed to reach a final decision will differ from case to the case. The amount of money awarded, the quality of evidence, and number of parties all affect the time it takes to resolve a case of mesothelioma.

Asbestos victims should seek out experienced lawyers as soon as they can to ensure that their rights are protected throughout the entire mesothelioma lawsuit process. Lawyers can assist victims and their families to understand the complicated legal procedures and deadlines. A lawyer can also ensure that the statute of limitations doesn't expire before a victim receives compensation.

Once they have determined the type of mesothelioma claim is filed, the victim or their lawyers will begin gathering all the required documentation. This includes mesothelioma-related diagnoses and proof of exposure.

Based on the particular case, there could be multiple liable asbestos companies or trust funds that compensate the victim for their asbestos-related injuries. The lawyer will investigate the history of the victim's asbestos exposure to determine which corporations are liable. They will also determine the companies that have filed for bankruptcy and which asbestos trust fund to file a lawsuit.

Asbestos lawsuits are unique. They usually involve large corporations with teams of experienced defense lawyers paid large retainer fees to try and hinder a claim of a victim. Experienced mesothelioma attorneys know how to defy these efforts and keep the lawsuit moving.

The victim will not be eligible for compensation if a mesothelioma lawsuit is not filed on time. The statute of limitations varies from state to state, and the time limit for personal injury and claims for wrongful death is different. If someone who is a victim, or a family member has questions regarding the statute of limitations, they should immediately contact a mesothelioma lawyer to discuss their options. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience will examine the case and decide where to file it in order to maximize the chances of a favorable outcome.