Mesothelioma Lawsuit Timeline

The mesothelioma statute of limitations is different from state to state. The clock begins to tick from the time the patient is diagnosed (for personal injury claims), or dies (for claims for wrongful death).

A mesothelioma lawyer that is skilled will be aware of the statute of limitations in the state and the best way to speed up compensation to ensure that victims receive compensation as quickly as they can. A faster resolution means compensation is available when families and patients are in need of it most.

The Discovery Phase

After you file your mesothelioma lawsuit, attorneys for both sides will begin the discovery phase. This is a crucial aspect of the legal process and can take anywhere from 3 to 4 month. During this time, lawyers analyze the evidence submitted to create your mesothelioma lawsuit and gather additional information regarding asbestos exposure in your past. Your attorney will also speak with you and any other witnesses involved in the mesothelioma lawsuit. This may include written and in person depositions. Our mesothelioma lawyers are skilled in this particular aspect of litigation and will prepare you for these interviews.

A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will use the information gathered during the discovery phase to determine which asbestos-related companies are responsible for your injuries and illnesses. Asbestos defendants aren't eager to compensate you for the harm they caused through their negligence, and will likely try to stall the process as long as they can. It is therefore crucial to choose a mesothelioma attorney who has experience and a strong representation.

Asbestos victims typically receive substantial financial compensation through settlements. Settlements are typically done prior to trial, saving both parties from stress and time.

Depending on the laws of your state and statutes of limitations, you have one to five years from the date of diagnosis or the discovery of mesothelioma, to file a suit for financial compensation. If your loved one has died from mesothelioma, spouses and heirs can have three years to file a wrongful death claim for compensation on their behalf.

A mesothelioma suit is filed to win a court verdict or reach a settlement prior to trial. The American legal system is generally sympathetic to asbestos manufacturers' victims, which is why most mesothelioma cases end with the form of a settlement instead of going to trial.

Certain settlement offers for mesothelioma settlements are made as soon as the litigation starts, while others are not offered until lawyers are aware of the strength and weaknesses of each claim. The median mesothelioma trial verdict is approximately $2 million, however the majority of cases settle for less than that.

The Trial Phase

Cases of mesothelioma that reach the trial stage of a lawsuit generally take between six months and a full year to settle. However, many mesothelioma cases are settled out of court. This is advantageous to the victims as they are able to receive compensation faster than in the event of an extended trial and a lengthy verdict process. Settlements do not require that victims file appeals which can take years and delay the payment.

The initial phase of a mesothelioma case involves gathering evidence and data. A lawyer will look over the history of a patient's employment to identify asbestos-related exposure and the companies responsible for their condition. Then, a list of defendants is compiled. Based on a person's mesothelioma type and which corporations were involved, there could be multiple defendants listed in one claim.


Asbestos defendants might not be eager to settle large sums of money and they may try a variety of tactics to avoid paying victims. For instance, they could attempt to defy medical records or conceal evidence of asbestos exposure. Our experienced mesothelioma attorneys know how to spot these tactics and thwart them.

A mesothelioma lawyer could also assist patients in reducing their legal process. If a person is diagnosed as terminally sick, they can submit a motion to have priority in the courtroom to speed up the legal process.

The statute of limitation is another factor which influences the timeframe for mesothelioma. This is due to states having laws that limit the length of time it takes to file an injury claim. The statute of limitations is running out, so victims and their families have to take action quickly.

Lawyers who specialize in mesothelioma can also accelerate the legal process by joining a multidistrict litigation. MDLs are used to group asbestos lawsuits for faster processing. The Williams Law Firm has extensive experience with MDLs and can manage your case at a much faster pace than if you had filed separately.

If the mesothelioma lawsuit process is successful, a verdict can be reached within days of the trial phase. If the trial is lengthy and leads to an incorrect verdict, it could take several months, or up to one year for victims to receive compensation.

Settlement Negotiations

Many asbestos victims and their families are granted compensation without needing to enter the courtroom. It is possible for victims and their lawyers to settle a case prior to a trial. Settlements can occur after the initial offer has been made and the defendant is given a number of days to respond, or even after the trial has begun.

In the majority of instances, the settlement negotiation process involves an exchange of offers either by written correspondence or by phone. This process could take weeks or months, and even years. During this time, a skilled mesothelioma lawyer can assist their client in obtaining the highest possible amount of compensation they can get for their claim.

If a mesothelioma sufferer and their attorney are unable to reach a settlement during these negotiations, they may proceed to mediation which is a third-party person who assists both parties agree on a fair amount of compensation. It can take a while however, it is usually less time-consuming than waiting for a verdict from a jury.

Asbestos manufacturers hid the dangers of their products for years. Many veterans, workers and family members of asbestos-exposed people have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a deadly cancer. They are eligible for compensation to cover funeral costs, medical bills and lost wages.

Although North Richland Hills mesothelioma lawsuit is unique, most mesothelioma cases end in a settlement. Asbestos companies prefer to settle than risk a bad verdict in court. Furthermore, they are aware that it will take a long time to prepare an argument for trial.

Asbestos-related lawsuits may be filed in the proper state and jurisdiction to speed up the process. For instance, certain states have statutes of limitation which guarantee a trial within one year. A mesothelioma lawyer with national recognition can help victims file in the state where they can receive the highest amount of compensation within the shortest time. Additionally, certain states have special laws that allow the statute of limitation to begin on a victim's diagnosis date or the date they died, rather than the date of their exposure. This is an excellent way to make sure that the statute of limitations does not expire before victims receive mesothelioma settlements.

Final Verdict

The final verdict or settlement is the end result of the mesothelioma suit. The verdict could award compensation to the victims or their families. The verdict may also decide whether a defendant is liable for the death or injury caused by asbestos.

The amount of time required to reach a final verdict varies from case to case. The amount that is awarded, the quality of evidence, and the number of parties affect the time it takes to settle a case of mesothelioma.

Asbestos victims should seek out an experienced lawyer as soon as they can in order to safeguard their rights throughout the entire mesothelioma lawsuit process. Lawyers can assist the families of victims to understand the complex 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 lawsuit, victims or their lawyers will begin collecting all the documentation required for the claim. This includes mesothelioma diagnose records and proof of exposure.

Based on the particular case, there may be several asbestos companies that are liable or trust funds that will pay a victim compensation for the asbestos-related injuries they sustained. The lawyer will examine the history of the victim's asbestos exposure to determine which corporations could be responsible. They will also find out which companies have filed for bankruptcy, and which asbestos trust funds to file a claim with.

The asbestos lawsuits are atypical. The lawsuits are usually brought by large corporations that employ defense teams to try and derail the claim of the victim. Experienced mesothelioma lawyers know how to stop these attempts and keep the case moving forward.

The victim isn't entitled to compensation if a mesothelioma claim is not filed in time. The time limit for filing a lawsuit varies between states and the statute of limitations for personal injury and claims for wrongful death is different. If a victim, or their family member has questions regarding the statute of limitations and the time limit, they should contact a mesothelioma lawyer firm immediately to discuss their options. A mesothelioma lawyer with experience will examine the case and decide where to file it in order to maximize their chance of a favorable outcome.