Mesothelioma Settlements

Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts, How to Understanding the Differences

Mesothelioma Settlements

Mesothelioma settlements and verdicts are types of compensation awarded in mesothelioma lawsuits. Despite the differences between them, both help people with mesothelioma cover their medical expenses and lost wages.

In a mesothelioma settlement, an asbestos company will pay a sum to resolve an asbestos claim. Settlements pay families faster than a jury or court verdict.

Key Facts About Mesothelioma Settlements & Verdicts

  • About 95% of mesothelioma cases end in settlements rather than going to trial.
  • Mesothelioma settlements typically resolve faster than trials, often within 12 to 18 months.
  • The largest mesothelioma verdict was $250 million in 2003.

In a mesothelioma verdict, a jury or court decides whether to award compensation at the close of a trial. Verdicts often lead to higher payouts. But, defendants can appeal. They may pay less or have the verdict overturned.

A mesothelioma payout is what you get after paying attorneys’ fees and costs. Your mesothelioma lawyers describe this information in your retainer agreement.

Average Mesothelioma Settlement & Verdict Amounts

The average mesothelioma settlement amount is between $1 million to $2 million. The average mesothelioma verdict is $20.7 million, according to the 2024 Mealey’s Litigation Report. Average settlement amounts vary from case to case based on individual case details and circumstances. Many mesothelioma survivors and their families have received settlements or jury awards worth millions of dollars.

Because settlements provide compensation faster than lawsuits, they may be a more immediate solution to pay expenses,” says Joe Lahav, a lawyer and Asbestos.com legal advisor. “I’ve seen verdicts typically result in higher amounts of total compensation, but the majority of lawsuits are settled before trial.

Additional forms of financial assistance exist for many mesothelioma patients. Examples include asbestos trust fund payouts from bankrupt companies and VA claims for veterans. Talk to an attorney to evaluate the best options for you and your family.

Notable Mesothelioma Lawsuit Settlements and Verdicts

Exact mesothelioma settlement amounts are often kept private. Claimants are usually bound by confidentiality agreements. But some mesothelioma lawsuit settlement amounts become public from time to time.

When plaintiffs and defendants don’t agree to a settlement, the case usually goes to trial. If jurors find the defendants liable, they will decide on damages.

Metal Worker: $250M Verdict

U.S. Steel was ordered to pay $250 million in 2003 to the wife of a former steel worker who died of mesothelioma. U.S. Steel reached a post-verdict settlement for an undisclosed amount believed to be substantially less than the trial award.

Talc Consumer: $117M Verdict

A jury awarded damages to Stephen Lanzo III and his wife totaling $117 million in 2018. A jury found Johnson & Johnson and Imerys Talc America liable for his mesothelioma. Lanzo bought their asbestos-contaminated talcum powder from 1979 to 2003.

Navy Veteran: $70.8M Verdict

A California jury awarded $70.8 million to U.S. Navy machinist Robert Whalen in 2014. Whalen claimed he developed mesothelioma working with John Crane’s asbestos-containing products. He served for 26 years in the Navy.

Drywall Worker: $13.4M Verdict and $75K Settlement

A drywall worker received a $13.4 million verdict and $75,000 in settlements in 2020 from a lawsuit filed in Washington. Drywaller Raymond Budd said he developed mesothelioma from working with multiple asbestos-containing products. Among them was Kaiser Gypsum’s asbestos-containing joint compound.

Mechanic: $630K Settlement

The family of a mechanic from Redding, California, received a $630,000 settlement in 2018. It resolved a wrongful death lawsuit over asbestos-related lung cancer. Exposure to asbestos brakes, clutches and gaskets led to their loved one’s mesothelioma.

Factors Influencing Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts

When you file an asbestos claim, many factors affect the potential settlement or verdict amount. These can include medical expenses and lost wages, case strength and jurisdiction.

Factors Affecting Average Mesothelioma Settlements

  • Case Strength: The strength of a claim significantly impacts settlements. Strong evidence of liability usually leads to higher settlements and quicker resolutions.
  • Company Liability and Negligence: Financial liability may be significant with strong evidence of negligence. Some historic cases have resulted in awards of damages in the tens of millions of dollars.
  • Compensatory and Punitive Damages: Jurors consider compensatory damages such as the plaintiff’s economic losses. Jurors also may consider punitive damages to punish a defendant.
  • Jurisdiction: Different state laws and historical court verdicts greatly impact compensation awards. For example, some states cap the amount of damages a jury can award.
  • Medical Expenses and Lost Wages: Medical expenses can mount while patients and caregivers focus on mesothelioma treatment. They may be unable to work, causing a loss of income.
  • Number of Companies in Lawsuit: Some mesothelioma lawsuits name multiple defendants. It’s common for some of the defendants to settle early.

Speak with your attorney about factors that may affect your settlement or trial claim. Each mesothelioma case is different. Every family’s finances affect settlement outcomes.

A defendant’s history of success at trial can also play a role. If a defendant has settled or lost cases in the past, the defendent may want to settle quickly without going through the trial process again.

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