Mesothelioma Settlements–How Much Can You Expect to Receive?

Is there a dollar amount that can be placed on a human life? How much in terms of dollars and cents is pain and suffering worth? Could it be worth millions?

If you or a loved one is suffering with mesothelioma, a disease almost exclusively caused from exposure to asbestos, there may be the possibility to take legal action against the company where the exposure to asbestos took place. If they win a favorable verdict or receive a settlement it could be a substantial amount of money.

It can be quite hard to gauge and measure the damage this disease can bring upon a person and their family. It can be difficult to pre determine exactly how much a settlement can be. Each case will have different circumstances and can vary greatly. Also there can be many differences in how these cases are treated from one state to another.

Having said all that there have been many high settlements with mesothelioma cases in the US. Here is a sampling of some very high settlements:

After being diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2001, a retired US Steel worker, Roby Whittington, was awarded $250 million

$34.1 million was awarded in 2000 to a 64 year old retired worker from the Shell Oil Company. He was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in1998. He was exposed to the asbestos when he worked at the Shell Oil Refinery from 1956-1966.

$33.7 million was awarded to a Navy electrician and his wife in California. The electrician came down with mesothelioma as a result of occupational exposure to asbestos.

$10 million was awarded to a retired 82-year old machinist with mesothelioma in 2005.

One of the very earliest recorded cases for a mesothelioma award was in 1973 for a posthumous patient at $80,000.

There are many reports of other cases where the settlements ranged in the millions of dollars to others that were just in the thousands. The majority of settlements in mesothelioma cases are not as high as those mentioned. Most will pay for medical expenses, lost wages, expenses incurred during the time of the disease and occasionally something for pain and suffering. But a multimillion dollar settlement is still a possibility. It is best that you discuss with an attorney that is a specialist in this type of case.

A well selected mesothelioma attorney will be able to help you get an idea of what a settlement might look like. Medical costs, loss of income and other expenses that can be documented are easy to add up. But putting a price on the value of pain and suffering (non economic damages) can vary greatly from one case to the next and a good mesothelioma lawyer can be very helpful in sorting things out.

Most attorneys will offer a free consultation. Be sure to seek out one that will take on the case with out any upfront cost to you. They will be paid only if they win a settlement. You should also establish how much their fee will be out of any settlement before you agree to go forward. Here is a list of good questions you can ask that will help you select a good mesothelioma lawyer texas.