Mesothelioma Compensation for Family Members: Finding Financial Security After a Diagnosis

Man smiles with family

Family members often suffer heightened stress after their loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma. Many may assume caregiving responsibilities or help their loved one travel to various mesothelioma specialists or cancer centers.

As a result, family members of mesothelioma patients may face financial stress when they should be focusing on spending time with their loved one. In fact, even after their loved one ends their battle with mesothelioma, family members may be left with heavy financial burdens from medical treatment and other health care costs.

Thankfully, there are resources available to support not only mesothelioma patients but also their family members and loved ones.

You don’t have to face this cancer alone. Mesothelioma compensation can help provide some financial security in a season of uncertainty.

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Are Family Members Eligible for Mesothelioma Compensation?

The most important reminder is that family members of mesothelioma patients may be eligible for mesothelioma compensation.

Many asbestos-containing product manufacturers knew for decades that their products were toxic. However, they continued to hide the truth and put millions of innocent people and their families at risk.

Thankfully, victims of the negligence of these manufacturers can pursue justice and financial help through various legal options either on behalf of their loved one diagnosed with mesothelioma or after they have passed from advanced mesothelioma.

Family members may also have been put at risk of asbestos exposure if tiny dust particles had attached to clothing and were later dispersed in the home.

Types of Mesothelioma Compensation for Family Members

There are several types of mesothelioma compensation family members can pursue, including mesothelioma lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims. Learn about each of the options below.

Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Lawsuits

When a patient starts the legal process but passes away before it's resolved, the victim's loved ones can continue the case as a wrongful death lawsuit on their behalf. These legal claims are similar to personal injury lawsuits and argue that the mesothelioma illness could have been avoided.

If the patient’s battle with mesothelioma comes to an end before they're able to file, their spouse, family, or estate representative may also be able to file an asbestos claim after their death.

Compensation from these claims can help families pay for:

  • Funeral expenses
  • Medical bills
  • Potential lost income
  • Therapy and grief counseling

The average mesothelioma settlement is over $1 Million, and the vast majority of lawsuits result in out-of-court settlements.

Asbestos Trust Fund Claims

When asbestos-product manufacturers filed for bankruptcy, they were required to set aside billions in asbestos trust funds for victims.

Currently, there is an estimated $30 Billion in asbestos trusts today.

A trust fund claim is, in essence, providing paperwork to the trust showing proof of exposure to certain asbestos-containing products. Because asbestos was so widely used from the 1930s through 1980s, many people may be able to file claims for multiple trusts.

Filing a claim for compensation from an asbestos trust fund doesn't involve going to court and can result in compensation quicker, easing mesothelioma family members' financial burdens sooner.

VA Mesothelioma Survivor Benefits

United States military veterans across all five branches were put at severe risk of asbestos exposure, especially if they served prior to the 1980s.

One-third of mesothelioma cases diagnosed each year are veterans.

As a result, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has included mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases as qualified disabilities linked to military service.

This means veterans can pursue disability compensation and other health care assistance from the VA. Additionally, when their fight against mesothelioma comes to an end, family members and their dependents can pursue various survivor benefits from the VA.

VA mesothelioma benefits for survivors may include:

  • Burial and/or memorial cost assistance
  • Dependent Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
  • Survivor pension

Sokolove Law Helps Mesothelioma Patients and Their Families Seek Justice

For more than 40 years, Sokolove Law has known the toll that mesothelioma takes on victims and their families and loved ones. That is why we have remained committed to fighting for justice for you and your loved ones.

As a national mesothelioma law firm, Sokolove Law strives to keep the legal process as stress-free as possible, so you can spend time with your loved ones.

Our asbestos lawyers have secured over $4.9 Billion for victims of asbestos exposure and their families.

We are here for you. Call (800) 647-3434 today to see how we can help you receive mesothelioma compensation for family members.

Author:
Sokolove Law Team

Contributing Authors

The Sokolove Law Content Team is made up of writers, editors, and journalists. We work with case managers and attorneys to keep site information up to date and accurate. Our site has a wealth of resources available for victims of wrongdoing and their families.

Last modified: October 4, 2023

  1. Lexis Legal News. “Asbestos Verdicts & Settlements: January 2020 – December 2020.” Retrieved from: https://www.lexislegalnews.com/articles/65302/asbestos-verdicts-settlements-january-2020-december-2020. Accessed on January 30, 2023.
  2. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. “Family Member Benefits.” Retrieved from: https://www.va.gov/family-member-benefits/. Accessed on January 30, 2023.
  3. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. “Veterans Asbestos Exposure.” Retrieved from: https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/asbestos/. Accessed on January 30, 2023.