Understanding the Mesothelioma Lawsuit Deadline
State mesothelioma lawsuit deadlines limit how long patients and their families have to pursue compensation from the companies responsible for their illnesses.
The mesothelioma lawsuits that can be filed against these companies are either personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits. The deadlines may vary for each according to state laws.
Mesothelioma Lawsuit Deadlines at a Glance
- Once the deadline passes, you won’t be able to pursue compensation again.
- Mesothelioma statutes of limitations range from 1 to 6 years.
- The countdown to file your claim begins after the date of your diagnosis or the death of a loved one.
- Where you live now may not be where your claim is filed.
- Contact a lawyer even if you believe the deadline for your case may have passed.
Most states only give you 1-3 years to file an asbestos claim. This makes it vital for families to take action as soon as possible before the asbestos statute of limitations passes.
Our mesothelioma attorneys may be able to fight for compensation on your behalf before it’s too late. Let us get you the money you deserve.
Mesothelioma Lawsuit Statutes of Limitations by State
Each state sets its own mesothelioma lawsuit statute of limitations, which can make it difficult to know how much time you have left to take action.
Mesothelioma lawsuits can be filed in the state where:
- You live now
- You worked or lived when you were exposed to asbestos
- The company that made the products you were exposed to is located or was in the past
It’s important to work with a national mesothelioma law firm that can file your lawsuit in the best state for your asbestos claim.
At Sokolove Law, we can travel to you and handle every step of the legal process on your behalf, filing your claim in whichever state offers you the best chance of success.
Even if the statute of limitations on mesothelioma claims has passed in the state where you currently live, we may be able to file your claim in a different state. Call (800) 647-3434 now to get started.
Mesothelioma Claims Time Limits in All 50 States
| State | After a Mesothelioma Diagnosis | After the Death of a Loved One |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Alaska | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Arizona | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Arkansas | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| California | 1 Year | 1 Year |
| Colorado | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Connecticut | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| Delaware | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Florida | 4 Years | 2 Years |
| Georgia | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Hawaii | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Idaho | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Illinois | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Indiana | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Iowa | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Kansas | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Kentucky | 1 Year | 1 Year |
| Louisiana | 1 Year | 1 Year |
| Maine | 6 Years | 3 Years |
| Maryland | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| Massachusetts | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| Michigan | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| Minnesota | 6 Years | 3 Years |
| Mississippi | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| Missouri | 5 Years | 3 Years |
| Montana | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| Nebraska | 4 Years | 2 Years |
| Nevada | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| New Hampshire | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| New Jersey | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| New Mexico | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| New York | 3 Years | 2 Years |
| North Carolina | 3 Years | 2 Years |
| North Dakota | 6 Years | 2 Years |
| Ohio | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Oklahoma | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Oregon | 2 Years | 3 Years |
| Pennsylvania | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Rhode Island | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| South Carolina | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| South Dakota | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| Tennessee | 1 Year | 1 Year |
| Texas | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Utah | 3 Years | 2 Years |
| Vermont | 3 Years | 2 Years |
| Virginia | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Washington | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| West Virginia | 2 Years | 2 Years |
| Wisconsin | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| Wyoming | 4 Years | 2 Years |
At Sokolove Law, we can help families pursue compensation in all 50 states — and there are no hourly fees or upfront costs to work with our team.
Get a free case review now to find out if our asbestos lawyers may be able to help with your claim.
What the Mesothelioma Statute of Limitations Means for You
Filing by the mesothelioma claims time limit in your case is crucial for the success of your lawsuit and securing the compensation you deserve.
The mesothelioma lawsuit statute of limitations means that your family:
- Only has a limited amount of time to take action
- Can miss out on money you deserve if the deadline passes
- Should begin your claim as soon as possible to secure your financial future
- May not get a second chance to file again if you miss the deadline
Mesothelioma compensation ranges from $1 Million to $11.4 Million on average, depending on if you receive a mesothelioma settlement or verdict.
We know this compensation can be life-changing for many families, so we’ll get started with your claim as soon as possible. In fact, many of our clients start receiving compensation within 90 days of contacting us.
“I was shocked at how fast Sokolove Law called me. Two days later, they were meeting with me at my house. I was in a mild shock, but it was a good shock.”
– Dennis, Firm Mesothelioma Client
What If I Miss the Mesothelioma Lawsuit Deadline?
Even if you think you’ve missed the mesothelioma lawsuit deadline, it may not be too late to take action.
Depending on your case, our mesothelioma attorneys can:
- Determine which states you may be eligible to file a claim
- Identify the state with the longest asbestos statute of limitations
- Pursue compensation from additional sources like asbestos trust funds or VA benefits
The mesothelioma claims time limit doesn’t begin when you were first exposed to asbestos.
Since diseases like mesothelioma can take 20-50 years to appear, the clock starts ticking once you or a loved one has been diagnosed with or passes away from an asbestos-related disease.
Call (800) 647-3434 now for help determining if you can pursue mesothelioma compensation. It costs nothing to speak with us.
Determining the Mesothelioma Statute of Limitations: 4 Key Factors
How long you have to file your mesothelioma claim depends on several key factors, so the mesothelioma statute of limitations may look a bit different from case to case.
Learn more about what determines the mesothelioma statute of limitations in each case below.
1. Where You Live Now
Your attorney can examine the mesothelioma lawsuit deadline in the state where you live to determine if you can file an asbestos claim there.
Some courts may have a history of awarding more compensation to asbestos victims than others, so your legal team will take this into account when choosing where to file your lawsuit.
While filing a claim in your own state may seem like the most convenient option, it’s not always the best choice for your case — but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to travel for your lawsuit.
Many of our clients are able to receive compensation without traveling or stepping foot in court.
2. Where You Worked or Were Exposed
If you were exposed to asbestos in a state other than where you currently live, your attorney may be able to identify locations that provide a longer mesothelioma lawsuit statute of limitations period.
This may include where:
- You worked or were exposed to asbestos
- The company responsible for your exposure has offices or is headquartered
- The asbestos-containing materials you were exposed to were sold
We’ll investigate the full scope of your asbestos exposure history and identify all of the products and companies that may be responsible for your illness.
This helps give us the greatest chance at filing a successful claim before the asbestos statute of limitations has passed.
“I was surprised at the stuff that my mesothelioma lawyer knew. He just knew the names of all the pumps and the valves going far back….They were prepared. They could go back to Day 1.”
– Walter, U.S. Navy Veteran & Firm Client
3. The Date of Diagnosis or Death
If you’re a mesothelioma patient, the timer on the asbestos statute of limitations starts the day you’re diagnosed with mesothelioma.
The statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits filed by mesothelioma patients ranges from 1 to 6 years.
If your family member passed away from mesothelioma, you may still be able to take legal action. The timeline for mesothelioma claims after death starts once your loved one has passed away.
These claims can be filed by a spouse, child, parent, or estate representative, and the statute of limitations for a wrongful death lawsuit ranges from 1 to 3 years.
4. Which Asbestos Claim You File
While lawsuits generally follow the mesothelioma statutes of limitations in each state, other types of asbestos claims have different timeframes, like:
- Asbestos trust funds: The statute of limitations for a mesothelioma fund claim is determined by each individual trust. There’s an estimated $30 Billion remaining in asbestos trust funds, and your lawyer can file claims with all of the trusts you qualify for.
- Veterans benefits for mesothelioma: There is no time limit to file a claim with the Veterans Administration (VA) for disability compensation, health care, and other benefits. Eligible veterans may receive over $3,700 a month.
At Sokolove Law, we’ll work to maximize your mesothelioma compensation by pursuing all of the compensation options available in your case.
Get Help Filing Before the Mesothelioma Lawsuit Deadline Passes
Over the last 45+ years, Sokolove Law has secured compensation for thousands of families across the country before the statute of limitations on their mesothelioma claims has expired.
While the time to file a mesothelioma claim may be limited, you may still be able to pursue compensation for your illness — but only if you act fast.
Our asbestos attorneys are prepared to handle every step of the legal process for you and fight for the compensation you deserve. As of December 2024, we’ve secured over $5.1 Billion for mesothelioma patients and their loved ones.
There are no upfront costs or hourly fees to work with our asbestos attorneys. We only get paid if we successfully secure compensation for you, so there’s no financial risk to taking legal action.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Call (800) 647-3434 right now or fill out our contact form for a free, no-obligation case review.
Mesothelioma & Asbestos Statute of Limitations FAQs
What is the statute of limitations on asbestos claims?
The asbestos claims statute of limitations is a law that limits how long you have to file a mesothelioma lawsuit.
This deadline varies from state to state, but once it passes, you may not be able to take legal action for your illness again.
Contact us now to get started before it's too late. Compensation has been life-changing for many families.
What starts the mesothelioma lawsuit statute of limitations?
The mesothelioma lawsuit statute of limitations starts:
- For patients when they’re first diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer
- For family members when their loved one passes away from an asbestos-related disease
Each state sets its own mesothelioma claims time limit, so it’s important to contact an asbestos attorney as soon as possible to understand the deadlines that apply to your situation.
How long do I have to file a mesothelioma claim?
You have anywhere from 1 to 6 years to file a mesothelioma claim, depending on the state you’re filing in and the type of claim. However, most state deadlines only allow 1 to 3 years.
We can handle all of the legal legwork for you and file your mesothelioma claim for compensation. Call (800) 647-3434 now to get started for free.
What determines the mesothelioma claims time limit?
The time limit for mesothelioma claims is determined by:
- The state you live in
- Where you were exposed to asbestos
- The date of your diagnosis or a loved one’s passing
- The type of claims you file
Our team will analyze all of the factors involved in your case and determine where to file your claim before the mesothelioma lawsuit deadline.
What can I do if the asbestos statute of limitations has passed in my case?
If you believe the asbestos statute of limitations has passed in your case, you should contact Sokolove Law as soon as possible.
We may still be able to help you file your claim in a different state or pursue compensation from other sources on your behalf.
Can I file in a different state if the mesothelioma statute of limitations passes here?
Yes, potentially. If the statute of limitations for mesothelioma has passed in your state, you may still be able to file a claim in the state where you were exposed to asbestos or where the company that made the asbestos-related products you were exposed to is located.
Our team can determine which states you may be able to file claims in. Call (800) 647-3434 now to learn about the options available to you.
What is the timeline for the mesothelioma lawsuit?
The mesothelioma lawsuit timeline depends on a number of factors in each case, but many of our clients start receiving compensation in as few as 90 days after first contacting us.
This compensation is often crucial for covering medical treatments and daily living expenses, which is why our attorneys work hard to resolve mesothelioma lawsuits as quickly as possible.
Where should I file my asbestos claim?
You may be able to file your asbestos claim in the state where:
- You or your loved one currently live
- You or your loved used to live and work
- You or your loved one were exposed to asbestos
- The company that made the products you were exposed to is located
- The company was located in the past
Our knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyers can determine the best state to file your claim in, so you can get the most money possible for the pain you’ve experienced.
Can you claim for mesothelioma after death?
Yes. If your loved one passed away from mesothelioma, you may be able to pursue justice and compensation on their behalf by filing an asbestos claim after death.
The mesothelioma statute of limitations still applies to wrongful death claims, so it’s important to get started with your claim as soon as possible.
See if you can file a claim now with the help of our experienced asbestos attorneys.
What is the average settlement for mesothelioma victims?
The average settlement for mesothelioma victims is between $1 Million and $1.4 Million, and the average mesothelioma trial verdict is between $5 Million and $11.4 Million.
At Sokolove Law, we’ve recovered over $5.1 Billion for mesothelioma victims and their families across the country.
Let us fight for the money you deserve. Call (800) 647-3434 now to get started with a free case review.
