Mesothelioma Lawyers
Get the Compensation You Deserve
Mesothelioma is almost always someone else's fault. The asbestos companies that manufactured and sold these products knew for decades that exposure caused cancer — and they continued anyway. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed, you have the right to hold those companies accountable, and the legal system provides clear pathways to do it.
KRW Lawyers have built their practice around representing mesothelioma victims and their families. Our Asbestos and Mesothelioma Division — led by Managing Partner Matthew Ketterman, who focuses exclusively on asbestos-related disease — has recovered more than $750 million for asbestos clients and maintains a 90% success rate in mesothelioma compensation claims. We hold the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® rating, the highest peer-reviewed designation in the legal profession. And you pay nothing unless we win.
- $750M+ recovered in asbestos and mesothelioma cases
- 90% success rate in mesothelioma compensation claims
- 50+ years of combined mesothelioma litigation experience
- Free medical exams at no out-of-pocket cost
- No fees unless we win
What Is a Mesothelioma Lawyer?
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos — a mineral once widely used in construction, shipbuilding, manufacturing, and other industries. Because of its long latency period of 20 to 50 years, mesothelioma is often diagnosed long after the original exposure occurred, making the legal process uniquely complex.
A mesothelioma lawyer specializes in representing people diagnosed with this disease and their families. Unlike a general personal injury attorney, a mesothelioma lawyer brings deep knowledge of asbestos litigation — including how to identify the companies responsible for your exposure, navigate the asbestos bankruptcy trust fund system, meet state-specific filing deadlines, and build the medical and occupational evidence needed to support your claim.
Their role includes investigating your exposure history to identify the worksites, products, and companies responsible; gathering employment records, medical documentation, product records, and witness testimony; filing claims against asbestos trust funds, active defendants, or both; negotiating aggressively for settlements that cover medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and future care; and taking your case to trial when a fair settlement cannot be reached.
You should not have to navigate this process alone, and with KRW Lawyers, you don't have to.
Why Hire KRW Lawyers?
The Truth About Mesothelioma Law Firms
Not all mesothelioma law firms are equal. Mesothelioma is one of the most complex areas of personal injury law — cases often involve multiple defendants across different states, exposure that occurred decades ago, and claims against dozens of different asbestos bankruptcy trust funds. A general practice firm or one that treats mesothelioma as a secondary practice area will not have the investigative resources, expert relationships, or litigation depth to maximize your outcome.
Here is what separates firms that win from firms that don't — and how KRW delivers on each:
| What Matters | What KRW Offers |
|---|---|
| Mesothelioma-specific expertise | Managing Partner Matthew Ketterman focuses exclusively on asbestos-related disease and has personally recovered $500M+ for asbestos clients |
| Proven results | $750M+ recovered in asbestos cases; 90% success rate in mesothelioma compensation claims |
| Peer-recognized excellence | Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® rated — the highest designation in the legal profession |
| Investigative depth | Comprehensive exposure history investigation including expert witnesses, occupational health analysts, and product identification specialists |
| Trust fund access | Experience across all major asbestos bankruptcy trusts — we identify every fund your history qualifies for |
| Medical exam access | We help you get the medical evaluations needed to establish your diagnosis and qualify for compensation — at no out-of-pocket cost |
| National reach | Representing mesothelioma victims across the United States, with dedicated presence in major asbestos litigation centers including Detroit, Philadelphia, and Boston |
| No financial risk | Contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win |
What Sets KRW Apart
How the Legal Process Works
Getting started is simpler than you may think. Here is what to expect when you work with KRW Lawyers:
Step 1: Free Case Evaluation Contact our team for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. We will review your diagnosis, work history, and potential asbestos exposure to assess your case and identify the most promising legal pathways.
Step 2: Evidence Gathering Our team conducts a thorough investigation — reviewing employment records, identifying responsible companies and products, documenting your full asbestos exposure history, and connecting you with medical specialists to establish the link between your diagnosis and your exposure. Clients are often surprised by how much our investigators are able to uncover even when their own memory of the exposure is limited.
Step 3: Filing Your Claim We identify the right legal avenues for your case — trust fund claims, lawsuits against manufacturers or employers, veterans' benefit claims, or a combination — and handle all filings and deadlines on your behalf.
Step 4: Negotiation Our attorneys negotiate aggressively with defendants and their legal teams to secure the maximum settlement possible. The firms and insurance carriers on the other side of these cases are experienced and well-resourced. So are we.
Step 5: Settlement or Trial The majority of mesothelioma cases are resolved through settlements. If a fair outcome cannot be reached, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial — and defendants know it.
A note on timing: every state imposes a statute of limitations — a deadline by which you must file your claim. These deadlines are strict and vary by state and claim type. The sooner you contact us, the more we can do for you.
They truly care and get results.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Mesothelioma victims and their families may be entitled to substantial financial compensation. The types of damages available include:
Economic damages cover the direct financial impact of your diagnosis:
- past and future medical expenses, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, clinical trials, and home care
- lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- the cost of ongoing and long-term care
Non-economic damages address the human toll of the disease:
- pain and suffering
- loss of quality of life
- emotional distress
These damages are real and substantial in mesothelioma cases, given the severity of the disease and its impact on daily life.
Wrongful death damages are available to families who have lost a loved one to mesothelioma. These include
- funeral and burial expenses
- loss of financial support
- loss of companionship
Punitive damages may be awarded by courts in cases involving particularly egregious corporate misconduct — specifically, when evidence shows that a company knowingly concealed the dangers of asbestos from workers and the public.
The total compensation available in your case depends on the severity of your illness, the number of defendants, the strength of your exposure evidence, and the jurisdiction where your claim is filed. KRW Lawyers evaluate the full impact of your diagnosis and pursue every avenue of compensation your case qualifies for.
→ Learn more about mesothelioma settlements and average compensation amounts
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims
Many of the companies responsible for asbestos exposure have filed for bankruptcy. As part of those proceedings, courts required them to establish asbestos bankruptcy trust funds specifically to compensate victims. Over $30 billion currently sits in these funds.
Filing a trust fund claim is often faster than traditional litigation and does not require going to court. KRW Lawyers have extensive experience navigating these funds — including their individual procedures, payment schedules, and evidentiary requirements — and can identify every trust your exposure history qualifies for. Many victims are eligible to file claims against multiple funds simultaneously, which can significantly increase total compensation.
Trust fund claims require documentation of your diagnosis, proof of exposure to that company's specific asbestos-containing products, and employment or occupational history records. Our team handles all of this on your behalf.
→ Learn more about mesothelioma trust funds and how to file a claim
Veterans and Mesothelioma
Military veterans account for approximately 30% of all mesothelioma diagnoses in the United States. Asbestos was used extensively by all branches of the military — particularly in Navy shipbuilding — in insulation, pipe lagging, engine rooms, and throughout naval vessels. Veterans who served between the 1930s and 1980s face some of the highest rates of asbestos-related disease of any occupational group.
If you served in the military and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may have multiple legal pathways available:
- Asbestos trust fund claims against the civilian manufacturers of the asbestos products used during your service
- VA benefits including disability compensation and healthcare through the Department of Veterans Affairs
- Personal injury lawsuits against civilian asbestos manufacturers — not the government or military, which are generally protected from suit
These pathways are not mutually exclusive. KRW Lawyers understand the distinct legal landscape for veterans and help clients pursue every avenue of compensation available to them.
Frequently asked Questions
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Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the mesothelium — the thin lining surrounding the lungs, abdomen, or heart. It is caused almost exclusively by exposure to asbestos. Because the disease has a latency period of 20 to 50 years, most patients are diagnosed decades after their exposure occurred.
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Yes. The long latency period of mesothelioma is well understood by courts and trust funds. Most claims are based on exposure that occurred decades in the past. What matters is documenting your exposure history — which is exactly what our attorneys help you do.
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The statute of limitations varies by state, typically ranging from one to three years from the date of diagnosis (or the date of death for wrongful death claims). Because deadlines vary and can be short, it is important to contact a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible after a diagnosis.
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This is very common. Our attorneys conduct thorough investigations into your work history, military service, and residential history to identify likely exposure sites and the companies responsible. Many clients are surprised by how much we are able to uncover.
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Nothing upfront. KRW Lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no legal fees unless we win compensation for you. We also help you access the medical exams needed to support your claim at no out-of-pocket cost.
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Compensation can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, future care costs, and wrongful death damages. In cases involving egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available. The amount varies based on your specific circumstances.
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Yes. Family members who have lost a loved one to mesothelioma may be entitled to file a wrongful death claim. Additionally, spouses and family members who were exposed to asbestos fibers brought home on a worker's clothing — known as secondhand or household exposure — may have their own claims.
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When asbestos companies declared bankruptcy, courts required them to establish trust funds specifically to compensate mesothelioma victims. Over $30 billion currently sits in these funds. KRW Lawyers can identify which funds you qualify for and file claims on your behalf without requiring you to go to court.
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A trust fund claim is filed directly with a bankruptcy trust and typically resolves faster than traditional litigation. A lawsuit is filed in court against companies that are still operating. In many cases, both avenues can be pursued simultaneously, which can significantly increase total compensation.
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Trust fund claims can often be resolved in months. Lawsuits typically take longer — often one to three years depending on the complexity of the case, the number of defendants, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. In cases of severe illness, courts may expedite proceedings.
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Yes. This is precisely why asbestos trust funds were created. Even if the company responsible for your exposure no longer exists, its trust fund may still hold significant money for victims.
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This is common. You may be eligible to file claims against multiple defendants and multiple trust funds. Our attorneys will conduct a comprehensive review of your entire work history to identify every party that may be liable.
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In most cases, no. Many mesothelioma claims are resolved through settlements without requiring clients to appear in court. Consultations can be conducted by phone or video. Our team comes to you.
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KRW Lawyers also represent victims of other asbestos-related diseases, including asbestosis and asbestos-related lung cancer. Contact us to discuss your specific diagnosis and legal options.
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The most important step is to contact a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible. Time limits apply, and early action protects your ability to collect evidence and meet filing deadlines. KRW Lawyers offers free consultations with no obligation.
Get Your Free Case Evaluation
A mesothelioma diagnosis comes with enough uncertainty. The legal process doesn't have to be one of them. KRW Lawyers will investigate your exposure history, identify every avenue of compensation available to you, and fight for the maximum recovery — while you focus on your health and your family.
No upfront costs. No obligations. No fees unless we win. But time limits apply in every state, and the sooner you reach out, the more we can do for you.
Contact us today for a free, confidential case evaluation.
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