Mesothelioma Class-Action Lawsuit is a civil suit filed by a member of the class on behalf of multiple plaintiffs who have been harmed by the same defendant. Class-action lawsuits for mesothelioma or asbestos exposure are rare. Instead, mesothelioma lawsuits are typically filed by an attorney as a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
What Is a Class-Action Lawsuit for Mesothelioma?
In a class-action lawsuit, a group of people bring a joint claim to court. When medical evidence linked asbestos exposure to mesothelioma in the 1960s, class-action lawsuits were an efficient way to hold negligent companies accountable.
But individual lawsuits have proven more appropriate. Mesothelioma lawyers and judges came to realize class actions are not the best type of litigation for asbestos cases, which involve a rare cancer with a long latency period.
Class-action lawsuits are civil suits filed against a defendant by one or more plaintiffs on behalf of a group of “similarly situated” people. Instead of hearing the details of every plaintiff’s case, the court hears one case that represents the whole class.
State and federal courts have their own procedural rules governing class actions. Most agree the group must share similar injuries caused by shared circumstances that raise the same legal issues.
A court must determine there are sufficient similarities and that separate lawsuits would be impractical or burdensome. Then it can certify the group as a class and allow them to litigate their case collectively.QUICK FACT:More than 4,000 asbestos lawsuits were filed in the U.S. in 2026, according to a KCIC industry report. Combining all those lawsuits into a single class action would not be good for the people filing them because each asbestos exposure case is unique.
Alternatives to Mesothelioma Class-Action Lawsuits
There are several alternatives to mesothelioma class-action lawsuits. Most mesothelioma lawsuits are filed by individuals as personal injury claims or wrongful death claims. Compensation may also be available from asbestos trust funds, workers’ compensation or the Department of Veterans Affairs.
If you are asked to join an asbestos class action, remember that you can choose to join the class or “opt out” so you can pursue your own lawsuit.
ASBESTOS CLASS ACTIONS VS. INDIVIDUAL CLAIMS
- Class action lawyers represent the whole group rather than individual clients
- Class action members have less control over their case
- Class action compensation is divided between all claimants
Most mesothelioma lawsuits are settled out of court, whether they are class actions or individual claims. Settlement negotiations can be more complicated in class-action lawsuits because usually all or most of the plaintiffs have to agree to the terms.
How to File an Asbestos Claim
To file an asbestos claim, you must have medical records showing a diagnosis of an asbestos-related illness such as mesothelioma. You must also gather documentation explaining what companies were responsible for the asbestos exposure that led to the illness.
The defendants in these cases could include manufacturers and distributors of asbestos-containing products, mining and construction companies, and other companies that used asbestos in industrial processes such as chemical refining or power generation.
Attorneys who specialize in asbestos lawsuits can help you identify the source of the asbestos exposure that made you or your loved one sick.
Another important aspect of filing an asbestos claim is making sure you file within the statute of limitations. For most states, the time limit to file is within two years of receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis.