01. Michigan Law Firms
Top Mesothelioma Law Firms in Michigan
Experienced mesothelioma law firms can help Michigan residents seek compensation for illnesses related to asbestos exposure. These firms and their lawyers specialize in holding asbestos companies responsible for lost income, medical expenses and other costs. Mesothelioma patients and family members looking to pursue compensation may contact law firms that have experience with asbestos litigation.
Lawyers at these firms first explain eligibility and filing options. Once hired, mesothelioma lawyers determine whether Michigan is the best state to file their case based on the details of their individual case. They then file lawsuits on behalf of their clients.
The following law firms can help people living in Michigan file their mesothelioma lawsuits and claims:
Top law firms with a history of asbestos litigation bring the knowledge and experience needed to take on asbestos companies. Skilled lawyers are available to address any questions and concerns from patients and their families.
These attorneys will take control of the legal process to seek compensation for mesothelioma patients. They aim to take the burden away from patients and allow them to focus on their mesothelioma treatment and spend more time with their loved ones.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02. Filing Lawsuits in Michigan
Filing Mesothelioma Lawsuits in Michigan
Michigan mesothelioma patients have received millions in compensation from asbestos lawsuits. Additional compensation may also be available from mesothelioma claims against asbestos trust funds. Lawyers can file any lawsuit or claim on behalf of asbestos victims.
Michigan is a popular state for asbestos-related filings. Residents in over 80 Michigan cities have filed mesothelioma lawsuits. In 2022, Wayne County, Michigan, was the fifth-highest jurisdiction in the nation for asbestos lawsuits. The county had over 200 filings, including many for asbestos lung cancer.
Michigan is also among the top ten U.S. states when it comes to mesothelioma diagnoses and deaths. Nearly 2,500 people in Michigan received a mesothelioma diagnosis between 1999 and 2019. Between 1999 and 2020, over 2,000 people died from mesothelioma in Michigan.
Experienced lawyers are familiar with Michigan’s laws and are prepared to seek compensation for mesothelioma patients.
Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Michigan?
Michigan mesothelioma patients may be eligible to file personal injury lawsuits to hold companies liable for asbestos exposure. Families of deceased victims may be able to file wrongful death lawsuits.
Mesothelioma patients may have been exposed to asbestos at jobsites in Michigan, or they may have been exposed elsewhere before moving to the state.
Automotive plants represent many of Michigan’s asbestos exposure sites because asbestos was heavily used in the U.S. automotive industry. Many mechanics and other workers in the Detroit area were exposed to the hazardous mineral while working for automotive companies, including:
- Chrysler
- The Continental Motor Company
- Ford Motor Company
- General Motors
- The Hudson Motor Car Corporation
- Plymouth
Construction workers and members of the armed forces were also exposed to asbestos used in insulation, building materials and adhesives.
Michigan residents in the following towns and cities have filed mesothelioma lawsuits to seek compensation from manufacturers and distributors of asbestos:
- Algonac, MI
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Bay City, MI
- Bear Lake, MI
- Beverly Hills, MI
- Bloomingdale, MI
- Boyne City, MI
- Bridgman, MI
- Brighton, MI
- Brooklyn, MI
- Burton, MI
- Canton, MI
- Charlotte, MI
- Cheboygan, MI
- Chesaning, MI
- Clarkston, MI
- Clinton, MI
- Coldwater, MI
- Davison, MI
- Dearborn, MI
- Detroit, MI
- East China, MI
- East Tawas, MI
- Ecorse, MI
- Escanaba, MI
- Essexville, MI
- Evart, MI
- Fennville, MI
- Flint, MI
- Fowlerville, MI
- Frankenmuth, MI
- Fremont, MI
- Grand Blanc, MI
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Grosse Ile, MI
- Hale, MI
- Hartford, MI
- Holland, MI
- Holly, MI
- Howell, MI
- Hudsonville, MI
- Indian River, MI
- Iron Mountain, MI
- Kalamazoo, MI
- Kentwood, MI
- Lake, MI
- Lake Orion, MI
- Lansing, MI
- Lapeer, MI
- Leonidas, MI
- Livonia, MI
- Lyons, MI
- Macomb, MI
- Mancelona, MI
- Manistee, MI
- Marne, MI
- Mason, MI
- Middleville, MI
- Midland, MI
- Millington, MI
- Mt. Pleasant, MI
- Munising, MI
- Muskegon, MI
- Negaunee, MI
- Olivet, MI
- Otsego, MI
- Pinckney, MI
- Pinconning, MI
- Pontiac, MI
- Saginaw, MI
- Saint Charles, MI
- Sebewaing, MI
- Shelbyville, MI
- South Boardman, MI
- Spring Lake, MI
- St. Joseph, MI
- Standish, MI
- Sturgis, MI
- Tecumseh, MI
- Traverse City, MI
- Troy, MI
- Union Lake, MI
- Union Pier, MI
- Warren, MI
- Waterford, MI
- Whitmore Lake, MI
- Wyandotte, MI
- Zeeland, MI
Deadlines for Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Michigan
Asbestos victims may speak with a lawyer as soon as they receive a diagnosis or a loved one passes from mesothelioma. Every state has its own laws called statutes of limitations that impose time frames for filing lawsuits. Legal filing windows are based on the date of diagnosis or death, rather than the date of exposure.
Experienced mesothelioma lawyers help victims understand their rights and may ensure lawsuits are filed on time. If an asbestos victim misses a Michigan deadline, they may be able to explore other options like filing in another state.
Filing VA Claims in Michigan
Michigan veterans may have been exposed to asbestos during military service. Because asbestos was used regularly in all branches of the military during the twentieth century, veterans have a high rate of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, such as asbestosis.
In 2021, Michigan was home to over 470,000 veterans. Veterans with diseases caused by asbestos exposure during their service may be eligible to receive monthly benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Veterans’ family members may also be able to receive these tax-free benefits, which may help pay for health care, housing and other expenses. Lawyers can help Michigan veterans understand their options and file claims on their behalf.
03. Michigan Settlements & Verdicts
Mesothelioma Settlements in Michigan
Asbestos victims in Michigan have secured substantial compensation through mesothelioma settlements, with some patients receiving over $5 million. Mesothelioma settlements provide a lifeline for patients and their families, helping to offset the financial burden of treatment costs and providing a degree of financial security. In instances where the patient has passed away, settlements may be awarded to surviving family members.
Settlements are legal agreements between victims and companies to end a lawsuit before, during or after the trial. They are typically private arrangements, with the specific details often kept confidential. Based on available data, the average mesothelioma settlement generally falls between $1 and $1.4 million, although individual cases in Michigan have resulted in higher amounts.
Examples of Michigan mesothelioma settlements include:
- $7 million for a 61-year-old Marine veteran with secondary exposure
- $5.5 million for a 44-year-old laborer with secondary exposure
- $5 million for a 67-year-old Navy veteran, pipefitter and steamfitter
- $4.2 million for a 62-year-old Air Force veteran and plumber
- $3.9 million for a 69-year-old household worker with secondary exposure
- $3.2 million for a 77-year-old Marine veteran and mechanical engineer
- $2.9 million for an 84-year-old auto mechanic and pipefitter
- $2.8 million for an 80-year-old Navy machinist mate and pipefitter
- $2.3 million for a 45-year-old firefighter with secondary exposure
Each case is unique, and the settlement amount may vary based on several factors. These include the severity of the illness, the level of asbestos exposure and the impact on the victim’s quality of life. Patients should consult with knowledgeable mesothelioma law firms to understand their legal options and potential compensation.
Mesothelioma Verdicts in Michigan
In Michigan, juries have awarded significant verdicts to victims from liable asbestos companies. The average mesothelioma verdict is $2.4 million, but this amount can vary greatly depending on the specifics of a case.
In one case, a steel worker at the Ford Rogue Steel Plant in Dearborn, Michigan, was diagnosed with lung cancer 15 years after retiring. He passed away in 2017. In 2018, a Michigan jury awarded $1.8 million to his family in what is likely the largest lung cancer verdict in the history of Michigan asbestos litigation.
This case is a testament to the significant compensation that can be awarded to asbestos patients and their families. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can handle the entire process of pursuing a lawsuit, ensuring they understand each step and filing on their behalf.
Note: Each lawsuit is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in the future. Contact a reputable Michigan mesothelioma lawyer to understand how much compensation you may be eligible to receive.
04. Asbestos Laws in Michigan
Michigan Asbestos Laws & Regulations
Michigan’s asbestos regulations are managed by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration. These agencies ensure that asbestos is safely handled and removed. They also ensure that asbestos abatement contractors are appropriately licensed.
Michigan’s asbestos laws aim to protect its residents and workers from asbestos exposure and ensure responsible asbestos abatement. There is currently no federal asbestos ban in the United States.
Michigan Laws Affecting Asbestos Litigation
Michigan has specific laws and precedents that directly influence asbestos litigation within the state. Mesothelioma lawyers understand these laws and can navigate them to help victims get compensation for their injuries.
In a notable lawsuit against the Ford Motor Company, the Michigan Supreme Court held that a property owner is not liable for secondary asbestos exposure in certain situations. Specifically, owners are not liable in cases where the employee of an independent contractor brings asbestos home.
Michigan also has a law called the Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust Claims Transparency Act. This law mandates that all trust claims by the plaintiff must be filed no later than 180 days before trial, with the court having the power to dismiss cases for non-compliance.
Experienced mesothelioma lawyers are well-versed in Michigan’s laws and know the most advantageous methods of seeking compensation for their clients.
Find Mesothelioma Doctors, Lawyers and Asbestos Exposure Sites Near You
