Georgia Mesothelioma Lawyers

Filing Deadlines in Georgia

Georgia sets a statute of limitations on mesothelioma lawsuits. The clock starts at diagnosis, not exposure.

Missing these deadlines can permanently bar a family's right to compensation.

When the Clock Starts

In Georgia, the statute of limitations begins on the date of diagnosis, not the date of asbestos exposure. This is called the "discovery rule."

Mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years. Without the discovery rule, most patients would lose their right to file before they even knew they were sick.

The clock starts when:

• A physician provides a formal mesothelioma diagnosis
• Symptoms reasonably indicated the disease was present

Personal Injury Claims in Georgia

Georgia allows 2 years from diagnosis to file a personal injury claim. These claims are filed by the patient and can seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses: Past and future treatment costs
• Lost wages: Income lost due to illness
• Pain and suffering: Physical and emotional distress
• Loss of quality of life: Impact on daily activities and relationships

Wrongful Death Claims in Georgia

Georgia allows 2 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. These claims can be filed by:

• Surviving spouse
• Children (including adult children)
• Parents (in some cases)
• Estate representative

Wrongful death claims can recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses incurred before death
• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship and guidance

Asbestos Exposure Sites in Georgia

Georgia has 38 cities with documented asbestos exposure sites and 97 liable parties on record. Workers in these areas may have grounds for mesothelioma claims.

Select a city to view specific exposure sites, companies, and facilities with known asbestos exposure history.

Georgia has 3 cancer centers specializing in mesothelioma treatment. For a complete list of documented asbestos exposure sites in Georgia, see our exposure database.

Types of Compensation in Georgia

Families in Georgia affected by mesothelioma may qualify for multiple forms of compensation. Most cases involve a combination of trust fund claims and litigation.

Lawsuits and Settlements

Personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits can be filed against companies responsible for asbestos exposure. Most cases settle before trial, with average mesothelioma settlements ranging from $1 million to $2.4 million. Total compensation can be significantly higher when combining multiple sources. Georgia courts generally allow expedited scheduling for mesothelioma cases.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Over 60 bankruptcy trusts hold more than $30 billion for asbestos victims. These claims are separate from lawsuits and can be filed regardless of whether a company is still operating. Trust fund claims have their own deadlines and requirements.

Learn about trust fund claims →

Asbestos Exposure History in Georgia

Shipyards, manufacturing, and paper mills formed the core of the state's asbestos exposure. Mining began as early as 1894 with the Sall Mountain Asbestos Company in White County. Georgia-Pacific exposed workers to chrysotile asbestos in gypsum products from the 1960s to the late 1970s. Sites like the Babcock-Wilcox Plant, Union Camp Corporation paper mills, Wallace Mine, and Plant McManus power plant in Brunswick used asbestos for insulation, machinery, and fireproofing.

Georgia was the first state to commercially mine asbestos. Concentrations in Rabun and White counties at places like Blue Ridge and Soapstone Ridge compounded the risk from shipbuilding and textile operations.

Documented exposure sites span 15 cities across 14 counties, covering 74 locations. People also encountered asbestos at power plants, military bases like Fort Benning, and construction projects in Atlanta. Secondary sites like the Keebler Co. facility and Rossville Spinning Corporation exposed boiler operators, maintenance crews, miners, teachers, and veterans.

Savannah, Macon, Gainesville, Marietta, and Brunswick bore heavy impacts. Northeastern mining areas added residential risks from dust inhalation. Nearly 1,000 deaths have occurred. Georgia-Pacific has faced hundreds of thousands of lawsuits since the 1980s.

Choosing a Georgia Mesothelioma Lawyer

Mesothelioma litigation is a specialized practice area. Not every personal injury attorney has the exposure databases, product identification resources, or trial experience these cases require. Our guide to choosing a mesothelioma law firm covers this in detail.

• Asbestos case focus: Attorneys who concentrate on mesothelioma and asbestos cases maintain databases of products, manufacturers, and job sites
• Trial record: Past settlements and verdicts in mesothelioma cases indicate a firm's depth
• Georgia court experience: Familiarity with local procedures, judges, and filing requirements matters
• Contingency fee structure: Most mesothelioma attorneys charge no fee unless the family receives compensation

Learn more about mesothelioma lawyer costs and how contingency fees work.