Iowa Mesothelioma Lawyers

Filing Deadlines in Iowa

Iowa 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 Iowa, 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 Iowa

Iowa 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 Iowa

Iowa 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 Iowa

Iowa has 43 cities with documented asbestos exposure sites and 105 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.

Iowa has 1 cancer centers specializing in mesothelioma treatment. For a complete list of documented asbestos exposure sites in Iowa, see our exposure database.

Types of Compensation in Iowa

Families in Iowa 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. Iowa 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 Iowa

Manufacturing and agricultural equipment production drove the state's exposure. John Deere's Dubuque Works facility, operating since 1946 on 1,500 acres, exposed hundreds of workers to asbestos-containing brake pads, linings, and clutch facings. Mechanics and technicians breathed in airborne dust during maintenance and repair.

P.M. Lattner Manufacturing in Cedar Rapids, founded in 1918, used asbestos extensively in boiler production. Workers handled asbestos gaskets, bearings, cement, and insulation. Donohoo Steel Treating exposed heat-treating equipment operators to asbestos insulation in pipes, stoves, furnaces, and tanks. Clinton Corn Processing employed over 700 people who encountered asbestos-containing materials on equipment, pipes, and machinery.

Iowa also received 353 shipments totaling nearly 14,000 tons of asbestos-containing ore from the W.R. Grace mine in Libby, Montana between 1948 and 1993.

Documented exposure sites span 20 cities across 15 counties. Polk County recorded 285 asbestos-related deaths between 1999 and 2017. Linn County recorded 276. Power plant and farming equipment workers faced the highest risk. Construction workers, electricians, and maintenance personnel at industrial sites were also affected.

Family members developed increased cancer risk from fibers carried home on clothing. Weil-McLain was found guilty of consciously disregarding worker safety and paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages. Nearly 1,000 Iowa residents have died from asbestos-related diseases. The state ranks 28th nationally for asbestos-related deaths.

Choosing a Iowa Mesothelioma Lawyer

Mesothelioma litigation is a focused 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
• Iowa 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.