Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Lawyers

Filing Deadlines in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania allows 2 years from diagnosis to file a personal injury claim. These claims are filed by the patient and typically seek recovery for medical expenses (past and future treatment), lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life, meaning the impact of the disease on daily activities, relationships, and ability to work.

Wrongful Death Claims in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has 57 cities with documented asbestos exposure sites and 117 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.

Pennsylvania has 8 cancer centers specializing in mesothelioma treatment. For a complete list of documented asbestos exposure sites in Pennsylvania, see our exposure database.

Types of Compensation in Pennsylvania

Families in Pennsylvania 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 amounts that vary widely by case. Total compensation can be significantly higher when combining multiple sources. Pennsylvania 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 →

VA benefits for Pennsylvania veterans

Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma typically qualify for VA disability benefits, often at the 100% rating. These benefits can be received alongside lawsuit settlements and trust fund payments.

Learn about VA benefits →

Asbestos Exposure History in Pennsylvania

The Delaware River shipyard corridor from Philadelphia through Chester was one of the country's most concentrated sources of occupational asbestos exposure. Chester alone housed six major shipyards, including Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock Company and the Delaware River Iron Ship Building and Engine Works. Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and William Cramp and Sons employed tens of thousands of workers over decades.

In western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh's steel industry exposed generations of workers to asbestos in blast furnaces, rolling mills, and coke ovens. Bethlehem Steel's Lehigh Valley operations created another major exposure corridor.

Documented exposure sites span 57 cities across 25 counties, from Erie in the northwest to Philadelphia in the southeast. The state's 117 known sites include steel mills, power plants, locomotive factories, chemical plants, and construction operations. Many used asbestos products from the early 1900s through the late 1970s. Because mesothelioma has a long latency period, people exposed decades ago continue to receive diagnoses today.

Choosing a Pennsylvania 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.

A few things to look at when narrowing a shortlist. Attorneys who concentrate on mesothelioma and asbestos cases typically maintain databases of products, manufacturers, and job sites that most general personal injury firms don't have. A firm's past settlements and verdicts in asbestos cases say more about depth than general trial experience. Familiarity with Pennsylvania procedures, judges, and filing requirements shortens the learning curve, especially in an expedited docket. And most mesothelioma attorneys work on contingency, so the family pays nothing unless compensation is recovered.

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