Mesothelioma Settlements–Can A Price Be Put on a Human Life Accurately?

What is the value that can be placed on a human life? How much is pain and suffering worth in terms of dollars and cents? Could it be worth millions?

If you or a loved one is afflicted with mesothelioma, a disease almost exclusively contracted from exposure to asbestos, there may be the ability to take legal action against the company where the exposure to asbestos took place. If they win a favorable verdict or receive a settlement it could be a substantial amount of money.

It can be very difficult to gauge and measure the damage mesothelioma can cause to a person and their family. It can be difficult to pre determine exactly the value of a settlement. Each case will have different circumstances and can vary greatly. Also there will be many differences in how these cases are looked upon from one state to another.

Having said all that there have been many high settlements with mesothelioma cases in the United States. Some of these very high settlements include the following:

After being diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2001, Roby Whittington, a retired US Steel worker was awarded $250 million

$34.1 million was awarded in 2000 to a 64 year old retired worker from the Shell Oil Company. It was in 1998 that he was diagnosed with plueral mesothelioma. It was determined he was exposed to the asbestos fibers when he worked for Shell Oil from 1956-1966.

$33.7 million was awarded to a Navy electrician and his wife in California. The electrician contracted mesothelioma from occupational exposure to asbestos.

$10 million was awarded to a retired 82-year old machinist with mesothelioma in 2005.

One of the earliest mesothelioma cases resulted in a posthumous award in the amount of $80,000 in 1973.

There are numerous reports of other cases where settlements ranged in the millions of dollars to others that were just in the thousands. Most settlements are not as high as those mentioned. Most cover medical expenses, lost wages, expenses incurred during the time of the disease and occasionally something for pain and suffering. But a multimillion dollar settlement is still a possibility. It is best that you consult with an attorney that is a specialist in this type of case.

A well selected mesothelioma attorney will be able to help you get an sense of what a settlement might look like. Costs covering medical, loss of income and other expenses that can be documented are fairly easy to add up. But putting a price on the value of pain and suffering (non economic damages) can be very different and a good mesothelioma lawyer can your best help in soring things out.

Look for an attorney that offers a free consultation Be sure to seek out one that will take on the case with out any upfront cost to you. They will be paid only if they win a settlement. You should also agree upon how much their fee will be out of any settlement before you agree to go forward. Here is a list of good questions you can ask that will help you select a good mesothelioma lawyer texas.