Mesothelioma in Michigan
Mesothelioma is relatively common in Michigan. People who worked in automobile manufacturing often encountered asbestos-containing brakes, clutches, insulation, gaskets, and other industrial materials.
If you or a loved one has been affected by asbestos exposure in Michigan, you may be eligible for financial compensation.
Key Facts at a Glance: Asbestos Exposure in Michigan
- Asbestos in Michigan: Asbestos was widely used in Michigan from the 1940s to the 1980s, putting thousands of workers and families at risk for asbestos-related diseases.
- Compensation: Impacted individuals can apply for multiple forms of compensation in Michigan, including asbestos trust funds, VA benefits, and personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits.
- Time frame to file a claim in Michigan: The statute of limitations in Michigan is three years from the date of diagnosis, meaning mesothelioma claims must be filed by that deadline.
- Treatment costs in Michigan: Compensation in Michigan can help pay for mesothelioma treatment, which averages over $400,000 per year.
- How we help: Our patient advocates can help you get a free case assessment to determine your eligibility, understand your options, and connect you with critical resources.
Asbestos Exposure in Michigan
Michigan was the manufacturing capital of the U.S. Thousands of people worked in manufacturing facilities where they inhaled asbestos fibers released from insulation, automotive components, and other industrial materials.
Every year, about 100 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in Michigan. The state ranks 4th by per capita incidence and 9th by raw total cumulative case volume.
Compensation may be available, but time matters. Residents have three years from the date of diagnosis to file a claim for personal injury. Families have three years from the date of the victim’s passing to file for wrongful death.
Compensation for Asbestos Exposure in Michigan
Mesothelioma treatment can be expensive, and mesothelioma can significantly affect a person’s health, quality of life, and finances.
Compensation is designed to help families pay for care and respect the shortened life span associated with the condition. Mesothelioma settlements may exceed $1 million, though compensation varies based on factors such as diagnosis, exposure history, and the companies involved.
Victims of asbestos exposure in Michigan typically apply for multiple forms of compensation, such as fees for medical care and survivor benefits. We can help you determine your eligibility and decide which options are best for you and your family.
Common Options for Mesothelioma Compensation in Michigan
| Compensation Type | Time to File in Michigan | Why it Matters | Time to Receive Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Injury Lawsuit | 3 Years (from diagnosis) | Allows asbestos exposure victims to seek compensation from solvent asbestos companies. | 6-24 months Average settlement: $1-$1.4 million Average verdict: $5-$11.4 million |
| Wrongful Death Lawsuit | 3 Years (from passing) | Allows surviving family members to pursue compensation from solvent asbestos companies for losses related to the death of a loved one. | 6-24 months Average settlement: $1-$1.4 million Average verdict: $5-$11.4 million |
| Secondhand Exposure | 3 Years (from diagnosis) | Allows the loved ones of asbestos workers to pursue justice and compensation if they’ve been injured by secondary asbestos exposure. | 6-24 months Average settlement: $1-$1.4 million Average verdict: $5-$11.4 million |
| Asbestos Trust Fund Claim | 1-2 Years (Depending on the specific trust) | Allows both injured workers and surviving dependents to seek compensation from bankrupt asbestos companies. | As little as 90 days Average claim: $180,000 (for a single trust before application of payment percentage) |
| VA Benefits/Workers’ Compensation | Provides an alternative compensation path that does not require a lawsuit. | Provides veterans and families with monthly payments and other forms of support. Applying for other types of compensation will not put your VA benefits at risk. | As little as 90 days Average payout: Over $4,000 per month |
| Multiple Forms of Compensation | 1-3 Years (Depending on which options you pursue) | Gives claimants a combination of trust fund compensation, lawsuit settlements, VA benefits, and more to create a compensation package that best meets their current and future needs. | As little as 90 days Average combined compensation: Over $1 million |
Eligibility Requirements for Compensation in Michigan
Lawsuits are the primary vehicle victims use to get the compensation deserved from asbestos exposure. Typically, cases must be filed within three years of diagnosis (for personal injury or secondhand exposure) or within three years of death (for wrongful death).
Most cases require proof. These documents are typically required, and they can help you with the case types we’ve listed above:
- Medical records
- Death certificate
- Employment records
- Eyewitness account
- Paystubs
Don’t let concerns about paperwork deter you from investigating your rights. Reach out and we can help you determine your eligibility. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
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Depending on your unique circumstances, we can help you determine if Michigan is the best state for your case. Contact us to explore your options.
Source: Mesothelioma FundMesothelioma Settlements in Michigan
The average settlement for a mesothelioma claim in Michigan is $1 million to $1.4 million. Verdicts involving a trial within the state tend to come with a higher compensation rate than those that do not.
Major Verdicts
$4.8 Million
WelderAwareded to a welder who developed an asbestos-related disease
$3.1 Million
Auto WorkerAwarded to an auto worker who developed mesothelioma
$1.87 Million
Steel WorkerAwarded to the family of a steel worker in Wayne County
$250,000
Construction WorkerAwareded to a construction worker in Wayne County who developed an asbestos-related disease
The Top Asbestos Exposure Risks in Michigan
Michigan mesothelioma cases are often work related. The automotive and manufacturing industries are significant sources of asbestos, and thousands of people worked in factories across the state that were filled with asbestos.
These are a few of the job sites and occupations associated with mesothelioma in Michigan:
Chrysler Corporation
Historically, asbestos was used in automotive components such as brakes, clutches, gaskets, insulation, and other parts manufactured or supplied for vehicles.
People who worked in the assembly lines were often exposed.
Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp.
This company made several products containing asbestos, including insulation, roofing panels, and cookware. People who worked on the manufacturing line were directly exposed.
Depending on workplace conditions, employees who worked near manufacturing operations may also have experienced asbestos exposure.
Great Lakes Steel
Steel production relies on intense heat. Asbestos products were used as insulators, designed to protect workers, but these same products could lead to mesothelioma. Anyone who worked within these mills could be at risk.
Family Members & Loved Ones
People who worked in mills, on manufacturing floors, and in contaminated offices face direct mesothelioma risks. But so do their family members and loved ones.
Common household tasks like cleaning and laundry could stir up fibers workers bring home on their clothes and shoes, sparking secondhand exposure.
Top Exposure Sites in Michigan
Companies associated with asbestos exposure claims in Michigan include Chrysler Corporation, General Motors, and Owens-Corning Fiberglas.
Work sites like the Ford River Rouge Complex in Dearborn, the Great Lakes Steel Mill in Ecorse, and Detroit Edison Company power plants are also responsible for cases.
With 3,958 verified asbestos exposure sites in the state, these are just a few highlights of dangerous employers and worksites.
Common Solvent Companies That Used Asbestos in Michigan
Many companies that used asbestos have filed for bankruptcy due to health-related lawsuits. But many others are still solvent and never filed for bankruptcy.
Solvent companies can be subject to lawsuits, which typically come with higher forms of compensation than claims aimed at bankrupt entities.
Common Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust Claims in Michigan
Several companies in Michigan have filed for bankruptcy due to asbestos litigation. At that point, they set up asbestos trust funds to pay victims of asbestos exposure.
Over $20 billion has already been paid out from these funds, and over $30 billion is still in these trust funds to pay future victims.
How to File for Mesothelioma Compensation in Michigan
Most victims start by selecting an asbestos litigation expert. Working with an experienced asbestos attorney may help streamline the claims process.
Here’s how the process works:
- Meet with a mesothelioma attorney. You’ll ask questions and understand how your case might progress.
- Gather evidence and documentation. Your team will review and find all evidence and documentation to use in the case.
- File claims. Your team will start the legal process and notify the company of your claim.
- Go through claim discovery or review. The other party will review the case and ask for more documents, if needed.
- Agree to settlement, trial, or liquidation. You’ll get an appropriate level of compensation based on how your claim moves forward.
Every case is different, but most follow this basic structure. Learn more about each step of the process.
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NEED HELP FILING A LAWSUIT IN MICHIGAN?
If you think you have a compensation claim in Michigan, we can help you determine your eligibility and start the filing process in just a few minutes, for free. We handle all the legal complexities to get you and your loved ones the money you deserve, with no stress and no out-of-pocket costs. Help Me File
Changes to Asbestos Litigation in Michigan
Michigan’s laws are shifting, and sometimes, those adjustments impact asbestos litigation within the state.
Public Act 56 of 2024 imposes new inspection/notification fees for demolitions to fund EGLE monitoring. This change could open a new avenue of compensation, if companies are found in violation.
Public Act 59 of 2024 (Public Entity Asbestos Removal Verification Act) requires mandatory background/violation checks for contractors on school/public entity abatement jobs. This shift could change who works on dangerous sites in the future.
These changes affect asbestos oversight and compliance during demolition projects but do not directly create new compensation rights.
Seeking Treatment for Mesothelioma in Michigan?
Michigan is home to several exceptional treatment centers for mesothelioma, including the following:
- Barbara Ann Karamanos Cancer Institute
- University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
- Henry Ford Health Cancer Institute
Compensation may help cover treatment costs, lost income, travel expenses, and other financial burdens associated with mesothelioma. We can help you access treatment faster through a medical claim. We can also connect you with a medical professional who can provide a second opinion.
How We Can Help
We have years of experience in successfully representing victims in court. We’re licensed to operate in Michigan, and we have helped families just like yours get the justice they deserve. We can explore your claim, prepare you for court, and handle all the details for you.
Contact us to get started with a free case evaluation.
About 100 new cases are diagnosed every year within the state. Michigan is ranked 4th in the country by per capita incidence.
We can help you to understand your options and your chances of success. If you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, contact us to get started.
All Michigan counties have been touched by mesothelioma, as asbestos was such a common part of the manufacturing industry within the state.
Victims have three years from diagnosis to file for compensation.
Your lawyer can help you determine what state would be best to file in.
We can help you to explore this option. It’s a common type of claim for people who lived with someone who was exposed to asbestos while at work.
Written & Legally Reviewed By
Daniel Wasserberg, Esq. Attorney and On-Site Legal AdvocateDaniel Wasserberg was a New York metropolitan area “Super Lawyer Rising Star” from 2013 to 2018 (attorneys under age 40), and a Super Lawyer in 2019. In 2017, Daniel was named a “Top 100 Civil Litigator” by the National Trial Lawyers organization. This recognition is rarely awarded to attorneys under the age of 40. Daniel is proud to call himself a Trial Lawyer, and is often asked to speak at gatherings of the nation’s leading attorneys, from both sides of the bar.
Learn MoreSources
- Michigan Compiled Laws Section 600.5805. (July 2026). Michigan Legislature. https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-600-5805
- Michigan Public Act 56 of 2024. (May 2024). Michigan Legislature. https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Home/Publication?id=65
- Michigan Public Act 59 of 2024 (Public Entity Asbestos Removal Verification Act). (May 2024). Michigan Legislature. https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Home/Publication?id=65
- State Cancer Profiles: Michigan Mesothelioma Incidence Data. (January 2026). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) / National Cancer Institute. https://statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov/
- National Center for Health Statistics Mortality Data. (April 2026). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/index.html
- Mealey’s Litigation Report: Asbestos Archive. (December 2025). LexisNexis Legal & Professional. https://store.lexisnexis.com/en-us
- Asbestos Program & Site Mitigation Database. (March 2026). Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). https://www.michigan.gov/egle
- NCI-Designated Cancer Centers Network Directory. (June 2026). National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/research/infrastructure/cancer-centers
- Michigan Occupational & Environmental Medicine Data Registry. (February 2026). Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. https://oem.msu.edu/