Mesothelioma victims and their families have access to numerous financial assistance options to help alleviate the financial burden of a mesothelioma diagnosis, including:

• Government assistance
• Charities and foundations
• Legal compensation

Mesothelioma financial support can help cover living and medical expenses incurred by diagnosis. It can also compensate victims and their families for pain and suffering, with legal compensation options often exceeding $1 million.

An experienced mesothelioma attorney can guide you through the compensation process, helping you understand which mesothelioma financial assistance options may be best for you to maximize your potential compensation.

If you have a diagnosis of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses, you may be entitled to financial compensation.

See if you qualify for compensation.

How to Get Financial Assistance for Mesothelioma 

The cost of mesothelioma treatment is high, and many families affected by this diagnosis find themselves in need of financial support. Mesothelioma financial help can take many forms, all with different access and eligibility requirements. 

The two most important things a mesothelioma patient needs when beginning the process of applying for financial assistance are:

• A provable diagnosis of mesothelioma
• A solid understanding of the different funding options

Once you receive a diagnosis, things can move very quickly, and some avenues to financial compensation are subject to firm time limits called statutes of limitations.

Working with a mesothelioma lawyer can help eligible victims meet these deadlines and maximize potential compensation.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

One of the most common and lucrative forms of mesothelioma financial assistance is seeking legal compensation.

Holding at-fault asbestos companies responsible for their negligence provides victims with much-needed funds, allows victims to seek justice, and acts as a deterrent against future negligence.

In a mesothelioma lawsuit, the victim of asbestos exposure brings a suit against one or more negligent asbestos companies responsible for their exposure.

These lawsuits can end in one of two ways:

1. Settlement: The two parties reach an out-of-court agreement for a certain degree of monetary and non-monetary compensation. The average mesothelioma settlement is $1 to $1.4 million. It may also include provisions for ongoing medical care or other conditions agreed upon during negotiation.
2. Trial Verdict: If a settlement is not reached, the lawsuit proceeds to trial. Mesothelioma trial verdicts are usually larger — about $5 million to $11.4 million — but trials can be riskier and more stressful than settlements. Going to trial also takes longer, especially if the verdict is appealed.

In either case, the assistance of an experienced mesothelioma lawyer is crucial. If you meet eligibility requirements, your lawyer can help you choose which option may be best for your circumstances and assist you with all aspects of the legal process, reducing stress while maximizing potential benefits.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Some asbestos companies declared bankruptcy when their asbestos-related liabilities became too much to manage. Under the supervision of the courts, these companies formed trust funds meant to compensate victims whom they harmed through direct or indirect exposure to asbestos. 

Over 60 asbestos trust funds are currently active in the United States, with over $30 billion set aside to compensate victims of asbestos exposure. These trusts have already paid out over $20 billion to claimants.

The median value for mesothelioma claims against a single trust is $180,000, however, most trusts have a payment percentage that awards victims only a portion of their claim value.

The claims process is complex, and the burden of proof is on the claimant. Working with a law firm that specializes in mesothelioma cases can help eligible claimants gather the documentation they need for a successful claim resolution.  

Veterans Benefits

Over one-third of all people diagnosed with mesothelioma are veterans. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a wide variety of supportive services to mesothelioma veterans and their family members, including financial compensation and free or low-cost medical care. 

To qualify for VA mesothelioma benefits, you must:

• Have a proven mesothelioma diagnosis 
• Have had contact with asbestos during your military service
• Have received an honorable discharge

Mesothelioma has a 100% disability rating with the VA, entitling veterans with this type of cancer to the highest level of compensation.

Married veterans with mesothelioma receive roughly $4,000 a month through the VA, with additional compensation added based on the number of dependents the veteran has and the degree of disability they’re facing.

The VA also offers mesothelioma veterans and their families other benefits like:

• VA Pension
• VA Geriatric and Extended Care Services
• VA Caregiver Benefits
• VA Fiduciary Program
• VA Burial and Military Headstone
• Funeral Reimbursement
• Survivors Pension
• Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

Applying for VA benefits can be complex, but the VA allows eligible veterans to work with a legal advisor who can help them through the application process. 

Housing Grants & Travel

A relatively rare form of cancer, mesothelioma is caused only by exposure to asbestos. To get the best possible treatment, it may be necessary to travel out of state for expert care at a specialized mesothelioma treatment center.

The additional expenses incurred by travel and housing at the treatment location can create a financial burden on the victim and their family, who may already be struggling to cover the cost of the treatment itself. 

Many treatment centers offer housing and travel grants to help families cope with these additional costs. Outside mesothelioma and cancer charities may also provide these types of support.

Talk to your doctor or legal representative today if you need these services.

Disability Insurance 

You may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) if you:

• Are under 65
• Have paid the required amount into Social Security
• Are unable to work due to your mesothelioma diagnosis

SSDI can provide mesothelioma patients with a monthly payment, determined by your work history before your disability began. You may also qualify for early access to Medicare.

SSDI has stringent requirements for getting and keeping your benefits. Working with an expert can help you understand what you need to do to qualify for this form of support and then maintain your qualifications.

Mesothelioma Foundations & Charities

When dealing with treatment costs as high as those incurred by mesothelioma, patients may find themselves struggling with difficult financial choices, even when all official sources of funding have been accessed.

Mesothelioma foundations and charities can help patients and their families in many ways:

• Connecting patients to mesothelioma specialists
• Paying for treatment
• Providing housing and travel allowances
• Providing access to clinical trials 
• Mental health care
• Health education

While there are charities and foundations specifically for mesothelioma patients, cancer charities with a broader purview can also help.

Some useful organizations include:

• American Cancer Society
• Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
• Cancer Hope Network
• International Mesothelioma Program
• Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation
• National Cancer Institute

Your doctor or a legal advisor may be able to point you in the direction of additional resources. Mesothelioma patients and their families should never hesitate to ask for help or advice.

Costs of Mesothelioma Care 

The costs of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases can vary, based on several factors such as the severity of the illness and the specific treatment plan for the patient.

Some of the common costs associated with care for mesothelioma patients include:

Surgery

The common forms of surgery for mesothelioma patients include:

• Extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP)
• Pleurectomy and decortication (P/D)
• Cytoreduction surgery

The average cost for surgery for mesothelioma patients is about $54,000. However, this can vary based on specific treatment plans and other factors.

Chemotherapy

This is one of the most common forms of treatments for mesothelioma patients. Often, a combination of pemetrexed and cisplatin are used with an average cost of about $38,800 for the recommended six treatment cycles.

Multimodal Treatments

Multimodal treatments can help prolong patients’ life expectancies by combining multiple treatment approaches like surgery and chemotherapy. Because this is a combination of various types of treatment, the costs can vary greatly.

Emerging Treatments

New and experimental treatments may be an option for mesothelioma patients, however, the costs associated with them are generally more difficult to estimate. They may be more affordable for patients because the government funds many experimental treatments, or they may be covered by insurance.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy can have different costs depending on the type of drug used and the dosage. Some insurances can reduce the costs associated with these drugs. Annual fees for immunotherapy can be around $150,000 per year for some but will vary from patient to patient.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy costs will vary depending on the duration of each session and location. Some data suggests that the initial phase of radiation for lung cancer patients is about $4,000. This price is dependent on several factors for each patient and the insurance they have.

Hidden Costs of Treatment

In addition to the costs mentioned above, there are some less obvious costs related to mesothelioma and treatment.

These can include:

• Special diets and high-quality nutrition
• Cancer coaching
• Home care and nursing
• Side-effect reducing treatments
• Hospice care
• Lodging
• Lost wages
• Mental health care and therapy
• Travel

These costs can vary significantly between patients, and many may not be covered by insurance. Additionally, it’s important to note that some treatments may incur recurring costs, such as a second round of chemotherapy, and end-of-life expenses are often higher than initial care.

*Documenting these costs can be helpful when filing an asbestos claim.

Eligibility for Mesothelioma Financial Assistance

Several groups may be eligible for mesothelioma financial support:

Get Financial Support for Mesothelioma Today

Mesothelioma is a devastating illness, and patients and their families may feel isolated in the wake of a diagnosis — but help is available.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and you want to explore the financial assistance options open to you, reach out to our team of legal experts today.