Mesothelioma in Virginia
Mesothelioma cases in Virginia are relatively common. Every year, close to 85 people are diagnosed with the disease. Victims have about two years from diagnosis to file a claim.
If you or a loved one has been affected by asbestos exposure in Virginia, you may be eligible for financial compensation.
Key Facts at a Glance: Asbestos Exposure in Massachusetts
- Asbestos in Virginia:Asbestos was widely used in Virginia from the 1930s 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 Virginia, including asbestos trust funds, VA benefits, and personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits.
- Time frame to file a claim in Virginia: The statute of limitations in Virginia is two years from the date of diagnosis, meaning mesothelioma claims must be filed within that deadline.
- Treatment costs in Virginia: Compensation in Virginia 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 Virginia
Asbestos fibers are tiny and sticky, capable of entering the lungs with each breath you take. Over time, inhaled asbestos fibers can become lodged in the lining surrounding the lungs, where they may eventually contribute to mesothelioma. In Virginia, exposure typically happens at the workplace.
Many workers in shipbuilding, power generation, manufacturing, and other industrial occupations may have been exposed to asbestos-containing materials. Every year, about 75 people die in the state from mesothelioma, and around 85 new cases are diagnosed. Virginia ranks 12th in the nation for mesothelioma cases.
In Virginia, victims have two years from diagnosis to file a claim for compensation. If the victim dies, families have two years from the death to file a claim.
If you were exposed to asbestos while living or working in Virginia, you could be eligible for a compensation claim.
Compensation for Asbestos Exposure in Virginia
Individuals diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases may be eligible to pursue compensation. Mesothelioma settlements often exceed $1 million, although compensation varies based on the facts of each case.
Most victims file for more than one type of compensation. If you’ve been exposed, we can help you explore your options and determine your eligibility for compensation based on your unique situation.
Common Options for Mesothelioma Compensation in Virginia
| Compensation Type | Time to File in Virginia | Why it Matters | Time to Receive Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Injury Lawsuit | 2 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 | 2Years (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 | 2 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 | 1-2 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 Virginia
Mesothelioma cases are most successful when they’re accompanied by proof. Your medical records, proof of employment, and documented exposure are tools that can lead to the compensation you want.
In general, these documents are required:
- Medical records
- Proven diagnosis
- Death certificate
- Employment records
- Eyewitness account
- Paystubs
Mesothelioma Settlements in Virginia
The average settlement for a mesothelioma claim in Virginia is $1 million. However, each case is different and comes with different payouts. These are a few representative claims:
Major Verdicts
$10.4 Million
Wrongful DeathAwarded to the family of a man who developed mesotheioma after working in shipyards
$9.25 Million
Wrongful DeathAwarded to the family of a machinist who developed mesothelioma from airborne dust at work
$3.45 Million
Millwright WorkerAwareded to a millwright worker who contracted mesothelioma through his work
$282,685
Wrongful DeathAwarded to the family of a person exposed to asbestos while inspecting brake systems at work
The Top Asbestos Exposure Risks in Virginia
People who worked in one of Virginia’s shipyards before the 1980s are at risk of mesothelioma. They may have installed insulation, drilled through insulation, or worked with metal elements that included asbestos-containing products.
These are a few of the occupations commonly associated with disease:
Manufacturing
People who made products with asbestos elements in places like Armstrong World Industries could develop mesothelioma due to their work.
Power Generation
People who worked in Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO) Power Stations could have been exposed to asbestos while on the job and developed lung issues later in life.
Transportation
Working in places like the Norfolk Southern Railway Company could lead to asbestos exposure and subsequent mesothelioma.
Shipbuilding
Newport News Shipbuilding is a worksite where workers may have been exposed to asbestos.
Family Members & Loved Ones
Living with someone exposed to asbestos could be dangerous. Materials clinging to a worker’s clothing or shoes could become airborne at home and expose family members.
Top Exposure Sites in Virginia
There are 1,747 verified asbestos exposure sites within the state of Virginia.
They include:
- Newport News Shipbuilding site
- C.E. Thurston & Sons, Inc. manufacturing facilities
- Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO) power stations.
Anyone who worked in locations like this could be exposed.
Common Solvent Companies That Used Asbestos in Virginia
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 Virginia
Several companies in Virginia have filed for bankruptcy due to asbestos litigation. At that point, they set up 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 Virginia
Most victims start by selecting an asbestos litigation expert. Working with an experienced mesothelioma attorney can help streamline the legal 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.
- Complete 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.
Fact
NEED HELP FILING A LAWSUIT IN VIRGINIA?
If you think you have a compensation claim in Virginia, 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 Virginia
Virginia’s laws have been remarkably stable over time. Virginia has not enacted significant asbestos-specific litigation changes in recent years.
Seeking Treatment for Mesothelioma in Virginia?
Top mesothelioma treatment centers within the state of Virginia include the following:
- VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center
- UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Virginia Oncology Associates/Sentara Brock Cancer Center Network
Compensation can help you cover any out-of-pocket costs associated with your medical treatment. Your legal team can help coordinate documentation needed for your claim while you focus on treatment.
How We Can Help
We’re licensed to operate in Virginia and can help you get the compensation you deserve. We can handle your case from exploration to execution, managing all the details so you can focus on feeling better.
About 85 new cases are diagnosed in the state every year.
If you’ve been exposed to asbestos while working in Virginia, it could be time to file a claim for compensation.
Newport News, Hampton, and Virginia Beach have the highest incidence in the state.
You have two years from diagnosis to file a compensation claim.
Your lawyer can help you determine what state would be best to file in.
Yes. If your lung disease can be tied to asbestos exposure, you could be eligible for compensation.
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
- State Cancer Profiles – Incidence Rates Report for Virginia. (June 2025). National Cancer Institute and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov/
- § 8.01-249. When cause of action shall be deemed to accrue in certain personal actions. (January 2026). Code of Virginia. https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title8.01/chapter4/section8.01-249/
- § 8.01-244. Actions for wrongful death; limitation. (January 2026). Code of Virginia. https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title8.01/chapter4/section8.01-244/
- Quisenberry v. Huntington Ingalls Inc. Case Record. (October 2018). Supreme Court of Virginia. https://law.justia.com/cases/virginia/supreme-court/2018/171494.html
- Risk Management for Asbestos, Part 1: Chrysotile Asbestos Final Rule. (March 2024). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/risk-management-asbestos-part-1-chrysotile-asbestos
- Asbestos Part 2: Supplemental Evaluation Including Legacy Uses Final Risk Evaluation. (November 2024). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/risk-evaluation-asbestos-0
- Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors Regulations. (January 2026). Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/ALHI
- Mealey’s Litigation Report: Asbestos. (December 2024). LexisNexis Legal Newsroom. https://www.lexisnexis.com/en-us/gateway.page
- Find an NCI-Designated Cancer Center. (Year 2026). National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/research/infrastructure/cancer-centers/find
- Malignant Mesothelioma Mortality — United States. (April 2009). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5815a3.htm