Filing Mesothelioma Lawsuits in Massachusetts
Residents living in over 90 cities and towns in Massachusetts have filed mesothelioma lawsuits. Patients and their families have received millions of dollars in compensation from these claims.
Hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts workers have been exposed to asbestos. As a result, many individuals in the state have developed asbestos illnesses.
Key Facts About Massachusetts Asbestos Litigation
- A mesothelioma victim has three years from the date of diagnosis to file a mesothelioma lawsuit; the family of a deceased mesothelioma victim has three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim.
- The Massachusetts Asbestos Litigation docket was established to resolve asbestos disease-related lawsuits with a presiding judge dedicated solely to asbestos cases.
- Asbestos litigation in Massachusetts is governed by pretrial orders, which set the ground rules for all asbestos cases filed in the state to ensure efficiency in the courts and timely case resolution.
- Massachusetts was one of the first states to establish an inactive docket for asbestos claims, prioritizing serious cases like mesothelioma over non-malignant conditions like asbestosis.
From 1999 to 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 1,642 mesothelioma deaths in Massachusetts. The CDC also recorded 1,940 cases of mesothelioma in the state between 1999 and 2019.
Individuals who develop mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses may be eligible to file lawsuits or claims.
Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Massachusetts?
Individuals who experienced asbestos exposure in Massachusetts and developed a related health problem may be eligible for compensation. Mesothelioma patients may seek compensation through lawsuits and mesothelioma claims. Family members may also be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Massachusetts residents risked asbestos exposure at various sites in the state, including the Blackburn & Union Privileges site in Walpole and various asbestos mines. The former Walpole plant was later listed as a Superfund Site for cleanup by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Residents in the following Massachusetts cities and towns have filed mesothelioma lawsuits to seek compensation from manufacturers and distributors of asbestos:
- Abington, MA
- Acushnet, MA
- Adams, MA
- Amesbury, MA
- Andover, MA
- Attleboro, MA
- Avon, MA
- Bellingham, MA
- Beverly, MA
- Boston, MA
- Bradford, MA
- Brockton, MA
- Brookfield, MA
- Burlington, MA
- Buzzards Bay, MA
- Carver, MA
- Charlton, MA
- Chelsea, MA
- Dennis, MA
- Dorchester, MA
- Drury, MA
- Dudley, MA
- East Bridgewater, MA
- East Falmouth, MA
- East Hampton, MA
- East Longmeadow, MA
- Fairhaven, MA
- Fall River, MA
- Falmouth, MA
- Framingham, MA
- Granby, MA
- Harwich Port, MA
- Hingham, MA
- Holyoke, MA
- Hull, MA
- Leominster, MA
- Littleton, MA
- Lowell, MA
- Lynnfield, MA
- Malden, MA
- Mansfield, MA
- Mashpee, MA
- Medway, MA
- Merrimac, MA
- Methuen, MA
- Milford, MA
- Millville, MA
- Natick, MA
- Needham, MA
- New Bedford, MA
- North Attleboro, MA
- Northampton, MA
- Norwood, MA
- Peabody, MA
- Plymouth, MA
- Plympton, MA
- Quincy, MA
- Reading, MA
- Rockland, MA
- Rowley, MA
- Sagamore Beach, MA
- Sandwich, MA
- Saugus, MA
- Scituate, MA
- Shrewsbury, MA
- South Attleboro, MA
- South Boston, MA
- South Chatham, MA
- South Easton, MA
- Southampton, MA
- Southwick, MA
- Springfield, MA
- Stoneham, MA
- Sturbridge, MA
- Sudbury, MA
- Sutton, MA
- Swansea, MA
- Taunton, MA
- Tewksbury, MA
- Townsend, MA
- Wakefield, MA
- Wareham, MA
- Wayland, MA
- West Roxbury, MA
- West Springfield, MA
- Westfield, MA
- Westford, MA
- Weymouth, MA
- Whitman, MA
- Williamsburg, MA
- Wilmington, MA
- Worcester, MA
- Yarmouth Port, MA
Deadlines for Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Massachusetts
Massachusetts residents have a specific amount of time to file mesothelioma lawsuits. The filing window begins after the diagnosis of an asbestos illness or the time of death. These windows are outlined in state laws called statutes of limitations.
Filing asbestos lawsuits within legal timelines is important, and individuals may hire mesothelioma lawyers to help with the process. If someone is unable to file a lawsuit in Massachusetts because of statutes of limitations, a lawyer may be able to file their case in another state.
Asbestos victims may also be able to seek additional compensation from asbestos trust funds. These funds are established by bankrupt companies to compensate current and future asbestos victims. A Massachusetts mesothelioma law firm can help those affected identify the appropriate funds, determine eligibility and file claims.
Filing VA Claims in Massachusetts
Veterans with service-related asbestos diseases like mesothelioma may qualify for monthly benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Historically, military service members have faced significant asbestos exposure risks. Asbestos products were commonly used throughout the military before the 1980s.
For example, there are several shipyards in Massachusetts where individuals may have been exposed during their service. The Boston Navy Yard is located in the Boston Harbor and has operated for nearly 200 years. This facility exposed veterans and workers to asbestos through insulation, electrical wiring, gaskets and other components. As a result, service members from the Navy, Marines and other military branches have developed asbestos illnesses.
Veterans with mesothelioma or other asbestos illnesses may qualify for VA benefits or other compensation claims.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
Top Mesothelioma Law Firms in Massachusetts
Victims of asbestos-related diseases in Massachusetts and their families can choose from a number of qualified mesothelioma law firms. Working with a reputable law firm with experience in mesothelioma litigation is important for anyone seeking justice against asbestos companies. Mesothelioma law firms offer comprehensive case assessments during free evaluations.
These law firms have access to resources for investigating claims and gathering evidence. This helps their lawyers build the best possible case for them to present in court. Mesothelioma attorneys can argue their clients’ cases in court and handle settlement negotiations.
The following experienced mesothelioma lawyers are licensed to practice in Massachusetts and have a proven track record of achieving successful outcomes for their clients.
More Information about these Top Massachusetts Mesothelioma Law Firms
These law firms work on behalf of clients to make the legal process easy, convenient and comfortable for them. The lawyers at these firms are skilled and experienced at finding and understanding the details of each case. They can use their research and expertise to identify the most favorable place to file a case, which is not always the state a person lives in. Asbestos lawyers can work to ensure the best financial outcome for patients and their families.
- ELSM: Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney and Meisenkothen has three partners who are licensed in Massachusetts and have significant experience navigating the special Massachusetts Asbestos Litigation docket. A recent ELSM client from Massachusetts settled her mesothelioma lawsuit for $5.4 million in 2024 – 2025.
- Duffy Law, LLC: Attorney Chris Duffy has spent his 25+ year law career fighting for the rights of mesothelioma victims in Boston and throughout Massachusetts. In 2020, he founded his own mesothelioma law firm located at 70 Washington Street, Suite 405, Salem, MA.
- DOBS, LLP: The mesothelioma law firm Dean Omar Branham Shirley has extensive experience trying mesothelioma cases to verdict in Massachusetts. In 2024, one DOBS attorney was involved in a mesothelioma case that resulted in a Boston Jury awarding $39 million to their client.
- Ferraro Law Firm: The Ferraro Law Firm has represented thousands of asbestos clients from Massachusetts over the past 20+ years. The Ferraro team is highly familiar with major asbestos exposure sites and historical jobsites across the state. Clients benefit from our national trial strength combined with deep regional insight.
Experienced Mesothelioma Lawyers Licensed to Practice in Massachusetts
The following experienced mesothelioma lawyers are all licensed to practice in the state of Massachusetts and have represented numerous clients to successful results:
Chris Meisenkothen of Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen has personally handled hundreds of mesothelioma cases, one of which won a $20,000,000 verdict in Connecticut with Attorney Meisenkothen as co-chair on the trial. He has been named a “Super Lawyer” by the Super Lawyers rating service and has also been selected for inclusion in the oldest rating publication, Best Lawyers.
Chris Duffy of the Duffy Law Firm has helped individuals suffering from mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer throughout Greater Boston, Boston’s North Shore and all of Massachusetts for more than two decades after graduating from Suffolk Law in 2000. Attorney Duffy was named a Massachusetts Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2009 and 2011 – 2012.
Brian Kenney of Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen manages the firm’s Massachusetts asbestos docket. After graduating from Suffolk University Law School, Attorney Kenney began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Middlesex County, MA. Attorney Kenney has been selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers publication and has also been identified as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers.
Donald A. Migliori of Motley Rice is an experienced mesothelioma attorney and multifaceted litigator who can navigate both the courtroom and the negotiating table. Attorney Migliori is a frequent speaker at legal seminars across the country and has appeared on numerous television and radio programs, as well as in print media. One of his many awards and accolades includes being named a Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s Lawyer of the Year in 2011.
Kyle Navin of Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen was named a partner of the firm in 2024. Attorney Navin works on behalf of Massachusetts mesothelioma victims in litigation matters, pursues arbitrations against asbestos bankruptcy trusts and represents clients in their claims for disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs as a VA accredited attorney.
Michael Shepard of Shepard O’Donnell represents Massachusetts mesothelioma victims out of his Boston office. Attorney Shepard is on the Board of Governors of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys (MATA) and has been awarded as one of the Best Lawyers in America®, Massachusetts Super Lawyer and a Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, “Massachusetts Lawyer of the Year” in 2018.
Mesothelioma Settlements in Massachusetts
Massachusetts mesothelioma lawyers have secured millions of dollars in compensation for many asbestos victims. Lawsuit compensation may come from a mesothelioma settlement or verdict.
A settlement is an agreement between a victim and an asbestos company that ends litigation against the company. In lawsuits involving multiple companies, each company may choose to settle with a victim separately. Parties to a lawsuit can agree to a settlement before, during or after a trial.
Lawsuit settlements can help cover the costs of treatment for asbestos cancers and conditions.
According to industry statistics, the average mesothelioma verdict is $2.4 million. The average settlement is approximately $1.4 million, but many people have received higher amounts. Below is a sampling of settlements achieved in Massachusetts:
- $5.7 million for a 70-year-old Merchant Marine veteran and chief plant engineer
- $5.4 million for a 64-year-old Navy veteran and boilermaker
- $3.6 million for a 77-year-old Navy veteran and electrician (Norfolk Naval Shipyard)
- $3.4 million for a 52-year-old machinist (General Electric)
- $2.4 million for a 64-year-old Coast Guard veteran and plant worker
- $2.3 million for a 62-year-old contractor and boilermaker
- $2 million for a 76-year-old Navy veteran and pipefitter (Norton Abrasives)
- $2 million for a 71-year-old Navy veteran (Norfolk Naval Shipyard)
- $2 million for a 56-year-old household worker with secondary exposure
Mesothelioma Verdicts in Massachusetts
Massachusetts juries have found many asbestos companies liable for causing mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses.
In September 2024, a Boston jury awarded a Massachusetts record high mesothelioma verdict of $39 million to a mesothelioma victim that was exposed to asbestos through contaminated medical-grade talc. The plaintiff was diagnosed with mesothelioma following a talc pleurodesis procedure during which talc powder manufactured by Cimbar Performance Minerals was used.
A 2014 wrongful death lawsuit was filed after a Boston pipefitter died of mesothelioma. His widow filed claims against multiple companies who manufactured asbestos products the pipefitter used. The verdict awarded the plaintiff about $9.3 million.
In 2017, Boston juries returned two landmark verdicts, awarding $6.8 million and $7.55 million to families impacted by asbestos. New England Insulation, a Canton-based company that distributed and installed asbestos insulation until the early 1970s, was held responsible for injuries sustained by two workers.
Note: Each lawsuit is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in the future. Contact a reputable Massachusetts mesothelioma lawyer to understand how much compensation you may be eligible to receive.
Massachusetts Asbestos Laws & Regulations
Since the 1980s, Massachusetts legislators have created laws and regulations to help protect homeowners, workers and members of the public from asbestos exposure. Massachusetts also has laws that impact asbestos litigation.
Initiatives created by the Massachusetts court system to handle asbestos cases include:
- Case management: Massachusetts was one of the first states to establish an inactive docket for asbestos claims starting in 1986. This system is designed to allow people with serious asbestos diseases like mesothelioma to take priority over non-malignant cases. This system also protects individuals who don’t currently meet the medical threshold to file a personal injury claim. It allows the lawsuit process to begin at a later date when an individual meets the medical requirements.
Former Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey oversaw regulations for unapproved asbestos abatement projects, created statewide asbestos databases for schools and took other steps to reduce asbestos exposure.
Massachusetts legislation around asbestos handling includes:
- Asbestos in schools: Massachusetts waived the federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) in order to implement its own regulations for asbestos in schools.
- Construction and abatement: The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) regulates all construction, demolition and abatement projects. Licensed contractors must notify MassDEP and the Department of Labor Standards at least 10 days before beginning work.
- Workplace safety: The Department of Labor Standards operates the state’s Asbestos Program. This program licenses abatement contractors and sets standards for how such work must be performed. These rules apply to all construction, demolition, renovation and repair projects where asbestos-containing material is present.
Some remediation projects may also require more localized permits and approvals. Although asbestos is not banned in the U.S., these laws aim to protect Massachusetts residents from the dangers of asbestos exposure.
Key Massachusetts Asbestos Exposure Sites
Massachusetts has several jobsites where asbestos was used. Each of these sites may have exposed workers to the mineral and put them at risk of serious diseases.
Boston Edison Company
The Boston Edison Company is one of the oldest electric utility companies in the country. They have operated many power generation plants and stations in eastern Massachusetts since the 1800s, including but not limited to:
- L Street Station
- Edgar Station
- Mystic Station
- Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station
- Boston Edison Power Station
- Brockton Station
- Edison Power Plant
Asbestos was used extensively in these plants and stations given the high heat involved in power generation. Tradesmen and other workers at these sites were frequently exposed to asbestos. All of the sites listed above, as well as other Boston Edison stations, are included on several bankruptcy trust jobsite lists.
Boston Navy Yard
Once known as the Charlestown Navy Yard, this shipyard’s workers were responsible for building thousands of ships over its 174-year history. At its peak during World War II (WWII), Boston Navy Yard employed more than 50,000 workers. Many of these workers were exposed to asbestos during the construction and repair of U.S. Navy Vessels.
Fore River Shipyard
The Fore River Shipyard operated in Quincy, Massachusetts. For nearly a century, this active shipyard built and repaired hundreds of ships. Many were built here during the peak years of asbestos use, putting workers and others at risk of asbestos-related diseases.
GE Pittsfield
The General Electric plant in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, produced phenolic molding compounds for the production of industrial plastics. Chrysotile asbestos and talc were used during production. One mesothelioma victim won a $22.5 million verdict against Vanderbilt Minerals for his exposure to their asbestos-contaminated talc while working at the Pittsfield plant.
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