01. Filing Claims and Lawsuits in Michigan
Filing Mesothelioma Claims and Lawsuits in Michigan
Many Michigan residents have filed asbestos lawsuits against negligent companies and organizations. Today, asbestos victims and their loved ones continue to seek financial compensation. In Wayne County, Michigan, there were more than 110 asbestos cases filed in 2020.
In Michigan, asbestosis and mesothelioma also accounted for 2,569 of the 10,188 asbestos-related deaths reported between 1999 and 2017.
A number of workers have also filed lawsuits for nonmalignant injuries caused by asbestos. These conditions include diffuse pleural thickening and interstitial pneumonitis, which can cause breathlessness and breathing difficulties. An experienced asbestos attorney can help Michigan residents impacted by asbestos understand their filing options.
Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Claim in Michigan?
Any individual harmed by asbestos may be eligible to request compensation through court cases, asbestos trust fund claims or other claims. Surviving family members may also be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of their loved one.
To be successful, individuals who file a personal injury lawsuit must prove they were exposed to asbestos and that they experienced negative health effects and/or financial losses as a result.
Mesothelioma law firms in Michigan represent a large number of individuals who worked in the state’s steel and automotive manufacturing plants. Notable exposure sites in Michigan include:
- General Motors-Ternstedt Plant in Flint
- Chrysler Chemical Plant in Trenton
- Hooker Electrochemical Plant in Montague
Construction workers, mechanics and members of the armed forces were also exposed to a significant amount of asbestos used in insulation, building materials, adhesives and brake pads.
Michigan residents living in the following towns and cities have filed mesothelioma lawsuits to protect their rights and seek compensation from manufacturers and distributors of asbestos:
- Algonac, MI
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Bay City, MI
- Bear Lake, MI
- Beverly Hills, MI
- Bloomingdale, MI
- Boyne City, MI
- Bridgman, MI
- Brighton, MI
- Brooklyn, MI
- Burton, MI
- Canton, MI
- Charlotte, MI
- Cheboygan, MI
- Chesaning, MI
- Clarkston, MI
- Clinton, MI
- Coldwater, MI
- Davison, MI
- Dearborn, MI
- Detroit, MI
- East China, MI
- East Tawas, MI
- Ecorse, MI
- Escanaba, MI
- Essexville, MI
- Evart, MI
- Fennville, MI
- Flint, MI
- Fowlerville, MI
- Frankenmuth, MI
- Fremont, MI
- Grand Blanc, MI
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Grosse Ile, MI
- Hale, MI
- Hartford, MI
- Holland, MI
- Holly, MI
- Howell, MI
- Hudsonville, MI
- Indian River, MI
- Iron Mountain, MI
- Kalamazoo, MI
- Kentwood, MI
- Lake, MI
- Lake Orion, MI
- Lansing, MI
- Lapeer, MI
- Leonidas, MI
- Livonia, MI
- Lyons, MI
- Macomb, MI
- Mancelona, MI
- Manistee, MI
- Marne, MI
- Mason, MI
- Middleville, MI
- Midland, MI
- Millington, MI
- Mt. Pleasant, MI
- Munising, MI
- Muskegon, MI
- Negaunee, MI
- Olivet, MI
- Otsego, MI
- Pinckney, MI
- Pinconning, MI
- Pontiac, MI
- Saginaw, MI
- Saint Charles, MI
- Sebewaing, MI
- Shelbyville, MI
- South Boardman, MI
- Spring Lake, MI
- St. Joseph, MI
- Standish, MI
- Sturgis, MI
- Tecumseh, MI
- Traverse City, MI
- Troy, MI
- Union Lake, MI
- Union Pier, MI
- Warren, MI
- Waterford, MI
- Whitmore Lake, MI
- Wyandotte, MI
- Zeeland, MI
Deadlines for Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in Michigan
In personal injury and wrongful death cases, plaintiffs have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit.
The statute of limitations for Michigan personal injury lawsuits is just three years. However, mesothelioma and lung cancer caused by asbestos fibers can take decades to present. For this reason, legal deadlines are based on the date of the diagnosis rather than the date of exposure.
Many companies that knowingly sold asbestos-containing products have gone out of business or filed for bankruptcy. But, individuals may still receive compensation. A qualified mesothelioma lawyer understands the intricacies of asbestos litigation.
Mesothelioma attorneys may advise clients on filing requirements and explain what types of compensation may be available. By filing a lawsuit or another type of claim, asbestos victims may receive compensation for medical expenses, pain, suffering and other losses.
02. Michigan Mesothelioma Law Firms
Mesothelioma Law Firms in Michigan
Michigan residents who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma may benefit from working with an attorney at a national law firm such as Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen, The Gori Law Firm or Simmons Hanly Conroy.
Attorneys at these mesothelioma law firms have decades of experience and proven track records in asbestos litigation.
Experienced attorneys are helpful at every stage of the legal process and are familiar with how to obtain compensation through lawsuits, settlements and asbestos trust funds. Established law firms also have the resources needed to investigate claims and gather convincing evidence.
Lawyers can provide guidance throughout the claims process. Top mesothelioma law firms equipped to represent Michigan claimants include:
When choosing a lawyer to represent you in your mesothelioma lawsuit, it is advantageous to select a firm with a nationwide presence. Nationwide firms possess a breadth and depth of experience and knowledge that can’t be matched by smaller, local firms that only practice in one state. And because the client base for these firms extends across the country, they know the best state to file your case in to achieve the most favorable financial outcome for you and your family.
In addition, because they are frequently traveling to meet with clients in cities from coast to coast, they can easily come to you to answer your questions and address your needs and concerns. Their main priority is to make the process easy and effortless for you and to assist you in getting the financial help you deserve.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
03. Michigan Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts
Mesothelioma & Asbestos Settlements in Michigan
Mesothelioma law firms in Michigan have recovered compensation for clients through jury verdicts and out-of-court settlements. As a reference point, we have provided below a sampling of settlements achieved on behalf of Michigan residents who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace:
Mesothelioma & Asbestos Verdicts in Michigan
In 2018, an eight-member jury in Saginaw returned a unanimous $1.8 million verdict against Cleveland-based Ferro Engineering. This company is now a division of ON Marine Services Co.
According to the lawsuit, Ferro Engineering produced ready-mix asbestos cement used for molding molten steel. The victim in the case was exposed to this product and many others at the Ford Motor Company’s River Rouge Complex, where he worked for 30 years. Fifteen years after retiring, he developed lung cancer. He later passed away from the disease.
This landmark case helped pave the way for additional asbestos-related lung cancer claims in Michigan. His family also recovered settlements from more than 60 other companies responsible for knowingly distributing asbestos-containing products since 1965 without providing adequate warnings.
Note: Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Individuals who are concerned about asbestos exposure or have been diagnosed with cancer should contact a reputable Michigan mesothelioma lawyer for personalized advice.
04. Asbestos Laws in Michigan
Michigan Asbestos Laws & Regulations
Asbestos regulations have evolved over the past several decades due to increased public health awareness. A high number of lawsuits have also led Michigan courts to modify common procedures.
Michigan has implemented policies to protect consumers from asbestos exposure. The state has also created rules to ensure workers receive fair and adequate compensation for their injuries.
Michigan established the following regulations in regard to asbestos litigation:
- Case management: Issued in August 2006, Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Order 2006-6 prohibits the consolidation or bundling of asbestos cases and settlements. The court determined each case should be considered based on its own merits.
- Medical criteria: Michigan House Bill 5851 requires plaintiffs to show actual harm in asbestos and silicosis lawsuits. It prohibits punitive damages, limits noneconomic damages and requires plaintiffs to meet specific requirements for documenting their diagnoses and losses.
- Successor liability: Chapter 600 of the Revised Judicature Act of 1961 limits cumulative successor liability in asbestos-related claims. Liability is limited to the company’s fair market value and total gross assets at the time of the merger or acquisition.
Michigan also has some state rules regarding asbestos handling. The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration established its Asbestos Program in 1986. The division is responsible for training workers and licensing asbestos removal companies. It also manages abatement projects and enforces various asbestos-related regulations.
There is currently no asbestos ban in the United States. However, state laws and regulations continue to protect asbestos exposure victims and Michigan residents.
Find Mesothelioma Doctors, Lawyers and Asbestos Exposure Sites Near You
