Filing Mesothelioma Lawsuits in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has a high number of mesothelioma claims and lawsuits. Philadelphia, especially, has a very active asbestos docket. In 2024, of the top 15 U.S. jurisdictions with the highest number of asbestos-related lawsuit filings, Philadelphia ranked fourth, and Allegheny County ranked eleventh. 267 new asbestos lawsuits were filed in Philadelphia, 90 of which were mesothelioma cases.
Key Facts About Pennsylvania Asbestos Litigation
- A mesothelioma victim has two years from the date of their diagnosis to file a mesothelioma lawsuit, and the family of a deceased mesothelioma victim has two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim on the victim’s behalf.
- Asbestos dockets in Pennsylvania move quickly, with court dates being granted as early as nine months after filing a lawsuit in some cases.
- Pennsylvania has a unique workers’ compensation statute, allowing asbestos victims to sue their past employers for compensatory and punitive damages if the employer was negligent in exposing the worker to asbestos on the job.
- Most Pennsylvania courts conduct pretrial mediations, which result in settlements in the majority of cases and eliminate the need for costly trials for ill clients.
Pennsylvania has many industries that historically exposed workers to asbestos. These industries include manufacturing and mining, both known for high asbestos use.
Between 1999 and 2020, Pennsylvania ranked third in the nation for mesothelioma deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded a total of 3,488 deaths during this time. Between 1999 and 2021, the state ranked fourth in mesothelioma diagnoses, with 4,483 new cases.
The state is a top location for personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits related to mesothelioma. Pennsylvanians who develop asbestos-related diseases may be able to take legal action. Mesothelioma attorneys can explain eligibility requirements.
Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
People who lived or worked in Pennsylvania may have been exposed to asbestos. Those with asbestos-related illnesses, like mesothelioma, may meet lawsuit eligibility requirements. Patients’ loved ones may be eligible to file wrongful death lawsuits.
Some industries, like textiles, may have led to asbestos exposure in Pennsylvania. Also, major employers in the state hired people to process raw asbestos. In fact, notorious asbestos company W.R. Grace once operated facilities in Pennsylvania.
Asbestos was also common in building materials used in homes and schools. For instance, reports showed high levels of asbestos in Philadelphia schools. Other schools in Pennsylvania faced similar asbestos issues, including those in the Scranton School District.
Residents living in cities and towns across the state of Pennsylvania have sought compensation for their mesothelioma diagnosis by filing lawsuits against manufacturers and distributors of asbestos products. Mesothelioma claimants in the following cities and towns have successfully filed lawsuits:
- Allegheny, PA
- Allentown, PA
- Ambler, PA
- Bellefonte, PA
- Erie, PA
- Glen Mills, PA
- Greensburg, PA
- Hanover, PA
- Harrisburg, PA
- Hazleton, PA
- Johnstown, PA
- Lancaster, PA
- Lebanon, PA
- Manheim, PA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenixville, PA
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Quakertown, PA
- Reading, PA
- Scranton, PA
- West Chester, PA
- York, PA
Deadlines for Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has statutes of limitations that establish time frames for filing asbestos lawsuits. The time frame runs from the date of diagnosis or death. In Pennsylvania, the statutes of limitations are two years for all asbestos-related lawsuits.
Mesothelioma patients and others may file asbestos lawsuits in Pennsylvania or other states. Experienced Pennsylvania mesothelioma attorneys can help. These lawyers start the lawsuit process and support their clients throughout the legal process. This process includes filing in court, gathering evidence and navigating the judicial system.
Asbestos victims may have additional options for compensation. For example, some may be eligible to file asbestos trust fund claims. Trusts are set up by bankrupt asbestos companies to cover their liabilities.
Filing VA Claims in Pennsylvania
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) helps veterans affected by asbestos. The VA has monthly benefits for veterans with service-related asbestos diseases.
Historically, military service members faced significant asbestos exposure risks. All branches of the military in existence before the 1980s often used asbestos.
The Philadelphia Navy Yard was active up to 1990. The Navy used the facility for shipbuilding and industrial research and development. The shipyard had asbestos insulation, boilers, gaskets and other components. These materials exposed workers and Navy and Marine veterans to asbestos.
In 1996, the Navy and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) partnered to address the situation. The organizations shut down the shipyard and began cleaning it up. Asbestos was one of many contaminants on the site.
Veterans with mesothelioma or other asbestos illnesses may qualify for VA benefits. They may also be eligible for compensation from lawsuits. A mesothelioma lawyer can help file VA claims and explain lawsuit requirements.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
Top Mesothelioma Law Firms in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania asbestos victims can seek help from dedicated mesothelioma law firms. Skilled mesothelioma attorneys work at these firms. They specialize in cases involving Pennsylvania state asbestos laws.
Once hired, a mesothelioma law firm can get to work building a strong case. These firms have specialized knowledge of the asbestos liability landscape. The firm’s lawyers build, file and resolve cases to get the best outcome for their clients.
Identifying where exposure occurred is an important part of any mesothelioma lawsuit. Mesothelioma’s long latency period means patients may not know when they were exposed to asbestos. But patients do not need to worry. Law firms have the expertise and resources to identify companies that may have caused their exposure.
After identifying potentially liable companies, lawyers can file a lawsuit and handle the litigation process on behalf of their client.
The following top mesothelioma law firms are prepared to represent clients in Pennsylvania:
More Information About These Top Pennsylvania 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 & Meisenkothen partner Mark Bibro is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and has filed mesothelioma cases in multiple Pennsylvania jurisdictions. Two recent ELSM clients from Pennsylvania settled their mesothelioma lawsuits for $4 million each in less than two years after filing.
- Halpern Law Firm: The Halpern Law Firm specializes in mesothelioma cases and fighting for victims of asbestos-related diseases all over Pennsylvania. In addition to their main Philadelphia office at 610 Old Lancaster Road, Suite 100, Bryn Mawr, PA, the Halpern Law Firm has 17 other office locations across Pennsylvania.
- DOBS, LLP: The mesothelioma law firm of Dean Omar Branham Shirley has an office at 445 Fort Pitt Boulevard, Suite 500, Pittsburgh, PA, and files cases throughout Pennsylvania. DOBS is one of the leading mesothelioma law firms in the country.
- Shrader & Associates, LLP: Shrader & Associates is a boutique national law firm with a history of strong results on behalf of workers in Pennsylvania. They are selective in the cases they accept and give each client their full, individualized attention.
Experienced Mesothelioma Lawyers Licensed to Practice in Pennsylvania
The following experienced mesothelioma lawyers are all licensed to practice in the state of Pennsylvania and have represented numerous clients to successful results:
Ben Braly of Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP is a partner of the firm and has represented mesothelioma victims in Pennsylvania since 2012. Attorney Braly has won multiple trial verdicts on behalf of his clients in Pennsylvania.
Jessica Dean of Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP has spent nearly her entire 20+ year legal career representing mesothelioma victims and is recognized as one of the top trial attorneys in the country. Attorney Dean passionately represents her mesothelioma clients in Pennsylvania who have been exposed to asbestos at work or home. She has won many trial verdicts across the country and was included in the National Law Journal’s “Top 100 Verdicts Nationwide” in 2017 and 2018.
Dave Halpern of The Halpern Law Firm has over 30 years of experience serving mesothelioma clients in Pennsylvania. Attorney Halpern graduated from Temple University in 1984 and is still based in Philadelphia. He has unmatched knowledge of jobsites and employers across Pennsylvania. One of Attorney Halpern’s clients, a welder at a steel mill, was awarded a $14.5 million verdict for his mesothelioma case.
Mark Bibro of Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen has represented mesothelioma clients throughout Pennsylvania and has filed lawsuits in multiple Pennsylvania courts. Attorney Bibro has been selected for inclusion in the oldest lawyer rating publication, Best Lawyers.
Courtney Gregory of The Gori Law Firm has represented victims of mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer for over 20 years. Attorney Gregory has represented asbestos victims from Pennsylvania since 2013 and was recognized for “Attacking Affirmative Defenses Early and Often” by Trial Magazine.
Laurence V. Nassif of Simmons Hanly Conroy is the managing partner of the firm and has represented Pennsylvania mesothelioma victims since 2014. As a firsthand practitioner of asbestos cases, Attorney Nassif has secured settlements on behalf of his clients and tried several cases to verdict. Since joining Simmons Hanly Conroy, Attorney Nassif has played a key role in helping to secure more than $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for his clients.
Chris J. Panatier of Simon Greenstone Panatier, PC, has devoted his law practice entirely to the representation of victims of toxic exposures at trial, obtaining verdicts across the country exceeding $950 million. Attorney Panatier has represented Pennsylvania mesothelioma victims since 2013 and was named to the Best Lawyers in America list in 2025.
Jason Yampolsky of Meirowitz & Wasserberg is a seasoned litigator in the firm’s Pennsylvania office. Attorney Yampolsky graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh and currently resides outside Philadelphia. Mr. Yampolsky aggressively litigates each one of his cases, but he is also a skilled negotiator and has extracted millions of dollars from negligent corporate defendants in Pennsylvania.
Mesothelioma Settlements in Pennsylvania
Asbestos victims in Pennsylvania have received millions of dollars in compensation. Some agreed to asbestos settlements, while others have gotten jury verdicts.
One example in Philadelphia involved a teacher diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. Her years of work in a Philadelphia school exposed her to asbestos. She received an $850,000 settlement from the school district.
In general, settlements range from $1 million to $1.4 million, but individual cases may result in higher amounts. Other settlements in Pennsylvania include:
- $6.4 million for a 65-year-old shipyard worker (Maryland Drydock)
- $5.3 million for a 47-year-old laborer with talc exposure
- $4.3 million for a 69-year-old Marine Corps veteran and flooring installer
- $3.7 million for a 78-year-old plumber and boilermaker
- $3.6 million for a 61-year-old maintenance worker and electrician with secondary exposure
- $3.6 million for a 70-year-old Navy veteran and electrician (PPG Industries)
- $3.1 million for a 64-year-old laborer and home auto mechanic
- $2.9 million for an 83-year-old Army veteran and shipyard worker (Treasure Island Naval Station)
- $2.6 million for a 76-year-old railroad worker, air traffic controller and home mechanic
- $2.5 million for a 71-year-old Marine veteran and shipyard worker (Philadelphia Naval Shipyard)
Mesothelioma Verdicts in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania judges and juries have awarded residents compensation for their asbestos-related diseases. In these cases, judges and juries found asbestos companies liable for exposing people to asbestos.
Examples of mesothelioma verdicts in Pennsylvania include:
- $7.25 million to a shipyard worker’s widow: In 2014, a Pennsylvania jury awarded the estate of a deceased Navy shipyard worker $7.25 million in a wrongful death lawsuit. The jury found the defendant, RSCC Wire & Cable, responsible for his asbestos exposure and resulting mesothelioma.
- $3.8 million to a maintenance worker’s widow: A jury awarded the widow of a deceased maintenance worker $3.8 million in 2022. The jury found the defendant, Wash Penn Plastics, failed to provide a safe work environment.
- $2.3 million to a maintenance worker’s widow: In 2016, a Pennsylvania court upheld a verdict that awarded the spouse of a deceased maintenance worker $2.3 million. One of the defendants, Crane Co., made asbestos-containing gaskets that the victim installed.
Note: Each lawsuit is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in the future. Contact a reputable Pennsylvania mesothelioma lawyer to understand how much compensation you may be eligible to receive.
Pennsylvania Asbestos Laws & Regulations
Pennsylvania follows federal laws along with state legislation and regulations relating to asbestos. These laws and regulations aim to protect citizens and address the large number of asbestos claims in the state.
Two state organizations regulate asbestos. First, the Department of Environmental Protection regulates asbestos collection, disposal, removal and transportation. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry enforces the laws covering certifications.
Pennsylvania passed the Asbestos Occupations Accreditation and Certification Act in 1990. It recognizes the dangers of asbestos and sets requirements for asbestos handling and abatement.
The act regulates certification programs for anyone who remodels or removes asbestos from older buildings. It also sets terms for when and how companies must notify the state when working with asbestos.
Pennsylvania Laws Affecting Asbestos Litigation
Pennsylvania also has several asbestos laws related to litigation. These laws may affect a person’s legal rights relating to asbestos exposure. The state supreme court also affected asbestos litigation with their decisions.
Other Pennsylvania laws establish rules for asbestos cases. These laws establish medical criteria and case management procedures.
- Case management: Pennsylvania has policies in place to prioritize more serious cases. Priority cases may involve more severe asbestos illnesses, like mesothelioma. For example, asbestos victims with asymptomatic pleural thickening are not eligible for compensation.
- Causation: Pennsylvania courts rejected the “each and every exposure” causation theory. This decision means a one-time exposure to asbestos is not enough to establish the exposure caused an asbestos disease. Asbestos victims must show they worked closely with asbestos on a regular and frequent basis. It is important to know that medical experts have said there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.
- Company successor liability: When a company merges with or acquires an asbestos company, it may assume that company’s asbestos liabilities. Pennsylvania laws may limit the liability of the successor company.
- Medical criteria: Pennsylvania laws limit lawsuit eligibility to those who experience physical impairment from their diagnosis. For example, people cannot sue for emotional distress caused by an increased fear of cancer. This means a person who develops non-symptomatic pleural thickening cannot sue for emotional distress. However, people can file a lawsuit later if they develop a malignancy in the future.
- Two disease rule: Pennsylvania courts have also adopted the “two disease rule.” This rule allows people to file separate lawsuits based on separate conditions. Someone who has both mesothelioma and lung cancer may be able to file two different lawsuits.
Mesothelioma lawyers understand these laws and how they may impact a case. They can help Pennsylvania asbestos victims determine their best filing options for compensation, including where to file.
Key Pennsylvania Asbestos Exposure Sites
Pennsylvania has a long mining, steelmaking and industrial history, where many workers were regularly exposed to asbestos, putting them at risk of serious disease. The following are just a few of the many jobsites across the state where asbestos was used.
United States Steel Corporation
United States Steel Corporation (U.S. Steel) is based in Pittsburgh and was the world’s largest steel producer for most of the 20th century. Steelmaking is extremely heat-intensive, so the machinery and the equipment used by steelworkers often contained asbestos. U.S. Steel operates or has operated many facilities domestically and internationally. Sites in Pennsylvania where workers may have been exposed to asbestos include:
- Clairton Coke Works
- Irvin Plant
- Edgar Thomas Works
- Fairless Plant
Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, the country’s oldest naval yard, once employed over 40,000 people during World War II when dozens of ships were built and hundreds repaired. Asbestos was once a key component in shipbuilding due to its fire-resistant properties. In the post-war era, production and employment at the yard fell as the navy contracted with private companies to build and repair ships at the yard. The last ship was built at the yard in 1970, and the Navy ultimately shuttered Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in 1995.
Sun Oil Refinery
Located on the Delaware River, the Sun Oil Refinery in Marcus Hook was once one of the major oil refineries on the East Coast. Sun Oil employed generations of refinery workers in the Philadelphia area, importing crude oil and producing gasoline and other distillates. The heat-intensive process of oil refining once used asbestos-containing machinery and components.
Hammermill Paper Company
The Hammermill Paper Company, and later International Paper, operated the Hammermill paper mill in Erie, PA. The mill, a sprawling industrial complex, was once a major employer in Erie. Paper mill workers were frequently exposed to asbestos in machinery around the mill and from contaminated talc and raw asbestos that was once used in some paper products.
