Editing Settlement Values by State (section)

== Which States Produce the Highest Mesothelioma Settlements? ==

=== California: National Leader at $1.6 Million Average ===

California dominates mesothelioma compensation nationally due to 235+ natural asbestos deposits, extensive Pacific coast shipyard operations, and plaintiff-favorable court systems. The state recorded 5,400 mesothelioma deaths between 1999-2020—the highest nationally—creating extensive legal precedent. Recent [https://www.mesotheliomalawyercenter.org/blog/california-asbestos-settlements/ California mesothelioma verdicts] include $75 million for a shipyard worker and $70.8 million for a Navy machinist, demonstrating the state's willingness to impose substantial corporate accountability.

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| style="padding:20px 25px 15px; font-style:italic; font-size:1.05em; line-height:1.6;" | "California's combination of historical asbestos industries and strong consumer protection laws creates favorable conditions for victims seeking fair compensation. The courts here have consistently recognized that companies knew about asbestos dangers and chose to prioritize profits over worker safety."
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| style="padding:5px 25px 20px; text-align:right;" | '''— Rod De Llano,''' Founding Partner, Danziger & De Llano
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The state's natural asbestos deposits in the Coastal Range mountains and Sierra Nevada foothills created additional environmental exposure beyond occupational settings, expanding the pool of potential claimants. [https://dandell.com/mesothelioma-lawyer/california/ California mesothelioma lawyers] routinely handle cases involving shipyard workers from Long Beach Naval Shipyard, Mare Island, and Hunters Point, as well as refinery workers from the Los Angeles Basin petrochemical complex.

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| style="padding:15px; color:#856404;" | '''⚠ California Deadline Warning:''' California enforces a '''one-year statute of limitations''' from diagnosis. This is among the shortest nationally. Contact an attorney immediately after diagnosis to preserve your rights to $1.6M+ average compensation.
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=== Louisiana: Premium Industrial Exposure Settlements ===

Louisiana's petrochemical corridor along the Mississippi River generates exceptional mesothelioma settlements, with the state producing a $35.75 million appeals court verdict for a pipe fitter and single-client verdicts reaching $17.2 million. The absence of damage caps on product liability claims creates favorable conditions for plaintiffs pursuing full compensation.

[https://www.mesotheliomalawyercenter.org/mesothelioma-lawyer/louisiana/ Louisiana mesothelioma attorneys] handle significant caseloads from Baton Rouge refineries, New Orleans shipyards, and chemical plants concentrated between these industrial centers. Oil refinery workers routinely achieve settlements exceeding $2 million due to extensive exposure documentation in high-heat environments where asbestos insulation was ubiquitous. The [https://www.mesotheliomalawyercenter.org/blog/mesothelioma-and-asbestos-victims-on-st-croix-benefit-from-106-million-hess-settlement/ Hess Corporation's $187 million payment] in 2024 for refinery-related claims exemplifies the substantial liability these industries face.

=== New York: Record-Breaking NYCAL Verdicts ===

New York's specialized NYCAL (New York City Asbestos Litigation) court system produces consistently exceptional results, including a record $117 million verdict in 2025—the year's largest nationwide. The court's expertise with asbestos litigation results in 20% higher average settlements than general courts processing mesothelioma cases.

Recent [https://www.mesotheliomalawyercenter.org/mesothelioma-lawyer/new-york/ New York mesothelioma verdicts] include $60 million (the largest single-plaintiff NYCAL verdict) and numerous awards exceeding $25 million. The 75% pre-trial settlement rate demonstrates defendants' reluctance to face NYCAL juries known for substantial awards. Average time to resolution is 12-18 months, providing families with relatively prompt access to [https://mesotheliomaattorney.com/mesothelioma/compensation/ mesothelioma compensation].

=== Pennsylvania, Illinois, and the Industrial Midwest ===

The Industrial Midwest maintains strong settlement values reflecting manufacturing heritage. Indiana holds the all-time record with a $250 million verdict against U.S. Steel in 2003, establishing precedent that continues influencing regional outcomes.

[https://www.mesotheliomalawyercenter.org/mesothelioma-lawyer/pennsylvania/ Pennsylvania's Philadelphia court] ranks fourth nationally for asbestos filings, with recent verdicts reaching $32 million and the state's constitutional prohibition on damage caps maintaining favorable conditions. Massachusetts set state records in 2024 with verdicts of $42.6 million and $39 million.

[https://www.mesotheliomalawyercenter.org/mesothelioma-lawyer/illinois/ Illinois courts] produce Madison County average verdicts of $3.5 million and Cook County settlements averaging $2.8 million, with a recent $45 million talc contamination verdict demonstrating continued jury willingness to award substantial compensation.

{| style="width:90%; margin:1.5em auto; background:#f8f9fa; border-left:4px solid #1a5276; border-radius:0 4px 4px 0;"
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| style="padding:20px 25px 15px; font-style:italic; font-size:1.05em; line-height:1.6;" | "The industrial Midwest has extensive documentation of corporate asbestos use spanning decades. This evidence trail supports strong cases for families seeking accountability."
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| style="padding:5px 25px 20px; text-align:right;" | '''— Michelle Whitman,''' Attorney, Danziger & De Llano
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