Mesothelioma Settlements in Tennessee

Mesothelioma strikes without warning, decades after asbestos exposure ends. For Tennessee families facing this aggressive cancer, the medical and financial challenges can feel overwhelming. Many wonder if legal action is worth pursuing and what compensation might look like.

Tennessee mesothelioma victims have legal options to recover damages from the companies responsible for their asbestos exposure.

While no amount of money changes a diagnosis, settlements help cover medical costs, replace lost income, and provide for families. Let’s examine how mesothelioma cases work in Tennessee, what affects settlement values, and important deadlines that apply.

Mesothelioma Exposure in Tennessee

Mesothelioma is directly linked to asbestos exposure that often occurred decades earlier. Tennessee’s industrial history created many exposure sites:

Major Tennessee Asbestos Exposure Locations

Tennessee workers encountered asbestos at numerous job sites:

• Oak Ridge National Laboratory – Nuclear facility workers handled asbestos insulation
• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) power plants – Plant workers faced heavy exposure in boiler rooms and turbine areas
• Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) in Knoxville – Metal workers routinely worked around asbestos materials
• Memphis shipyards – Shipyard workers installed asbestos insulation in engine rooms and throughout vessels
• Chemical plants in Kingsport – Workers used asbestos-containing equipment and materials
• Nashville manufacturing facilities – Factory workers encountered asbestos in machinery, pipes, and building materials

High-Risk Tennessee Occupations

Certain Tennessee workers faced particularly high exposure risks:

• Power plant workers – Boilers, generators, and turbines contained extensive asbestos
• Factory workers – Manufacturing facilities used asbestos equipment and building materials
• Construction workers – Carpenters, electricians, and insulators installed asbestos products
• Shipyard workers – Ship construction and repair involved extensive asbestos materials
• Military personnel – Veterans stationed at Tennessee bases encountered asbestos in buildings and equipment
• Automotive workers – Brake and clutch components contained asbestos fibers

Family members also developed mesothelioma from “take-home exposure” when workers brought asbestos fibers home on their clothing, exposing household members.

Types of Compensation Available in Tennessee

Mesothelioma victims in Tennessee can pursue several types of claims:

1. Personal Injury Lawsuits

If you have mesothelioma, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against the companies that exposed you to asbestos. These claims seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses (often exceeding $500,000)
• Lost income and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Diminished quality of life
• Travel costs for specialized treatment

Tennessee courts have awarded substantial verdicts in mesothelioma cases. In one notable case, a jury awarded $2 million in a Tennessee mesothelioma lawsuit to a victim exposed through industrial work.

2. Wrongful Death Claims

When someone dies from mesothelioma, their family can file a wrongful death claim seeking damages for:

• Medical bills incurred before death
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship and guidance
• Pain and suffering the victim experienced

Tennessee law allows the spouse, children, or next of kin to bring these claims.

3. Asbestos Trust Fund Claims

Many asbestos companies filed bankruptcy and established trust funds to pay future mesothelioma claims. Over $30 billion remains in these trusts nationwide.

Most mesothelioma victims qualify for multiple trust claims, with payments based on exposure history and the specific trust’s payment schedule.

4. VA Benefits for Veterans

Tennessee veterans with mesothelioma may qualify for:

• VA disability compensation (up to $3,800+ monthly)
• VA healthcare coverage for mesothelioma treatment
• VA pension benefits
• Aid and attendance benefits for daily care needs

Veterans can receive both VA benefits and legal settlements, as they come from different sources.

Factors That Affect Mesothelioma Settlement Amounts

Several key factors influence the value of Tennessee mesothelioma cases:

1. Exposure History

Your work history significantly impacts case value:

• Multiple exposure sites allow claims against more companies
• Direct handling of asbestos products strengthens claims
• Duration of exposure affects settlement values
• Documentation of specific product use increases compensation
• Witness testimony from coworkers strengthens cases

Cases with well-documented exposure to multiple companies’ products typically result in higher total settlements.

2. Medical Expenses and Losses

Economic damages form a substantial portion of mesothelioma claims:

• Current medical expenses for treatment already received
• Future treatment costs for ongoing care
• Lost wages during treatment periods
• Reduced earning capacity or complete inability to work
• Home healthcare needs for advanced cases

Tennessee has no cap on economic damages, allowing recovery of all financial losses.

3. Age and Health

Younger victims typically receive higher settlements because:

• They face longer periods of pain and suffering
• Their lifetime earnings loss is greater
• They often have more dependents relying on their income
• Their life expectancy was significantly shortened

However, older victims still receive substantial compensation for their suffering and medical expenses.

4. Defendant’s Liability History

Different companies affect settlement values:

• Some manufacturers knew about asbestos dangers earlier
• Certain products contained more dangerous asbestos types
• Some companies have established settlement patterns
• Bankruptcy trust payment percentages vary significantly

Attorneys with Tennessee mesothelioma case experience know which companies historically paid larger settlements.

Tennessee’s Statute of Limitations for Mesothelioma Claims

Tennessee has a strict one-year statute of limitations for mesothelioma cases:

• Personal injury claims must be filed within one year of diagnosis
• Wrongful death claims must be filed within one year of death

This is among the shortest filing deadlines in the nation, making prompt legal action absolutely necessary after a diagnosis or death.

The one-year clock starts upon diagnosis, not when exposure occurred decades earlier. This “discovery rule” allows cases to proceed despite the long latency period between exposure and illness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still file a claim if my loved one died from mesothelioma years ago?

Possibly, but Tennessee’s one-year statute of limitations makes this challenging. The clock starts running on the date of death for wrongful death claims. However, certain exceptions might apply that could extend this deadline. An attorney can review your specific situation to determine if any exceptions apply in your case.

Can I file a claim if I don’t know which specific products caused my exposure?

Yes. Your attorney will investigate your work history to identify likely exposure sources. Even without remembering specific product names, your work locations and job duties often provide enough information to establish exposure to particular companies’ products.

If I receive workers’ compensation, can I still file a mesothelioma lawsuit?

Yes. Workers’ compensation benefits do not prevent you from pursuing claims against the companies that manufactured or supplied asbestos products. These third-party claims are separate from any workers’ compensation benefits you might receive.

Get Trusted Legal Help for Your Tennessee Mesothelioma Case

Mesothelioma is more than a diagnosis—it’s a devastating disease caused by companies that failed to warn workers about deadly asbestos exposure. At The Higgins Firm, we have the experience, resources, and dedication to help Tennessee families hold those companies accountable.

Our attorneys understand the unique challenges of mesothelioma cases, from tracing decades-old exposure in Tennessee job sites to navigating complex legal and medical documentation.

Call The Higgins Firm today to learn your legal options and take the first step toward justice for your family.