With traditional personal injury claims, the statue of limitation starts at the moment of injury. However, with an asbestos-related illness, it is difficult to determine exactly when the exposure occurred. An accurate diagnosis typically comes 20 to 50 years after the initial exposure. Because of this long latency period, courts in some states have made exceptions applying statutes of limitations.

Statute of limitations refers to the amount of time a person has to file a claim. For victims of asbestos exposure, this timeframe begins once a doctor diagnoses a person with asbestos-related cancer.

However, there are three states (Kentucky, Louisiana, and Tennessee) with only a year after diagnosis statute of limitations. Whereas others like Maine and North Dakota give people up to 6 years to file.

A qualified mesothelioma attorney can ensure your claim is filed before the statutes of limitations expire.

You may also be able to file a lawsuit in multiple states, depending on the location of the companies identified as defendants and where the asbestos exposure occurred. An attorney who specializes in these cases can explain your rights, which vary from state and county, in these types of lawsuits.

Mesothelioma Statute of Limitations