Mesothelioma Verdicts
Mesothelioma verdicts are payouts awarded to clients and their families during an asbestos trial in court. At Simmons Hanly Conroy, we’ve secured some of the largest mesothelioma verdicts in the country, including $250 million for an Indiana steelworker, $60 million for a New York laborer, $40 million for a veteran, and more.
Over the past 25 years, our firm has recovered more than $10.6 billion in mesothelioma verdicts and settlements. Call (800) 326-8900 now to see if your family may be eligible to pursue compensation.
Asbestos & Mesothelioma Lawsuit Verdicts
A mesothelioma lawsuit verdict is a decision made by a judge or jury at the end of a trial. After evidence is presented by lawyers from both sides, the court determines whether a company is responsible for the client’s asbestos exposure and illness.
If the court rules in favor of a client or their family, the company will be ordered to pay them a certain amount of money. Mesothelioma verdict amounts can vary widely but may reach tens of millions of dollars in some cases.
Our Experience with Mesothelioma Verdicts
- Our Asbestos Trial Record: We’ve secured more than $560 million from 20 asbestos verdicts.
- Largest Mesothelioma Verdict: Our team was awarded $250 million, the largest mesothelioma verdict against a single defendant, for a steel worker in Indiana.
- Our Recent Results: In the last 10 years, we’ve been awarded over $264 million from 14 asbestos trials.
- National Recognition: 5 of our asbestos verdicts have made the National Law Journal’s Top 100 Verdicts list.
- Success In & Out of Court: We prepare every case thoroughly as if it were going to trial, even though the vast majority of our cases result in out-of-court settlements.
- Who We Can Help: Mesothelioma patients, surviving family members like spouses or children, and the representative of the patient’s estate across all 50 states
“Our firm has represented more people who have faced the diagnosis of mesothelioma than any other firm in the country. We have had verdicts up to $250 million. We’ve had many other verdicts in the many of millions, but most cases don’t go to trial. Most cases settle.”
– John Barnerd, Firm Partner
Taking on massive corporations in court requires serious resources. At Simmons Hanly Conroy, we have experienced attorneys, in-house investigators, and a warehouse of evidence showing what asbestos companies knew and when, giving us the proof we need to win over a jury.
Our Past Mesothelioma & Asbestos Verdicts
At Simmons Hanly Conroy, we’ve recovered more than $560 million from 20 asbestos verdicts for our clients.
Each of the results below reflects decades of experience representing mesothelioma clients and their families, along with a commitment to securing the most compensation possible on their behalf.
Past mesothelioma and asbestos verdicts secured by our law firm include:
- $250 million for a U.S. Steel worker from Indiana
- $60 million to the family of a New York laborer
- $40.1 million for a U.S. Navy veteran in Washington
- $34.1 million to a roofer from Missouri
- $34 million for a California mechanic
- $30.2 million to a construction supervisor in California
- $24.4 million for an Illinois janitor
- $20 million to a Missouri mechanic
- $15 million for a New York and New Jersey construction worker
- $10.3 million to a Texas resident and former longshoreman
- $8.26 million for a gas station and school bus mechanic in Louisiana
- $6.8 million to a Pennsylvania welder
- $6 million for the family of a Missouri laborer
- $5.1 million to a victim of secondhand asbestos exposure in Missouri
- $5 million to a motocross racer in Georgia
- $3.8 million for a Pennsylvania maintenance worker at a plastics factory
- $3 million to a New York pipefitter with mesothelioma
- $2.86 million for an Ohio native exposed to asbestos in talc
Going to trial and securing a favorable mesothelioma verdict takes significant preparation. Our attorneys can handle every step of the legal process on your behalf — all at no cost to you. We only get paid if we recover compensation for your family.
Mesothelioma verdict amounts vary, and prior results don’t guarantee a similar outcome. These verdicts represent just a fraction of the results we’ve secured for clients across all 50 states. See how we can put our experience to work for you.
- We fight to maximize your results
- Many get results in as few as 90 days
- No out-of-pocket costs for your family
$250 Million Mesothelioma Verdict Against U.S. Steel
A Madison County, Illinois jury awarded $250 million to Roby Whittington, a 70-year-old retired U.S. Steel worker from Indiana who worked at the company’s Gary plant for 3 decades. The award included $50 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages.
During the 10-day trial, the company claimed they didn’t know about the dangers of asbestos found in their insulation. However, our team used internal company records, industrial experts, and medical experts to prove otherwise.
“Roby Whittington was a hard worker and a loyal employee of U.S. Steel for 30 years. U.S. Steel angered the jury in that they didn’t take the steps to protect him, even though they knew the hazards of asbestos.”
– Perry Browder, Mesothelioma Trial Attorney
The $250 million award in Whittington v. United States Steel Corp. (No. 02-L-1113) remains the largest mesothelioma verdict against a single defendant and the largest jury verdict ever returned in Madison County.
$60 Million New York Asbestos Verdict for a Laborer
A New York Supreme Court jury awarded $60 million to the family of Pietro Macaluso, a laborer who developed mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos-containing boilers while working in Brooklyn in the 1970s.
Macaluso passed away at age 56, leaving behind 2 young children. His family reached out to our firm for help holding the manufacturers accountable, and we secured the verdict against boiler makers A.O. Smith Corporation, Burnham LLC, and Peerless Industries, Inc.
The $60 million New York asbestos verdict included:
- $25 million for Macaluso’s pain and suffering
- $17 million to his son for loss of parental guidance
- $18 million to his daughter for loss of parental guidance
The verdict in Macaluso v. A.O. Smith Corp. et al. (No. 15-190311) was ranked among the National Law Journal’s Top 100 Verdicts for 2018 and was the largest single plaintiff verdict in New York City Asbestos Litigation (NYCAL) history at the time.
$40.1 Million Goodyear Asbestos Verdict for a U.S. Navy Veteran
Our mesothelioma attorneys secured $40.1 million for Walter Twidwell, an 81-year-old U.S. Navy veteran in Washington who served nearly 20 years as a boiler tender and fireman during the Korean and Vietnam wars. The trial lasted 3 weeks, and the jury deliberated for less than 2 hours.
Twidwell was exposed to asbestos in gaskets manufactured by Goodyear while conducting repairs aboard 7 naval ships. He reached out to our firm for help, and we were able to prove Goodyear knew of asbestos hazards as early as 1939 yet never warned about the dangers.
“They could go back to day 1 and had the paperwork to back them up. I couldn’t stop thinking to myself, ‘Oh, wow! These boys know what they’re doing.’”
– Walter, U.S. Navy Veteran with Mesothelioma
The $40.1 million Goodyear asbestos verdict in Twidwell v. Aerco International Inc., et al. (No. 190136-2017) was ranked among the National Law Journal’s Top 100 Verdicts for 2018 and is the largest pure compensatory verdict in NYCAL history.
$34.1 Million Mesothelioma Verdict for a Roofer
A Madison County jury awarded $34.1 million to a 64-year-old Missouri roofer with mesothelioma. The mesothelioma verdict included $9.1 million in compensatory damages and $25 million in punitive damages.
The man was exposed to asbestos while doing contract roofing and refinery repair work at Shell Oil Company’s Wood River, Illinois plant from 1956 to 1966.
While deposing a Shell Oil paralegal, our attorneys uncovered more than 100 boxes of documents Shell had withheld, which contained incriminating evidence showing the company’s knowledge of the dangers linked to asbestos. In response, the judge struck Shell’s pleadings and barred several of their witnesses from testifying.
A jury deliberated for just 5 hours before awarding the $34.1 million asbestos verdict in Hutcheson v. Shell Oil Co. At the time, this was the largest asbestos verdict in U.S. history.
$34 Million Ford Asbestos Verdict for a California Mechanic
A Los Angeles Superior Court jury awarded $34 million to 80-year-old Arthur Putt and his wife after he developed mesothelioma. Putt was repeatedly exposed to asbestos-containing brakes manufactured by Ford while working at service stations in the late 1960s and ’70s.
After a 4-week trial and less than 2 hours of deliberation, the jury held Ford 100% responsible for his mesothelioma. The Putts’ award included $8.5 million in compensatory damages and $25.5 million in punitive damages.
“We gave all that money to our kids, paid all their debts off, paid our house off, and made our life a little easier because we had no financial worries. We still don’t have any financial worries because of it. They don’t either.”
– Art, Mechanic with Mesothelioma
In 2019, the $34 million Ford asbestos verdict in Putt v. CBS Corp. et al. (Case No. 18STCV06912) was ranked in the National Law Journal’s Top 100 Verdicts, the Daily Journal’s Top 10 Plaintiffs’ Verdicts in California, and The Recorder’s Top California Verdicts and Settlement List.
$30.2 Million Los Angeles Asbestos Verdict for a Construction Supervisor
Our mesothelioma attorneys secured a $30.2 million Los Angeles asbestos verdict for 65-year-old Norris Morgan and his wife after he was exposed to asbestos-containing transite pipe sold by J-M Manufacturing while working as a construction supervisor.
At trial, we presented evidence showing that 700+ studies published before 1964 had already linked asbestos to cancer and death — yet J-M Manufacturing kept using it in their pipes despite having access to a safer alternative.
The trial lasted 3 weeks, and the jury deliberated for 5 hours before ruling in our favor in Morgan v. CBS Corp. et al. (Case No. BC695605), which included $15 million in punitive damages.
This asbestos verdict earned a spot among the National Law Journal’s Top 100 Verdicts for 2018.
$24.4 Million Avon Asbestos Verdict for an Illinois Janitor
Avon was ordered to pay $24.4 million to 66-year-old Cipriano Ramirez, a Chicago-area janitor with mesothelioma. He was exposed to asbestos-contaminated talc at the company’s Morton Grove facility in the early 1980s.
Ramirez’s diagnosis came roughly 40 years after his asbestos exposure. Because of his diminished life expectancy, the court granted an expedited trial date, and the case proceeded even as Avon fought to bring in other past employers as defendants.
The Cook County asbestos verdict included:
- $16 million for shortened life expectancy
- $3 million to his wife for loss of consortium
- $1.4 million for medical expenses
- $1 million for pain and suffering
- $1 million in punitive damages
- $810,000 in economic losses
The case of Ramirez v. Avon Products, Inc., et al. (Case No. 2023L004386) shows that talc-related mesothelioma claims can involve occupational exposure to asbestos-contaminated talc, not just consumer use of Johnson & Johnson products.
$20 Million Mesothelioma Verdict for a Missouri Mechanic
A St. Louis jury awarded $20 million to 76 -year-old William “Bill” Trokey and his wife Cathy. Bill developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure that began in high school in the 1960s, while servicing Ford-manufactured brakes at his father’s automotive service stations.
Trokey later served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam before returning home and spending over 35 years as a union printer. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma decades later.
The jury found Ford at fault and awarded $10 million to Bill and $10 million to Cathy for loss of companionship. Ford later appealed, but the Missouri Court of Appeals affirmed the verdict in full and rejected the company’s argument for a reduced verdict.
Trokey v. Ford Motor Company, et al. (Case No. 2022-CC10164) was tried in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis. The trial lasted 2 weeks, and the jury deliberated for just 3 hours. This marked our firm’s third mesothelioma verdict against Ford.
$15 Million Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Verdict
After a 3-week trial, a New York jury deliberated for just 45 minutes before awarding $15 million to the family of Munir Seen, a construction worker who died of mesothelioma after decades of exposure to Kaiser Gypsum’s asbestos-containing joint compound.
Seen worked construction jobs in New York and New Jersey. He often mixed Kaiser’s powdery joint compound with water, then sanded it smooth per the manufacturer’s own directions, generating asbestos-contaminated dust each time.
At trial, our attorneys showed the jury a video of Seen, recorded before he passed away, describing how he worked with joint compound sold in large bags marked “Kaiser” almost every day.
The jury found Kaiser Gypsum acted with reckless disregard for worker safety and allocated 70% of the fault to the company, awarding $15 million for Seen’s pain and suffering before his death at age 69.
Seen v. Kaiser Gypsum Co., Inc. (Index No. 190225/2018) was tried in New York County Supreme Court.
$10.3 Million Mesothelioma Trial Verdict for Secondhand Exposure
Simmons Hanly Conroy secured $10.3 million for Henry Pete, a 74-year-old man who worked as a longshoreman at the Port of New Orleans from 1964 to 1968. His job included unloading bags of raw asbestos that frequently released fibers into the air.
Pete, a U.S. Air Force veteran, also experienced secondhand exposure while helping his mother hand-wash the dusty work clothes of his father, who worked the same docks before him. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2019.
After the 3-week trial, the jury deliberated for less than 3 hours before holding Ports America Gulfport, Inc. (Atlantic & Gulf), Cooper T. Smith Stevedoring Co., Inc., and South African Marine (Safmarine) responsible for Pete’s illness.
The mesothelioma trial verdict for Pete v. Boland Marine & Manufacturing Co. (No. 2019-10545) was ranked in the National Law Journal’s Top 100 Verdicts and Top Verdicts & Settlements of the Southwest for 2020.
$8.26 Million New Orleans Mesothelioma Verdict
A jury awarded $8.26 million to 66-year-old Steven “Joe” Aaron Sr., a gas station and school bus mechanic who was diagnosed with mesothelioma after decades of exposure to asbestos-containing brakes and clutches on Ford vehicles.
Joe, a grandfather and great-grandfather who spent his life taking his family on camping and fishing trips, testified that he wished he could do more to support his grandchildren. After a 3-week trial and an hour of deliberation, the New Orleans jury ruled in his favor.
The mesothelioma verdict in Steven Aaron, Sr. v. Bancroft Bag, Inc., et al. (No. 2020-06964, Section 8, Division N) was purely compensatory, with no punitive damages included.
$6.8 Million Mesothelioma Lawsuit Verdict for a Welder
A New York Supreme Court jury initially awarded $4.6 million to 75-year-old Thomas McGlynn, a welder who developed pleural mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos-contaminated gaskets, packing, and insulation in valves manufactured by Jenkins Bros.
After the trial, our attorneys filed a motion for additur, asking the judge to raise a jury’s award when it doesn’t fairly reflect a client’s suffering.
Justice Martin Shulman granted the motion and increased the portion of his verdict awarded for pain and suffering from $1.8 million to $4 million, bringing McGlynn’s total to $6.8 million.
The case of Thomas McGlynn v. Jenkins Bros. (No. 16-190219) marked the first time in NYCAL history that a jury’s award was judicially increased.
$6 Million St. Louis Asbestos Verdict
Our mesothelioma attorneys secured a $6 million St. Louis asbestos verdict for the family of Linda Behling, a Missouri woman who passed away from mesothelioma at the age of 70.
Behling was exposed to asbestos in the 1980s while working as a laborer at a custom limousine manufacturer that cut new Ford Town Cars in half and converted them into limousines. She regularly serviced the vehicles’ asbestos-containing brakes.
Ford attempted to argue that Behling’s exposure was too limited to have caused her cancer, and that there wasn’t a proven connection between their brakes and her death. We presented strong evidence to the contrary, and the jury ultimately ruled in our favor.
Howard Behling, Melissa Gray and Brandon Behling, as the Surviving Heirs of Linda Behling, Deceased v. Ford Motor Company, et al. (Case No. 1922-CC12004) was tried before Judge Elizabeth B. Hogan. The trial lasted 2 weeks, with the jury deliberating for just over 3 hours.
$5.1 Million Asbestos Trial Verdict for Secondary Exposure
A Missouri jury awarded $5.1 million to the family of Stephanie Foster, who died of mesothelioma at age 42 after being exposed to asbestos as a toddler. Her father was a machinist for an Aerojet subcontractor from 1959 to 1963, cutting rocket motor parts to specification.
Some of these parts contained asbestos, which he unknowingly carried home on his clothing each day. During discovery, our attorneys demanded Aerojet reveal any asbestos products the company had ever manufactured or processed.
Aerojet denied ever using asbestos — but we found evidence to prove otherwise:
- A 1988 inventory filing by the company that reported 64,000 pounds of asbestos stockpiled at the plant
- A deposition from Aerojet’s own former safety and health manager, taken in earlier California asbestos litigation, showing the company used asbestos and knew something of its hazards by 1957
- Sales records showing Aerojet bought raw asbestos in the early 1960s
- An Aerojet patent for a rocket motor with several asbestos-containing components
- Testimony from a former Aerojet engineer that asbestos was used in the company’s Minuteman missiles
Details like this are hard to find for firms that haven’t been building cases like these for decades. With our database of corporate evidence and documentation, Simmons Hanly Conroy is uniquely able to track down internal information corporations hoped to hide.
The verdict, affirmed on appeal in Goede v. Aerojet General Corp. (No. ED82833), shows that companies can be held accountable even in cases involving secondhand asbestos exposure.
$5 Million Georgia Mesothelioma Verdict for a Motocross Racer
After a 7-year battle, a jury in Decatur, Georgia awarded $5 million to Donald Gregory Lassiter, who was exposed to asbestos while working on Yamaha and Honda motorbikes. Decades later, he was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma.
Proving that brake dust from a hobby in his youth caused him to develop cancer was a challenge, especially with Yamaha and Honda denying all responsibility.
To prepare for trial, our asbestos lawyers:
- Located and purchased the same model of Yamaha motorcycle Greg worked on, including its original parts and brakes
- Sent those brakes to an expert for testing in order to prove they contained asbestos
- Deposed the companies’ corporate representatives and their experts in the U.S. and Japan
- Opposed nearly a dozen summary judgment motions and challenges to every one of our experts
- Assembled a team of experts who explained the science to the jury clearly and quickly
At the conclusion of Donald G. Lassiter v. Akebono Brake Corporation et al. (Case No. 20A79081), the jury found Yamaha and Honda 100% liable for Lassiter’s cancer in a unanimous verdict.
$3.8 Million Industrial Talc Asbestos Verdict for a Pennsylvania Worker
A Philadelphia jury awarded $3.8 million to the estate of Daniel Rugg and his wife after he died of mesothelioma from asbestos exposure during his roughly 30 years as a maintenance worker at Washington Penn Plastics.
Rugg’s job included dumping 50-pound bags of industrial talc into storage hoppers. The company tested the talc and knew it contained asbestos as early as the 1960s, but they never disclosed this to employees or required the use of protective gear.
The Pennsylvania talc asbestos verdict included:
- $1.4 million in compensatory damages to the family’s estate
- $1.65 million in wrongful death damages
- $750,000 in loss of consortium to Rugg’s wife Sandra
The trial in the Estate of Daniel C. Rugg Sr. and Sandra Rugg v. Washington Penn Plastic Co., et al. lasted for 3 weeks, and the jury deliberated for 1 day before returning a verdict in favor of the Rugg family.
$3 Million Crane Asbestos Verdict for the Family of a Pipefitter
A New York jury awarded $3 million to the family of Jerry Suttner, a pipefitter who worked at a GM Powertrain Facility for 36 years. He was exposed to asbestos while repairing Crane Co. valves between 1964 and 1979 and later passed away from mesothelioma at age 77.
After a trial lasting nearly 3 weeks, the jury deliberated for 2 days before holding Crane liable for Suttner’s mesothelioma, along with 17 other asbestos companies and manufacturers named in the case.
Our team presented expert testimony in Suttner v. Crane Co. (No. I2010-12499) that established there is no safe level of asbestos exposure, and that Suttner’s exposure to the asbestos in Crane’s valves played a role in his diagnosis.
“The defendant’s use of asbestos and failure to warn workers and consumers of its dangers is inexcusable,” said Partner Perry Browder. “On behalf of Mr. Suttner’s family, we are proud to have won and held Crane responsible for its decision to use this lethal material in its products.”
$2.86 Million Talc Mesothelioma Verdict
A Delaware jury awarded $2.86 million to the family of Michael Galliher, who died from mesothelioma at age 62 after spending nearly 40 years at a ceramics plant using talc powder to dust molds for sinks, bathtubs, and other fixtures.
To build his case, our attorneys worked with experts who:
- Recovered asbestos fibers from our client’s lungs
- Traced the characteristics of these asbestos fibers back to a mine in upstate New York
- Identified R.T. Vanderbilt as the owner and operator of this mine, connecting the company to his injury
After a 2-week trial and 3 hours of deliberations, the jury assigned 100% liability to Vanderbilt. The talc mesothelioma verdict in In re Asbestos Litigation: Michael Galliher (No. 10C-10-315) was the largest asbestos verdict against a single defendant in Delaware in over a decade.
- We fight to maximize your results
- Many get results in as few as 90 days
- No out-of-pocket costs for your family
When Does a Mesothelioma Case Go to Trial?
When companies are unwilling to offer our clients the compensation they deserve or won’t accept their role in our client’s injury, we’re prepared to take the case to trial and fight for a favorable jury verdict.
However, because it’s well established that asbestos causes mesothelioma and our warehouse of evidence shows which products contained asbestos, most cases end in a mesothelioma settlement, and families can often receive compensation without ever setting foot in court.
Reasons why a mesothelioma case may go to trial include:
- The company tries to place blame elsewhere: Some companies claim a victim was never exposed to asbestos through their products, or they’ll argue that exposure came from another source. We dig up the evidence to prove otherwise.
- The company lowballs the family: Even when a company acknowledges some responsibility, they may refuse to agree to a payout that reflects the severity of the diagnosis, medical costs, or lost income.
- They’d rather fight than pay: A small number of companies take case after case to trial, even when the evidence shows they knew the dangers of asbestos and never warned the workers who handled it.
When a company won’t do right by our clients, we make them answer in court. Our mesothelioma attorneys stay in the fight for as long as it takes to help families secure the financial security they deserve.
“I’ve taken cases to trial where the evidence was overwhelming — and the company still fought us every step of the way. That’s the reality of mesothelioma litigation. These are billion-dollar corporations with teams of defense attorneys, and they do not settle easily. Clients need a firm that has been in that room and won.”
– Taylor Kerns, Firm Partner
Factors Affecting Mesothelioma Verdict Amounts
The amount of money a jury awards in a mesothelioma case depends on how much the illness has cost the patient and their family, the impact of the diagnosis on their lives, and how the company acted. No two verdicts look alike, because the facts are different in every case.
Mesothelioma verdicts can be made up of compensatory damages, which cover losses like medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering, and punitive damages, which punish a company found to have knowingly hidden the dangers of asbestos.
Factors affecting mesothelioma verdict amounts include:
- Jurisdiction: Some courts and states have historically seen higher average verdicts than others, and some limit the amount of punitive damages that can be awarded.
- Lost income: A verdict can cover wages the patient has already lost due to being unable to work, as well as the earnings they would have made in the future.
- Medical expenses: A verdict can cover past medical bills as well as the projected cost of future treatment and care.
- Pain and suffering: Juries consider the physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life that the illness has caused.
- Punitive damages: A jury may award punitive damages if it finds a company acted recklessly or deliberately concealed known dangers, and where allowed, this money can make up a large share of a verdict.
- Severity of the diagnosis: The type of mesothelioma, stage at diagnosis, and life expectancy all shape how much a jury awards for future losses and for the impact on the patient’s daily life.
- Strength of the evidence: The clearer the proof that the patient was exposed to a specific company’s product, and that the company knew about the risks, the stronger the case for holding that company responsible.
Our attorneys understand how each of these factors plays into a jury’s decision, and we build every case with the goal of maximizing our clients’ potential payout.
Our mesothelioma lawyers have centuries of combined experience with asbestos litigation. They’ve secured significant results for families nationwide.
How We Maximize Mesothelioma Verdicts
Securing a strong mesothelioma verdict takes more than presenting a diagnosis to a jury — it requires building an airtight case that leaves a defendant with nowhere to hide.
At Simmons Hanly Conroy, decades of trial experience have shaped how we prepare every case that goes to court.
Here’s how we work to maximize mesothelioma verdicts for our clients:
- A dedicated trial team: Every case is handled by a small team of experienced attorneys who focus specifically on asbestos litigation and know the products and companies behind your exposure.
- An extensive warehouse of evidence: Our firm maintains a vast internal database of documents on asbestos-containing products, where they were used, and the companies that made them, helping us to prove asbestos exposure in court.
- Proof of corporate knowledge and concealment: We use that evidence to show juries what companies knew about the dangers of asbestos, and when they knew it, often demonstrating that a company hid those risks from the public for years or decades.
- Relationships with leading expert witnesses: Our attorneys work with medical experts, industrial hygienists, and other specialists who can testify about causation, exposure, and the severity of a client’s illness in order to strengthen a case.
- Thorough identification of every responsible party: Asbestos exposure often involves multiple products and companies over the course of someone’s life. We investigate a client’s full work and exposure history to identify every company that may share responsibility, not just the most obvious defendant.
This combination of preparation, evidence, and experience is what allows our trial attorneys to walk into a courtroom fully equipped to hold even the largest corporations accountable.
While no outcome can be guaranteed, our track record reflects what’s possible when a case is built the right way from the start: over $11 billion secured for families affected by mesothelioma, including more than $560 million from trial verdicts alone.
“It’s one thing to argue that a company was negligent — it’s another to show a jury a memo from decades ago where executives weighed the cost of warnings against the cost of lawsuits and chose silence. That evidence has shaped verdicts and, I’d argue, helped hold the entire industry accountable.”
– Nicholas Angelides, Firm Partner
What to Expect During a Mesothelioma Trial
From the very first conversation with our team to the moment a verdict is read, we’re by your side every step of the way — explaining what’s happening, preparing you for what’s next, and carrying as much of the burden as we can so you can focus on your health and family.
Here’s what to expect during a mesothelioma trial:
- Depositions (often recorded in advance)
- Jury selection
- Opening statements
- Witness and expert testimony
- Cross-examination
- Closing arguments
- Jury deliberation and verdict
While every trial is unique, these are the stages most mesothelioma cases move through on the way to a verdict. Find out more about what each stage actually involves and how our team helps make it easier.
“When a case reaches trial, we bring that client’s story to life in the courtroom. We show who our client is, the life they built, the work they did, and how corporate decisions caused them to get sick and develop mesothelioma. And we ask the jury to hold those companies accountable.”
– Daniel Blouin, Mesothelioma Trial Attorney
1. Depositions
A deposition is a recorded interview where attorneys ask you questions related to your exposure history and diagnosis, and you provide answers as best you can. These conversations take place before a trial, usually at your home or in an office. In some cases, it can be done by video if travel is difficult.
At your deposition, there will likely be your attorney, attorneys for the companies being sued, and a court reporter who types up a word-for-word record of what’s said.
Depositions often last several hours, but you can take breaks, and it can be split over more than one day if you get tired. Your attorney will go over what to expect and the kinds of questions you may be asked ahead of time, and be with you throughout.
“Our lawyer made my dad feel so comfortable while preparing for the deposition. I had to step back and let my dad play out his role in this. They pretty much held his hand and walked him through the whole thing. It was very comfortable and safe. I wasn’t so nervous about how it was going to play out because I knew that they were taking care of him.”
– Steve, Son of a U.S. Army Veteran with Mesothelioma
2. Jury Selection
Before a trial begins, attorneys from both sides question potential jurors to identify a fair and impartial panel. This process, known as voir dire, can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days depending on the jurisdiction.
Clients aren’t required to be present for most of this stage. Our attorneys handle the questioning and strategy, so you don’t have to sit through what can otherwise be a more procedural part of the process.
3. Taking the Stand
Taking the stand is your chance to share your story in person with the judge and jury during the trial. You sit in the witness chair in the courtroom and answer questions about your experience under oath, which simply means promising to tell the truth.
If you testify, your own attorney asks questions first about topics you’ve already discussed with us, including your work history, how you were exposed to asbestos, and how the illness has changed your life. Then the companies’ attorneys ask their own questions.
“At trial, Norris finally had his day in court. It was in front of a jury, so he felt like they were peers. Presenting his story in front of others brought him peace toward the end of his life.”
– Lori, Wife of a Construction Worker with Mesothelioma
Our attorneys prepare clients thoroughly beforehand, walking them through likely questions so nothing on the stand comes as a surprise. You’re never sent in without knowing what to expect.
If you’re too sick to be in the courtroom, there may be other options depending on the court and your case. The jury may watch the recorded deposition you gave earlier, or in some courts the judge may allow you to testify live by video from home.
4. Witness & Expert Testimony
Along with your own story, the jury hears from other people who help explain what happened and why. Some are witnesses who saw your exposure firsthand, while others are experts who can explain the medical and scientific aspects of the situation in plain language.
Witnesses can be coworkers, family members, or friends who can confirm where you worked, which products were used around you, and how your illness has impacted your life. You don’t have to arrange any of this. Our attorneys identify and prepare these witnesses.
Our team will also call medical experts to the stand who can describe how asbestos causes mesothelioma and what the diagnosis means for your health, as well as industrial hygienists who can show how much asbestos you were likely exposed to.
This is where our long-standing relationships with respected experts matter. We’ve worked with many of these experts across multiple trials, so they already know how our cases are built, and we know how clearly they explain complicated science to a jury.
5. Cross-Examination
Cross-examination is when attorneys representing the asbestos companies get to ask questions of the witnesses we call, including clients, family members, coworkers, and experts.
We prepare our clients and witnesses for this in advance, so they know what sort of questions to expect. Our attorneys remain in the courtroom the whole time and can object to any question that isn’t proper, with the judge deciding what’s allowed.
For most clients, the questions cover topics you’ve already discussed with us, like where you worked and what products were around you. You only need to answer what’s asked.
“I know how to anticipate the tactics the defense may use and plan accordingly to protect our clients’ interests. Our goal is to make the process as straightforward and easy as possible, so you always feel comfortable and know what to expect.”
– Taylor Kerns, Mesothelioma Trial Attorney
6. Closing Arguments
A closing argument is the final speech made by your attorney to the jury, after all the evidence has been presented. There are no new witnesses or questions at this stage, and you won’t be asked to speak.
Your attorney will walk the jury through your case, including how you were exposed to asbestos, what the experts explained, and the company records showing what the company knew about the dangers. The goal is to connect the pieces so the jury can see how they all add up.
Then, they will explain what the jury is being asked to decide: whether the company is responsible for your illness and what compensation your family should receive.
7. Jury Deliberation & Verdict
After closing arguments, the jury goes into a private room to talk about all of the evidence they were shown and reach a decision in the case. Deliberations can take anywhere from a few hours to several days.
Once a jury verdict is reached, it’s read aloud in court. If the jury finds in the client’s favor, they will also determine the amount of compensation awarded. For many of our clients, the moment the verdict is read brings a sense of closure and validation.
“You can’t get a better bunch than Simmons Hanly Conroy. I’ve said that to them, and I’ll say it again. You should have seen the hug fest out in front of the courthouse when it was over.”
– Howard, Wife of a Mesothelioma Warrior
How Long Does an Asbestos Trial Take?
Asbestos trials typically take 2-3 weeks to complete. Complex cases with many companies or a lot of evidence can run longer, and a simpler case may finish sooner.
The jury’s decision usually comes soon after. In our cases, juries have deliberated anywhere from under an hour to a couple of days, with many returning a favorable verdict in just a few hours after hearing all of the evidence.
However, before a case goes to trial, there’s often a stretch of legal back-and-forth involving motions, evidence gathering, and scheduling based on the court’s calendar. Our team works to move every case through this process as efficiently as possible.
Expediting Mesothelioma Trials for Seriously Ill Patients
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer, and waiting to have their voices heard in court isn’t something many of our clients can afford.
If a client is living with mesothelioma and their health is a concern, we can ask the judge for an expedited trial date, which may move the case ahead on the court’s calendar. We also record your testimony early, so your story is preserved no matter what happens next.
At Simmons Hanly Conroy, we've helped thousands of families seek compensation. Hear from clients whose cases went to trial and ended in a jury verdict.
“The financial freedom from filing a lawsuit made the time I have left even better.”
– Art, Mechanic with a $34 Million Verdict
“I battled and held on to have my day in court. We are so appreciative of our team at Simmons Hanly Conroy.”
– Norris, Construction Supervisor with a $30.2 Million Verdict
“I always felt good walking into the courtroom. My lawyers really knew how to handle it. They did good.”
– Walter, U.S. Navy Veteran with a $40.1 Million Verdict
“My lawyer was awesome. Do not get in that man’s way when he’s fighting for you. I would go to war with that guy any day of the week.”
– Howard, Husband of a Mesothelioma Warrior with a $6 Million Verdict
Mesothelioma Verdicts vs. Settlements
Mesothelioma lawsuits may resolve in one of two ways: through a negotiated settlement or a trial verdict.
Both can provide meaningful compensation, but they differ in how that compensation is determined, how quickly it arrives, and what risks are involved.
| Mesothelioma Verdicts | Mesothelioma Settlements | |
|---|---|---|
| How Common | A small share of cases, usually when a fair settlement can’t be reached | The vast majority of mesothelioma cases |
| Timing | Payments can take longer to arrive because the case has to go through a full trial | Money comes in relatively quickly, often within a few months |
| When It Happens | In a courtroom, at the end of a trial | Outside of court, often through negotiations |
| Payout Amount | Determined by a jury, potentially more than a settlement | Negotiated by your attorney |
“When a fair settlement can’t be reached, I don’t back down. I’ve taken over 25 mesothelioma cases to trial and fought to hold asbestos companies accountable in court.”
– Juan Bauta, Firm Partner
Asbestos Trial & Mesothelioma Verdict News 2026
Across the country, courts continue to hold asbestos companies accountable through significant jury verdicts.
Find out about the latest asbestos trial and mesothelioma verdict news:
- October 2026: A Georgia jury awarded $5 million to a motocross racer who developed mesothelioma after changing asbestos-containing brakes, placing 100% of the blame on Honda and Yamaha.
- August 2026: A Louisiana jury awarded $10 million to the family of a woman exposed to asbestos-contaminated talc, finding Johnson & Johnson and other manufacturers responsible for her mesothelioma death.
- July 2026: An Illinois appeals court upheld a $45 million talc mesothelioma verdict against Johnson & Johnson, affirming the jury’s award for the victim’s shortened life and wrongful death.
- June 2026: A Minnesota judge upheld a $65.5 million mesothelioma verdict against Johnson & Johnson, rejecting the company’s post-trial challenge to the jury’s award.
- June 2026: A Los Angeles jury awarded $32 million to the family of a woman who used talc-based baby powder throughout her life, finding Johnson & Johnson liable for her mesothelioma diagnosis.
- May 2026: A jury awarded $10.2 million to a Minnesota couple, holding Vi-Jon and four other talc manufacturers responsible for the man’s mesothelioma diagnosis.
- March 2026: A Los Angeles County jury awarded $12.75 million to the family of a California physician exposed to asbestos-contaminated talc, finding Port Jervis Laboratories (formerly Kolmar Labs) failed to warn consumers about the dangers of their cosmetic talc products.
- February 2026: A Los Angeles County jury awarded $33.38 million to an 80-year-old U.S. Army veteran and Hollywood cameraman, finding lighting equipment manufacturer Mole-Richardson 100% liable for his mesothelioma.
- February 2026: A Los Angeles County judge entered a $24.6 million default judgment against Martin Himmel Inc., former owner of the Gold Bond brand, after the company abandoned their defense in a talc-related mesothelioma lawsuit.
Staying current on asbestos verdicts and legal developments nationwide allows our attorneys to spot emerging trends, including new defendants and shifting jury attitudes, and apply those insights directly to our clients’ cases.
Get Help Pursuing a Mesothelioma Trial Verdict
Powerful companies spend millions defending themselves against mesothelioma claims. You deserve a legal team with the experience and resources to fight back just as hard.
Whether your case settles or goes to trial, our attorneys will work to secure the compensation you deserve while handling every step of the legal process on your behalf.
Find out why families choose Simmons Hanly Conroy:
- 25+ years of asbestos litigation experience
- A history of securing record-breaking mesothelioma trial verdicts
- Over 8,900 families helped across all 50 states
- More than $11 billion secured from asbestos verdicts and settlements
- No upfront costs or hourly fees
Call (800) 326-8900 now or fill out our contact form to get started with a free legal case review.
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Mesothelioma & Asbestos Verdict FAQs
What is a mesothelioma verdict?
A mesothelioma verdict is a judge or jury’s decision at the end of a trial. It determines whether a company is responsible for someone’s asbestos-related illness and, if so, how much compensation they should pay.
Unlike a settlement, which is negotiated privately between both sides, a verdict is decided in court and becomes part of the public record.
Get a free case review now to see if you may be eligible to pursue compensation from a mesothelioma verdict.
What is the largest mesothelioma verdict?
The largest mesothelioma verdict against a single defendant is $250 million, which was secured by Simmons Hanly Conroy on behalf of Roby Whittington, a retired U.S. Steel worker with mesothelioma.
Whittington worked at U.S. Steel’s Gary, Indiana plant for 30 years before being diagnosed with mesothelioma. A jury determined that U.S. Steel knew about the dangers of asbestos exposure and failed to protect him.
How long does it take to get compensation from an asbestos verdict?
There’s no fixed timeline. After trial preparation is over and a jury awards you an asbestos verdict, payment may come within a matter of months. However, if the company appeals the verdict, the payout may take additional time.
This is one reason many families choose to settle rather than pursue a trial verdict. A mesothelioma settlement may start paying out within a few months of first contacting us, while a trial verdict may take longer to actually convert into compensation in hand.
How many mesothelioma claims go to trial?
Very few. The vast majority of mesothelioma and asbestos claims are resolved through a settlement, which gives families compensation sooner and without the uncertainty of a trial.
Only a small fraction of cases end up in front of a jury, usually when a company won’t offer fair compensation or disputes that they’re responsible for a victim’s exposure to asbestos.
What are some recent asbestos verdicts?
Asbestos litigation has produced several large verdicts in 2026, with many stemming from talc-related exposure cases against Johnson & Johnson and other manufacturers.
Recent asbestos verdicts include:
- $1.5 billion for a Maryland woman who developed peritoneal mesothelioma after decades of using Johnson & Johnson talc-based baby powder
- $966 million for the family of a California woman who died from mesothelioma after using Johnson & Johnson talc-based baby powder
- $33.38 million for an 80-year-old U.S. Army veteran and Hollywood cameraman
- $32 million to a California woman who used J&J’s talcum powder products
- $10 million for a Louisiana family impacted by mesothelioma
- $5 million to a former motocross racer in Georgia
- $10.2 million for a Minnesota man and his wife
- $12.75 million to a California victim exposed to asbestos-contaminated talc
- $24.6 million for a California man with mesothelioma
Call (800) 326-8900 now for help pursuing the compensation you deserve from an asbestos verdict or settlement.
Can I pursue an asbestos trial verdict if my loved one passed away?
Yes. If your loved one passed away from mesothelioma, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim and pursue compensation from an asbestos trial verdict.
In many cases, a spouse, child, or other family member can bring this claim on behalf of the deceased and seek compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.
What's the difference between compensatory and punitive damages in a mesothelioma verdict?
Compensatory damages reimburse a victim or family for actual losses, including medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and loss of companionship. Punitive damages are separate and are only awarded when a jury finds a company acted with reckless disregard for safety, like concealing known asbestos risks.
Punitive damages are meant to punish the company and deter similar conduct, not to compensate the victim directly.
Has there been a mesothelioma verdict in 2026?
Yes. There have been multiple mesothelioma verdicts in 2026, many of which have been tied to asbestos-contaminated talcum powder.
In October 2026, we secured $5 million for Donald Gregory Lassiter, a former motocross racer. In August 2026, a Louisiana jury awarded $10 million to the family of Lynne Roy, a New Orleans woman who died of mesothelioma. In June 2026, a Los Angeles jury awarded $32 million to the family of a woman whose cancer was linked to decades of J&J baby powder use.
Reviewed by: Simmons Hanly Conroy Editorial Team