Virginia Mesothelioma Lawyer

Virginia Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure Attorney

Wallace & Graham  has a proven record of success securing verdicts and settlements for asbestos victims. We represent people with mesothelioma in Virginia, throughout the Southeast, and across the nation.

The diagnosis of mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease is devastating news. However, our legal advocacy has helped mesothelioma victims recover the compensation that helps them obtain the treatment they need to prolong life, ease painful symptoms, and protect their family financially..

Contact our mesothelioma litigation lawyers to discuss your possible personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. We offer a free consultation at 800-849-5291. We represent clients from Richmond, Norfolk, Roanoke, throughout Virginia, and nationwide.

*Prior results do not guarantee outcomes in future cases

Asbestos Exposure in Virginia

In Virginia and elsewhere, the dangers of asbestos exposure were well known for many years before regulators began restricting it. Instead of implementing safety measures or making their processes safer, companies took the less expensive route of paying off diseased workers. The result: American men and women developed mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases.

Virginia Mesothelioma Claims

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos particles. It is sometimes mistakenly called lung cancer, but it is actually a cancer of the linings around the lungs and adjacent organs.

While the malignant form of mesothelioma is not curable, treatment can prolong life and make the symptoms easier to bear.

It can take up to 50 years after asbestos exposure for mesothelioma symptoms to appear and for the disease to be diagnosed. Once diagnosed, however, the disease usually progresses quickly. The five-year relative survival rate for pleural mesothelioma is 11% to 23%, though outcomes vary widely based on the stage at diagnosis, the cell type, and the patient’s overall health.

An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help identify the cause of the disease and pursue compensation from liable parties. At Wallace & Graham, we represent mesothelioma victims throughout Virginia, including people living in Richmond, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Newport News, and surrounding areas. We also handle claims for clients throughout the Southeast and nationwide.

Contact our Virginia mesothelioma lawyers to discuss your possible personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. We offer a free consultation at 800-849-5291.

Who Is at Risk of Developing Mesothelioma?

Our clients include people who worked at power plants, shipyards, factories, and other Virginia job sites, and have been exposed to asbestos. Common high-risk sites include Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth and Newport News Shipbuilding, both part of the Hampton Roads shipbuilding corridor, along with older power plants and industrial facilities across the state.

U.S. Navy veterans in Virginia are also at risk, as many naval vessels contained high concentrations of asbestos. Nationally, many mesothelioma cases trace back to service in the U.S. Navy or work in a shipyard, which helps explain why Hampton Roads, home to some of the country’s largest naval shipbuilding and repair operations, is one of the higher-risk regions in Virginia. Mesothelioma can take 20 to 50 years to develop after exposure, so a diagnosis today often traces back to work performed decades ago.

Our Virginia mesothelioma attorneys are committed to connecting clients to the medical care they need to improve their quality of life and give them more time, if possible. We are also committed to helping clients recover fair and just compensation for the losses they have suffered due to mesothelioma.

Virginia’s Statute of Limitations for Asbestos Claims

Virginia law gives you two years to file an asbestos injury lawsuit, but the clock does not start on the day you were exposed. Under Virginia Code § 8.01-243(A), most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of when the claim “accrues.” For asbestos cases specifically, Virginia Code § 8.01-249(4) sets the accrual date as the day a doctor first tells you or a family member that you have mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another disabling asbestos-related disease. This rule exists because mesothelioma can take decades to appear after exposure, so the law measures your deadline from diagnosis, not from the year you worked around asbestos.

Wrongful death claims generally must be filed within two years of the date of death, and a family member may sometimes continue a personal injury claim the patient had already started. Missing either deadline can end your right to compensation, so it helps to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible after a diagnosis or a loss.

Compensation Options for Virginia Asbestos Victims

Some Virginia families pursue more than one source of compensation at the same time. The person diagnosed can file a personal injury lawsuit, or close family members can file a wrongful death claim after a loved one has died.Many of the companies that made or sold asbestos products have gone bankrupt and set aside money in asbestos trust funds, which can pay claims without a lawsuit.

Veterans who were exposed during military service may also qualify for VA disability compensation, including a 100% disability rating in many mesothelioma cases. An experienced attorney can help identify which of these options apply to your situation and pursue them together, rather than one at a time.

Where Virginia Asbestos Claims Are Filed

Asbestos lawsuits in Virginia are typically filed in the circuit court for the city or county where the exposure occurred, where a defendant company does business, or in federal court in the Eastern or Western District of Virginia. Where a case is filed can affect scheduling and procedure, so an attorney familiar with Virginia’s asbestos dockets can help decide the right venue for your claim.

Mesothelioma Treatment Centers Serving Virginia

Virginia is home to two cancer centers recognized by the National Cancer Institute: VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center in Richmond and the UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center in Charlottesville. Both offer thoracic surgeons, medical oncologists, and access to clinical trials for pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. Patients in Hampton Roads can also find thoracic oncology care through Sentara Brock Cancer Center. Getting a diagnosis confirmed and a treatment team experienced with this rare cancer can make a meaningful difference in both quality of life and legal case value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a claim if I was exposed to asbestos decades ago?

Yes. Virginia’s discovery rule starts the clock on the date a doctor first diagnoses you, not the date you were exposed, so a claim filed shortly after diagnosis is timely even if the exposure happened 40 or 50 years earlier.

What if my family member died from mesothelioma before filing a claim?

Surviving family members can typically file a wrongful death claim within two years of the date of death, and in some cases can continue a personal injury claim the deceased had already started.

Will filing a lawsuit affect my VA benefits?

Generally, no. Compensation from an asbestos lawsuit or trust fund usually does not reduce VA disability compensation. However, it can affect income-based VA pension eligibility, so it helps to review both with an attorney.

How much does it cost to hire a mesothelioma lawyer?

Most mesothelioma law firms, including ours, handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there is no upfront cost and a legal fee is only owed if you recover compensation.

What is the difference between an asbestos trust fund claim and a lawsuit?

A trust fund claim is filed against a bankrupt company’s remaining trust and does not require a trial, while a lawsuit is filed against companies that are still solvent and can involve settlement or trial.

What types of disease can result from asbestos exposure?

Asbestos exposure is linked to mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, and several other cancers, including laryngeal and ovarian cancer.

Do I have to go to trial to get compensation?

Most mesothelioma claims settle before trial, and many trust fund claims are resolved without either side going to court. However, your attorney should prepare every case as if it could go to trial.

Helping Mesothelioma Victims in Virginia and Nationwide

In handling Virginia mesothelioma cases, our asbestos litigation attorneys work to identify the source of asbestos exposure, pinpoint liable parties, and help our clients recover fair compensation.

Partners Bill Graham and Mona Lisa Wallace have nearly 40 combined years in mesothelioma litigation, supported by a dedicated team of experienced lawyers, paralegals, and support staff.

We have tried cases throughout the United States. If you or a loved one has suffered due to asbestos exposure, our attorneys are here to help you explore your legal options.

Our No. 1 concern is ensuring that clients get proper diagnosis and timely medical treatment.

Call 800-849-5291 or contact us online for your free case evaluation. We represent clients from Virginia, North Carolina, throughout the Southeast, and nationwide.

Virginia Mesothelioma Resources