Mesothelioma & Asbestos Law Firm In Minnesota

A mesothelioma diagnosis raises questions about your legal rights, including whether you may qualify for compensation. An experienced Minnesota mesothelioma lawyer understands the state laws that may affect your case and the history of asbestos exposure at Minnesota jobsites and across industries.

For more than 40 years, the mesothelioma law firm of Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen (ELSM) has represented patients and their families nationwide, including clients throughout Minnesota. ELSM focuses exclusively on mesothelioma cases and provides legal guidance and personalized support throughout your case.

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Minnesota Mesothelioma Legal Rights At a Glance

• Statute of limitations: Minnesota filing deadlines vary by the type of lawsuit. Generally, personal injury lawsuits have a four-year deadline, while wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within three years.
• Minnesota client results: ELSM has secured mesothelioma settlements totaling more than $100 million for clients living in Minnesota, including individual recoveries exceeding $6.5 million.
• Compensation options: Depending on your case, you may be eligible to pursue mesothelioma compensation through asbestos lawsuits, asbestos trust funds, VA benefits, and workers’ compensation.
• Common asbestos exposure sites: ELSM has represented clients who worked at Minnesota construction sites, manufacturing plants, mines, power plants, and oil refineries.
• Statewide representation: ELSM represents clients throughout Minnesota and will travel to you for a free mesothelioma case evaluation.

Filing Mesothelioma Lawsuits in Minnesota

Before filing a mesothelioma lawsuit, your attorney will closely review when, where, and how your asbestos exposure occurred. They’ll review your employment, military service, medical records, use of asbestos-contaminated consumer products, and other possible sources of exposure. This information can help connect your exposure to companies that may be responsible and determine where you may have the right to file a lawsuit.

Depending on the circumstances of your case, a Minnesota mesothelioma lawyer can determine whether you may file a personal injury lawsuit or whether surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit.

ELSM can help you:

• Investigate your work and military history and other possible sources of asbestos exposure.
• Determine which companies may be legally responsible.
• Gather medical, employment, and other records to document your diagnosis and exposure history.
• Prepare and file your lawsuit and related legal documents.
• Handle communications, negotiations, and other matters involving defendants and their attorneys.
• Keep you and your family informed as your case progresses.

Decades of asbestos litigation have given ELSM experience with jobsites, asbestos-containing products, companies, and occupations linked to exposure. Our attorneys can draw on this accumulated knowledge when evaluating your exposure history and developing evidence for your case.

The long latency period between asbestos exposure and a mesothelioma diagnosis can make asbestos cases complicated. A company that made or used asbestos-containing products decades ago may have changed names, merged, gone out of business, or entered bankruptcy. ELSM researches corporate histories and other records to identify companies that may remain legally responsible and determine what options may still be available.

Do I Have to File My Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Minnesota?

No. Living in Minnesota does not necessarily mean your lawsuit must be filed there. Your filing options can depend on where you were exposed to asbestos, where responsible companies conducted business, and other connections to your case. An ELSM mesothelioma attorney can evaluate those factors and determine which jurisdictions may be available to you.

You can request a free case evaluation with one of our mesothelioma attorneys today. They will meet you at a time and location convenient for you. There is no cost or obligation.

Mesothelioma Compensation in Minnesota

Mesothelioma can create significant financial costs for patients and their families. Compensation may help cover medical treatment, lost income, travel and lodging for care, in-home assistance, and other expenses related to the disease.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to pursue mesothelioma compensation from one or more sources:

• Asbestos trust fund claims: Companies that filed for bankruptcy may have established trust funds to provide payouts to eligible individuals with asbestos-related diseases.
• Mesothelioma lawsuits: You may be able to seek financial recovery from companies legally responsible for your asbestos exposure.
• VA benefits: Veterans who were exposed to asbestos during military service may qualify for benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Workers’ compensation: Some individuals exposed to asbestos at work may qualify for benefits through their employer’s workers’ compensation system.

You may pursue claims from more than one source. An ELSM mesothelioma lawyer will review your exposure history and the circumstances of your case to identify the options that may be available to you.

Meet Our Welcome Team

When you first contact the ELSM law firm, our Welcome Team will take the time to learn about your diagnosis and possible asbestos exposure. They can answer your initial questions, explain what information may be helpful, and let you know what to expect as you get started.

Attorneys Jennifer Lucarelli and Kyle Navin understand that discussing a mesothelioma diagnosis and your exposure history can be difficult. Their goal is to make it easier for you and your family to take the first steps and get the support you need. Our Welcome Team can also arrange for an ELSM attorney to meet with you at your convenience.

Minnesota Mesothelioma Statute of Limitations

Minnesota law limits the amount of time you have to file a mesothelioma lawsuit. The deadline depends on the type of claim and the circumstances of your case. Because mesothelioma can develop decades after asbestos exposure, determining when the deadline begins is especially important.

For personal injury lawsuits, Minnesota has different filing deadlines depending on the type of claim. For example, Minnesota Statutes § 541.05 allows four years for certain strict product liability claims and six years for certain other personal injury claims.

Wrongful death lawsuits have different requirements. Minnesota Statutes § 573.02 generally requires a wrongful death lawsuit to be filed within three years after death. Additional time limits may apply in asbestos-related cases, depending on the circumstances.

Why Acting Quickly Matters

The statute of limitations can depend on facts specific to your case, including the type of claim and when an asbestos-related disease became known and connected to asbestos exposure. Waiting to speak with an attorney could affect your legal options.

An ELSM mesothelioma lawyer can review your circumstances, determine which Minnesota filing deadlines may apply, and help protect your right to pursue a claim.

Mesothelioma Settlements for Clients Living in Minnesota

Many mesothelioma cases are resolved through settlements before a jury verdict is reached. ELSM has secured more than $100 million in mesothelioma settlements for clients living in Minnesota, including the results below. Settlement amounts vary based on the facts and circumstances of each case, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

State	Disease	Occupation / Exposure	Age	~ Monies to Date
MN	Mesothelioma	HVAC Contractor / Construction Worker	71	~$6,700,000
MN	Mesothelioma	Navy Veteran / Ironworker	78	~$5,500,000
MN	Mesothelioma	Air Force Veteran / Laborer	81	~$4,200,000
MN	Mesothelioma	Pipefitter / Insulator	57	~$3,700,000
MN	Mesothelioma	Hospital Worker	59	~$3,300,000
MN	Mesothelioma	Home Renovator	36	~$3,000,000
MN	Mesothelioma	Navy Veteran / HVAC Contractor	75	~$2,900,000
MN	Mesothelioma	Plant Worker	67	~$2,600,000

Mesothelioma Verdicts for Clients Living in Minnesota

Although many mesothelioma cases settle before trial, some cases are decided by a jury. The result below is an example of a mesothelioma verdict for a client living in Minnesota. Verdict amounts for mesothelioma lawsuits vary based on many factors, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

State	Disease	Occupation / Exposure	Age	Verdict Amount
MN	Mesothelioma	Talc Powder User	37	~$65,540,000

Jobsites in Minnesota with Documented Mesothelioma Cases

Minnesota workers encountered asbestos in a variety of industries and workplaces throughout the state. Industries represented by ELSM client jobsites in Minnesota include manufacturing, oil refining, taconite mining, power generation, and railroad transportation.

ELSM mesothelioma lawyers have represented Minnesota workers diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma. These clients worked in a wide range of occupations, including construction workers, electricians, laborers, mechanics, pipefitters, plant workers, railroad workers, and welders. Asbestos-containing insulation and other materials were historically used around equipment such as boilers, pipes, machinery, and electrical systems.

ELSM clients have worked at the following Minnesota jobsites:

• American Steel and Wire Company - Duluth
• Aurora Steam Electric Plant - Aurora
• Boise Cascade International - International Falls
• Duluth Air Force Base - Duluth
• Georgia Pacific - Duluth
• Great Northern Railroad - Minneapolis
• Great Northern Oil Refinery - Rosemount, Rose Port
• Koch Refining Company - Pine Bend
• LTV Steel Mining Company - Hoyt Lakes
• Mankato State College - Mankato
• Minnesota and Northwestern Railroad Company - Saint Paul
• Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (3M Company) - Minneapolis, Saint Paul
• Minnesota State Correctional Facility - Bayport
• Monticello Nuclear Power Plant - Monticello
• Moorhead Power Plant - Moorhead
• Northern Pacific Railroad Company - Saint Paul
• Northern States Power Company - Minneapolis, Saint Paul
• Northwestern Fuel Company - Saint Paul
• Otter Tail Power Company - Fergus Falls
• Pine Bend Oil Refinery - Hickory, Pine Bend
• Reserve Mining Company - Duluth
• Riverside Power Plant - Minneapolis
• Twin City Rapid Transit Company - Minneapolis
• U.S. Steel - Duluth
• University of Minnesota - Minneapolis, Saint Paul
• Western Mining - Grand Rapids

Asbestos exposure was not limited to the workplace. Minnesota clients may also have encountered asbestos during military service, while renovating a home, or through asbestos-contaminated consumer products such as talcum powder. Family members could also be exposed to asbestos carried home on a worker's clothing or belongings. This is known as secondary asbestos exposure.

ELSM Mesothelioma Clients in Minnesota

The law firm of Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen has represented mesothelioma clients in communities throughout Minnesota. The map and list below show Minnesota cities and towns where ELSM clients have lived:

Our Trusted Mesothelioma Law Firm Partners in Minnesota

When appropriate, ELSM works with trusted law firms to provide additional experience and resources for a client's case. Our law firm partners have attorneys licensed to practice in Minnesota or maintain a physical office in the state. These partnerships allow ELSM to combine decades of experience handling mesothelioma cases with the local knowledge and asbestos litigation experience of co-counsel at no additional cost to the client.

ELSM has co-counseled with The Gori Law Firm on hundreds of mesothelioma cases since 2002. The Gori Law Firm represents mesothelioma clients throughout the United States and has secured more than $4 billion in verdicts and settlements on their behalf. Together, the firms have recovered more than $26 million for mutual clients living in Minnesota.

Minnesota Asbestos Laws

Minnesota regulates asbestos removal and other asbestos-related work to reduce the risk of releasing harmful fibers into the air. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) share responsibility for regulating asbestos-related activities in the state:

• MDH oversees asbestos contractor licensing, certification, and abatement requirements.
• MPCA regulates asbestos emissions during renovation and demolition projects, as well as the transportation, packaging, and disposal of asbestos-containing materials.

Minnesota Asbestos Abatement Act

The Minnesota Asbestos Abatement Act, Minn. Stat. §§ 326.70–326.81, establishes requirements for asbestos abatement work in the state. Contractors performing regulated asbestos work must meet state licensing requirements, and individuals performing certain asbestos-related activities must be certified. The law also addresses project notifications, indoor air standards, containment, and other requirements intended to limit asbestos exposure.

Minnesota's asbestos regulations provide more detailed requirements for regulated projects, including procedures for containing work areas, handling asbestos-containing materials, cleaning the site, monitoring the air, and disposing of asbestos waste.

Asbestos Litigation in Minnesota

Minnesota courts have a long history of handling asbestos litigation. In 1987, the Minnesota Supreme Court established coordinated judicial management for asbestos-related cases filed in state courts, including personal injury and wrongful death claims. The court cited common issues involving discovery, legal theories, defendants, settlements, and trials as reasons for coordinating these cases.

Minnesota laws governing product liability and the allocation of fault among multiple defendants may also affect asbestos lawsuits. Because the laws that apply depend on the facts and legal claims involved, a Minnesota mesothelioma attorney can determine how these rules may affect an individual case.

Minnesota Asbestos Safety Guidelines

Asbestos can remain in older Minnesota homes, schools, workplaces, and other buildings. When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed during renovation, demolition, maintenance, or repair work, fibers can become airborne and create an exposure risk if inhaled.

MDH recommends identifying materials that may contain asbestos before disturbing them. Certain asbestos projects must be completed by licensed contractors and are subject to state notification and work-practice requirements.

MPCA requires notification at least 10 working days before certain renovation or demolition projects begin and regulates the disposal of asbestos-containing waste.

Frequently Asked Questions