Mesothelioma & Asbestos Law Firm In Wisconsin
After a mesothelioma diagnosis, you may have questions about your legal rights and whether you qualify for compensation. A Wisconsin mesothelioma lawyer can explain your options and help determine which may apply to your case.
Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen (ELSM) has represented mesothelioma patients and their families for more than 40 years and has secured over $5.6 billion in settlements nationwide. Our attorneys have served clients living in 76 cities and towns throughout Wisconsin. Our law firm focuses exclusively on mesothelioma cases and provides personalized guidance and support throughout the legal process.
Wisconsin Mesothelioma Legal Rights At a Glance
- Statute of limitations: Wisconsin generally allows three years to file a mesothelioma personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
- Wisconsin client results: ELSM has secured more than $145 million in mesothelioma settlements for clients living in Wisconsin and helped obtain a $26.5 million jury verdict in a Milwaukee mesothelioma case.
- Compensation options: Depending on your case, you may be eligible to pursue compensation through mesothelioma lawsuits, asbestos trust funds, VA benefits, and workers’ compensation.
- Common asbestos exposure sites: ELSM clients have documented asbestos exposure at Wisconsin breweries, manufacturing plants, paper mills, power facilities, and other industrial jobsites.
- Statewide representation: ELSM represents clients throughout Wisconsin and will travel to you for a free mesothelioma case evaluation.
Filing Mesothelioma Lawsuits in Wisconsin
Before filing a mesothelioma lawsuit, your attorney will closely review when, where, and how your asbestos exposure occurred. Your employment history, military service, medical records, use of asbestos-contaminated consumer products, and other circumstances can help identify companies that may be responsible and determine where your lawsuit may be filed.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, a Wisconsin mesothelioma attorney can determine whether you are eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit or whether surviving family members are 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.
- Communicate and negotiate with defendants and their attorneys on your behalf.
- Keep you and your family informed as your case progresses.
Because mesothelioma can develop 10 to 50 years after asbestos exposure, identifying the companies responsible can be challenging. A company that manufactured or supplied asbestos-containing products decades ago may have changed names, merged with another company, gone out of business, or filed for bankruptcy. ELSM researches corporate histories and other records to identify companies and determine which legal options may be available to you.
Do I Have to File My Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Wisconsin?
No. If you live in Wisconsin, you do not necessarily have to file your mesothelioma lawsuit there. Where you can file may depend on where your asbestos exposure occurred, where potentially responsible companies operated, and other connections to your case. An ELSM mesothelioma attorney can evaluate those factors and determine which jurisdictions may be best to file your case.
Mesothelioma Compensation in Wisconsin
A mesothelioma diagnosis can create financial challenges for patients and their families, including costs for medical care, travel for treatment, lost income, and in-home assistance. Compensation may help cover these expenses and other losses related to the disease.
Depending on your exposure history and other circumstances, you may be eligible for compensation through:
- Asbestos trust fund claims: Asbestos bankruptcy trusts established to address a company's asbestos liabilities may provide compensation to individuals who meet the trust’s eligibility requirements.
- Mesothelioma lawsuits: A lawsuit may allow you to seek compensation from companies legally responsible for your asbestos exposure.
- VA benefits: Veterans exposed to asbestos during military service may qualify for benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Workers’ compensation: Workers exposed to asbestos on the job may be eligible for benefits through the workers’ compensation system.
You may have more than one option for financial recovery. Our mesothelioma law firm represents clients throughout Wisconsin and can review your case, determine which claims may apply, and identify potential sources of compensation.
Meet Our Welcome Team
When you contact ELSM, attorneys Jennifer Lucarelli and Kyle Navin are among the first members of our legal team you may speak with. They will take the time to learn about your diagnosis and possible asbestos exposure, listen to your concerns, and answer your initial questions.
Our Welcome Team can explain what information we need to evaluate your potential case and what you can expect from the legal process. We know choosing a mesothelioma law firm is an important decision, and our goal is to make the process as straightforward as possible for you and your family. If needed, an ELSM attorney can travel to meet you at a time and location convenient for you.
Wisconsin Mesothelioma Statute of Limitations
Under Wisconsin Statutes § 893.54, Wisconsin generally allows three years from diagnosis to file a mesothelioma personal injury lawsuit and three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Wisconsin also applies a discovery rule to personal injury claims, under which the filing period generally begins when an injury and its cause are discovered or reasonably should have been discovered.
Wisconsin courts have also addressed claims involving more than one asbestos-related disease. In Sopha v. Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp., the Wisconsin Supreme Court held that a later-diagnosed malignant asbestos-related condition can give rise to a separate cause of action even when a person previously developed a nonmalignant asbestos-related condition.
Why Acting Quickly Matters
Speaking with an attorney soon after a mesothelioma diagnosis gives your legal team more time to investigate your asbestos exposure, gather evidence, and take the necessary steps before the filing deadline. Records from older Wisconsin jobsites can become difficult to locate, companies may have changed ownership or gone out of business, and witnesses with knowledge of your work or asbestos exposure history may become harder to find.
Mesothelioma Settlements for Clients Living in Wisconsin
Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen has secured more than $145 million in mesothelioma settlements for clients living in Wisconsin, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WI | Mesothelioma | Pipefitter | 76 | ~$7,700,000 |
| WI | Mesothelioma | Navy Veteran / Teacher | 65 | ~$4,800,000 |
| WI | Mesothelioma | Navy Veteran / Electrician | 67 | ~$4,200,000 |
| WI | Mesothelioma | Navy Veteran / Mechanic | 56 | ~$3,600,000 |
| WI | Mesothelioma | Maintenance Worker | 54 | ~$3,500,000 |
| WI | Mesothelioma | Laborer | 57 | ~$3,500,000 |
| WI | Mesothelioma | Plumber | 61 | ~$3,400,000 |
| WI | Mesothelioma | Pipefitter | 72 | ~$3,200,000 |
Mesothelioma Verdicts for Clients Living in Wisconsin
While many mesothelioma lawsuits are resolved through settlements, some proceed to trial when a resolution cannot be reached. ELSM has helped clients pursue mesothelioma cases through jury verdict, including the Wisconsin result below. Verdict amounts depend on the facts and circumstances of each case, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
| Verdict | Case Summary |
|---|---|
| $26.5 Million | A Milwaukee jury awarded $26.5 million in a mesothelioma case involving a steamfitter who was exposed to asbestos while working at Pabst Brewing Company. The award included $6.545 million in compensatory damages and $20 million in punitive damages, with Pabst assigned 22% of the liability. Co-counsel: Dean Omar Branham Shirley |
Don't wait until it is too late to protect your rights! The evaluation will cost you nothing.
Jobsites in Wisconsin with Documented Mesothelioma Cases
Wisconsin workers encountered asbestos in a variety of industries and workplaces throughout the state. Industries represented by ELSM client jobsites in Wisconsin include brewing, manufacturing, paper production, and power generation.
ELSM mesothelioma lawyers have represented Wisconsin clients who worked in a range of trades and occupations, including pipefitters, electricians, mechanics, maintenance workers, plumbers, and laborers. Asbestos-containing insulation and other materials were historically used around boilers, pipes, machinery, electrical equipment, and other systems found at industrial jobsites.
ELSM clients have worked at the following Wisconsin jobsites:
- A. O. Smith Corporation - Milwaukee
- A.P. Green Refractory Company - Appleton
- ACandS, Inc. - Milwaukee
- Alliant Energy - Madison
- Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company - Appleton
- Atlantic Refining Company - Milwaukee
- Babcock & Wilcox Company - Milwaukee
- Cleaver Brooks - Milwaukee
- Consolidated Papers, Inc. - Wisconsin Rapids
- General Motors - Milwaukee
- Georgia-Pacific Corporation - Green Bay
- Hotpoint Kitchen Appliances - Milwaukee
- Illinois Steel Company - Milwaukee
- International Paper Company - Fond Du Lac
- Kraft Foods Company - Wausau
- Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company - Wausau
- Pabst Brewing Company - Milwaukee
- Sprinkmann & Sons Corporation - Milwaukee
- Square D. Company - Milwaukee
- University of Wisconsin - Madison
Asbestos exposure was not limited to the workplace. Wisconsin 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 fibers carried home on a worker's clothing or belongings. This is known as secondary asbestos exposure.
ELSM Mesothelioma Clients in Wisconsin
ELSM has represented mesothelioma patients and their loved ones throughout Wisconsin. We have served clients in 76 communities across the state, including those listed below.
Top Wisconsin Cities and Towns Where ELSM Clients Live
| Amery, WI | Amherst Junction, WI |
| Appleton, WI | Ashland, WI |
| Baraboo, WI | Berlin, WI |
| Birnamwood, WI | Boscobel, WI |
| Brandon, WI | Centuria, WI |
| Combined Locks, WI | Cumberland, WI |
| De Pere, WI | Elkhorn, WI |
| Fond du Lac, WI | Germantown, WI |
| Green Bay, WI | Greendale, WI |
| Greenfield, WI | Hancock, WI |
| Hudson, WI | Iron River, WI |
| Kimberly, WI | La Crosse, WI |
| Lac Du Flambeau, WI | Ladysmith, WI |
| Lannon, WI | Larsen, WI |
| Luxemburg, WI | Madison, WI |
| Marquette, WI | Marshall, WI |
| Marshfield, WI | Menomonee Falls, WI |
| Menomonie, WI | Mercer, WI |
| Middleton, WI | Milwaukee, WI |
| Mount Pleasant, WI | Muskego, WI |
| Nashotah, WI | Neenah, WI |
| New Berlin, WI | New Richmond, WI |
| Omro, WI | Onalaska, WI |
| Oshkosh, WI | Pearson, WI |
| Pewaukee, WI | Platteville, WI |
| Potosi, WI | Pound, WI |
| Prairie du Sac, WI | Racine, WI |
| Randolph, WI | Rhinelander, WI |
| Rice Lake, WI | Sheboygan, WI |
| South Milwaukee, WI | South Range, WI |
| Spooner, WI | Sturgeon Bay, WI |
| Sun Prairie, WI | Sussex, WI |
| Tomah, WI | Tomahawk, WI |
| Trevor, WI | Verona, WI |
| Viroqua, WI | Wales, WI |
| Watertown, WI | Waukesha, WI |
| Wausau, WI | West Allis, WI |
| West Bend, WI | West Salem, WI |
Total number of Wisconsin towns and cities represented by ELSM: 76
Wisconsin Asbestos Laws
Wisconsin regulates asbestos removal and other asbestos-related work to reduce the risk of releasing asbestos fibers into the air. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) have different responsibilities for regulating asbestos-related activities in the state:
- DNR regulates asbestos emissions during demolition, renovation, and asbestos abatement projects and oversees requirements for inspections, notifications, handling, and disposal.
- DHS oversees the training and certification of individuals and companies performing regulated asbestos work.
Wisconsin's DNR administers and enforces federal asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) requirements in the state.
Asbestos Litigation in Wisconsin
Wisconsin courts have addressed legal issues that can be particularly important in mesothelioma and other asbestos cases. In Sopha v. Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp., the Wisconsin Supreme Court addressed claims involving separate asbestos-related diseases. The court held that a later malignant asbestos-related condition could give rise to a separate cause of action even when the individual had previously developed a nonmalignant asbestos-related condition.
More recently, the Wisconsin Supreme Court considered asbestos exposure under the state's Safe Place Statute in Estate of Lorbiecki v. Pabst Brewing Co. The case involved a steamfitter who developed mesothelioma after asbestos exposure while working at Pabst Brewing Company's Milwaukee facility. In 2026, the Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld the jury's finding of liability against Pabst under the Safe Place Statute.
Learn more about the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision in the Pabst Brewing Company mesothelioma case.
Because the laws that apply depend on the facts of the case, a Wisconsin mesothelioma attorney can determine how these rules may affect an individual claim.
Wisconsin Asbestos Safety Guidelines
Older workplaces, homes, schools, and other buildings in Wisconsin may still contain asbestos-containing materials. Disturbing these materials during renovation, demolition, maintenance, or repair work can release asbestos fibers into the air.
Wisconsin DNR requires asbestos inspections before demolition or renovation of regulated facilities. Depending on the type and amount of asbestos-containing material involved, projects may also be subject to notification, removal, handling, and disposal requirements. Wisconsin DHS requires appropriate training and certification for individuals performing regulated asbestos work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a mesothelioma lawsuit in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin generally allows three years from diagnosis to file a mesothelioma personal injury lawsuit and three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. The filing deadline can depend on the circumstances of your case, so a Wisconsin mesothelioma attorney can determine which time limit applies.
Can I file a Wisconsin mesothelioma claim?
You may be eligible to file a Wisconsin mesothelioma claim if you were diagnosed with mesothelioma after asbestos exposure and one or more companies may be legally responsible. ELSM can investigate your work history, military service, household exposure, and use of asbestos-contaminated consumer products to identify possible sources of exposure and determine your legal options.
Where did asbestos exposure occur in Wisconsin?
ELSM has represented Wisconsin clients who worked at manufacturing plants, paper mills, breweries, power facilities, and other industrial jobsites throughout the state. Exposure could also occur during military service, home renovation, through secondary exposure, or from asbestos-contaminated consumer products. Reviewing your complete exposure history can help identify when and where you encountered asbestos and which companies may be responsible.
Why should I choose a law firm that focuses exclusively on mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma cases often involve asbestos exposure that occurred decades before diagnosis. A law firm focused exclusively on mesothelioma has experience investigating older jobsites, asbestos-containing products, occupations, and companies that may be connected to an individual's exposure. ELSM has more than 40 years of experience representing mesothelioma patients and their families.
How much does a Wisconsin mesothelioma lawyer cost?
ELSM handles mesothelioma cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront costs or attorney's fees, and ELSM receives an attorney's fee only if compensation is recovered for you. Your initial mesothelioma case evaluation is also free.
What will I need to do during my mesothelioma lawsuit?
Your involvement will depend on your case and individual circumstances. ELSM's mesothelioma lawyers handle much of the legal work, including investigating your asbestos exposure, gathering records, communicating with defendants, and preparing your case. We keep you informed throughout the process while working to minimize the demands placed on you and your family.
Select a state below to learn more about our team and the results we've secured in your area.
Request a Free Mesothelioma Case Evaluation in Wisconsin
Request a free case evaluation now if you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The evaluation will cost you nothing. Our lawyers will travel to visit you at your convenience or conference call with you over the phone. We understand how difficult a time this is for you and will assist in any way that we can. You can also call us toll-free at 800-336-0086 at any time.
Attorney Kenney is an ELSM partner with 22 years at the firm. Brian helped secure multiple jury verdicts over $20 million for clients exposed to asbestos-contaminated talc. He also handles mesothelioma cases involving secondhand and environmental asbestos exposure.
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