Michigan Mesothelioma Lawyers

Michigan recorded about 500 new mesothelioma cases between 2018 and 2022, roughly 100 a year, a lasting consequence of the auto industry’s widespread use of asbestos during the 20th century (CDC). If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, our Michigan mesothelioma lawyers can provide the crucial helping hand you and your family need.

Asbestos exposure, particularly in the auto industry, was not the workers’ fault. They deserve compensation, and the courts in Michigan have strong experience in handling these cases.

With over $1 billion recovered nationally, our experienced team can pursue a personal injury lawsuit and/or asbestos trust fund claim to recover the compensation you deserve.

Why Does Michigan Have So Many Mesothelioma Cases?

Michigan had the fourth-highest mesothelioma rate in the nation in 2022, and more than 1,900 residents have died from the disease.

In particular, the south-central region of Michigan has a high concentration of cases, tied to foundry and shipyard work in Saginaw and Bay County. And Wayne County is a top-10 national asbestos-lawsuit jurisdiction.

This is a clear reflection of the state’s industrial history and the widespread use of asbestos in factories, shipyards, and construction projects, leaving many families searching for legal help for mesothelioma patients in Michigan when the disease appears decades later.

Michigan Asbestos Exposure Industries

Asbestos was seen as a ‘miracle’ material due to its heat and fire-resistant properties. Our mesothelioma lawyers in Michigan have helped workers from the following industries:

Automotive Industry

The auto industry used asbestos almost universally in the 20th century. Ford’s Rouge complex in Dearborn, GM plants in Flint and Detroit, and Chrysler facilities across southeast Michigan all used asbestos in brakes, gaskets, insulation, and protective gear.

Auto parts suppliers and stamping plants also used asbestos, with secondary asbestos exposure rampant throughout southeast Michigan.

Great Lakes Shipyards

Facilities in Bay City, Escanaba, Sault Ste. Marie, and Detroit repaired and built naval and merchant ships lined with asbestos for fireproofing. Veterans and civilian workers often faced the same risks found on navy ships, with asbestos adding to today’s concerns over Michigan shipyard asbestos.

Oil and Chemical Refineries

Sites in Detroit, River Rouge, and Wyoming required high-heat insulation, putting oil refinery workers at constant risk. Notably, chemical manufacturers like Dow Chemical in Midland also had high rates of exposure.

Power Plants and Steel Mills

Boiler rooms and turbines throughout the state used asbestos for heat control. Power plant workers have a higher chance of asbestos exposure.

Construction and Demolition

Older schools, hospitals, and municipal buildings built before 1980 often still contain asbestos insulation and flooring, exposing construction workers during renovations and creating long-term risks tied to asbestos in Michigan construction.

Secondary Exposure

Many workers carried asbestos dust home on their clothing, unintentionally exposing spouses and children.

How Does a Michigan Mesothelioma Lawyer Help?

Almost anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma was likely the victim of negligence from product and part manufacturers. These companies often knew about the dangers of the material for many years, yet overlooked them.

Victims, therefore, have the right to compensation. Our Michigan mesothelioma lawyers help win these settlements or verdicts by conducting deep investigations through product documentation, employment records, OSHA data, and even warnings that the companies overlooked.

Legal Pathways in Michigan

There are two primary legal pathways that our mesothelioma lawyers in Michigan pursue:

Personal Injury Lawsuits

Personal injury lawsuits can be filed against asbestos manufacturers (not the military), stating that their negligence was the cause of your exposure.

Asbestos Trust Fund Claims

Should the negligent company have since gone bankrupt, all is not lost thanks to ‘Asbestos Trust Fund Claims’.

Trust funds were set up in the 1980s to secure funds for future claimants, in the wake of considerable bankruptcies after asbestos laws were put in place.

Today, there are around 60 active trusts with billions of dollars available in total for claimants. Our team will consider pursuing multiple trusts for you, helping to maximise your payout.

Wrongful Death Claims

‘Wrongful death claims’ are a type of mesothelioma claim for family members who have lost a loved one.

These claims can help you recover a settlement to cover your funeral and burial expenses, as well as compensation for your loss.

The Michigan Statute of Limitations

Please note the importance of the Michigan ‘Statute of Limitations’ for mesothelioma. This is the deadline by which you must file a claim. Any later and you’ll miss the chance.

In Michigan, the deadline is:

• Personal injury: 3 years from the diagnosis date
• Wrongful death: 3 years from the date of death

Michigan applies a ‘discovery rule,’ so the clock starts when you are diagnosed, or when you reasonably should have known your illness was linked to asbestos, not at the time of exposure. If a loved one was diagnosed before passing away, the timing of that diagnosis can affect the wrongful death deadline, so it is important to speak with an attorney as early as possible.

What Compensation Can Michigan Mesothelioma Victims Recover?
Our Michigan asbestos exposure attorneys can help recover damages, including:

Past and future medical bills, including experimental treatments, surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and clinical trial costs.

• Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Travel expenses for treatment and, in some cases, funeral costs

Each case is unique; consulting a mesothelioma attorney in Michigan ensures the claim is filed in the best manner.

Note that asbestos lawsuit compensation does not affect VA disability benefits, as veterans may pursue both simultaneously.

Why Choose Shrader & Associates for Your Michigan Case?

With over $1 billion recovered for victims nationwide and as members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the National Trial Lawyers Association, Shrader & Associates is best placed to help mesothelioma victims gain the compensation they deserve.

Our mesothelioma lawyers in Detroit, Michigan, have strong court experience in Wayne County and across Michigan and have the resources to make deep investigations, even into cases that stretch back nearly 100 years.

Our know-how will help us uncover crucial documentation that establishes where you were exposed and links it to your current illness. We can also pursue multi-defendant asbestos lawsuits, helping to maximize your settlement.

All of this is provided with a human approach, which makes the process as stress-free and clear to you as possible. You’ll communicate directly with our Michigan mesothelioma attorneys throughout the case and will always be kept in the loop.

This all begins with our Michigan mesothelioma attorneys visiting you, within 48 hours after your first contact, if desired.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Michigan Mesothelioma Lawyers Today

We welcome you to contact our asbestos lawyers in Michigan today for a free consultation.

Working on a no-win, no-fee basis, we believe everyone has the right to high-quality legal support and will be happy to hear your story and create a plan.

FAQs on Our Michigan Asbestos Attorneys

How long do I have to file a mesothelioma lawsuit in Michigan?

You have 3 years from the date of diagnosis, per Michigan’s statute of limitations for mesothelioma.

Can I file a mesothelioma claim if I worked at a Michigan auto plant decades ago?

Yes. Our Michigan mesothelioma attorneys will work to investigate deeply into state and national records to uncover facts that link negligence to your diagnosis. If a company at fault has since gone bankrupt, you may also be able to file a Michigan asbestos trust fund claim.

Does Michigan have active asbestos trust funds I can file against?

Yes. Although these are national trusts, not specific to Michigan. There are around 60 active asbestos trust funds as of 2026.

Is Wayne County a good place to file a mesothelioma lawsuit in Michigan?

Yes. Wayne County (Detroit) handles one of the highest volumes of asbestos lawsuits in the country, 159 filings in 2024, placing it among the top 10 jurisdictions nationally — so its courts are highly experienced with these cases. Our Wayne County mesothelioma attorneys will help determine the right jurisdiction for your case.

Can I file both a VA disability claim and a mesothelioma lawsuit in Michigan?

Yes. A mesothelioma lawsuit does not affect a VA disability claim or VA disability benefits amount.

Further resources:

• What happens after filing an asbestos lawsuit?