Mesothelioma Claims A mesothelioma case can help victims obtain compensation for treatment costs and other expenses. State laws called statutes of limitations limit how long a victim must bring a lawsuit. Most lawsuits are in the form of personal injury or wrongful death claims. Juries award monetary damages that include both economic and non-economic damages. Diagnosis It could take years to diagnose mesothelioma, which is a rare disease. In the majority of cases, patients go to their primary care doctor with symptoms and a medical history.