Mesothelioma Lawsuit Timeline The time limit for mesothelioma differs from one state to another. The clock starts ticking from the date of diagnosis (for personal injury claims) or death (for wrongful death claims). A mesothelioma lawyer who is skilled and knowledgeable knows the limitations of state law and how to speed up the process to receive compensation as soon as is possible. A faster resolution means compensation is available when families and patients are in need of it most. The Discovery Phase After filing your mesothelioma lawsuit