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Virginia · Claims for harm from asbestos

Claims for harm from asbestos in Virginia

See If You Qualify

Free · No obligation · About 2 minutes

Filing deadline2 years from diagnosisCode § 8.01-243

Deadlines vary with the facts of each case. A lawyer can confirm yours.

Updated

01 · Your filing deadline

What is the deadline in Virginia?

Virginia Code § 8.01-243 provides a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. For asbestos diseases, Virginia law starts the clock when a doctor first communicates the diagnosis (Va. Code § 8.01-249(4)). Virginia follows contributory negligence — among the harshest plaintiff standards of any state. A lawyer can confirm yours.

2 years from diagnosis

Newport News and Norfolk area courts handle significant shipyard asbestos caseloads.

Source: Code § 8.01-243

Deadlines vary; a lawyer can confirm yours. An older diagnosis or a past filing window does not, by itself, establish whether you have a claim.

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A lawyer can check which filing rules apply to your circumstances.

02 · Where cases are heard

Where would my case be heard?

Virginia has a 2-year statute of limitations for mesothelioma from diagnosis. Virginia follows contributory negligence — any plaintiff fault bars recovery entirely — making strong legal representation essential. Virginia's Newport News Shipbuilding (the largest private shipyard in the U.S.), Norfolk Naval Station (the world's largest naval installation), and chemical industry created massive asbestos exposure for shipbuilders and Navy veterans.

Norfolk Circuit Court — Civil Division

150 St Paul's Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23510

Court website

Virginia Beach Circuit Court — Civil Division

2425 Nimmo Pkwy, Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Court website

Medical facilities in Virginia

  • VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center

  • University of Virginia Cancer Center

How this works nationally

For the overall process and updates, read the Claims for harm from asbestos overview. This page covers the local information available for Virginia.

What happens when I check?

You answer a few short questions about what happened. If you send them, your answers are kept on file. If a participating law firm takes these cases, it may contact you. People's Justice is not a law firm.

Live in Virginia? Read what applies in your state.

Register your interest. If a participating law firm takes these cases, it may contact you.

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Sources

  1. Code § 8.01-243