As the first half of 2026 comes to a close, asbestos litigation remains remarkably stable overall, though important shifts are emerging beneath the surface. While total filing volume is projected to decline modestly from 2025 levels with both mesothelioma and lung cancer filings trending downward, filing activity is becoming increasingly concentrated in a smaller number of jurisdictions, and several plaintiff firms are expanding their presence in key venues.
In April, KCIC released its Asbestos Litigation Year in Review report examining the trends that shaped the asbestos landscape through 2025. With six months of 2026 data now available, we can assess whether those trends have continued and identify new developments that may influence the remainder of the year.
This update analyzes asbestos-related personal injury and wrongful death filings through June 30, 2026 (processed through July 31, 2026) focusing on filing volume, disease mix, jurisdictional trends, and plaintiff firm activity. The data is sourced from publicly available information contained in the complaints.
Filing Volume Remains Stable Despite Modest Decline
So far in 2026 there have been 2,054 asbestos lawsuits filed nationwide between January and June. KCIC has additionally received 212 cases filed in July to date, which are not incorporated into the mid-year data. These totals include cases alleging traditional asbestos exposures, as well as those alleging exposure to asbestos through talc.
Based on filing activity through June, total filings for 2026 are projected to reach approximately 4,108 cases, representing an 8% decrease from the 4,471 filings recorded in 2025. While this decline may appear notable, the broader trend suggests that asbestos litigation has largely stabilized.
Figure 1 below shows annual asbestos filings for the 10-year period 2017 – 2026 (annualized estimate), along with the vertical trend line for the data. Annual filings have remained within a relatively narrow range within this timeframe, with an average year-over-year change of only -1%.
Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Continue to Dominate the Docket
Mesothelioma and lung cancer claims continue to account for the vast majority of asbestos filings in 2026. Through June 30, mesothelioma cases represent approximately 47% of all filings (963 cases), while lung cancer claims account for roughly 40% (827 cases). Together, the two disease categories comprise 87% of the asbestos litigation docket.
Despite remaining the largest category of asbestos claims, mesothelioma filings are projected to decline in 2026. Based on filing activity through the first half of the year, mesothelioma filings are annualized at approximately 1,926 cases, a 7% decrease from the 2,071 filings recorded in 2025.
While mesothelioma activity remains elevated relative to the pandemic-era lows observed between 2020 and 2022, current filing levels suggest more of a plateau following the rebound seen in recent years. The projected 2026 total would be consistent with filing levels recorded during the 2022-2024 period, when annual mesothelioma filings ranged from 1,902 to 1,948 cases.
Lung cancer filings are also projected to decline in 2026. Annualized filings of approximately 1,654 cases would represent a 12% decrease from the 1,877 filings recorded in 2025. Even with this reduction, lung cancer claims remain significantly above pre-2020 levels (1,509 filings and 2020 and even less in years prior) and continue to represent a substantial share of asbestos litigation activity nationwide.
Combined, the projected decline in both mesothelioma and lung cancer filings helps explain the modest reduction in overall asbestos filings expected for 2026.
Filing Activity Becomes More Concentrated
Asbestos lawsuits have been filed in 90 jurisdictions through the first half of 2026, compared with 125 jurisdictions during all of 2025. This suggests that filing activity may be becoming increasingly concentrated in a smaller number of venues.
Figure 2 below highlights the 15 most active jurisdictions based on 2026 filings to date and compares current activity with recent annual filing levels.
Several jurisdictions are currently tracking above 2025 levels. Madison County, Illinois; Cook County, Illinois; Middlesex, New Jersey; Orleans Parish, Louisiana; and Kanawha, West Virginia have each reached more than 50% of their 2025 filing totals by mid-year, indicating that they are likely to finish 2026 with increased filing volume.
Among these jurisdictions, Kanawha stands out, with annualized 2026 filings projected to increase by 52% from 2025. Cook County, Middlesex, and Orleans Parish are also on pace for increases exceeding 20%.
In contrast, several historically significant venues are projected to experience meaningful declines. St. Clair County, Illinois is tracking 45% below its 2025 filing volume, while St. Louis, Missouri is projected to decline by 37%. California jurisdictions also are estimated to have lower filing activity, with Los Angeles and San Francisco projected to decrease by 31% and 17%, respectively.
Plaintiff Firm Activity Reflects Emerging Venue Trends
As may be expected, many of the jurisdictional changes are mirrored in plaintiff firm filing activity.
Figure 3 below presents filing trends for the 15 most active plaintiff firms in 2026 to date. Several firms are on pace to exceed their 2025 filing volume, while others are projected to experience substantial declines.
The most notable increase comes from The Holland Law Firm, which has already filed 116 lawsuits through June, nearly doubling its entire 2025 total of 63 filings. If current activity continues, the firm is projected to file approximately 232 cases in 2026, representing a 268% increase from last year. Most of this growth stems from lung cancer filings in Madison County, Illinois.
Philip C. Hoffman Law is another firm showing significant expansion. The firm has filed 39 lawsuits through June, nearly matching its 2025 full-year total of 41 filings and putting it on pace for a 90% increase by year-end. Most of these cases involve lung cancer claims filed in Orleans Parish, Louisiana.
Other firms projected to increase filing activity are highlighted in Figure 3 below and include:
By contrast, several traditionally high-volume firms are trending downward. The Gori Law Firm is currently projected to experience the largest decline among top filers, with annualized filings tracking 46% below 2025 levels. Simmons Hanly Conroy, Meirowitz & Wasserberg, and Maune Raichle Hartley French & Mudd are also projected to finish the year below last year's totals.
Key Takeaways for the Remainder of 2026
The asbestos litigation environment remains stable from a macro perspective, but several underlying developments merit close attention:
If current trends continue through year-end, 2026 will likely be characterized by modestly lower filing volume overall, accompanied by continued shifts in where cases are filed and which firms are driving new litigation activity. KCIC will continue monitoring filings throughout the year and looks forward to presenting more in-depth filing analyses next month at the National Asbestos Litigation Conference presented by Perrin Conferences in Charleston, SC.
Megan Burns combines her broad technical skills with an ability to lead client teams on a variety of projects. For example, she helps clients deploy KCIC’s Ligado Platform for claims management — helping manage their mass-tort data, especially in the asbestos personal injury arena.
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Jazmin has utilized her vast technical, data analytics, and team management skills to lead a variety of projects at KCIC. Since joining KCIC in 2018, she has participated in and led projects in claims administration, insurance coverage litigation, insurance policy reviews, insurance allocations, and future liability forecasts for asbestos and talc defendants.
Learn More About Jazmin