At KCIC, our litigation management services provide us with comprehensive insight into nationwide asbestos and talc filings, enabling us to track and analyze over 90% of all filings alleging asbestos-related diseases. Each spring, we publish an annual Asbestos Year in Review based on the publicly available data from these complaints to offer industry professionals a snapshot of trends. Now, as we pass the midpoint of 2025, it's time to evaluate the patterns we’ve observed thus far this year.

Typically, there is a one-month lag between filing and KCIC’s receipt of complaints. Therefore, the data in this post reflects complaints received by KCIC through July 31, 2025. In some sections, we’ve also provided projections for 2025 based on filings received through this date.

Overall Trends

Figure 1 illustrates the total number of asbestos filings by year, with projections for 2025 included. As of July 31, 2025, asbestos filings have increased by 4%, with 75 more lawsuits filed compared to the same time last year (2,183 in 2025 vs. 2,108 in 2024). Historically, between 2021 and 2024, KCIC processed about 52% of total annual filings by this date. Applying that percentage to 2025 suggests an estimated 6% overall increase in filings by year-end.

Figure 1

By Disease

Figure 2 provides a breakdown of filings by disease category received by 7/31 each year for a point-in-time comparison. The largest nominal increase in filings compared to this time last year is the 52 additional mesothelioma lawsuits filed (1,106 as of 7/31/2025 vs. 1,054 as of 7/31/2024). Jurisdictions with significant increases (10 or more additional lawsuits) in mesothelioma filings include New York, NY (+17 filings); Middlesex, NJ (+21 filings); Alameda, CA (+19 filings); St. Clair, IL (+14 filings); and Fairfield, CT (+10 filings).

Filings for all other diseases except lung cancer have increased, as well, compared to this time in 2024. For instance, non-malignant disease filings have increased by 24%. This increase was largely attributable to Mazur & Kittel, which more than doubled its non-malignant filings in Wayne County, MI (16 vs. 33) compared to the same point in 2024. The number of complaints that did not state a disease (classified below as unknown) also has increased – mostly due to increases in jurisdictions in New York state. While the number of lung cancer filings is higher in jurisdictions like New York, NY (+26 filings), and Philadelphia, PA (+49 filings), there have been significantly fewer lung cancer cases filed in St. Clair, IL (-126 filings), than at this point last year – leading to the overall 6% decrease.

Figure 2

Figure 3 highlights the rise in mesothelioma and lung cancer filings since 2020, comparing filings received by KCIC as of 7/31 each year. Lung cancer filings have increased by 20% since 2020, while mesothelioma filings have climbed by 13%.

Figure 3

By Jurisdiction

Figure 4 highlights the top five jurisdictions for asbestos filings as of July 31, 2025, alongside filings as of July 31 from the previous two years. While Madison County, IL, and St. Clair County, IL, continue to be the top two jurisdictions, they are the only two of the top five jurisdictions with lower filings compared to last year at this time. For the first time since 2022, St. Clair County has seen a significant drop in filings, with a 28% decrease compared to this time last year – mostly due to fewer lung cancer filings. While lung cancer filings have decreased overall by 6%, lung cancer filings in St. Clair have decreased by 33%.

The decrease in St. Clair is mostly offset by notable increases in Philadelphia, PA, and New York, NY. These cities saw total filings increase by 57% and 24% respectively compared to the same point in 2024. In New York, lung cancer filings have increased by 31% (84 vs. 110), while mesothelioma filings have grown by 19% (91 vs. 108). Similarly, lung cancer filings in Philadelphia have more than doubled, up 102% (48 vs. 97) compared to last year.

Figure 4

By Plaintiff Firm

Figure 5 tracks the top five plaintiff firms for complaints received by KCIC through July 31, 2025, along with filings from these plaintiff firms received by 7/31 the two years prior. Among these, the Gori Law Firm saw the largest decrease in filings—down 26% overall (419 vs. 311), with lung cancer filings dropping by 29% (292 vs. 208) and mesothelioma filings by 20% (123 vs. 98). This decrease is most notable in St. Clair County and Madison County.

On the flip side, firms like Weitz & Luxenberg and Meirowitz & Wasserberg saw substantial increases in their filings. Weitz & Luxenberg’s filings grew by 69% (166 vs. 281), with many of these being mesothelioma and lung cancer cases concentrated in New York and Philadelphia. Meirowitz & Wasserberg, with an 86% increase in filings (70 vs. 130), also filed a large number of cases in New York.

Figure 5

Talc Filing Trends

Figure 6 shows the year-over-year trajectory of asbestos-related talc filings, with projections for 2025. Historically, between 2021 and 2024, KCIC processed about 51% of total annual talc filings by this date, and that percentage was applied to the 2025 total as of 7/31/2025. Talc filings have been on the rise since 2021, increasing by 32% in 2022, 42% in 2023, and 18% in 2024. For 2025, we project a 25% increase compared to last year, assuming 51% of 2025 complaints had been received by 7/31. Most of the talc filings continue to be mesothelioma-related, though lung cancer filings alleging talc exposure have almost doubled in 2025, increasing from 25 to 48 filings compared to the same point in 2024.

Figure 6

Figure 7 demonstrates the percentage of total asbestos filings that include a talc allegation. 2025 has seen the highest percentage yet, with 22% of all asbestos filings containing a talc-related allegation—more than double the percentage seen in 2021, and 3% higher than 2024.

Figure 7

Summary

So far in 2025, we are seeing some significant shifts in asbestos filing trends, including a large increase in mesothelioma and talc filings. While top jurisdictions like Madison County and St. Clair County have decreased filings, Philadelphia and New York City are continuing to be key areas to monitor.

At KCIC, we remain committed to providing timely, data-driven insights to help our clients navigate the complexities of asbestos and talc litigation. As we approach the year’s end, we’ll continue to observe these trends and share updates, ensuring that our clients and their counsels/representatives have the information they need to make informed decisions.