The number of asbestos suits in the United States continues to grow each year as do the size and scope of the class action suits. This is because the ever aging population is reaching the timeline where earlier exposure to the asbestos in the 1930's through the 1980 is now causing significant enough symptoms to obtain a diagnosis. In many of the asbestos suits filed the individuals are extremely ill or may have even died because of asbestos exposure and subsequent diagnosis of mesothelioma or small cell or non-small cell lung cancer. The reason that asbestos lawsuits are started is to provide the victim of the exposure and his or her family with financial compensation due to loss of wages, employment, cost of medical bills and emotional duress and suffering due to the health related conditions. There are also some states that allow people that have been exposed to asbestos to file asbestos suits prior to obtaining a diagnosis providing they meet the criteria for a high risk of developing mesothelioma or a related lung or body cancer due to the exposure.