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Louisiana Mesothelioma Lawyer

Louisiana has one of the highest mesothelioma rates in the U.S. Whether you have been exposed to asbestos recently or decades ago, you will need the best mesothelioma lawyers in Louisiana on your side to help navigate the complex legal system. A Louisiana mesothelioma lawyer can review the facts of your specific case and help you seek compensation.

Recommended Louisiana Lawyer Simmons Hanly Conroy

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Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in Louisiana

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a Louisiana mesothelioma lawyer can help you pursue compensation and justice. Negligent manufacturers of asbestos-containing products knew the risks but hid the truth to make money.

From 1999-2017, almost 1,000 Louisiana residents succumbed to mesothelioma, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A Louisiana mesothelioma attorney understands the unique history and economy of the state that contributed to such a high rate of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma.

Louisiana mesothelioma lawyers also understand laws and regulations related to the state’s major industries and asbestos exposure.

Asbestos claims have been filed by mesothelioma victims who lived or worked in these Louisiana locations:

  • Alexandria
  • Baton Rouge
  • Bossier City
  • Chalmette
  • Covington
  • Franklin
  • Houma
  • Jennings
  • Lake Charles
  • Lafayette
  • Metairie
  • Monroe
  • Morgan City
  • New Orleans
  • Shreveport
  • Sterlington
  • Taft
  • Westlake
  • And more
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When looking for a Louisiana mesothelioma lawyer, it’s important to select a firm with the experience, reputation, and resources to advocate for you. Thankfully, Mesothelioma Hope has partnered with an experienced mesothelioma law firm that can help patients like you: Simmons Hanly Conroy.

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  • Over $30 billion available
  • No cost to file a claim
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Louisiana Mesothelioma Law Firm

Through a mesothelioma lawsuit, those with asbestos-related diseases can access compensation to cover medical expenses and protect their family’s future. As one of the nation’s largest mass tort law firms, Simmons Hanly Conroy is dedicated to helping victims of mesothelioma and other personal injuries find justice and hope.

The attorneys at Simmons Hanly Conroy have centuries of combined experience, and they aim to provide their clients with first-class legal services.

Our sponsor firm has recovered over $120 million on behalf of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related disease victims in Louisiana alone. A few of the firm’s recent mesothelioma settlement amounts are highlighted below.

Louisiana Settlements Recovered by Simmons Hanly Conroy

  • $10.3 millionStevedore
  • $8.3 millionServiceman's family
  • $6.5 millionDerrickhand
  • $5 millionLandscaper

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Fact-Checked

All Simmons Hanly Conroy settlement amounts have been fact-checked and verified by our editorial team.

Asbestos Exposure Sites in Louisiana

There are many high-risk asbestos sites in Louisiana. For example, more than 1,100 non-coal mines have been identified in the state. Approximately 500 of these mines present safety or environmental hazards to the people of Louisiana.

Asbestos can be naturally found alongside other minerals in mines. Mining can send stray asbestos fibers into the air that workers breathe.

But active or abandoned mines are not the only places in the state where asbestos can be found. Louisiana power plants and military bases were also built with asbestos-based products. In fact, most buildings, homes, and other structures built before the 1980s still contain asbestos today.

Examples of asbestos sites in Louisiana include:

  • Allied Chemical, Baton Rouge
  • American Standard Chemical Plant, New Orleans
  • Avondale Shipyards, New Orleans
  • Brothers of the Sacred Heart High School, New Orleans
  • Citgo Oil Refinery, Lake Charles
  • Detroit Edison Company, River Rouge
  • Fairmont Hotel, New Orleans
  • Ford Motor Company, Shreveport
  • General Motors Plant, Shreveport
  • Kaiser Steel, Gramercy Works, Gramercy
  • Koch Nitrogen, Sterlington
  • Louisiana Pacific Saw Mill, Alexandria
  • Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge
  • Main Iron Works Shipyard, Houma
  • Mercy Hospital, New Orleans
  • Mobil/Magnolia, Johnson Bayou
  • Tulane University, New Orleans
  • Union Carbide Plant, Hahnville

An experienced Louisiana mesothelioma attorney has access to extensive databases of sites linked to asbestos in the state and across the nation.

If you believe you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos, contact a Louisiana mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible.

Louisiana Parishes With the Highest Number of Asbestos-Related Deaths

Asbestos affects families and communities in every state and county in the U.S. Along with mesothelioma, asbestos exposure has caused thousands of deaths in Louisiana from related diseases like asbestosis and lung cancer. Five parishes were hit particularly hard in recent years.

Asbestos-Related Deaths Between 1999-2017
LocationEstimated DeathsAverage Deaths Per Year
Jefferson Parish1,27767
East Baton Rouge Parish39520
St. Tammany Parish34418
Orleans Parish31916
Tangipahoa Parish1839

Know Your Rights: Louisiana Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Many mesothelioma victims choose to pursue justice and compensation by filing a mesothelioma lawsuit against the makers of asbestos-based products.

These companies knew that people who were exposed to asbestos could get sick and die, but they chose to keep making and selling their products — putting profits ahead of people.

Successful mesothelioma lawsuits force manufacturers to pay for the harm they’ve caused victims and their families.

If you or a loved one were injured by wrongful asbestos exposure, you have the legal right to file a claim.

With the help of a Louisiana mesothelioma lawyer, asbestos victims can see if they’re eligible to receive compensation from a lawsuit.

Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Claim in Louisiana?

In addition to Louisiana residents, mesothelioma patients who may have been exposed to asbestos while working in, living in, or visiting the state might qualify to file a claim for financial compensation.

Additionally, anyone who’s been diagnosed with other serious asbestos-related diseases — such as lung cancer or asbestosis — may also qualify to file a claim with the help of a mesothelioma attorney in Louisiana.

Even those who develop an asbestos-related disease later in life, such as mesothelioma, may be eligible to file a claim. Surviving family members may also be able to file a claim on behalf of a mesothelioma victim.

A Louisiana mesothelioma lawyer can explain how the state’s laws and regulations impact someone’s eligibility for different types of asbestos claims.

Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts in Louisiana

Louisiana mesothelioma lawyer meeting with an older couple

In the past decade, a number of multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts have been reached in favor of mesothelioma victims.

Most mesothelioma lawsuits reach out-of-court settlements valued at between $1 million and $1.4 million on average.

If the lawsuit goes to trial, a jury will determine a winner through a verdict.

The average mesothelioma verdict awards between $5-11.4 million if an asbestos victim wins. Manufacturers can also win the lawsuit, and in these cases, the asbestos victim gets no money.

Mesothelioma settlements and verdicts may award more or less than these averages.

Did You Know?

A Louisiana man who developed mesothelioma after working as an electrician at a chemical plant was awarded $5.95 million, and $3 million was awarded to a former mechanic who developed mesothelioma while on the job.

Each state has its own statute of limitations, so it is important to get in touch with a Louisiana mesothelioma lawyer right away. If you are unsure about how to choose a mesothelioma lawyer, we can help.

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Asbestos Laws and Regulations in Louisiana

The state and federal governments regulate asbestos in Louisiana.

Demolition and removal projects follow federal requirements under the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for asbestos.

These regulations include:

  • Notification and recordkeeping requirements
  • Strict emission standards
  • Disposal regulations

Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) asbestos exposure standards apply to workplaces in Louisiana. State regulations also require schools and public buildings to identify and remove asbestos.

Statutes of Limitations in Louisiana

A statute of limitations determines when parties can file a legal claim. This rule is complex, with many variations by state.

For example, each state’s statute of limitations will differ whether the victim is living or deceased, as either a personal injury or wrongful death claim will have to be filed.

Contacting an experienced Louisiana mesothelioma lawyer soon after the diagnosis or the death of a loved one will help ensure that your filing falls within the statute of limitations.

Asbestos Trust Funds in Louisiana

Even if Louisiana mesothelioma lawyers determine that the statute of limitations has passed, a trust fund rule may state that you are still eligible for compensation.

Funded by companies to help pay future claims, asbestos trust funds are not subject to state law. As such, these trusts have the freedom to establish their own rules related to filing deadlines.

According to the Government Accountability Office, asbestos trust funds paid out $17.5 billion to victims from 1988 through 2011.

Learn how to file an asbestos trust fund claim with the help of a Louisiana mesothelioma lawyer.

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  • $300K-$400K average compensation
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Louisiana VA Information for Mesothelioma Victims

One-third of all mesothelioma patients are veterans. Approximately 6,000 veterans died from the disease between 1999 and 2005 alone.

In response to this epidemic, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is now one of the largest providers of benefits and services for veterans with mesothelioma.

Louisiana VA Benefits

By filing for VA benefits, veterans with mesothelioma can access financial compensation and health care.

Mesothelioma VA benefits Include:

  • Disability compensation
  • Burial & survivor benefits
  • Hospice Care
  • Pensions

Veterans can also access medical treatments from VA mesothelioma specialists.

Two well-known VA mesothelioma specialists include:

Mesothelioma Hope has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by Dr. Robert B. Cameron. The contact information above is listed for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact Dr. Cameron directly.

In Louisiana, the following offices and facilities are here to help veterans. Contact these offices by visiting va.gov.

Veterans Benefits Administration

  • Barksdale Air Force Base, New Orleans
  • Fort Polk
  • NSA (No MOU), New Orleans
  • Regional Benefits Office, New Orleans

VA Medical Centers

  • Alexandria VA Health Care System, Pineville
  • Overton Brooks VA Medical Center, Shreveport
  • Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans

Community-Based Outpatient Clinics

  • Baton Rouge Outpatient Clinic (North Clinic, South Clinic)
  • Bogalusa VA Outpatient Clinic
  • Fort Polk CBOC, Leesville
  • Franklin VA Outpatient Clinic
  • Hammond VA Outpatient Clinic
  • Houma CBOC
  • Jennings Clinic
  • Knight Street Clinic, Shreveport
  • Lafayette CBOC Campus (Specialty and Primary Care, Mental Health)
  • Lake Charles CBOC
  • Monroe CBOC
  • Natchitoches CBOC
  • New Orleans VA Outpatient Clinic
  • Slidell VA Outpatient Clinic
  • St. John VA Outpatient Clinic
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Veterans Centers

  • Alexandria Veterans Center
  • Baton Rouge Veterans Center
  • New Orleans Veterans Center
  • Shreveport Veterans Center

Veterans looking to file for VA benefits should start by contacting a Louisiana mesothelioma lawyer, who can gather key documents needed to file a claim. Veterans can use this information to file a claim with the help of a Veterans Service Officer (VSO).

AML and VFW Service Officers in Louisiana

VSOs with organizations such as the American Legion (AML) and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) are trained and accredited by the VA and other recognized organizations to assist veterans, their dependents, and survivors.

Local VSOs can be found in offices specific to each state, your county courthouse, your local VA office, or the local organization’s headquarters.

There are several service offices in Louisiana from Abbeville to Winnsboro.

Offices serving the 10 largest cities in the state include:

  • Alexandria – Rapides Parish Veterans Service Office
  • Baton Rouge – East Baton Rouge Parish Veterans Service Office
  • Bossier City – Northwest Louisiana War Veterans Home
  • Houma – Terrebonne Parish Veterans Service Office
  • Kenner – Jefferson Parish East Veterans Service Office
  • Lafayette – Lafayette Parish Veterans Service Office
  • Lake Charles – Calcasieu Parish Veterans Service Office
  • Monroe – Northeast Louisiana Veterans Home
  • New Orleans – Orleans Parish Veterans Service Office
  • Shreveport – Caddo Parish Veterans Service Office

Veterans can reach out to these offices to connect with VSOs who can help them file for VA benefits.

Download our Free Veterans Compensation Guide today to learn if and how you can access financial assistance for an asbestos-related illness.

Connect With a Louisiana Mesothelioma Lawyer

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, working with an experienced Louisiana mesothelioma lawyer is the best way to pursue the compensation you may deserve.

A qualified Louisiana mesothelioma attorney can help you:

  1. Identify the Louisiana work sites or locations where you were exposed to asbestos
  2. Obtain medical and military records
  3. Build an asbestos claim that maximizes your chances of securing compensation
  4. File your claim within the proper Louisiana statute of limitations

Top Louisiana mesothelioma lawyers can calculate expenses including medical costs, pain and suffering, and other damages related to your condition. Get a free case review to see if you can work with a Louisiana mesothelioma lawyer.

Find more information by your state below
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Melissa Crowe Schopfer, Simmons Hanly Conroy AttorneyReviewed by:Melissa Crowe Schopfer

Partner, Simmons Hanly Conroy

  • Fact-Checked
  • Legal Editor

Melissa Crowe Schopfer is a partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy. Over the past 10 years, Melissa has worked on over 500 cases and recovered more than $100 million in settlements and trial verdicts on behalf of her clients. She has represented families impacted by mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases in almost every state.

  • Asbestos Trial Team Leader
  • Practicing Attorney for 15+ Years
  • Has Recovered Over $100 Million
Jenna TozziWritten by:

Director of Patient Advocacy

Jenna Tozzi, RN, is the Director of Patient Advocacy at Mesothelioma Hope. With more than 15 years of experience as an adult and pediatric oncology nurse navigator, Jenna provides exceptional guidance and support to mesothelioma patients and their loved ones. Jenna has been featured in Oncology Nursing News and is a member of the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators & the American Nurses Association.

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References
  1. Buffie, N., & McInnis, T. (2017, April 10). Highest to Lowest Share of Blue Collar Jobs By State. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://bluecollarjobs.us/2017/04/10/highest-to-lowest-share-of-blue-collar-jobs-by-state/

  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. (2018). Underlying cause of death 1999-2017 on CDC WONDER online database. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from http://wonder.cdc.gov/ucd-icd10.html

  3. Department of Natural Resources: State of Louisiana. (n.d.). Retrieved December 20, 2022, from http://www.dnr.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=133

  4. EPA Actions to Protect the Public from Exposure to Asbestos. (2020, March 20). Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/epa-actions-protect-public-exposure-asbestos

  5. Henley, S. J., Larson, T. C., Wu, M., Antao, V. C. S., Lewis, M., Pinheiro, G. A., & Eheman, C. (2013). Mesothelioma incidence in 50 states and the District of Columbia, United States, 2003-2008. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4406225/#R12

  6. Jones, A., & Mipro, R. (2019, November 25). Over $725,000 in asbestos replacement, abatement needed in Woodin, Middleton, Engineer Quad Steam Tunnel. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://www.lsureveille.com/news/over-in-asbestos-replacement-abatement-needed-in-woodin-middleton-engineer/article_855a9772-0980-11ea-b497-4f8c5487bf1d.html

  7. Justia, “Asbestos and hazardous component materials detection program established.” Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://law.justia.com/codes/louisiana/2011/rs/title40/rs40-1749-1

  8. Justice Department Files Statement of Interest in New Asbestos Trust Proposal. (2018, October 31). Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-files-statement-interest-new-asbestos-trust-proposal

  9. Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, “Asbestos.” Retrieved December 20, 2022, from http://deq.louisiana.gov/page/asbestos-accreditation-and-notification-forms

  10. Louisiana Jury Awards $3 Million to Former Mechanic in Asbestos Case Against John Crane. (2013, June 5). Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://harrismartin.com/article/16323/louisiana-jury-awards-3-million-to-former-mechanic-in-asbestos-case-against-john-crane/

  11. Manuel, J. (2006, January). In Katrina’s Wake. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1332683/

  12. Mazurek, J. M., Syamlal, G., & Wood, J. M. (2017, August 1). Malignant Mesothelioma Mortality – United States, 1999–2015. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6608a3.htm

  13. Mealey’s. (2021, July 30). Mealey’s litigation report: asbestos. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://www.lexislegalnews.com/articles/65302/asbestos-verdicts-settlements-january-2020-december-2020

  14. Office, U. S. G. A. (2011, October 19). Asbestos Injury Compensation: The Role and Administration of Asbestos Trusts. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-819

  15. Nag, O. S. (2019, January 14). The 10 Biggest Cities In Louisiana. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-10-biggest-cities-in-louisiana.html

  16. Shipbuilders in Louisiana (LA) on ThomasNet.com. (n.d.). Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://www.thomasnet.com/louisiana/shipbuilders-74971201-1.html

  17. Solutions, V. A. W. (2021, Nov. 3). Veterans Affairs. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/state.asp?STATE=LA&dnum=ALL

  18. What Is Pleural Mesothelioma? (n.d.). Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://www.slidellmemorial.org/blog/what-is-pleural-mesothelioma

How We Can Help

Mesothelioma Hope is passionate about helping patients and families affected by this aggressive cancer. A mesothelioma diagnosis can be scary and isolating, but we’re here for you at every step. Hope is only a phone call away.

(866) 608-8933
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