Suggested links
Providence Rhode Island skyline
views from around Rhode Island

Rhode Island Mesothelioma Lawyer

Rhode Island construction teams used asbestos to build homes and other structures for decades. Military bases and shipyards also relied on asbestos. Yet asbestos exposure can put people at risk of mesothelioma and other deadly diseases. Asbestos victims can access justice and compensation by working with Rhode Island mesothelioma lawyers.

Recommended Rhode Island Lawyer Simmons Hanly Conroy

Get Connected

Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in Rhode Island

Many mesothelioma cases in Rhode Island could have been avoided. Manufacturers of asbestos-based products knew this material led to life-threatening diseases — but did not reveal the truth for decades after millions were exposed.

If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma: Get a Free Legal Case Review Now

More than 200 Rhode Island residents died from mesothelioma from 1999-2015. This rare cancer is usually caused by exposure to asbestos.

People with mesothelioma may be able to receive compensation from these manufacturers. Experienced Rhode Island mesothelioma lawyers can help secure this money through a lawsuit.

Couple during a legal consultation
Get a Free Legal Consultation
  • Over $30 billion available
  • No cost to file a claim
  • Avoid going to court

Get a Free Consultation

Rhode Island Mesothelioma Law Firm

If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos, you could be owed compensation for the damage that exposure caused. Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma and causes or contributes to other conditions like asbestosis and many types of cancer.

The manufacturers of asbestos products knew of the potential dangers but chose profit over protecting the public. Our sponsor firm, Simmons Hanly Conroy, is one of the top law firms in the nation at holding these asbestos companies responsible. With over $9.3 billion in compensation won for clients in with mesothelioma, Simmons Hanly Conroy has the experience and track record to help you get justice and compensation.

Asbestos Exposure Sites in Rhode Island

Construction projects and other blue-collar work sites in Rhode Island relied on asbestos for decades. Many older homes and buildings made before the 1980s also contain asbestos today.

Rhode Island mesothelioma lawyers maintain databases of sites linked to asbestos in the state and around the country.

Examples of asbestos sites in Rhode Island include:

  • Brown University, Providence
  • Nottingham Mills, Providence
  • Leviton Corporation, Hillsgrove
  • Union Oil Company, Providence
  • Providence Shipyards, Providence
  • Rhode Island Hospital, Providence
  • Standard Oil Company, Providence
  • Walsh Kaiser Shipyard, Providence
  • American Electrical Works, Providence
  • Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Nantucket
  • Newport Naval Station Marine Barracks
  • PG&E National Energy Group, Providence
  • Wanskuck Company, Steere Mill, Providence
  • Bristol Manufacturing Company, East Providence

This is not a complete list. Contact a Rhode Island mesothelioma lawyer to see if a site you worked at used asbestos. These lawyers can also help you access financial benefits to cover treatment costs and other expenses.

Know Your Rights: Rhode Island Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Rhode Island mesothelioma lawyers can file lawsuits to secure compensation from the manufacturers of asbestos-based products.

On average, mesothelioma lawsuits pay out over $1 million.

If you want to file a mesothelioma lawsuit, reach out to a Rhode Island asbestos lawyer today. It costs you nothing to file and lawyers take on most of the legal burdens.

Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts in Rhode Island

Mesothelioma victims can receive money from a lawsuit through either a settlement or a verdicts.

Over 95% of all mesothelioma lawsuits are settled out-of-court. Settlements allow mesothelioma victims to receive money faster than if the case went to trial.

Most mesothelioma settlements award $1 million on average. Some receive more than this amount. For example, a 51-year-old plant worker from Rhode Island received a $2.5 million settlement.

Lawsuits that do not settle may go to trial before a jury. The jury will then reach a verdict on the case and decide if the mesothelioma victim deserves compensation.

Recent Rhode Island mesothelioma verdicts include:

  • $2.9 million to a 79-year-old electrician and Navy veteran
  • $2.7 million to a 61-year-old engineer and plasterer
  • $2.7 million to a 65-year-old Navy boiler repair technician

Some mesothelioma verdicts award more than these amounts — while others award no money at all.

Rhode Island Mesothelioma Settlements Recovered by Simmons Hanly Conroy

  • $3.4 millionNavy Veteran
  • $1.5 millionMechanic
  • $2.1 millionCarpenter
  • $1.48 millionPipefitter

Get Connected

Fact-Checked

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

Asbestos Laws and Regulations in Rhode Island

Rhode Island workplaces must follow federal safety and health standards for asbestos.

The state also follows the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) and the Rhode Island Rules and Regulations (RI Rule) to monitor asbestos use.

Agencies and divisions overseeing state rules include:

  • Bureau of Occupational and Industrial Safety
  • Division of Environmental Health
  • Occupational and Radiological Health Division
  • Rhode Island Department of Health (DOH)
  • Rhode Island Department of Labor and Industry (DLI)

Federal agencies that regulate asbestos use include:

  • U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

A Rhode Island mesothelioma lawyer can see how these laws could affect your case.

Statute of Limitations in Rhode Island

A Rhode Island mesothelioma lawyer goes over paperwork with a man and a woman

All Rhode Island mesothelioma lawsuits must be filed within the statutes of limitations. Statutes of limitations are time limits set by federal and state law. These laws are complex — they vary greatly by state and other factors.

To ensure that your case is filed within the statute of limitations, contact a mesothelioma lawyer in Rhode Island soon after a diagnosis or passing of a loved one.

A Rhode Island mesothelioma lawyer can review the facts of your case and determine if your filing is within the state’s limits. If not, a trust fund rule may state that you still qualify for compensation.

Asbestos Trust Funds and Statutes of Limitations


Asbestos trust funds are established by manufacturers that filed for bankruptcy. The manufacturers set aside money in the trusts to pay victims, and in return, they can no longer be sued

Asbestos trust funds are not subject to regular statutes of limitations. The bankrupt companies that established the trusts set their own time limits to file claims.

From 1998-2011, trusts paid $17.5 billion to mesothelioma victims.

a lawyer shares documents with a client
Access Asbestos
Trust Funds
  • More than $30 billion available
  • $300K-$400K average compensation
  • Get money in 90 days or less

Check If You Qualify

Rhode Island VA Information for Mesothelioma Victims

Rhode Island is home to several military bases and shipyards that relied on asbestos for decades. This put Rhode Island military veterans at a high risk of mesothelioma.

Fortunately, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides disability compensation and other benefits to veterans with mesothelioma.

Key VA benefits include:

Two of the country’s best mesothelioma doctors also work with the VA to treat veterans with this rare cancer.

These VA mesothelioma doctors are:

Disclaimer

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. Visit the UCLA Health website to learn more about Dr. Robert Cameron.

Veterans can contact the following VA offices in Rhode Island by visiting va.gov.

Veterans Benefits Administration

  • Providence Regional Office, Providence

VA Medical Centers

  • Providence VA Medical Center, Providence

Community-Based Outpatient Clinics

  • Middletown Outpatient Clinic, Middletown

Veterans Centers

  • Providence Veterans Center, Warwick

If you are a veteran who wants to file for VA benefits, start with a Rhode Island mesothelioma lawyer. Mesothelioma lawyers can see how you were exposed to asbestos while you served in the military.

From there, a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) in your area can help you file for VA benefits using this information.

AML and VFW Service Officers in Rhode Island


Trained by the VA and other recognized organizations, VSOs help veterans and their families receive military benefits.

VSOs work with groups such as the:

  • American Legion (AML)
  • Disabled Veterans of America
  • Military Order of the Purple Heart
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
  • Vietnam Veterans of America

These groups have more than a dozen offices located throughout Rhode Island. Find some of these offices below.

Providence

  • American Legion
  • Disabled American Veterans
  • Military Order of the Purple Heart
  • National Association of County Veterans Services
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars
  • Veterans of World War I
  • Vietnam Veterans of America
  • Virginia Department of Veterans Services

Warwick

  • Rhode Island Office of Veterans Affairs (RIOVA)

Central Falls

  • Veterans of World War I

Charlestown

  • American Ex-Prisoners of War

To connect with a VSO and file for VA benefits, reach out to an office near you. You can also work with a Rhode Island mesothelioma lawyer to file a lawsuit.

Couple during a legal consultation
Get a Free Legal Consultation
  • Over $30 billion available
  • No cost to file a claim
  • Avoid going to court

Get a Free Consultation

Connect With a Rhode Island Mesothelioma Lawyer

You may be eligible to pursue compensation and justice after a mesothelioma diagnosis, and Rhode Island mesothelioma lawyers are here to help.

Rhode Island mesothelioma lawyers can:

  • See when, where, and how you were exposed to asbestos
  • File lawsuits within Rhode Island’s statute of limitations
  • Retrieve the most compensation possible for your case

We are here to help you. Get a free case review to learn more.

Find more information by your state below
Show More
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.

Our Promise to You
Our Promise to You
References
  1. Berkowitz, B. (2012, May 11). Special Report: The long, lethal shadow of asbestos. Retrieved March 29, 2022, from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-asbestos-lawsuits/special-report-the-long-lethal-shadow-of-asbestos-idUSBRE84A0J920120511

  2. Buffie, N., & McInnis, T. (2017, April 10). Highest to Lowest Share of Blue Collar Jobs By State. Retrieved April 15, 2022, from https://bluecollarjobs.us/2017/04/10/highest-to-lowest-share-of-blue-collar-jobs-by-state/

  3. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. (n.d.). Retrieved April 15, 2022, from https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/vso-search

  4. EPA Actions to Protect the Public from Exposure to Asbestos. (2020, March 20). Retrieved March 21, 2022, from https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/epa-actions-protect-public-exposure-asbestos

  5. Find a Service Officer. (n.d.). Retrieved April 15, 2022, from https://www.legion.org/serviceofficers/RI

  6. Goguen, David. Asbestos and Mesothelioma Lawsuits: What to Expect (2020). Retrieved April 15, 2022, from https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/asbestos-mesothelioma-lawsuits-what-expect-30340.html

  7. Historical Information. (2019, July 1). Retrieved April 15, 2022, from https://www.ri.gov/facts/history.php

  8. Malignant mesothelioma (all sites): Number of deaths by state, U.S. residents age 15 and over, 2001–2010. (2014, September 11). Retrieved April 15, 2022, from https://wwwn.cdc.gov/eworld/Data/Malignant_mesothelioma_all_sites_Number_of_deaths_by_state_US_residents_age_15_and_over_20012010/803

  9. Mazurek, J. M., Syamlal, G., & Wood, J. M. (2017, August 1). Malignant Mesothelioma Mortality – United States, 1999–2015. Retrieved March 21, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6608a3.htm

  10. Office, U. S. G. A. (2011, October 19). Asbestos Injury Compensation: The Role and Administration of Asbestos Trusts. Retrieved March 21, 2022, from https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-819

  11. Rhode Island Asbestos: What you need to know. (2020). Retrieved April 15, 2022, from https://www.blr.com/Workplace-Safety/Hazardous-Substances-and-Materials/Asbestos-in-Rhode Island

  12. Rhode Island Military Bases. (1998). Retrieved April 15, 2022, from https://militarybases.com/Rhode Island/

  13. Rhode Island: 10 Largest Cities. (n.d.) Retrieved April 15, 2022, from https://www.geonames.org/US/RI/largest-cities-in-Rhode Island.html

  14. Risk Factors for Malignant Mesothelioma. (2020). Retrieved March 21, 2022, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/malignant-mesothelioma/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.htm

  15. Solutions, V. A. W. (2000, June 21). Veterans Affairs. Retrieved April 15, 2022, from https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/state.asp?dnum=ALL&STATE=RI

  16. State of Rhode Island Department of Health: Asbestos. (2020). Retrieved March 21, 2022, from https://health.ri.gov/healthrisks/poisoning/asbestos/

  17. Statute of Limitations. (2015, August 9). Retrieved May 8, 2022, from https://legaldictionary.net/statute-of-limitations/

  18. Thomas, Lee M. (1985). Asbestos Fact Book. Retrieved March, 21, 2020, from https://www.epa.gov/nscep

  19. What Is Pleural Mesothelioma? (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 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
Medical Guidance
  • Get a second opinion
  • Find a doctor or cancer center
  • Access clinical trials
  • Improve your quality of life
Financial Assistance
  • Access $30 billion in trust funds
  • File a mesothelioma claim
  • Increase your VA benefits
  • Apply for travel grants
Supportive Care
  • Find a support group or peer mentor
  • Get help with daily tasks
  • Explore respite care options
  • Navigate life post-treatment