Texas Mesothelioma Lawyer

Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in Texas

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the first step toward justice is filing a claim with the help of a Texas mesothelioma lawyer.

The only known cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral fiber used in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and fire retardancy. When asbestos fibers are breathed in or swallowed, victims can develop deadly illnesses like mesothelioma and asbestosis.

It can take 10-50 years for symptoms of mesothelioma to appear after someone is exposed to asbestos. For many patients, the disease has already spread to other parts of the body by the time the symptoms appear.

Texas is home to a large number of asbestos plaintiffs, many of whom worked in the construction industry. By working with an experienced Texas mesothelioma lawyer, asbestos-related disease victims gain their best chance at securing much-needed compensation to help combat the disease.

When researching a prospective Texas 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 law firm that can help mesothelioma patients like you: Simmons Hanly Conroy.

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Texas Mesothelioma Law Firm

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 $280 million on behalf of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related disease victims in Texas alone. A few of the firm’s recent mesothelioma settlement amounts are highlighted below.

Texas Asbestos Exposure Sites

When asbestos use was at its peak, it was widely used throughout Texas in a number of different industries, exposing workers to the dangers of this cancer-causing material.

There are hundreds of verified asbestos exposure sites across the state of Texas, from Houston to El Paso.

Texas Oil Refineries

Oil refineries are some of the most dangerous environments for asbestos exposure, and no state is home to more oil refineries than Texas. BP, Chevron, Exxon, Mobil, Shell, and other major oil companies all have a presence here.

Many Texas oil refineries were built with asbestos insulation to prevent fires, since petroleum is extremely flammable. Unfortunately, this insulation can break down over time, causing the fibers to be inhaled by oil refinery workers.

Texas Veterans and Military Bases

Texas has 15 U.S. military bases and a total of 28 military-related buildings that were built with asbestos-containing products. Anyone who worked or lived in these buildings could be at risk of developing mesothelioma.

Any veteran who served in the military before the 1980s could have been exposed to asbestos. Every branch of the military used asbestos to make ships, buildings, and vehicles during this time, without knowing the health risks.

Veterans with mesothelioma may qualify for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) if their asbestos exposure was service-related. Texas has a number of different resources veterans can use to access these benefits.

Texas veterans with mesothelioma can access five different VA medical centers, 57 outpatient clinics, and 21 vet centers, among many other veteran resources located throughout the state.

Services like the American Legion (AML) and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) can also help Texas mesothelioma veterans access these benefits.

You may still be eligible for compensation even if you do not see your place of employment on the list above. Contact a Texas mesothelioma attorney to learn more.

Texas Counties With the Most 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 Texas from related diseases like asbestosis and lung cancer. Five counties were hit particularly hard in recent years.

Know Your Rights: Texas Mesothelioma Lawsuits

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

These manufacturers 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.

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

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Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Claim in Texas?

In addition to Texas 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 Texas mesothelioma attorney.

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

Texas Asbestos Laws and Regulations

Texas controls and regulates asbestos through several different laws and government agencies. The state adheres to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP).

Other asbestos regulations are enforced by the following state agencies and laws:

• Texas Department of State Health Services: The department’s Asbestos Program maintains the licensing standards for asbestos professionals. The program also regulates the proper procedures for maintenance, renovation, and demolition of asbestos-containing buildings.
• Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code: Texas asbestos laws are outlined in the Texas Administrative Code, Title 25, Chapter 295. These laws govern asbestos removal and disposal, as well as worker training and safety requirements.
• Texas Asbestos Health Protection Act (TAHPA): This law is outlined in Texas Occupations Code Section 1954.001. It requires that buildings be inspected for the presence of asbestos whenever they’re demolished or renovated. Violations of this law incur fines of $10,000 per day.

Along with these regulating bodies, qualified Texas mesothelioma lawyers play a vital role in protecting Texans from the effects of asbestos exposure.

Statutes of Limitations in Texas

Each state has specific laws regarding how long someone has to file a claim. These laws are called statutes of limitations (SOLs), and they range from 1-2 years depending on the state.

Once an SOL has passed, you can no longer file a lawsuit.

Because these laws can be difficult to navigate, victims often turn to an experienced mesothelioma lawyer for help. A Texas mesothelioma lawyer can explain how statutes of limitations will affect your case and whether you should file a claim in Texas or another state.

There are two types of mesothelioma lawsuits a victim may file in Texas:

• Personal injury lawsuit: This lawsuit is filed when a living person who has mesothelioma seeks justice and compensation from the company or companies responsible for their disease.
• Wrongful death lawsuit: This lawsuit is filed when an eligible family member (or members) seek(s) justice and compensation from the company or companies responsible for their loved one’s death from mesothelioma.

Only an experienced Texas mesothelioma lawyer will be able to determine the best course of action to help you file a strong lawsuit before time runs out.

Even if statutes of limitations prevent you from filing a lawsuit, you may still be able to access compensation from an asbestos trust fund.

Asbestos Trust Funds in Texas

Bankrupt manufacturers of asbestos-based products were forced to set aside money in trust funds to pay out future asbestos claims. Asbestos trusts aren’t subject to regular statutes of limitations. Instead, they have their own deadlines to file claims.

Mesothelioma victims may be able to file claims with multiple trusts. An experienced Texas mesothelioma lawyer can determine which trusts victims can file claims with.

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Texas Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts

According to Black’s Law Dictionary, about 95% of personal injury cases settle before ever going to court.

To avoid a long public legal battle in court before a judge and jury, companies responsible for a victim’s asbestos exposure typically try to reach a mesothelioma settlement.

A settlement is an agreement between a Texas mesothelioma lawyer representing the victim (plaintiff) and the legal team(s) representing the manufacturers being sued.

Often, settlements are reached due to the overwhelming evidence a Texas mesothelioma lawyer presents to the offending company or companies.

Two notable mesothelioma settlements in Texas include:

• $5.3 million to a former power plant employee
• $4.1 million to a former carpenter and U.S. Marine Corps veteran

If a mesothelioma lawsuit is not resolved with a settlement, it may proceed to a trial. In a trial, a jury hears each side (the victim’s and the manufacturer’s) and determines how much compensation the injured party (plaintiff) is owed.

However, it’s also possible for the jury to rule in favor of the asbestos company (defendant), awarding the plaintiff no compensation.

Consult with a Texas mesothelioma lawyer to see if a settlement or trial is best for your case.

Connect With a Texas Mesothelioma Lawyer

Asbestos victims do not bear any responsibility for their mesothelioma diagnosis. Because of the heartless decisions made by manufacturers of asbestos-containing products, thousands of Americans have been diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma.

Texas mesothelioma lawyers know how this disease can devastate families and are here to help. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is in your best interest to work with a Texas mesothelioma lawyer.

A qualified Texas mesothelioma attorney can help you:

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

To learn more about your options, contact our team for a free, no-obligation case review. Our Texas mesothelioma lawyers never charge upfront or out-of-pocket fees, and they get paid only if your case results in compensation. Get started with a free legal consultation.