Shreveport Mesothelioma Lawyer | Nemeroff Law Firm

Shreveport Mesothelioma Lawyer

Shreveport mesothelioma lawyers at Nemeroff Law Firm represent workers and veterans exposed to asbestos in the region’s oil refineries, manufacturing facilities and at Barksdale Air Force Base. The firm has secured more than $17.4 million in a single secondary asbestos exposure case in Louisiana.

Hiring a Mesothelioma Attorney in Shreveport

A Shreveport mesothelioma lawyer who knows the region’s oil refineries, military installations and industrial sites brings a critical advantage to your case. Nemeroff Law Firm has pursued mesothelioma cases in Louisiana since the mid-1990s and knows the courts, the companies and the exposure history that shape every claim filed here.

Working With a Shreveport Mesothelioma Attorney

  • Court experience: Nemeroff Law Firm has tried and settled mesothelioma cases across Louisiana state and federal courts, including Caddo Parish, Orleans Parish and the Western District.
  • Exposure investigation: Your attorney traces your complete asbestos exposure history across Shreveport’s paper and pump industry, oil refineries, manufacturing facilities, military installations and construction sites to identify every responsible party.
  • Full case management: From gathering medical and employment records to negotiating with major corporations, your legal team handles everything so you don’t have to.
  • Veteran claims expertise: Shreveport sits adjacent to Barksdale Air Force Base, one of the country’s largest strategic air installations. Many Shreveport-area veterans encountered asbestos during military service and may qualify for both VA benefits and civil compensation simultaneously.

The CDC reports that men make up 70% of new mesothelioma cases in the U.S. annually and that 85% of those cases link to workplace asbestos exposure, reflecting the heavy industrial and military work history that defines cities like Shreveport. Workers who spent careers in the region’s refineries and at Barksdale decades ago may only now be receiving diagnoses, which makes connecting that exposure history to responsible parties a critical part of every case.

When Do You Need to Hire a Mesothelioma Attorney?

Reaching out to a Shreveport mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible after a diagnosis gives your legal team the time to pursue every compensation option available to you. Asbestos trust fund claims, lawsuits and VA benefits each operate on different timelines, and your attorney can assess all options you’re eligible for. Where your exposure occurred and where the responsible company operates can also affect where you need to file, which means your case may fall under the deadlines of a different state.

For cases filed in Louisiana, the statute of limitations is one year for both personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, starting from the date of diagnosis or the loss of a loved one. Extensions or exemptions can sometimes be possible, and your Nemeroff attorney can help you determine if any apply to your case.

The sooner you contact a lawyer, the sooner they can begin building a strong case for you. We review every detail of your case, identify every available claim and manage the entire legal process for you and your family.

Shreveport Asbestos Exposure & Mesothelioma Claims

As one of the largest cities in northwest Louisiana, Shreveport attracted major industrial employers whose facilities relied heavily on asbestos for insulation, fireproofing and equipment maintenance from the 1930s through the late 1980s. The city’s proximity to Barksdale Air Force Base also created a significant veteran population with documented asbestos exposure histories.

Shreveport Area Asbestos Exposure Sites

  • American Cyanamid in Springhill: American Cyanamid co-founded the Arizona Chemical plant in Springhill alongside International Paper in 1960. The company built asbestos into its industrial facilities for insulation, fireproofing and building materials across its operations. At the Springhill plant, boiler houses, pipe systems and plant infrastructure all contained asbestos, exposing workers to the same risks that drove thousands of asbestos lawsuits against the company nationwide.
  • Arizona Chemical in Springhill: Arizona Chemical operated in Springhill from 1960 until 1999 as a joint venture between International Paper and American Cyanamid. The plant processed crude tall oil from papermaking byproducts and employed an average of 70 workers throughout its nearly 40 years of operation. Pipe insulation, boiler systems and building materials throughout the facility contained asbestos, putting workers at direct risk of exposure.
  • Barksdale Air Force Base, Bossier City: One of the country’s largest strategic air installations, Barksdale has operated since 1933. The U.S. military used asbestos extensively in base construction, aircraft maintenance hangars, barracks and vehicles from the 1930s through the 1980s. Veterans who served here and civilian workers on the base faced significant asbestos exposure risks throughout that period.
  • General Motors Assembly and Stamping Plant, Shreveport: GM operated this facility from 1981 until 2012, producing compact pickup trucks and Hummer vehicles. GM used asbestos in brakes, clutches, gaskets and insulation panels throughout its manufacturing operations, putting assembly line workers, mechanics and maintenance workers at risk.
  • International Paper in Springhill: International Paper’s Springhill Paper Mill opened in 1937 near Cullen, Louisiana and ran until 1979, when its closure affected roughly 2,000 workers. A plywood and lumber plant followed at the same location in 1981. Workers throughout the mill handled asbestos-containing pipe insulation and worked around asbestos in boilers, turbines and steam systems during maintenance and repair. U.S. Fifth Circuit court records confirm asbestos exposure risks.
  • Pennzoil-Quaker State Refinery, Shreveport: This facility began operating in 1923 as a natural gas processing plant and started refining crude oil in the 1960s under the name Atlas Processing Company. Workers at the refinery encountered asbestos in pipe insulation, gaskets, valve packing and fireproofing materials throughout its decades of operation.
  • Shreveport Gas, Electric, Light Power Co., Shreveport: This power generation facility operated high-heat turbines, boilers and electrical systems that relied on asbestos insulation, pipe lagging and building materials throughout its operational years. Workers who maintained and operated equipment at this plant faced significant asbestos exposure risks.

Because mesothelioma carries a latency period of 20 to 60 years, many people in the Shreveport area still receive diagnoses today from exposure that occurred decades ago. The CDC reports that 85% of mesothelioma cases link to workplace asbestos exposure, reflecting the heavy industrial and military work history that defined Shreveport for generations.

Occupations and Industries Known for Asbestos Exposure in Shreveport

Shreveport’s industrial and military history created concentrated asbestos exposure risks across oil refining, manufacturing, construction, insulation work and military service. Workers across these fields faced repeated contact with asbestos-containing materials throughout their careers.

Higher-Risk Occupations

  • Boilermakers
  • Construction workers
  • Electricians
  • Insulators
  • Machinists
  • Manufacturing workers
  • Military service members
  • Millwrights
  • Pipefitters
  • Power plant operators
  • Refinery workers
  • Welders

Workers in these trades often encountered asbestos at multiple job sites over the course of their careers, sometimes without realizing the materials they handled contained toxic asbestos. The long latency period between exposure and diagnosis means that workers who retired decades ago may only now face the health consequences of that past exposure.

Secondary Asbestos Exposure in Shreveport

Secondary exposure happens when workers carry asbestos fibers home on their clothing, skin or hair after a shift at worksites like Barksdale Air Force Base and the Pennzoil refinery. Laundering asbestos-contaminated work clothes and asbestos fibers transferred to upholstery or carpeting throughout the home put families at risk.

Secondary exposure produces the same serious health consequences as direct exposure and Louisiana courts recognize it as a valid basis for a mesothelioma claim. Nemeroff Law Firm has secured significant compensation for families in this situation, including a $17.4 million settlement for a secondary asbestos exposure case in Louisiana. If someone in your household worked in Shreveport’s military or industrial sector and you’ve received a mesothelioma diagnosis, contact us to discuss your legal options.

Compensation Available for Asbestos Exposure in Shreveport

People diagnosed with mesothelioma in Shreveport have several options for pursuing financial compensation. Your exposure history, the companies responsible and whether those companies still operate or have established bankruptcy trust funds all shape which claims apply to your situation. An experienced attorney evaluates all of these factors from the first consultation and identifies every option available to you.

Types of Compensation Available

  • Asbestos trust fund claims: Many companies that manufactured and distributed asbestos-containing products filed for bankruptcy and established trust funds to compensate people they harmed. Individual trust payouts average around $180,000 and many clients qualify to file with multiple trusts at once.
  • Personal injury lawsuits: When the companies responsible for your asbestos exposure remain solvent, your attorney pursues them directly in court. Nationally, mesothelioma settlements average between $1 million and $1.4 million according to Mealey’s Litigation Report, while trial verdicts average $20.7 million. Every case is different and your attorney pursues the strongest possible outcome for your situation.
  • VA benefit claims: Veterans who developed mesothelioma from military service may qualify for VA disability compensation and free healthcare through the Department of Veterans Affairs. These claims can run at the same time as other legal options.
  • Workers’ compensation claims: Some workers diagnosed with mesothelioma qualify for workers’ compensation benefits through their employer’s insurance. Your attorney can determine whether this option applies to your case and how it fits with your other compensation options.
  • Wrongful death lawsuits: If a loved one has passed away from mesothelioma, surviving family members including spouses, children and parents can pursue a wrongful death claim. Louisiana gives families one year from the date of death to file.

Compensation covers both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, future care costs and travel related to treatment. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of consortium for a spouse or partner. In wrongful death cases, surviving family members can pursue compensation for medical bills incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, and the loss of financial support and companionship.

Our attorneys pursue every available option simultaneously to maximize total compensation. Many Shreveport clients qualify for more than one claim type and we identify every option from the first conversation.

Nemeroff Law Firm’s Louisiana Mesothelioma Case Results

Our attorneys have fought for mesothelioma clients across Louisiana for decades, securing verdicts and settlements in state and federal courts throughout the state. Shreveport clients benefit from the same depth of experience and resources we bring to every Louisiana case, with a track record that spans more than 30 years of asbestos litigation.

Louisiana Case Results From the Nemeroff Law Firm

  • $17.4 million: Secondary asbestos exposure settlement
  • $12.2 million: Settlement for a petrochemical plant worker and mechanic exposed to asbestos at industrial sites
  • $12 million: Trial verdict for a machinist, Orleans Parish
  • $12 million: Trial verdict for an electrical technician, Orleans Parish
  • $11.4 million: Settlement for a mechanic exposed at industrial sites
  • $10.1 million: Settlement for an insulator exposed at industrial sites
  • $9.25 million: Verdict for Roberts & Durbin v. Exxon, Louisiana
  • $8.3 million: Settlement for a supervisor exposed at a manufacturing facility
  • $7.6 million: Trial verdict against a gasket and packing manufacturer for a machinist
  • $7.55 million: Verdict for Kenney v. John Crane Inc. et al., Louisiana
  • $2.5 million: Verdict for Spillman v. Exxon Mobil, Louisiana

These results represent a portion of the firm’s Louisiana record of mesothelioma settlements and asbestos verdicts. Our attorneys also defend these results against companies that attempt to appeal, with an appellate practice that has successfully protected client outcomes in Louisiana courts.

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The Process of Filing an Asbestos Claim in Shreveport

Filing a mesothelioma claim in Shreveport starts with a free consultation with an experienced attorney. Shreveport cases often involve exposure histories that span multiple job sites, employers and military service, which makes thorough investigation a critical part of building your claim. Your legal team manages every step of the process from that first conversation forward, handling every deadline, document and negotiation on your behalf.

Steps to Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in Shreveport

  1. Free case review: We evaluate your diagnosis, employment history and full exposure timeline to confirm you have a viable claim and identify every party that bears responsibility.
  2. Venue and jurisdiction assessment: Shreveport mesothelioma claims can move through the 1st Judicial District Court in Caddo Parish, the Orleans Parish Civil District Court or the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. We determine the appropriate court based on where your exposure occurred and where defendants operate.
  3. Records and evidence: Our team gathers medical records, military service records where applicable, employment history, product identification documents and witness testimony to build a thorough case.
  4. Filing and discovery: We file your lawsuit and enter the discovery process, gathering additional evidence, deposing witnesses and identifying all liable defendants and insurers.
  5. Resolution: Most mesothelioma cases resolve through settlement. If a fair agreement isn’t reached, our attorneys take your case to trial.

Many Shreveport clients pursue trust fund claims and personal injury lawsuits at the same time, which means compensation can come from multiple sources throughout the process. Your attorney works to reach the best resolution as quickly as your health and the specifics of your case allow. The sooner you call us, the more time we have to build the strongest case possible for you and your family.

What to Expect When You Work With Our Mesothelioma Lawyers in Shreveport

When you work with the Nemeroff Law Firm, you get a team that has spent more than 30 years holding asbestos companies accountable in Louisiana courts and across the nation. Founding attorney Rick Nemeroff is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, a distinction that recognizes the country’s top trial lawyers. Attorneys Jennifer Black, D. Carl Money, Barrett Naman and Jeffrey O’Connell each bring decades of mesothelioma litigation experience to every case. Several members of our team hold Super Lawyers recognition for their work in asbestos litigation.

We handle everything from the first phone call to final resolution with no upfront costs and no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. Our attorneys come to you no matter where you are, so you never have to travel while managing a serious diagnosis. Our New Orleans office serves clients across Louisiana, including Shreveport and Caddo Parish, with firsthand knowledge of the state’s courts, industries and asbestos exposure history.

Call us today or schedule a free consultation online. We’re available 24/7. Every day matters under Louisiana’s brief filing deadline, we’re ready to get to work for your family right now.

Shreveport Mesothelioma Lawyer FAQs

How long do I have to file a mesothelioma claim in Shreveport?

Louisiana gives you one year from the date of your mesothelioma diagnosis to file a personal injury lawsuit, and surviving family members have one year from the date of a loved one’s death to file a wrongful death claim. Extensions or exemptions can sometimes be possible, and an attorney can evaluate whether your exposure history connects to another state where a different deadline applies.

Where are asbestos lawsuits usually filed in Shreveport?

Shreveport mesothelioma claims can move through the 1st Judicial District Court in Caddo Parish, the Orleans Parish Civil District Court or the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, depending on where exposure occurred and where the defendants operate. Our attorneys evaluate every available option and file in the court appropriate to your case.

Do I need a lawyer with trial experience in Shreveport courts?

Shreveport mesothelioma cases involve powerful corporate defendants with experienced legal teams. An attorney who knows how to try cases in Caddo Parish courts and Louisiana federal courts brings a significant advantage to settlement negotiations and trial preparation. At Nemeroff Law Firm, we prepare every case as though it will go to trial, which strengthens our position at the negotiating table and in the courtroom.

Can families file wrongful death lawsuits for asbestos exposure in Shreveport?

Surviving family members including spouses, children and parents can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the companies responsible for asbestos exposure. Louisiana law gives families one year from the date of death to file. Compensation can cover medical bills incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, lost financial support and loss of companionship.

Which jobs in Shreveport put workers most at risk for asbestos exposure?

Shreveport’s industrial and military history created elevated asbestos exposure risks across a wide range of occupations. Workers in oil refining, power generation, manufacturing, insulation contracting and military service at Barksdale Air Force Base were among the highest risk occupations. Pipefitters, boilermakers, insulators, electricians, machinists and maintenance workers across these industries encountered asbestos-containing materials throughout their careers, often without adequate warning or protection.

Mesothelioma attorney Barrett Naman
Written By

Barrett Naman

Barrett Naman is a trial attorney at the Nemeroff Law Firm who fights corporate negligence and secures justice for victims.

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