Austin Mesothelioma Lawyer
Hiring a Top-Rated Mesothelioma Lawyer in Austin
Asbestos exposure in Austin has caused thousands of mesothelioma cases, affecting local workers and their families for decades while manufacturers avoid accountability. Nemeroff Law Firm has the experience needed to help people with mesothelioma and surviving family members seek fair compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering and other damages.
Working With Austin Attorneys
- Austin asbestos lawyers have decades of experience handling mesothelioma claims.
- Law firms help gather and present evidence and materials, including asbestos exposure evidence and medical documents.
- Expert help in understanding and managing the legal process can lead to positive outcomes.
- Nemeroff attorneys have a national reach, but they live and work in Texas.
- Local law offices make legal consultations flexible and comfortable for patients, including home visits and video calls.
Austin’s historical districts, such as Hyde Park and Aldridge Place, have hundreds of buildings constructed during the 1800s and early 1900s. Many older homes, businesses and factories in the city used construction materials with asbestos. Nemeroff lawyers have in-depth knowledge of local exposure sites, which has helped them recover multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for mesothelioma clients.
When Do You Need to Hire a Mesothelioma Attorney?
In addition to learning about available medical treatments, speaking with an Austin lawyer who specializes in mesothelioma cases is vital. State laws give patients generally two years to file a claim, a period called the statute of limitations. Therefore, it is important to contact a professional as soon as possible after diagnosis.
Some people who live in Austin used to work in Galveston, Houston or another industrial hub with high exposure risks. Even if your exposure happened in another state, an experienced attorney can help you find the right place to file your case.
Identifying liability in a mesothelioma case can be complex, but Nemeroff attorneys know how to identify who should be represented in your case and where. Our attorneys are accustomed to working in fast-paced environments and they have resources to make your legal journey easier.
Most Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure
The most common sources of Asbestos Exposure in Austin include power plants, steel mills and factories. Between the 1950s to the 1970s, many Austin residents were exposed to asbestos on the job. Even today, businesses built before the 1980s can hide toxic asbestos.
Sources of Asbestos Exposure in Austin
- Schools, universities and hospitals: The University of Texas at Austin campus contains legacy asbestos, such as insulation in mechanical rooms and around boilers. The university has to carefully monitor asbestos during maintenance, renovations and construction work.
- Power plants: Heat-resistant asbestos materials were common in energy generation. The Holly Street Power Plant and Seaholm Power Plant used asbestos cement and insulation around steam pipes, turbines and equipment.
- Industrial factories: Manufacturers in Austin used asbestos insulation, pipes and valves. The Texaco Chemical Plant and Jefferson Chemical Plant are just a few examples. Fireproof spray insulation was good for high-temperature production but bad for the workers who inhaled the dangerous dust.
- Steel mills: Steelworkers had to install and replace asbestos gaskets and protective materials used in metalworking. The Tips Iron & Steel Company used asbestos pads in machining equipment.
- Camp Mabry: Camp Mabry was built in the 1890s and used extensively for wartime manufacturing. By the 1980s, there were more than 800 people working onsite. National Guard members around the country were exposed to asbestos materials on military bases like Camp Mabry, and nearly one-third of all mesothelioma cases involve veterans.
Between 2018 and 2022, there were nearly 50 new cases of mesothelioma in Travis County and Williamson County. A significant percentage of Texas’s 68,000 lung cancer cases may involve asbestos exposure.
Occupations & Industries Known for Asbestos Exposure in Austin
According to the Texas Department of Insurance, the occupations with the greatest risk of asbestos exposure are auto mechanics, janitorial and maintenance staff, firefighters and construction workers. Symptoms of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses may not emerge for 20 to 60 years following first exposure.
Austin Workers at Risk of Asbestos Exposure
- Power plant workers
- Factory workers
- Drywall installers
- Plumbers and pipefitters
- Commercial and industrial contractors
- Electricians
- Welders
In 2021, more than 100 Austin firefighters were potentially exposed to asbestos from a warehouse blaze near Blackson Avenue. City officials knew for almost a decade about asbestos-containing materials at the warehouse, including floor adhesive, flooring and drywall. The blaze may have also exposed support personnel to toxic dust and fumes.
Secondary Asbestos Exposure
Family members of industrial workers can also be at risk of asbestos exposure due to secondary exposure. Workers can bring asbestos fibers home on clothing, skin and hair. Asbestos fibers can aggressively adhesive to clothes, car seats or couch cushions and unknowingly expose family members. Some Austin residents have developed mesothelioma from this secondary exposure.
Mesothelioma lawyers can help impacted family members build a legal case. This may include testimony from medical experts and witnesses.
What Type of Compensation Am I Entitled To?
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be eligible for multiple forms of mesothelioma compensation. Mesothelioma compensation in Texas can help patients recover from economic and non-economic damages. Some examples include medical bills, ongoing care, lost wages and awards for pain and suffering. Wrongful death settlements can also compensate surviving family members for loss of companionship.
The average jury verdict for Texas mesothelioma cases involving Nemeroff attorneys is about $5.75 million. Nationally, asbestos settlements average between $1 million and $2 million. Trust fund payments for mesothelioma vary by manufacturer, usually from $200,000 to $750,000.
Notable Mesothelioma Settlements Obtained By The Nemeroff Law Firm
Nemeroff attorneys have experience navigating Texas mesothelioma lawsuits, including trust fund payments and claims against product makers. Instead of taking legal action against one company at a time, your lawyer can consolidate cases for efficiency.
Nemeroff Settlements and Verdicts in Austin
- $55.5 million: Mesothelioma verdict for employees of Kelly Moore Paint Company
- $16.9 million: Jury verdict for James Blackburn and other foundry workers at Tyler Pipe Industries
- $6 million: Verdict in Sanchez v. US Gypsum and National Gypsum
- $4.78 million: Verdict involving Owens Corning Fiberglass and other manufacturers
- $3.55 million: Mesothelioma verdict in Hermosillo v. Pittsburgh Corning
Many companies prefer to settle asbestos claims quickly and quietly. This can be a good thing when you need urgent compensation, but only if the offer is fair. Nemeroff attorneys prioritize the client’s well-being when negotiating mesothelioma settlements.
Explore your legal options now with a free case review
Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in Austin
Filing a mesothelioma claim starts with a free case review. Austin asbestos claims can be filed at the Travis County District Court or multidistrict litigation courts in the state. If you suspect asbestos exposure in multiple states, your attorney may need to file your claim in a different state. One of the largest MDL pre-trial courts is the Harris County Courthouse in Houston.
Steps for Filing a Claim in Austin
- Free case review: An asbestos lawyer interviews you, discusses possible compensation avenues and explains Austin filing requirements.
- Venue recommendations: Depending on the circumstances of your case, it can be helpful to file locally or in another state.
- Evidence plan: Your Nemeroff lawyer helps gather necessary medical records, witness testimony and other evidence documents.
- Filing and discovery: The law firm handles filing deadlines and the discovery process, protecting your interests and privacy.
- Resolution: Experienced lawyers can pursue asbestos trust fund claims and manage court cases or settlement negotiations simultaneously.
How long it takes to resolve mesothelioma claims in Austin depends on the case. Caring lawyers understand how important compensation is for your family, so they give your claim the urgency it requires, handling the process promptly and professionally.
What Is It Like To Work With Our Mesothelioma Law Firm?
In Texas, Nemeroff lawyers have a reputation for successfully negotiating compensation for their clients and holding large corporations accountable on behalf of mesothelioma clients. At every step, our goal is to make the litigation process as comfortable as possible for you and your family.
Nemeroff lawyer Barrett Naman was born in Beaumont and lives in Houston. He has more than 20 years of trial experience with mesothelioma lawsuits in Austin. Clients appreciate his caring attitude, personal interest and strong sense of justice. Choose a team that treats you and your case with respect and schedule a free consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions
The statute of limitations for claims involving mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer is two years. Trust funds generally start the clock when you receive a valid diagnosis.
The two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in Austin begins when a loved one with mesothelioma has passed. Mesothelioma lawyers can help you follow evidence filing requirements in Austin.
Mesothelioma lawsuits can be complex and it is essential to work with a mesothelioma law firm that regularly represents clients in court and has a track record of trial victories. Texas has strict laws around asbestos claims, requiring mesothelioma patients to prove that specific products were responsible for the asbestos exposure. Many national law firms prefer to avoid cases in Austin. In contrast, Nemeroff attorneys focus almost completely on mesothelioma lawsuits and understand Texas laws in depth, often giving cases a stronger chance of success.
With asbestos trust funds, some mesothelioma patients receive payments in just three months after filing. Jury verdicts take longer, though many manufacturers choose to settle.
On average, resolving asbestos claims in Texas takes between six and 18 months. Working with an experienced lawyer can speed things up by avoiding mistakes during the filing process.
D. Carl Money
D. Carl Money is a mesothelioma trial attorney and retired Army Lt. Col. licensed in TX, NY and the UK.