Mesothelioma Lawyer Louisiana

Mesothelioma Lawyer Louisiana

Choosing the Right Mesothelioma Attorney in Louisiana:

If you are planning to file a mesothelioma claim in Louisiana, the first step is to find an experienced mesothelioma law firm or lawyer. It is important to choose a legal team that understands Louisiana’s mesothelioma laws, including how the state’s comparative fault system might impact your case. A skilled mesothelioma lawyer can build a strong case to help reduce any claims that you were partly at fault.

One of the top mesothelioma law firms in New Orleans is Nemeroff Law, known for winning major cases in Louisiana. Their victories include a $12 million verdict for a shipyard worker, $9.25 million for the families of two oil refinery workers, and $7.5 million for a pipefitter exposed to asbestos decades ago.

Louisiana mesothelioma lawyers know how to navigate local courts and identify the companies responsible for asbestos exposure, such as employers and manufacturers. People have been exposed to asbestos in cities across the state, including New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Slidell.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be eligible for compensation through a lawsuit or asbestos trust fund claim. Hiring a knowledgeable mesothelioma attorney greatly improves your chances of receiving the full amount you deserve. A good legal team can take the pressure off you, so you can focus on your health and spending time with your family.

Deadline To File Mesothelioma Lawsuit In Louisiana

The statute of limitations is only 2 years from the time of diagnosis to file a personal injury lawsuit.

• Louisiana follows a pure comparative fault system. This means damages can be reduced if the plaintiff shares fault.
• The state offers just 1 year from the loss of a loved one to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Why Hire A Mesothelioma Lawyer In Louisiana

Mesothelioma lawyers in Louisiana understand the state’s legal system and have experience handling asbestos-related cases. They know how to identify the companies responsible for exposing workers to asbestos, whether it is employers, product manufacturers, or contractors.

Asbestos exposure has occurred in cities across Louisiana, including New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Slidell. If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, you may be eligible for compensation through lawsuits or asbestos trust fund claims.

Hiring a skilled Louisiana mesothelioma attorney can significantly improve your chances of receiving the maximum compensation. A trusted law firm will handle the legal burden, allowing you to focus on your health and your loved ones.

Top Mesothelioma Lawyer in Louisiana

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma in Louisiana, it is important to work with a knowledgeable attorney who understands asbestos litigation and local court procedures. Below are some highly regarded mesothelioma lawyers and law firms that serve clients throughout the state:

Nemeroff Law:

• Address: 201 St. Charles Ave, Suite 2500, New Orleans, LA 70170
• Over $500 million recovered for clients
• Serves clients nationwide
• Rated a “Hall of Fame” law firm by The Legal 500

Georgia N. Ainsworth:

• Location: New Orleans, LA
• Phone: (504) 293-5927
• Asbestos & Mesothelioma Attorney
• Graduate of Tulane University School of Law
• Serves clients across Louisiana

Terrence D. McCay:

• Location: Lake Charles, LA
• Phone: (337) 439-0490
• Over 26 years of legal experience
• Graduate of Paul M. Hebert Law Center, LSU
• Admitted to practice in the 5th Circuit and multiple U.S. District Courts in Louisiana

Victor J. Suane Jr.

• Location: Baton Rouge, LA
• Phone: (225) 382-3467
• 18 years of experience in asbestos litigation
• Graduate of Southern University Law Center
• Licensed in the 5th Circuit and all major U.S. District Courts in Louisiana

Paul Danziger:

• Phone: (800) 864-4000
• Free consultations available
• Over 31 years of experience handling mesothelioma cases nationwide
• Co-founder of Danziger & Dellano
• Recovered over $2 billion for asbestos victims across the U.S.

Successful Mesothelioma Asbestos Litigation in Louisiana By Lawyers

Louisiana courts have a mixed history when it comes to mesothelioma and asbestos lawsuits. While many lawyers have secured significant compensation, some cases have also favored asbestos defendants. Depending on the circumstances, many Louisiana residents choose to file their claims in other states, especially where the exposure occurred or where the responsible companies are based.

Notable Mesothelioma Verdicts and Settlements in Louisiana:

$10.3 Million (2020):

• A New Orleans jury awarded this to Henry Pete, a longshoreman who developed mesothelioma after asbestos exposure. He was represented by Simmons Hanly Conroy after a six-week trial.

$8.2 Million (2021):

• Steven Aaron Sr., an auto mechanic, won this award for mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure from Ford vehicle brake and clutch components.

$7.55 Million (2011):

• Thomas Kenney was awarded damages after developing mesothelioma from asbestos exposure while working at Tenneco, using products from John Crane and Haveg.

$6 Million (2006):

• The family of an insulation worker who died from lung cancer received this wrongful death verdict from a Louisiana jury.

$4.5 Million (2007):

• The family of Walter Graves, a millwright exposed to asbestos in a West Monroe paper mill, received this award after continuing his claim posthumously.

$4.35 Million (2013):

• Awarded to the family of a mechanic who worked at three Entergy facilities from 1967 to 2005 and later died of mesothelioma.

$3.6 Million (2006):

• The family of Alfred Watts, a laborer who died of asbestos-related laryngeal cancer, was awarded this sum. He worked with Hebert Brothers Engineers on contract jobs at The Dow Company between 1963 and 1994.

Filing In The Right Jurisdiction Matters

• An experienced asbestos law firm will determine the best jurisdiction to file your claim, whether in Louisiana or another state, based on the facts of your exposure.
• These firms have a strong track record of securing million-dollar settlements and verdicts for their clients.

For example, in 2022, Weitz & Luxenberg secured a $43 million verdict for a mesothelioma patient after a jury held Algoma Hardwoods accountable for asbestos exposure.

Louisiana Laws That Regulate Mesothelioma Asbestos

Louisiana follows both federal and state asbestos laws to help protect residents from exposure. The state goes beyond federal requirements, especially in schools, by enforcing additional rules on training and accreditation for asbestos abatement.

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) oversees asbestos regulations, including those related to schools, state buildings, and abatement workers. Notably, Louisiana requires an extra two-hour training course on asbestos regulations to become a certified abatement worker.

Major Louisiana Asbestos Laws and Regulations:

Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 30, Section 2341:

• Known as the Louisiana School Abatement Act, this outlines asbestos requirements in schools.

Louisiana Environmental Regulatory Code Title 33, Part III:

• Establishes air quality standards for asbestos in the state.

Louisiana Administrative Code Chapter 27:

• Provides guidelines for managing asbestos in schools and public buildings.

Louisiana Administrative Code Chapter 51, Subchapter M, Section 5151:

• Defines asbestos emission standards, including requirements for demolition and renovation.

Louisiana Civil Code Section 3492:

Sets the statute of limitations:

• 1 year for wrongful death
• 2 years for personal injury after diagnosis

Louisiana Civil Code Section 2323:

• Explains the comparative fault rule, which may reduce compensation based on a plaintiff’s share of responsibility.

Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Law (Post-1975):

• Recognizes mesothelioma as an occupational disease.
• If exposure occurred after 1975, victims may be required to file a workers’ compensation claim rather than a product liability lawsuit.

Why This Matters for Your Case

Your eligibility to file a lawsuit or seek compensation may depend on when and how your asbestos exposure occurred. It is essential to work with a Louisiana-licensed mesothelioma attorney who understands these state-specific laws and how they apply to your claim.

Mesothelioma Asbestos Exposure Risks In Louisiana

• While Louisiana does not have naturally occurring asbestos, occupational exposure remains a major risk. Workers in oil refineries, shipyards, chemical plants, power plants, and schools have historically faced the highest levels of exposure due to widespread industrial use of asbestos for insulation and fireproofing.

High-Risk Sites for Asbestos Exposure in Louisiana

Baker High School (2022):

• A demolition project was paused when asbestos was discovered at the site.
• Like many U.S. schools, Baker High was built using asbestos-containing materials before regulations tightened in the 1980s.

Seaports in Baton Rouge & New Orleans:

• Longshoremen and dock workers were often exposed to asbestos on ships and in port warehouses.
• Asbestos was used extensively for insulation in ship components and cargo holds.

Johns Manville Facility – Marrero, LA:

• From the 1930s to the 1980s, approximately 950 workers were employed at this asbestos product manufacturing plant.
• It was a major source of industrial asbestos exposure in the state.

Oil Refineries – Shreveport, Princeton & Lake Charles:

• These facilities relied on asbestos to insulate high-temperature equipment like tanks, furnaces, pumps, and pipelines.
• Refinery workers were regularly exposed while handling or repairing these materials.

W.R. Grace Vermiculite Facility – New Orleans (1965–1985):

• This facility processed vermiculite contaminated with tremolite asbestos.
• Thousands of workers and nearby residents may have been exposed.
• Jefferson Parish, where the plant was located, ranks 19th in the U.S. for mesothelioma deaths.

Asbestos Risks After Hurricane Katrina

When Hurricane Katrina struck on August 29, 2005, it devastated thousands of older homes in New Orleans, many of which contained legacy asbestos materials like insulation and ceiling tiles.

• The EPA permitted the disposal of debris potentially containing asbestos in non-approved landfills until August 29, 2008.
• While this sped up recovery efforts, it also increased the risk of asbestos exposure to workers and residents.
• By the end of 2008, seven air quality violations were issued in Louisiana for improper asbestos handling in landfills.

Mesothelioma Asbestos Exposure at Work in Louisiana

Although Louisiana has no naturally occurring asbestos, many workers in the state have been exposed to asbestos on the job, especially in industrial and construction environments. Occupational exposure remains the leading cause of asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma in Louisiana.

Industries such as power generation, oil refining, shipbuilding, and chemical manufacturing relied heavily on asbestos for its heat resistance and insulating properties. In some cases, companies improperly disposed of asbestos waste, contaminating soil and groundwater.

Military and Veteran Exposure:

• U.S. military veterans stationed in Louisiana have faced asbestos exposure at various bases and facilities. Asbestos was commonly used in ships, buildings, and mechanical equipment.

Examples of military asbestos exposure sites:

• NSA New Orleans Navy Base
• Marine Corps Support Facility, New Orleans
• Camp Beauregard Army Base, Pineville

Veterans who worked in shipyards or on naval vessels often encountered asbestos in engine rooms, boiler spaces, and pipe insulation.

Mesothelioma High-Risk Occupations in Louisiana

Workers in the following roles have a higher risk of past asbestos exposure:

• Chemical plant workers
• Demolition crews
• Firefighters
• First responders (police, EMS, volunteers)
• Manufacturing plant workers
• Military personnel and veterans
• Power plant workers
• Oil refinery workers
• Port and dock workers
• Salt miners
• Shipbuilders and ship repair workers
• Asbestos Exposure After Hurricane Katrina

One frequently overlooked group at risk includes first responders and cleanup crews who worked after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Many of the damaged buildings contained asbestos materials such as insulation, tiles, and siding.

Police officers, firefighters, National Guard members, and civilian volunteers were exposed while rescuing victims or working in debris-filled areas.

Demolition crews faced prolonged exposure during the cleanup of old homes and commercial structures throughout New Orleans and surrounding areas.

How To Find The Best Mesothelioma Lawyer In Louisiana

Below is the best way to find the best mesothelioma lawyer in Louisiana:

Look for Mesothelioma or Asbestos Case Experience:

• Choose a lawyer or law firm that specializes in mesothelioma and asbestos-related cases.
• They should have a proven track record of handling asbestos lawsuits in Louisiana or nationwide.

Check Their Past Results:

• Ask about the lawyer’s settlement and verdict history.
• Good mesothelioma lawyers often win millions in compensation for clients.

Make Sure They Offer Free Consultations:

• The best asbestos lawyers usually offer a free case review.
• This helps you understand your legal options without paying upfront.

Choose a Lawyer with No Upfront Fees:

• Look for a lawyer who works on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win your case.

Ask About Their Knowledge of Louisiana Laws:

• Asbestos laws vary by state. Choose a lawyer who understands Louisiana’s specific asbestos laws, including workers’ compensation rules and filing deadlines.

Read Reviews and Testimonials:

• Check online reviews or ask for references from past clients.
• This can help you learn more about their client satisfaction and communication style.

Ask If They Can File in Other States:

• Sometimes, it is better to file in another state where the asbestos exposure occurred or where the company is based.
• Choose a lawyer who can file in multiple jurisdictions if needed.

Choose a Lawyer Who Makes You Feel Comfortable:

• You may be working with your lawyer for months.
• Pick someone patient, respectful, and clear in communication.

Finding the right mesothelioma lawyer in Louisiana can make a big difference in your case. The best attorneys have years of experience handling asbestos-related claims and understand both state and federal laws. They can help you secure financial compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Whether your exposure happened at work, in the military, or through a loved one, a knowledgeable lawyer can guide you every step of the way. Visit the Official Website Of Mesothelioma For More Details.