01. Louisiana Law Firms
Top Mesothelioma Law Firms in Louisiana
Experienced mesothelioma law firms can help asbestos victims in Louisiana seek financial compensation. These firms are dedicated to pursuing justice for patients and their families affected by asbestos illnesses like mesothelioma.
After a firm is hired, their mesothelioma lawyers can file asbestos lawsuits on behalf of victims. They can also gather evidence and manage other litigation matters to help reach the most favorable outcomes. Top mesothelioma law firms equipped to represent asbestos victims in Louisiana include:
Working with an experienced law firm can help individuals with asbestos illnesses understand their options and demystify the legal process. A lawyer can also help their client identify the most favorable jurisdiction to file a lawsuit in. This may not always be the state in which the victim lives.
By finding the most advantageous filing location, mesothelioma lawyers can help asbestos victims increase their chance for compensation. Mesothelioma attorneys are skilled at getting patients and their loved ones the rightful compensation they deserve.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02. Filing Lawsuits in Louisiana
Filing Mesothelioma Lawsuits in Louisiana
Louisiana asbestos victims have received millions of dollars in financial compensation from lawsuits. Individuals may also seek additional compensation from mesothelioma claims against asbestos trust funds.
Residents living in at least 30 cities in Louisiana have filed mesothelioma cases. From 1999 to 2019, approximately 1,296 individuals were diagnosed with mesothelioma in the state. In the same period, 970 Louisianans died from the disease. Orleans Parish is among the jurisdictions with the highest amount of mesothelioma claim filings in the country, with 53 complaints in 2022 alone.
Louisiana residents who develop illnesses from asbestos exposure may be eligible for compensation from asbestos companies. Lawyers can help asbestos victims build the strongest possible case.
Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Louisiana?
Louisiana mesothelioma patients may be able to file lawsuits against companies responsible for their asbestos exposure. Family members may also be able to file lawsuits after a patient’s death.
Asbestos jobsites in Louisiana include oil refineries and shipyards. Louisiana’s Gulf Coast is home to several oil refineries and offshore drill sites. These include sites owned by companies such as Calcasieu, Conoco, Citgo and Valero. Occupational asbestos exposure in Louisiana also occurred in cement plants, power plants, salt mines and among agricultural workers. Many workers at these facilities who were exposed to asbestos have received compensation from their employers.
Louisiana residents in the following towns and cities have filed mesothelioma lawsuits seeking compensation from manufacturers and distributors of asbestos:
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Bogalusa, LA
- Calhoun, LA
- Covington, LA
- Gonzales, LA
- Harahan, LA
- Houma, LA
- Jena, LA
- Kenner, LA
- Kentwood, LA
- Lacombe, LA
- LaPlace, LA
- Leesville, LA
- Loranger, LA
- Mandeville, LA
- Marrero, LA
- Monroe, LA
- New Iberia, LA
- New Orleans, LA
- Prairieville, LA
- Pride, LA
- River Ridge, LA
- Roanoke, LA
- Ruston, LA
- Shreveport, LA
- St. Martinville, LA
- Terrytown, LA
- Thibodaux, LA
- West Monroe, LA
- Westwego, LA
Deadlines for Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Louisiana
People interested in filing mesothelioma lawsuits should speak to a lawyer as soon as possible. Every state has its own laws called statutes of limitations. These laws create deadlines for filing different types of cases, including personal injury lawsuits and wrongful death lawsuits.
Individuals may also be eligible to pursue compensation through asbestos trust funds. These funds are set up by companies to provide compensation for asbestos-related diseases.
Mesothelioma lawyers can help patients understand their rights and ensure any necessary documentation is submitted on time.
Filing VA Claims in Louisiana
Veterans in Louisiana may have been exposed to asbestos during their military service. Asbestos was commonly used in military equipment and at bases, airfields and shipyards through most of the 20th century. In 2021, over 221,000 veterans were living in Louisiana.
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers benefits to eligible veterans. These benefits can help cover treatment costs and living expenses for veterans with mesothelioma and their family members. These individuals can work with a lawyer to file asbestos VA claims.
03. Louisiana Settlements & Verdicts
Mesothelioma Settlements in Louisiana
Various asbestos victims in Louisiana have received mesothelioma settlements of over $4 million. Compensation from these settlements can help cover victims’ medical costs, lost wages and other expenses. In cases where the patient has died, settlements may be awarded to family members.
The average mesothelioma settlement amount is between $1 and $1.4 million. Examples of settlements for Louisiana victims who were exposed to asbestos include:
- $7.4 million for a 68-year-old office worker with secondary exposure
- $4.9 million for a 49-year-old Johns-Manville plant worker and worker at Avondale Shipyard
- $4.7 million for a 76-year-old office worker with childhood secondary exposure
- $4.5 million for a 72-year-old Army veteran and machinist
- $4.1 million for a 71-year-old office worker at Avondale Shipyard
- $3.6 million for a 78-year-old power plant worker
- $3.6 million for a 75-year-old Navy veteran and pipefitter
- $3.5 million for a 53-year-old worker at Shell Refinery and mechanic
- $2.8 million for a 68-year-old shipyard worker
- $2.8 million for an 82-year-old drywall business owner and Army veteran
Mesothelioma Verdicts in Louisiana
Juries have awarded millions of dollars to mesothelioma patients in Louisiana. While the average mesothelioma verdict is $2.4 million, asbestos lawyers have helped many individuals receive significantly more compensation.
In one asbestos action, a pipefitter and welder in Louisiana contracted mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos products. His exposure occurred while working for various employers at industrial jobsites from 1967 until 1970. In May 2022, the jury awarded him over $36 million.
Another case involved secondary asbestos exposure. A woman’s husband’s work as an electrician caused her to be exposed to asbestos. She developed peritoneal mesothelioma from asbestos brought home on her husband’s work clothes. A jury held Foster Wheeler Corporation liable after it manufactured and installed asbestos-containing equipment at her husband’s jobsite. The jury awarded the wife $2.25 million.
Note: Each lawsuit is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in the future. Contact a reputable Louisiana mesothelioma lawyer to understand how much compensation you may be eligible to receive.
04. Asbestos Laws in Louisiana
Louisiana Asbestos Laws & Regulations
Although asbestos is not banned in the United States, Louisiana has several laws and regulations in place to protect residents from the dangers of asbestos. Louisiana also enforces relevant federal asbestos laws.
Most of the state’s asbestos regulations are governed by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ). The LDEQ is responsible for overseeing training courses for individuals who work with asbestos, among other things.
Louisiana also regulates asbestos in schools and public buildings. The Louisiana Environmental Regulatory Code requires qualified officials to inspect buildings, identify asbestos-containing materials and analyze them using appropriate methods. It also governs training for people who handle asbestos during abatement procedures.
Unlicensed individuals should not attempt to handle the mineral.