01. Texas Law Firms
Top Mesothelioma Law Firms in Texas
Texans impacted by mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases may be eligible to file for compensation. Mesothelioma law firms can help Texas residents and workers get the compensation they deserve. Firms offer free consultations to help asbestos victims decide whether to hire them.
Asbestos victims are often not limited to filing in their state of residence. Filing location may also include previous residences, previous work locations or a defendant’s location. Texas may or may not be the best place to file. Mesothelioma attorneys can use their expertise to determine where to bring a case.
Many Texas residents file their mesothelioma cases in other states. According to an industry report from KCIC, Texas residents accounted for 8.5% of all asbestos lawsuits filed in Illinois in 2019.
An attorney with experience in asbestos litigation and Texas laws can help victims understand their options and where they can file a case. A lawyer can file and handle the lawsuit process on the individual’s behalf.
The following law firms have helped people living in Texas receive compensation:
Specialized mesothelioma lawyers have the most comprehensive knowledge of how to file a successful asbestos case. They can ensure each case is filed in the best state for the most favorable outcome.
For certain cases, Texas courts have a reputation for being pro-company. For this reason, it may be advantageous for Texans to file their case out of state. Attorneys can determine if individual cases may benefit from out-of-state filing or if Texas courts may be more favorable.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02. Filing Lawsuits in Texas
Filing Mesothelioma Lawsuits in Texas
The Texas asbestos litigation landscape has changed vastly over the last several decades. In the 1990s, Texas experienced high numbers of asbestos lawsuit filings compared to the rest of the country. By the mid-1990s, industry reports show three counties in Texas accounted for more than 25% of new cases in all state courts nationwide. Between 1998 and 2000, Texas accounted for the most asbestos lawsuits in the country.
In response to these high filing rates, the state introduced legislation to update procedures for asbestos lawsuits. These laws were reviewed by RAND Corporation, a nonprofit research organization that helps solve public policy challenges. It reported that several statutes implemented in the early 2000s made Texas courts harder on asbestos victims. Today, Texas accounts for a limited number of strategically filed asbestos lawsuits.
A Texas mesothelioma lawyer can explain how state laws impact an individual’s filing eligibility.
Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Texas?
People who worked, lived or were stationed in Texas may have faced asbestos exposure. Those who later develop an asbestos disease, such as mesothelioma, may be eligible to file a lawsuit. Patients’ loved ones may also be eligible to file a case.
Texas is home to a high number of mesothelioma cases and deaths:
- From 1999 to 2019, there were approximately 3,836 mesothelioma diagnoses in Texas.
- From 1999 to 2020, there were approximately 2,900 mesothelioma deaths in Texas.
During these periods, Texas ranked fifth in the country by number of mesothelioma diagnoses and deaths. The high rates of mesothelioma in Texas may be due to various industries in the state that relied heavily on asbestos.
For instance, the oil industry is prominent in Texas. Oil refineries in the state, such as Sun Oil Company in Beaumont, often used asbestos materials in their buildings and equipment. Until the 1980s, asbestos was popular in oil refineries because of its heat resistance and durability. As a result, many oil refinery workers faced asbestos exposure.
Texas is also home to a number of military bases where service members may have faced exposure. The military used products supplied by asbestos companies in ships, bases and equipment. Some military and Air Force bases in Texas known to have once used asbestos include:
- Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin
- Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio
- Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio
- Laredo Air Force Base in Laredo
- Naval Station Ingleside in Corpus Christi
- Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio
Various other industries and jobsites in Texas used asbestos, including shipyards, chemical plants and power plants. The asbestos use at these sites put workers, residents and visitors at risk of exposure.
Texas residents living in the following towns and cities have filed mesothelioma lawsuits to seek compensation from manufacturers and distributors of asbestos:
- Amarillo, TX
- Arlington, TX
- Austin, TX
- Azle, TX
- Bandera, TX
- Baytown, TX
- Beaumont, TX
- Ben Wheeler, TX
- Benbrook, TX
- Boerne, TX
- Brackettville, TX
- Bullard, TX
- Centerville, TX
- Cibolo, TX
- College Station, TX
- Copperas Cove, TX
- Corpus Christi, TX
- Cypress, TX
- Dallas, TX
- Deer Park, TX
- Denison, TX
- Dripping Springs, TX
- El Paso, TX
- Elgin, TX
- Everman, TX
- Floresville, TX
- Forney, TX
- Fort Worth, TX
- Fredericksburg, TX
- Fresno, TX
- Frisco, TX
- Galveston, TX
- Georgetown, TX
- Glenn Heights, TX
- Graham, TX
- Grapevine, TX
- Gruver, TX
- Harlingen, TX
- Hempstead, TX
- Hereford, TX
- Hillsboro, TX
- Hillsborough, TX
- Houston, TX
- Huntsville, TX
- Irving, TX
- Itasca, TX
- Jonestown, TX
- Kennedale, TX
- Kilgore, TX
- La Ward, TX
- Lake Jackson, TX
- Lancaster, TX
- Laredo, TX
- League City, TX
- Live Oak, TX
- Lufkin, TX
- Manor, TX
- Marfa, TX
- McKinney, TX
- Medina, TX
- Menard, TX
- Merkel, TX
- Missouri City, TX
- Montgomery, TX
- Nacogdoches, TX
- Nocona, TX
- Pasadena, TX
- Pilot Point, TX
- Plano, TX
- Port Aransas, TX
- Port Arthur, TX
- Ransom Canyon, TX
- Rosharon, TX
- Roundrock, TX
- San Antonio, TX
- San Marcos, TX
- Seguin, TX
- Spring, TX
- Sugar Land, TX
- Temple, TX
- The Colony, TX
- Tiki Island, TX
- Timpson, TX
- Tow, TX
- Tyler, TX
- Victoria, TX
- Waco, TX
- Watauga, TX
- Weslaco, TX
- Willis, TX
- Woodlands, TX
Deadlines for Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Texas
Individuals who lived or worked in Texas and developed an asbestos illness may be eligible to file lawsuits. Each type of lawsuit has its own state-based filing deadlines found in laws called statutes of limitations. An individual may file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. An asbestos victim can file a personal injury lawsuit. A victim’s family or loved ones can file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Individuals can first talk with experienced asbestos lawyers to understand their eligibility and filing options. Attorneys can also help gather necessary documentation, file the lawsuit and secure the best outcome for asbestos victims.
Besides mesothelioma lawsuits, individuals may be eligible for additional routes to compensation. Other options include asbestos trust fund claims or veterans benefits claims. Before filing any type of claim, individuals can speak with an experienced asbestos attorney to understand all of their legal options.
Filing VA Claims in Texas
As of 2021, Texas has 1.4 million veteran residents, one of the largest numbers in the country. Veterans often experienced exposure from asbestos in military buildings from equipment supplied by asbestos companies. As a result of this exposure, veterans may develop asbestos-related diseases.
Veterans with an asbestos disease may be eligible for compensation. For example, veterans with mesothelioma can receive more than $3,000 in monthly support from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA benefits can help veterans cover their medical expenses and lost wages.
03. Texas Settlements & Verdicts
Mesothelioma Settlements in Texas
Texas mesothelioma victims and surviving family members have received compensation through settlements and verdicts. Mesothelioma settlements are agreed upon outside of court. These deals may be reached before, during or after trial.
Some examples of settlements compensating victims of asbestos exposure in Texas include:
- $5.5 million for a 58-year-old power plant worker
- $5.3 million for a 64-year-old household worker with secondary exposure
- $4.2 million for a 65-year-old HVAC worker (Dyess Air Force Base)
- $3.8 million for a 69-year-old railroad worker and electrician (Kaiser Steel)
- $3.5 million for a 64-year-old brake mechanic
- $3.1 million for a 77-year-old machinist and home mechanic
- $2.8 million for a 64-year-old worker (Avondale Shipyard)
- $2.8 million for a 45-year-old construction worker and laborer
Compensation can help victims cover medical expenses, travel costs, lost income and more. Asbestos exposure victims with other illnesses, such as asbestos lung cancer, may also be eligible for compensation.
Mesothelioma Verdicts in Texas
Mesothelioma lawsuits may be settled out of court or decided at trial by judges and juries. Texas asbestos victims have received large awards.
- $130 million verdict: In 2001, an Orange, Texas, jury awarded five individuals a combined total of $130 million. They worked at a U.S. Pipe plant in Birmingham, Alabama. They faced exposure from asbestos products made by NARCO and Dresser Industries and later developed various asbestos diseases, including asbestosis and lung cancer.
- $18.6 million verdict: In a 2014 wrongful death case, a Dallas court awarded $18.6 million to the family members of a mesothelioma victim. He had worked at the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. plant in Tyler, Texas, for 30 years and was exposed to asbestos throughout his career.
- $11 million verdict: In 2010, a Texas jury awarded $11 million to a painter who developed mesothelioma. He experienced exposure to asbestos-containing joint compounds, texture products and block filler.
Some verdicts may have been later reduced by post-trial proceedings, including private settlement agreements between parties.
Individuals interested in pursuing compensation should discuss their cases with a reputable attorney to find out more.
Note: Each lawsuit is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in the future. Contact a reputable Texas mesothelioma lawyer to understand how much compensation you may be eligible to receive.
04. Asbestos Laws in Texas
Texas Asbestos Laws & Regulations
Texas companies and workers are subject to federal asbestos regulations. In addition, Texas has various state asbestos laws. These laws impact the handling of asbestos, as well as asbestos litigation.
The Texas Department of State Health Services oversees state laws regarding asbestos handling. Under its Asbestos Program, the department administers the licensing standards for asbestos professionals. The program also establishes proper procedures for maintaining, renovating and demolishing asbestos-containing buildings.
Texas Laws Affecting Asbestos Litigation
Texas also has laws and judicial opinions that impact asbestos lawsuits in the state, which can be found in the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code. These laws establish the statutes of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, medical criteria for cases and other rules.
- Case scheduling based on medical condition: Texas laws allow courts to give preference in scheduling trials and hearings to asbestos victims who have already developed serious conditions like mesothelioma or other asbestos cancers.
- Causation standard: Although any level of exposure may cause an asbestos illness, Texas requires evidence of a high amount of asbestos exposure for a company to be held liable for a person’s mesothelioma.
- Trust transparency: Texas requires anyone who files a mesothelioma lawsuit to concurrently file asbestos trust fund claims. Patients and family members must submit to the court a list of trusts they may receive compensation from.
With these laws in place, it is important for asbestos exposure victims to talk to an experienced lawyer before filing a lawsuit or claim. A mesothelioma attorney will understand how these laws may impact each case. They can help determine the best filing option for maximum compensation.
Asbestos Litigation Trends in Texas
In the 1990s, Texas asbestos litigation peaked, accounting for large percentages of nationwide asbestos lawsuits.
However, these high filing rates led to new legislation and legal precedents. Many of these rules made Texas a less desirable state for many asbestos victims to file their cases. Texas asbestos lawsuit numbers began to drop off in the early 2000s. Today, very few asbestos lawsuits are filed in the state.
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