Mesothelioma is a rare and deadly form of cancer that develops exclusively from exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was commonly used in construction for much of the 20th century and former workers in New Orleans — such as those who worked at shipyards — could have been exposed to it during their employment.
If you or a family member was diagnosed with mesothelioma, there may be compensation available. At Morgan & Morgan, we are experienced mesothelioma attorneys and have helped other victims recover compensation after their diagnosis. Contact us today and find out if we can help you, too.
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a set of six fibrous minerals that have been mined for commercial and industrial uses for over a century. It was particularly useful as insulation but was easily fragmented and inhaled by those handling it.
The peak of asbestos use began when World War II ended, when thriving industries like shipping, building, construction, plumbing, and mining relied on it. However, in the 1970s the dangers of asbestos became more widely known and the material was placed under the regulation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Over the next couple of decades, the use of Asbestos was mostly phased out.
Workers who are exposed to asbestos do not develop mesothelioma immediately. In fact, the disease usually takes anywhere from 20 to 40 years to fully develop. As a result, the rare form of cancer is almost always diagnosed in older individuals.
Who Is Most Likely to be Exposed to Asbestos?
Asbestos was used for decades in a range of industries and many products. Some industries besides shipbuilding with high rates of exposure include:
- Construction
- Military
- Power plants
- Commercial product manufacturing
- Railroads
The prevalent use of asbestos for so long hit New Orleans particularly hard, because of the minerals heavy use in shipbuilding. The following shipyards in or near New Orleans are said to have known to have had employees who were exposed to asbestos:
- Avondale Industries
- Bollinger Shipyards
- Delta Shipbuilding Co.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Mesothelioma lawsuits are typically brought against a previous employer that used asbestos in the workplace, or a company that manufactured and advertised an asbestos product.
Mesothelioma victims can recover compensation in the following ways:
Multi-billion-dollar Trusts: Many asbestos-related companies went bankrupt, but were required to establish trust funds for future victims of mesothelioma before they did. There is an estimated $30 billion in compensation available for mesothelioma victims and their families.
Personal Injury Lawsuits: A person who developed mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos is able to file a personal injury claim within one year of their mesothelioma diagnosis.
Wrongful Death Claims: The family of a person who died from mesothelioma can file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages against those responsible for their loved ones’ exposure to asbestos. The statute of limitations for such lawsuits is one year from when your family member passed away.
Veterans Administration Claim: Veterans of the military who were exposed to asbestos during their service are eligible for disability from the VA if they are diagnosed with mesothelioma.
To file a successful mesothelioma lawsuit, the victim has to prove exposure to asbestos, something that likely happened decades earlier. At Morgan & Morgan, we can, among other things, review a person’s employment history and establish a connection between their exposure and mesothelioma diagnosis by identifying the source of their asbestos exposure.
Contact a Morgan & Morgan Mesothelioma Attorney in New Orleans Today
In Louisiana, the statute of limitations for filing a mesothelioma lawsuit is just one year after diagnosis, so time is of the essence. Those who worked with asbestos have the right to claim a portion of the more than $30 billion set aside for future victims of mesothelioma. If you would like to learn more about how we may be able to help, fill out a free case evaluationtoday. You don’t pay until we win for you.