Mesothelioma Lawyers Nationwide

Find Experienced "Mesothelioma Lawyers Near Me" in All 50 States

Whether you prioritize local presence or specialized expertise, Danziger & De Llano serves mesothelioma victims across the entire United States. Over $30 billion remains in asbestos trust funds, with filing deadlines ranging from 1 to 6 years depending on your state.

50 States

Nationwide Coverage

$30B+

In Trust Funds

1-6 Years

Filing Deadlines

$0

Unless You Win

Executive Summary

How Do You Find the Right Mesothelioma Lawyer Across America?

Mesothelioma victims across the United States have access to substantial compensation through asbestos bankruptcy trust funds, civil litigation, and veteran benefits—but strict filing deadlines mean time is critical. Four states impose devastating 1-year deadlines (California, Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee), while most states allow 2-3 years from diagnosis.[1] With over 60 active trust funds holding more than $30 billion and average settlements exceeding $1 million, experienced legal representation can make the difference between full compensation and losing your rights entirely.[2] This page helps you find qualified mesothelioma lawyers in your state and understand the regional factors that affect your case.

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Are You in a State with a 1-Year Filing Deadline?

If you were diagnosed in California, Kentucky, Louisiana, or Tennessee, you have only 1 year from diagnosis to file a mesothelioma lawsuit. Missing this deadline permanently eliminates all rights to compensation—no exceptions, no appeals, no second chances.[1]

Call Immediately: 855-699-5441

Key Facts: Finding Mesothelioma Lawyers Nationwide

  • $30+ Billion Available: Over 60 active asbestos bankruptcy trusts hold substantial funds for mesothelioma victims, with average combined recoveries of $300,000-$500,000 per claimant.[2]
  • 1-6 Year Deadlines: Filing deadlines vary dramatically by state—from just 1 year in California, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Tennessee to 6 years in Maine and North Dakota.[1]
  • 99%+ Settlement Rate: The vast majority of mesothelioma cases settle without trial, meaning geographic proximity to courthouses rarely affects case outcomes.[1]
  • 30% of Cases Are Veterans: Military veterans represent nearly one-third of all mesothelioma diagnoses, with Navy personnel facing the highest exposure rates from shipboard asbestos.[3]
  • $3,831/Month for Veterans: Veterans with mesothelioma receive automatic 100% VA disability ratings, payable simultaneously with trust fund compensation and lawsuit settlements.[3]
  • Multi-State Filing: If exposure occurred in multiple states, attorneys can file in jurisdictions with longer deadlines or more favorable procedures—a strategic advantage only specialized firms provide.[1]
  • 25+ Major Shipyards Documented: From Brooklyn Navy Yard to Mare Island, documented naval and commercial shipyards employed over 1.5 million workers at peak, with extensive asbestos exposure records now available for claims.[4]
  • No Upfront Costs: Mesothelioma attorneys work on contingency—you pay nothing unless you receive compensation.

Which State Do You Need a Mesothelioma Lawyer In?

Select your state below to learn about filing deadlines, major exposure sites, and how we can help. States marked with ⚠️ have 1-year filing deadlines requiring immediate action.

⚠️ = 1-year filing deadline — contact us immediately if diagnosed in these states

Where Did Most Asbestos Exposure Occur?

This section examines the geographic distribution of asbestos exposure across the United States, helping victims identify potential claim sources based on regional industrial history.

American shipyards employed millions of workers during the 20th century, with peak employment during World War II and the Cold War. Asbestos was used extensively in ship construction, repair, and overhaul operations from the 1930s through the 1980s, creating one of the largest occupational exposure cohorts in U.S. history.[4]

Northeast & Mid-Atlantic

Major shipyards including Brooklyn Navy Yard (70,000 workers at peak), Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Boston Naval Shipyard, and the extensive industrial corridor from New Jersey through Pennsylvania. Construction trades faced widespread exposure in urban building projects.[4]

Key states: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut

Gulf Coast & Southeast

The nation's highest concentration of petrochemical refineries spans Texas and Louisiana, with major shipyards at Norfolk Naval (43,000 workers), Charleston Naval, and Avondale Shipyard in New Orleans. Oil refinery workers face 410% higher mortality rates from mesothelioma.[4]

Key states: Texas, Louisiana, Virginia, Florida, Mississippi

Pacific Coast

California's extensive shipyard history includes Mare Island Naval Shipyard (46,000 workers at peak), Long Beach Naval, and Hunter's Point. Washington state's Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Kaiser Shipyards employed hundreds of thousands. Aerospace manufacturing added additional exposure pathways.[4]

Key states: California, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii

Midwest & Great Lakes

Steel mills in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois exposed workers to asbestos in furnace insulation and protective equipment. Automotive manufacturing throughout Michigan, railroad facilities, and power plants created widespread industrial exposure across the region.

Key states: Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin

"Understanding where exposure occurred is critical for mesothelioma cases. We maintain exposure databases covering thousands of job sites across all 50 states—from Gulf Coast refineries to Great Lakes steel mills. This documentation directly strengthens claims and identifies all potential trust funds."

— Paul Danziger, Danziger & De Llano, LLP

What Are the Filing Deadlines by State?

This section explains the critical time limits for filing mesothelioma claims across the United States. The statute of limitations represents the most unforgiving aspect of mesothelioma litigation—missing your filing deadline permanently eliminates all legal rights to compensation.[1]

1-Year States (URGENT)

California, Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee

These states impose devastating one-year deadlines requiring immediate action upon diagnosis.

2-Year States (Most Common)

Texas, Florida (PI 4 yrs), Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey, and 19 others

The majority of states provide two years from diagnosis to file.

3-Year States

New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Washington, and 7 others

These states provide moderately longer deadlines but still require timely action.

4-6 Year States

Maine (6), North Dakota (6), Missouri (5), Minnesota (4), Florida (4 PI)

These states offer the longest deadlines, but early filing remains advisable.

The Discovery Rule Protects Mesothelioma Patients

Unlike most injuries where the statute begins at the time of harm, mesothelioma cases benefit from the "discovery rule"—your deadline starts when you receive your diagnosis or when you knew or should have known about the disease's connection to asbestos. This principle recognizes that mesothelioma's 20-50 year latency period would otherwise eliminate all claims before patients even knew they were sick.[1]

Why Does Danziger & De Llano Serve All 50 States?

This section explains how our Houston-based firm provides both specialized expertise and local presence for mesothelioma victims nationwide.

When someone searches for "mesothelioma lawyers near me," they're often asking one of two different questions: they want an attorney they can meet with in person, or they want an attorney who truly understands their exposure history—the shipyards, refineries, or plants where they worked. At Danziger & De Llano, we've structured our practice so you don't have to choose.

National Expertise

  • • 40+ years focused exclusively on mesothelioma litigation
  • • Exposure databases covering thousands of job sites in all 50 states
  • • Relationships with leading medical experts nationwide
  • • Experience with all 60+ active asbestos trust funds
  • • Multi-state filing capabilities for strategic venue selection

Local Presence

  • • Attorneys travel to clients at no cost when needed
  • • Home and hospital visits accommodated for ill patients
  • • Familiar with regional exposure sites and industries
  • • Pro hac vice admission in any required jurisdiction
  • • Depositions conducted at client locations via video

"The search that brings people to us—'mesothelioma lawyers near me'—reflects a real need for representation that feels accessible and responsive. We've structured our practice to provide exactly that, backed by decades of specialized experience that local generalists simply cannot match."

— Rod De Llano, Danziger & De Llano, LLP

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find mesothelioma lawyers near me?

Finding mesothelioma lawyers involves evaluating both geographic proximity and specialized expertise. Unlike typical personal injury cases, mesothelioma litigation often benefits more from an attorney's experience with asbestos trust funds and exposure documentation than from local courthouse familiarity. National mesothelioma firms serve all 50 states and can file cases in favorable jurisdictions regardless of where you live. Use this page to select your state and learn about local filing deadlines and exposure sites, or call us directly for a free case evaluation.

What is the statute of limitations for mesothelioma lawsuits?

Statute of limitations varies by state from 1 to 6 years from diagnosis. Four states—California, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Tennessee—impose just 1-year deadlines requiring immediate action. Most states allow 2-3 years. The clock typically starts when you receive your diagnosis under the discovery rule, not when exposure originally occurred.[1]

Can an out-of-state attorney handle my mesothelioma case?

Yes. Attorneys can be admitted pro hac vice (for a particular case) in any state where they're not already licensed. This is routine in complex litigation and adds no meaningful cost or delay. Specialized mesothelioma firms routinely handle cases nationwide and can file in the most favorable jurisdiction based on your exposure history. Since over 99% of mesothelioma cases settle without trial, courthouse proximity is largely irrelevant.[1]

How much compensation can mesothelioma victims receive?

Mesothelioma victims can recover compensation through multiple channels simultaneously. Average lawsuit settlements range from $1 million to $1.4 million, while trust fund claims combined typically yield $300,000-$500,000. Veterans may also receive $3,831 monthly in VA disability benefits. Since federal law prohibits offsetting VA benefits based on other compensation, total combined recovery can exceed $2.4 million.[2][3]

What if I was exposed to asbestos in multiple states?

Multiple exposure sites often strengthen your case and increase available compensation. Each facility represents potential claims against different manufacturers' products and different trust funds. Experienced attorneys evaluate all exposure locations to identify the optimal jurisdiction for filing—which may have longer deadlines, higher average verdicts, or more favorable procedures than your home state.[1]

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What Matters Most to You?

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Ready to Find the Right Mesothelioma Lawyer?

Whether you're looking for local presence, specialized expertise, or both—we're here to help you understand what compensation may be available. The consultation is free, confidential, and comes with no obligation.

Available 24/7. No fee unless you receive compensation.

References

  1. [1] WikiMesothelioma, "Statute of Limitations by State" — Complete 50-state filing deadline guide including discovery rule application and federal claims.
  2. [2] WikiMesothelioma, "Asbestos Trust Funds" — Comprehensive database of 60+ active trusts holding $30+ billion for mesothelioma compensation.
  3. [3] WikiMesothelioma, "Veterans Benefits" — VA disability compensation, DIC benefits, and no-offset rules for military veterans with mesothelioma.
  4. [4] WikiMesothelioma, "Shipyard Exposure Index" — Database of 25+ naval and commercial shipyards with documented asbestos exposure and employment records.