COVID-19 Update: Our team is ready to serve you. Get Your Free Mesothelioma Guide

Delaware Mesothelioma Lawyers

If you have been exposed to asbestos and got sick, you should seek help from a Delaware mesothelioma lawyer. Delaware is among the top 8 states in the U.S. with the highest rate of mesothelioma deaths — and this rare cancer is caused by asbestos exposure. A Delaware mesothelioma lawyer can handle your case and help you seek the compensation you deserve.

Our Delaware mesothelioma attorneys have helped victims near you

Represented victims in:

  • Delmar
  • New Castle
  • Wilmington

Recent Settlements:

  • $3.4 million – Navy Veteran
  • $1.48 million – Pipefitter
  • $2.6 million – Bricklayer
  • $1.56 million – Army Veteran
  • $2.36 million – X-Ray Tech

Recommended Delaware Lawyer Simmons Hanly Conroy

Get A Free Case Review

Working With a Delaware Mesothelioma Lawyer

Anyone who developed an asbestos-related disease in Delaware may be able to access compensation with the help of a mesothelioma lawyer.

If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma: Get a Free Legal Case Review Now

A Delaware mesothelioma lawyer makes the legal process easier for victims affected by deadly mesothelioma cancer. These attorneys do most of the legal work, allowing victims to focus on their families.

Delaware mesothelioma lawyers can:

  • Note which products, work sites, and manufacturers may have exposed someone to asbestos
  • Determine how this exposure led to mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer or asbestosis
  • File a mesothelioma lawsuit and other legal claims
  • Secure financial compensation for victims and families

States such as Delaware have higher rates of mesothelioma due to the prevalence of high-risk industries such as mining, shipbuilding, chemical plants, and refineries.

Asbestos exposure is also a threat in both residential and commercial buildings in Delaware built before the 1980s as asbestos was often used in construction products such as flooring, insulation, and roofing materials.

Many Delaware worksites also came with a threat of asbestos exposure.

Jobs with a high risk of asbestos exposure included:

  • Automotive Repair Work: Vehicles of all kinds relied on asbestos-based products for decades. Some of these products — including gaskets, clutches, and brake shoes — can be found in cars built as late as 1995.
  • Construction Work: Asbestos fireproofing, insulation, and other asbestos-containing products were commonly used to build manufacturing facilities, power plants, homes, and schools. Asbestos construction products remain in just about every home built before the 1980s.
  • Military: Every branch of the U.S. military relied on asbestos-containing products for decades. Asbestos could be found in bases, ships, and vehicles until large-scale removal and containment programs were put in place. Some of these assets still contain asbestos today.
  • Mining: For example, thousands of Delaware workers could be found working in dozens of mines across the state. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that could have been present in those mines. Today, around 2,350 Delaware residents work in jobs directly or indirectly related to mining, with 800 directly or indirectly related to coal mining.
  • Shipbuilding: Delaware shipbuilders helped produce 95,000 tons of shipping vessels, with tens of thousands of employees in Wilmington alone. Asbestos has outstanding heat-resistance and insulating properties, it was used to build just about every U.S. Navy ships and many other vessels until the early 1980s.

Although most Delaware worksites are free of asbestos today, those already exposed are still at risk of developing mesothelioma since the disease typically develops 20-50 years after initial exposure.

More than 10% of Delaware’s population work in jobs that once had a high risk of asbestos exposure with nearly 6% employed in manufacturing and more than 4% employed in construction.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma after working in a high-risk industry or serving in the military, work with a Delaware mesothelioma lawyer to pursue compensation and seek justice from negligent manufacturers of asbestos-containing products.

Delaware Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Mesothelioma lawsuits can award victims after a devastating diagnosis. These lawsuits are filed against the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products.

Manufacturers knew that asbestos was dangerous but instead of telling the general public, they hid the risks for decades to keep making money. Through a lawsuit, victims can take some of the power back from those who caused them harm.

Experienced Delaware asbestos attorneys have access to key information about these manufacturers, including what products they made, if they are still in business, and if they can be sued. With a lawyer’s help, victims may be able to file a lawsuit and access compensation.

Mesothelioma Verdicts & Settlements in Delaware

Mesothelioma lawsuits usually conclude through out-of-court settlements (where the manufacturers agree to pay the victim who filed the lawsuit) or through a trial verdict (where a judge and/or jury may side with either the manufacturer or the victim).

Overall, it is estimated that awards from mesothelioma verdicts and settlements typically range from $1 Million to $5 Million or more, according to Westlaw Journal Asbestos.

In a recent Delaware mesothelioma lawsuit, one of the world’s largest automakers was ordered to pay $8.125 Million to a victim’s family. The Delaware family was also awarded $1 Million in punitive damages.

The Delaware mesothelioma lawyer you work with can provide past examples of verdicts and settlements they have retrieved for clients.

Statute of Limitations in Delaware

Statutes of limitations are laws that limit the amount of time you have to file a civil lawsuit. These rules are complex and vary by state or by whether you are filing a personal injury or wrongful death mesothelioma lawsuit.

Contact a Delaware mesothelioma lawyer soon after a mesothelioma diagnosis or the death of a loved one so your case is filed within the statute of limitations.

Delaware Asbestos Trust Funds

Even if your asbestos attorney determines that the statute of limitations has passed, you still might be able to access compensation through an asbestos trust fund.

Asbestos trust funds are funded by manufacturers to help pay those who could develop asbestos-related diseases in the future. Courts forced these manufacturers to pay victims since bankrupt companies cannot be sued.

Asbestos trusts funds are not subject to state law and have the freedom to establish their own rules related to filing deadlines.

Did You Know?

There is over $30 Billion available in asbestos trust funds today.

Contact a Delaware mesothelioma lawyer to learn more about asbestos trust funds.

Asbestos Rules and Regulations in Delaware

Projects involving asbestos in Delaware must comply with United States federal asbestos requirements. Delaware has adopted the federal National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for asbestos with some changes.

The state has separate rules for control of asbestos air emissions in projects not subject to the NESHAP.

State regulatory agencies include:

  • Delaware Office of Management and Budget Division of Facilities Management (DFM) Asbestos Training and Certification Program
  • Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (DNREC) Division of Air and Waste Management (DAWM) Asbestos Abatement Renovation/Demolition Program

The state also regulates certification, notification, work practices, and waste disposal for asbestos projects, regardless of the NESHAP applicability.

Asbestos Sites in Delaware

From 1900 to 1980, 30 million tons of asbestos were put in place in manufacturing plants, shipyards, offices, hospitals, schools, and stores and other structures in Delaware and across the country.

Examples of asbestos sites in Delaware include:

  • Allied Chemical, Claymont
  • Kraft Foods Company, Dover
  • Red Mill Apartments, Newark
  • DuPont Building, Wilmington
  • New Dover High School, Dover
  • University of Delaware, Newark
  • General Foods Corporation, Dover
  • New Municipal Power Plant, Dover
  • Pusey Jones Shipyard, Wilmington
  • Delaware Power Light, Wilmington
  • Diamond Ice and Coal Company, Wilmington
  • Delaware State Hospital, Wilmington, New Castle
  • Jessup and Moore – Rockland Mills, Wilmington
  • American Car and Foundry Company, Wilmington

If you have been exposed to asbestos, contact a Delaware mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible.

Delaware mesothelioma lawyers working at top mesothelioma law firms maintain databases of areas linked to asbestos in the state and around the country.

Delaware VA Information for Mesothelioma Victims

One-third of all mesothelioma patients are veterans and approximately 6,000 veterans died from the disease between 1999 and 2005 alone.

Fortunately, federal agencies such as the Veterans Administration (VA) can help veterans with mesothelioma access many different benefits.

VA benefits include:

  • Aid & attendance
  • Disability compensation
  • Burial & survivor benefits
  • Hospice care

Veterans can also receive health care from VA mesothelioma doctors.

Two well known VA mesothelioma doctors include:

The Mesothelioma Justice Network has no affiliation with and is not endorsed or sponsored by Dr. Robert B. Cameron. The contact information above is listed for informational purposes only. You have the right to contact Dr. Cameron directly. Visit the UCLA Health website to learn more about Dr. Robert Cameron.

In Delaware, the following offices and facilities are here to help:

Veterans Benefits Administration

  • Dover Air Force Base, Dover
  • Wilmington Regional Office, Wilmington

VA Medical Centers

  • Wilmington VA Medical Center, Wilmington

Community-Based Outpatient Clinics

  • Kent County CBOC, Dover
  • Sussex County CBOC, Georgetown

Vet Centers

  • Sussex Country Vet Center (Georgetown)
  • Wilmington Vet Center

Before applying for VA benefits, veterans with mesothelioma should work with a Delaware mesothelioma lawyer. These lawyers can help veterans collect the right information to file a claim (such as how, when, and where asbestos exposure took place during military service).

Using this information, veterans can work with a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) to file a claim.

AML and VFW Service Officers in Delaware

VSOs with organizations such as the American Legion (AML) and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) are trained and accredited by the VA and other recognized organizations to help veterans, their dependents, and survivors access benefits.

Common VA benefits include:

  • Burial & funeral services
  • Compensation
  • Education & training
  • Employment
  • Health care services
  • Housing
  • Military records
  • Pension plans
  • Survivor benefits
  • Transportation services

Local VSOs can be found in offices specific to Delaware, your county courthouse, your local VA office, or the local organization’s headquarters.

Offices serving Delaware include:

  • American Ex-Prisoners of War, Bay Pines
  • American Legion, Bay Pines, Wilmington
  • American Red Cross, Bay Pines
  • Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs, Dover
  • Florida Department of Veterans Affairs in Bay Pines
  • National Association of County Veterans Service, Dover
  • Paralyzed Veterans of America, Wilmington
  • The Retired Enlisted Association, Bay Pines
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US, Wilmington
  • Veterans of World War I of the USA, Inc., Milton
  • Vietnam Veterans of America, Wilmington

Working with a Delaware Mesothelioma Lawyer

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, work with an experienced Delaware mesothelioma attorney to get the compensation and justice you deserve.

Delaware mesothelioma lawyers can help in every step of the legal process, from identifying how you were exposed (and who was responsible) to filing the lawsuit and receiving compensation.

They can also help you find you find state and local agencies offering additional financial and legal services.

Our Patient Advocacy Team today is standing by to help you.

Get a free case review today.

Find more information by your state below
Show More
Mesothelioma Support Team
Stephanie KiddWritten by:

Editor-in-Chief

Stephanie Kidd grew up in a family of civil servants, blue-collar workers, and medical caregivers. Upon graduating Summa Cum Laude from Stetson University, she began her career specializing in worker safety regulations and communications. Now, a proud member of the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) and Editor-in-Chief of the Mesothelioma Justice Network, Stephanie serves as a voice for mesothelioma victims and their families.

View 21 Sources
  1. Berkowitz, B. (2012, May 11). Special Report: The long, lethal shadow of asbestos. Retrieved March 29, 2020, from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-asbestos-lawsuits/special-report-the-long-lethal-shadow-of-asbestos-idUSBRE84A0J920120511
  2. Buffie, N., & McInnis, T. (2017, April 10). Highest to Lowest Share of Blue Collar Jobs By State. Retrieved March 29, 2020, from https://bluecollarjobs.us/2017/04/10/highest-to-lowest-share-of-blue-collar-jobs-by-state/
  3. Crowther, S.J. (1973). The Shipbuilding Output of the Delaware Valley, 1722-1776. Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 117(2), 90-104. Retrieved April 1, 2020, from www.jstor.org/stable/986059
  4. Delaware Asbestos: What you need to know. (n.d.). Retrieved April 1, 2020, from https://www.blr.com/Workplace-Safety/Hazardous-Substances-and-Materials/Asbestos-in-Delaware
  5. Delaware Military Bases. (1998). Retrieved March 29, 2020, from https://militarybases.com/delaware/
  6. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2020, from https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/vso-search
  7. EPA Actions to Protect the Public from Exposure to Asbestos. (2020, March 20). Retrieved March 21, 2020, from https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/epa-actions-protect-public-exposure-asbestos
  8. Find a Service Officer. (n.d.). Retrieved April 1, 2020, from https://www.legion.org/serviceofficers/DE
  9. Ford Motor Company v. Knecht, et. al. (2019, December 2). Retrieved April 1, 2020, from https://law.justia.com/cases/delaware/supreme-court/2019/98-2019.html
  10. Goguen, David. Asbestos and Mesothelioma Lawsuits: What to Expect (2020). Retrieved April 1, 2020, from https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/asbestos-mesothelioma-lawsuits-what-expect-30340.html
  11. Henley, S. J., Larson, T. C., Wu, M. C. S., Antao, V. A., Lewis, M. undefined, Pinheiro, G. undefined, & Eheman, C. undefined. (2015, April 22). Mesothelioma incidence in 50 states and the District of Columbia, United States, 2003-2008. Retrieved April 1, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4406225/
  12. Mazurek, J. M., Syamlal, G., & Wood, J. M. (2017, August 1). Malignant Mesothelioma Mortality - United States, 1999–2015. Retrieved March 21, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6608a3.htm
  13. National Mining Association: Delaware Mining Jobs. (2019). Retrieved April 1, 2020, from https://nma.org/map/delaware/
  14. Office, U. S. G. A. (2011, October 19). Asbestos Injury Compensation: The Role and Administration of Asbestos Trusts. Retrieved March 21, 2020, from https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-819
  15. Pauly, Megan. (2016, July 22). History Matters: Shipbuilding industry along the Wilmington riverfront. Retrieved March 21, 2020, from https://www.delawarepublic.org/post/history-matters-shipbuilding-industry-along-wilmington-riverfront
  16. Risk Factors for Malignant Mesothelioma. (2020). Retrieved March 21, 2020, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/malignant-mesothelioma/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.htm
  17. Solutions, V. A. W. (2000, June 21). Veterans Affairs. Retrieved April 1, 2020, from https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/state.asp?dnum=ALL&STATE=DE
  18. Statute of Limitations Definition. (199-2020). Retrieved April 1, 2020, from https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/statute-of-limitations-definition.html
  19. Thomas, Lee M. (1985). Asbestos Fact Book. Retrieved March, 21, 2020, from https://www.epa.gov/nscep
  20. U.S. Census Bureau Quick Facts: Delaware. (2019, July 1). Retrieved April 1, 2020, from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/DE
  21. What Is Pleural Mesothelioma? (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2020, from https://www.slidellmemorial.org/blog/what-is-pleural-mesothelioma
Back to Top