Missouri Mesothelioma Lawyer

Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in Missouri

Missouri residents were put at risk of asbestos exposure for decades. This exposure can cause the deadly cancer mesothelioma and other life-threatening illnesses.

Mesothelioma claimed the lives of nearly 900 Missouri residents between 1999 and 2017, as noted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a Missouri mesothelioma lawyer can help you pursue compensation and seek justice from negligent manufacturers of asbestos-containing products.

When looking for a Missouri mesothelioma lawyer, it’s important to select a firm with the experience, reputation, and resources to advocate for you. Thankfully, Mesothelioma Hope has partnered with an experienced law firm that can help mesothelioma patients like you: Simmons Hanly Conroy.

Missouri Mesothelioma Law Firm

As one of the nation’s largest mass tort law firms, Simmons Hanly Conroy is dedicated to helping victims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related injuries find justice and hope.

The attorneys at Simmons Hanly Conroy have decades of experience, and they aim to provide their clients with first-class legal services.

Our sponsor firm has recovered more than $325 million on behalf of those with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases in Missouri alone. A few of the firm’s recent mesothelioma settlement amounts are highlighted below.

Asbestos Exposure Sites in Missouri

There are many high-risk sites throughout Missouri where asbestos-containing products were commonly used.

For example, asbestos was used to make almost every building in Missouri before the early 1980s. Many older buildings in the state still contain asbestos.

These job sites and buildings include:

• Apartments
• Churches
• Offices
• Public buildings
• Schools

Work sites can expose people to asbestos, too. For example, demolition and renovation of asbestos-containing buildings put construction workers at a high risk of asbestos exposure.

Manufacturing plants, power plants, shipyards, and auto repair shops could also expose workers to asbestos.

If you have been exposed to asbestos, it’s important to contact a Missouri mesothelioma lawyer right away. Top Missouri mesothelioma attorneys maintain extensive databases of asbestos sites statewide and across the nation that they can use to help build your case.

Missouri Counties With the Highest Number of Asbestos-Related Deaths

Asbestos affects families and communities in every state and county in the U.S. Along with mesothelioma, asbestos exposure has caused thousands of deaths in Missouri from related diseases like asbestosis and lung cancer. Five counties were hit particularly hard in recent years.

Know Your Rights: Missouri Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Missouri mesothelioma lawyers can pursue lawsuits against manufacturers of asbestos-based products.

Asbestos victims pay no upfront costs to file mesothelioma lawsuits, and a Missouri attorney can handle most of the work for you.

Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Claim in Missouri?

In addition to Missouri residents, mesothelioma patients who may have been exposed to asbestos while working in, living in, or visiting the state might qualify to file a claim for financial compensation.

Additionally, anyone who’s been diagnosed with other serious asbestos-related diseases — such as lung cancer or asbestosis — may also qualify to file a claim with the help of a Missouri mesothelioma attorney. Surviving family members may also be able to file a claim on behalf of a mesothelioma victim.

A Missouri mesothelioma lawyer can explain how the state’s laws and regulations impact someone’s eligibility for different types of asbestos claims.

Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts in Missouri

Asbestos lawsuits typically conclude through out-of-court mesothelioma settlements or trial verdicts. A number of mesothelioma lawsuits in Missouri have resulted in multimillion dollar awards.

Two notable Missouri asbestos verdicts include:

• The family of a former courthouse employee who died from mesothelioma received $10 million after a jury found that asbestos had been mishandled by an engineering company working at the site. The company also had to pay $80 million for ongoing asbestos-related disease testing for others who worked in the courthouse.

• A St. Louis mechanic was awarded $8.4 million after one of the world’s largest automakers was found negligent in exposing him to asbestos in brakes, gaskets, and replacement parts over three decades at several dealerships.

Some mesothelioma cases may award more or less than these amounts. A Missouri asbestos lawyer can tell you more about mesothelioma compensation, including verdicts and settlements. Request a free case review today to get started.

Asbestos Laws and Regulations in Missouri

Missouri generally follows federal asbestos provisions, with some additional state requirements.

The state has adopted the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) to regulate asbestos. Missouri has additional rules governing asbestos abatement activities.

The state of Missouri does not have a federally approved occupational safety and health program. Instead, employers are governed by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) asbestos requirements.

The Air Pollution Control Program, which is part of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Environmental Quality, administers and enforces regulations regarding asbestos projects, certification, and training.

Statutes of Limitations in Missouri

A statute of limitations is a law that determines how long you have to take legal action after a personal injury or wrongful death.

Statutes of limitations vary depending on the state and whether the victim is living or deceased.

Contacting an experienced Missouri mesothelioma lawyer soon after a diagnosis or the death of a loved one will help ensure that your lawsuit is filed within the Missouri statute of limitations.

Asbestos Trust Funds in Missouri

Even if the statute of limitations has passed in your case, you still could access money through asbestos trust funds.

Bankrupt manufacturers of asbestos-containing products were forced by courts to set aside money in asbestos trust funds.

Asbestos trust funds are not subject to state statutes of limitations and set their own deadlines for filing claims. A Missouri mesothelioma lawyer can help you file asbestos trust fund claims along with a lawsuit.

Missouri VA Information for Mesothelioma Victims

The rate of mesothelioma is higher among U.S. veterans since every branch of the military used asbestos-based products until the early 1980s.

Over 45,000 people died from mesothelioma between 1999 and 2017. Since one-third of all mesothelioma patients were in the armed forces, that means more than 15,000 veterans died in that time period. While serving this country, veterans may have been exposed to asbestos through military ships, vehicles, bases, and other assets.

Examples of military bases in Missouri that used asbestos include:

• Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri Ozarks
• Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base (AKA Richards-Gebaur Air Reserve Station), Kansas City
• Whiteman Air Force Base, Johnson County

Missouri Veterans Benefits

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is one of the largest providers of benefits and services for veterans with mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma VA benefits include:

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

Veterans can also access care from mesothelioma doctors who have partnered with the VA.

Two VA mesothelioma doctors include:

• Dr. Daniel Wiener
• Dr. Robert Cameron

Missouri veterans can also seek help from the following offices and facilities:

Veterans Benefits Administration

• Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri Ozarks
• Northeast District, St. Louis
• St. Louis Regional Office
• Whiteman Air Force Base, Johnson County

VA Medical Centers

• Harry S. Truman Memorial, Columbia
• John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, Poplar Bluff
• Kansas City VA Medical Center
• VA St. Louis Health Care System – Jefferson Barracks Division, St. Louis

Veterans Centers

• Columbia Veterans Center
• Kansas City Veterans Center
• RCS Midwest District 3 District Office
• Springfield, MO Veterans Center
• St. Louis Veterans Center

Veterans looking to apply for VA benefits should start by connecting with a Missouri mesothelioma lawyer.

Lawyers can help veterans gather the right information to file a VA claim — such as how, when, and where military asbestos exposure occurred.

From there, a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can help the veteran file their claim.

AML and VFW Service Officers in Missouri

Organizations such as the American Legion (AML) and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) have VSOs who can assist veterans, their dependents, and survivors.

VSOs are trained and accredited by the VA and other recognized organizations to help veterans file for military benefits. These advocates are located in service offices throughout the state.

Missouri houses around 275 service offices, some of which have multiple locations across the state.

These statewide offices include:

• American Ex-Prisoners of War
• American Legion
• Missouri Veterans Commission
• Veterans of Foreign Wars
• Vietnam Veterans of America

Veterans can reach out to these service offices to connect with a VSO.

Download our Free Veterans Compensation Guide today to learn if and how you can access financial assistance for an asbestos-related illness.

Connect With a Missouri Mesothelioma Lawyer

Asbestos victims do not bear any responsibility for their mesothelioma diagnosis. Because of the heartless decisions made by manufacturers of asbestos-containing products, thousands of Missouri residents are diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma each year.

Missouri mesothelioma lawyers know how this disease can devastate families and are here to help. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is in your best interest to work with a Missouri mesothelioma lawyer.

A qualified Missouri mesothelioma attorney can help you:

1. Identify the work sites or locations where you were exposed to asbestos
2. Obtain medical and military records
3. Build an asbestos claim that maximizes your chances of securing compensation
4. File your claim within the proper Missouri statute of limitations

To learn more about your options, contact our team for a free, no-obligation case review. Our asbestos lawyers never charge upfront or out-of-pocket fees, and they get paid only if your case results in compensation. Get started with a free legal consultation.