Montana Mesothelioma Lawyer - Legal Info & Help in Montana

Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in Montana

Mesothelioma cancer patients in Libby, Montana, and other parts of the state may qualify for financial compensation. Manufacturers of asbestos-based products were aware of the dangers of asbestos but hid the facts for decades.

Libby mines exposed thousands of residents to toxic asbestos dust. As of 2022, more than 2,400 Libby citizens have been diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer, and at least 400 people have died from these illnesses.

If you received a mesothelioma diagnosis after working or living in Montana, contact a lawyer as soon as possible. A Montana mesothelioma lawyer can file a lawsuit on your behalf so you can secure justice and compensation.

When looking for a Montana 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 mesothelioma law firm that can help patients like you: Simmons Hanly Conroy.

Montana 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 personal injuries find justice and hope.

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

Our sponsor firm has recovered over $14 million on behalf of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related disease victims in Montana alone. A few of the firm’s recent mesothelioma settlement amounts are highlighted below.

Montana Mesothelioma Settlements Recovered by Simmons Hanly Conroy

$3.4 millionU.S. Navy veteran
$3.26 millionPipefitter
$2 millionLaborer
$1 millionAuto mechanic

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Asbestos Exposure Sites in Montana

The Libby mine remains Montana’s most notable asbestos site. Both local and national reports say the sickness and death in Libby will likely continue. The town was the nation’s longest-running asbestos cleanup project — and the cleanup did not end until late 2018.

However, Libby isn’t the only high-risk area for asbestos exposure in Montana. Exposure also occurred in thousands of Montana construction projects and other areas throughout the state.

Montana mesothelioma attorneys have compiled lists of job sites linked to asbestos in the state.

Besides Libby, examples of other asbestos sites in Montana include:

Amalgamated Sugar Cane Company, Missoula, Whitehall
Anaconda Copper Mining Company, Anaconda, Butte, Silver Lake
Corette Powerhouse, Billings
Granite-BiMetallic Consolidated Mining Company, Philipsburg
Montana-Dakota Utilities Steam Plant, Glendive
Montana Power, Billings
Montana State Hospital, Warm Springs
Moulton Mining Company, Butte
National Mining and Exploring Company, Helena
Original Butte Mining Company, Butte
United Sierra Division, Cyprus Mines Corporation, Three Forks
University of Montana, Missoula
U.S. Air Force, Glasgow
Waldorf Paper Products Company, Missoula

If you have been exposed to asbestos in Libby or another site, you should connect with an experienced Montana mesothelioma lawyer. These lawyers can help you secure financial benefits to cover treatment expenses and other bills.

Know Your Rights: Montana Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Mesothelioma lawsuits seek compensation from the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products. Victims can use compensation from a mesothelioma lawsuit to pay for medical expenses, home bills, or other costs.

Victims may receive millions of dollars from mesothelioma lawsuits.

It costs you nothing to file a lawsuit, and your Montana mesothelioma lawyer will take on most of the legal work.

Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Claim in Montana?

In addition to Montana 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 Montana mesothelioma attorney.

Even those who develop an asbestos-related disease later in life, such as mesothelioma, may be eligible to file a claim. Surviving family members may also be able to file a claim on behalf of a mesothelioma victim.

A Montana 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 Montana

There are thousands of victims involved in lawsuits in Libby, Montana alone. So far, millions of dollars have been paid to hundreds of victims or their survivors through settlements or a jury verdict.

A mesothelioma settlement allows an asbestos victim to access compensation without a time-consuming trial.

Over 95% of mesothelioma lawsuits end in a mesothelioma settlement.

A jury verdict happens after a jury has heard all the facts of a case. The decision (verdict) is handed down in favor of the plaintiff or defendant.

Did You Know?

The National Indemnity Company (NIC) was ordered to pay all of Montana’s $43 million settlement to Libby asbestos victims in 2018. That figure increased to nearly $98 million in 2019. In December 2021, the Montana Supreme Court upheld the $98 million figure after it was appealed by the NIC.

A Montana mesothelioma attorney can see if a settlement or trial verdict will be best for your case.

Asbestos Rules and Regulations in Montana

Asbestos in the state of Montana is regulated by both state and federal governments. The state follows the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for asbestos.

The state regulates all asbestos removal projects and certifies workers to contain this deadly material properly.

Montana’s asbestos laws and regulations apply to:

All asbestos workers
Those in charge of asbestos removal projects
Those who accredit others to remove asbestos safely

State regulatory agencies that oversee asbestos activities include:

Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) – Permitting and Compliance Division
Montana Department of Labor and Industry
Waste and Underground Tank Management – Bureau Asbestos Control Program

A Montana mesothelioma lawyer can see if these rules will impact your lawsuit.

Statute of Limitations in Montana

A statute of limitations prevents lawsuits from being filed after a certain date. Once the statute of limitations passes, mesothelioma victims can never file a lawsuit.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or a loved one has died from the disease, contact a mesothelioma lawyer in Montana as soon as possible. Don’t miss your chance to receive compensation.

Asbestos Trust Funds in Montana

Even if the statute of limitations has passed for a lawsuit, mesothelioma victims can still receive compensation through an asbestos trust fund.

Asbestos funds were set up by manufacturers to pay those who develop mesothelioma or other illnesses. These trusts are not subject to the state’s statute limitations and establish their own deadlines.

These trusts paid $17.5 billion to asbestos victims and their families between 1988 and 2011, according to the Government Accountability Office.

A Montana mesothelioma lawyer can help determine if you can access money from an asbestos trust fund.

Montana VA Information for Veterans With Mesothelioma

Montana veterans also have a higher risk of mesothelioma as every branch of the United States military relied on asbestos for decades.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 33% of all mesothelioma patients are veterans. Around 6,000 veterans died from mesothelioma between 1999 and 2005.

Montana VA Benefits

Fortunately, veterans with mesothelioma can file for benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Notable VA benefits include:

Burial benefits
Disability compensation
Health care services
Pension plans

The VA also works with some of the country’s top mesothelioma doctors to treat veterans with this rare cancer.

Veterans can learn more about VA benefits by reaching out to the following offices in Montana.

Veterans Benefits Administration

Fort Harrison Regional Office
Malmstrom Air Force Base

VA Medical Centers

Fort Harrison VA Medical Center
Miles City VA Clinic and Community Living Center

Community-Based Outpatient Clinics

Anaconda VA Clinic
Benjamin Charles Steele VA Clinic
Cut Bank VA Clinic
Glasgow VA Clinic
Hamilton VA Clinic
Helena VA Clinic (VA Sleep Center)
Lewistown VA Clinic
Libby RHC
Merril Lundman VA Clinic
Plentywood VA Clinic

Veterans Centers

Billings Veterans Center
Great Falls Veterans Center
Helena Veterans Center
Kalispell Veterans Center
Missoula Veterans Center

To file for VA benefits, start with a Montana mesothelioma attorney who can research how you were exposed to asbestos while you served. You can then work with a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) to file for VA benefits using this information.

AML and VFW Service Officers in Montana

The American Legion (AML) and the Veterans of Foreign Wars work with VSOs and provide other resources to veterans. VSOs at these organizations are trained to help veterans access VA benefits

Montana VSOs can be found in more than 100 offices across the state.

A few examples include:

American Legion
Montana Veterans Affairs Division
Retired Enlisted Association
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Veterans of World War I of the USA

Veterans can reach out to these offices to see how VSOs can assist them. Veterans can also contact a mesothelioma law firm in Montana to learn how to file a lawsuit. Veterans often qualify to file both mesothelioma lawsuits and VA benefits claims.

Connect With a Montana Mesothelioma Lawyer

Montana remains a hotbed for asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma. If you were diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, a Montana mesothelioma attorney is best equipped to help you seek justice and compensation.

An experienced Montana mesothelioma lawyer can:

Determine when and where you may have been exposed to asbestos
File a lawsuit within Montana’s statute of limitations
See what other types of compensation are available to you

Get a free case review to see all the ways a Montana mesothelioma lawyer can help you.