Oklahoma Mesothelioma Lawyer

Thousands of buildings in the state of Oklahoma were built with asbestos — and anyone exposed to this material could develop mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer later in life. To seek compensation and justice, work with an Oklahoma mesothelioma lawyer.

Legally reviewed Melissa Crowe Schopfer

on March 17, 2024

Recommended Oklahoma Lawyer Simmons Hanly Conroy

Get Connected

Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in Oklahoma

Oklahoma citizens with mesothelioma can pursue compensation from the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products. Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, and manufacturers of products containing asbestos hid the health risks of this deadly mineral for decades.

Nearly 500 Oklahoma residents died from mesothelioma between 1999 and 2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

An Oklahoma mesothelioma lawyer is best equipped to help victims get compensation by filing lawsuits against the makers of asbestos-based products.

Asbestos claims have been filed by mesothelioma victims who lived or worked in these Oklahoma locations:

Altus
Bartlesville
Broken Arrow
Cushing
Edmond
Enid
Fort Sill
Lawton
Midwest City
Moore
Muskogee
Norman
Oklahoma City
Owasso
Ponca City
Seminole
Stillwater
Tulsa
And more

When looking for an Oklahoma 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.

Oklahoma 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 $64 million on behalf of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related disease victims in Oklahoma alone.

Get your free consultation with a Simmons Hanly Conroy Oklahoma mesothelioma lawyer today.

Asbestos Exposure Sites in Oklahoma

Buildings across Oklahoma and the entire country were made with asbestos-based products up through the 1980s. Asbestos could be found in everything from manufacturing facilities to public buildings.

Between 300,000 and 600,000 tons of asbestos was used to make thousands of Oklahoma buildings. An estimated 80% to 90% of this asbestos remains in place today.

Mesothelioma attorneys in Oklahoma have discovered thousands of asbestos job sites across the state.

Examples of asbestos sites in Oklahoma include:

Agrico Chemical Company, Tulsa
Altus Air Force Base, Altus
BF Goodrich Plant, Miami
Choctaw Railway and Power Company, South McAlester
Conoco Refinery, Ponca City
Federal Building, Oklahoma City
Federal Courthouse Post Office, Muskogee
First Baptist Hospital. Oklahoma City
General Motors Plant, Oklahoma City
International Milling Company, Blackwell
Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E), Ponca City
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater
Phillips Petroleum Office Building, Bartlesville
Refractory Construction, Tulsa
St. Francis Hospital, Tulsa
Tulsa International Airport, Tulsa
Western Electric Manufacturing Plant, Oklahoma City

If you think you were exposed to asbestos and got sick as a result, you should contact an Oklahoma asbestos attorney as soon as possible. Lawyers at top mesothelioma law firms can confirm where and when you were exposed to asbestos and determine whether you’re eligible for financial benefits.

Oklahoma Counties With the Highest Number of Asbestos-Related Deaths

Asbestos-related illnesses affect families and communities in every state and county. Along with mesothelioma, asbestos exposure has caused thousands of deaths in Oklahoma from related diseases like asbestosis and lung cancer. Five counties were hit particularly hard in recent years.

Asbestos-Related Deaths Between 1999-2017

Location	Estimated Deaths	Average Deaths Per Year
Oklahoma County	413	21
Tulsa County	396	20
Kay County	96	5
Comanche County	85	4
Carter County	83	4

Know Your Rights: Oklahoma Mesothelioma Lawsuits

A mesothelioma lawsuit allows victims of asbestos exposure to seek compensation.

A lawsuit can help victims obtain money for:

Lost wages
Medical treatment
Pain and suffering

Successful mesothelioma lawsuits award an average of between $1 million and $1.4 million in settlements.

It costs no money to file a mesothelioma lawsuit. Lawyers also take on most of the legal work with no burden to you. Get a free case review to see if an Oklahoma mesothelioma lawyer can help you file a lawsuit right now.

Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Claim in Oklahoma?

In addition to Oklahoma 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 an Oklahoma mesothelioma attorney.

Finally, surviving family members, loved ones, or anyone with control over a mesothelioma victim’s estate or power of attorney may also be able to file a claim.

With the help of an Oklahoma mesothelioma lawyer, asbestos victims can see if they’re eligible to receive compensation through a lawsuit.

Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts in Oklahoma

About 95% of mesothelioma lawsuits end in settlements. An out-of-court settlement resolves a lawsuit without a trial. On average, mesothelioma settlements award victims with compensation faster than if the case went to trial.

Lawsuits that do not resolve through a settlement may go to trial before a jury. The jury will then determine the winner through a verdict.

Mesothelioma verdicts can award asbestos victims more money than settlements if they win. If the victim loses a trial, they get no money from a verdict.

Recently, an Oklahoma jury awarded an asbestos victim $6 million. The victim developed malignant mesothelioma at age 51 after being exposed to asbestos in the workplace.

Victims can learn more about recent settlements and trial verdicts by talking to an Oklahoma mesothelioma lawyer.

Asbestos Laws and Regulations in Oklahoma

Oklahoma follows federal occupational safety and health guidelines to keep workers safe from asbestos exposure.

These guidelines include the Asbestos Abatement Program (AAP). This allows professionals to remove or seal dangerous asbestos-containing products.

The AAP ensures that asbestos abatement projects are done safely and follow the guidelines of the Oklahoma Asbestos Control Act.

Oklahoma also received a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make sure older schools with asbestos meet national safety guidelines.

Mesothelioma lawyers in Oklahoma can determine if these laws may impact your case.

Statutes of Limitations in Oklahoma

A statute of limitations is a law that prevents victims from filing lawsuits after a certain period of time. Each state’s statute of limitations is different and has specific factors that affect when victims can file lawsuits.

Victims or their loved ones can never file a mesothelioma personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit if the statute of limitations passes in their case.

To avoid this problem, victims should work with an Oklahoma mesothelioma lawyer. These lawyers can file lawsuits within the statute of limitations.

Get a free case review to see all the ways an Oklahoma mesothelioma lawyer can help.

Asbestos Trust Funds in Oklahoma

Sometimes, statutes of limitations prevent mesothelioma lawsuits from being filed. Thankfully, compensation can still be accessed through asbestos trust funds.

Asbestos trust funds do not follow regular statutes of limitations and have their own limits on when claims must be filed.

An estimated $30 billion is available in asbestos trust funds as of today.

Trust fund money is reserved exclusively for those with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases and can help cover medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.

See if you can file an asbestos trust fund claim by speaking to an Oklahoma mesothelioma lawyer.

Oklahoma VA Information for Mesothelioma Victims

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

Every branch of the U.S. military relied on asbestos until the 1980s without knowing the dangers. About one-third of all mesothelioma patients are veterans.

Oklahoma VA Benefits

The VA offers the following benefits to veterans:

Aid & attendance
Disability compensation
Health care services
Pensions

Veterans can also seek treatment from VA mesothelioma specialists. The VA’s mesothelioma doctors are some of the best in the world.

Two well-known VA mesothelioma doctors include:

Disclaimer

Mesothelioma Hope 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.

Veterans in Oklahoma can access the offices and facilities listed below by visiting va.gov.

Veterans Benefits Administration

Altus Air Force Base, Altus
Fort Sill, Fort Sill
Muskogee Regional Office, Muskogee
Sheppard Air Force Base, Fort Sill
Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma County
Vance Air Force Base, Enid

VA Medical Centers

Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System (Jack C. Montgomery VAMC), Muskogee
Oklahoma City VA Health Care System, Oklahoma City

Community-Based Outpatient Clinics

Ada VA Clinic
Altus VA Clinic
Ardmore VA Clinic
Blackwell VA Clinic
Enid VA Clinic
Fourteenth Street VA Clinic
Lawton VA Clinic
North May VA Clinic
South Oklahoma City VA Clinic
Stillwater VA Clinic
Wichita Falls VA Clinic

Veterans Centers

Lawton Veterans Center
Oklahoma City Veterans Center
Tulsa Veterans Center

Veterans looking to file a VA benefits claim can begin the process by working with an experienced Oklahoma mesothelioma lawyer. These attorneys can help gather the information needed to file a claim (such as when and where military asbestos exposure occurred).

Once a mesothelioma lawyer has gathered this information, veterans can work with Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) to file for VA benefits. VSOs are trained by the VA to help veterans access these benefits.

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

AML and VFW Service Officers in Oklahoma

VSOs work with organizations like the American Legion (AML), the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) to help as many veterans as possible.

These organizations have over 100 offices in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma City

American Legion
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Vietnam Veterans of America

Tulsa

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Norman

American Legion
Oklahoma Veterans Center, Norman Division

Lawton

American Legion
Veterans of World War I of the USA

Midwest City

American Legion

Muskogee

American Legion
American Red Cross
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Veterans of World War I of the USA

Veterans connect with a VSO at one of these offices to file a VA benefits claim. They can also reach out to an Oklahoma mesothelioma lawyer to see if they can get compensation through a lawsuit.

Connect With an Oklahoma Mesothelioma Lawyer

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, an Oklahoma mesothelioma lawyer can help you get the compensation you may deserve.

A qualified Oklahoma mesothelioma attorney can:

Identify the work sites or locations where you were exposed to asbestos
Obtain medical and military records
Build an asbestos claim that maximizes your chances of securing compensation
File your claim within the proper Oklahoma 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.

Melissa Crowe Schopfer, Simmons Hanly Conroy Attorney

Reviewed by:Melissa Crowe Schopfer

Partner, Simmons Hanly Conroy

Fact-Checked
Legal Editor

Melissa Crowe Schopfer is a partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy. Over the past 10 years, Melissa has worked on over 500 cases and recovered more than $100 million in settlements and trial verdicts on behalf of her clients. She has represented families impacted by mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases in almost every state.

Asbestos Trial Team Leader
Practicing Attorney for 15+ Years
Has Recovered Over $100 Million

Written by:Jenna Tozzi, RN

Director of Patient Advocacy

Jenna Tozzi, RN, is the Director of Patient Advocacy at Mesothelioma Hope. With more than 15 years of experience as an adult and pediatric oncology nurse navigator, Jenna provides exceptional guidance and support to mesothelioma patients and their loved ones. Jenna has been featured in Oncology Nursing News and is a member of the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators & the American Nurses Association.

ReferencesLast modified: 17 Mar 2024

ADMIN, FCI. (2018, July 13). A History of Asbestos Civil Litigation in the US. Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://fibercontrolinc.com/a-history-of-asbestos-civil-litigation-in-the-us
Asbestos. (n.d.) Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/environmental/environmental-health-topics/eht/asbestos.html
Asbestos Program. (2016, June 8). Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://www.ok.gov/odol/Safety_Standards_&_Licensing/Asbestos_Abatement/
Berkowitz, B. (2012, May 11). Special Report: The long, lethal shadow of asbestos. Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-asbestos-lawsuits/special-report-the-long-lethal-shadow-of-asbestos-idUSBRE84A0J920120511
Buffie, N., & McInnis, T. (2017, April 10). Highest to Lowest Share of Blue Collar Jobs By State. Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://bluecollarjobs.us/2017/04/10/highest-to-lowest-share-of-blue-collar-jobs-by-state/
Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. (n.d.). Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/vso-search
EPA Actions to Protect the Public from Exposure to Asbestos. (2020, March 20). Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/epa-actions-protect-public-exposure-asbestos
Goguen, David. Asbestos and Mesothelioma Lawsuits: What to Expect (2020). Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/asbestos-mesothelioma-lawsuits-what-expect-30340.html
Majaski, C. Statute of Limitations. (2019, August 30). Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/statute-of-limitations.asp
Mazurek, J. M., Syamlal, G., & Wood, J. M. (2017, August 1). Malignant Mesothelioma Mortality – United States, 1999–2015. Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6608a3.htm
Mize, Richard. (2015, June 12). Jury awards Moore man $6 million in asbestos lawsuit. Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://www.tulsaworld.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/jury-awards-moore-man-million-in-asbestos-lawsuit/article_683034be-6876-59e1-9ea9-1b116d16444f.html
Office, U. S. G. A. (2011, October 19). Asbestos Injury Compensation: The Role and Administration of Asbestos Trusts. Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-819
Oklahoma Asbestos: What you need to know. (2020). Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://www.blr.com/Environmental/HazMat-and-Chemicals/Asbestos-in-Oklahoma
Oklahoma Cities by Population. (2020). Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://www.oklahoma-demographics.com/cities_by_population
Oklahoma Occupational Health Indicators, 2003-2007. (n.d.). Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://www.ok.gov/health2/documents/Occupational_Health_Indicators_2003-07.pdf
Risk Factors for Malignant Mesothelioma. (2020). Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/malignant-mesothelioma/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.htm
Solutions, V. A. W. (2000, June 21). Veterans Affairs. Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/state.asp?dnum=ALL&STATE=OK
Thomas, Lee M. (1985). Asbestos Fact Book. Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://www.epa.gov/nscep
U.S. Census Bureau Quick Facts: Oklahoma. (2019, July 1). Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/OK
Verdict. (n.d.). Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/verdict
What Is Pleural Mesothelioma? (n.d.). Retrieved January 11, 2023, from https://www.slidellmemorial.org/blog/what-is-pleural-mesothelioma