Maine Mesothelioma Lawyers

Filing an Asbestos Claim in Maine

People exposed to asbestos in Maine who were later diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer may be able to file a claim. Asbestos claims seeking financial compensation can include filing with an asbestos trust fund and filing a lawsuit.

Compensation from a successful personal injury lawsuit can help you cover medical expenses and lost wages. Family members who lost a loved one may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Key Facts About Filing in Maine

1. People must file a personal injury claim in Maine within 6 years after receiving their mesothelioma diagnosis.
2. Surviving family members have 2 years from the loss of their loved one to file a wrongful death claim.
3. Maine law says noneconomic damages, such as pain, distress or loss of consortium, for asbestos exposure can’t be more than $1 million. 

A skilled Maine asbestos attorney can guide you and your family through the process of filing a mesothelioma lawsuit. Talk to an attorney about filing your asbestos claim as soon as possible.

They’ll handle your case for you so that you can focus on managing mesothelioma. The sooner you file, the sooner you may receive compensation.

Why Hire a Maine Mesothelioma Lawyer After Asbestos Exposure?

Hiring a top mesothelioma attorney in Maine means you’ll have an expert managing your case throughout the legal process. Because the state’s legal process can be complex, having experienced guidance can help ensure the success of your claim.

When speaking with a mesothelioma law firm you’re considering hiring, ask about how they’ve successfully managed cases similar to yours. How many mesothelioma cases have they handled in Maine? What prior mesothelioma settlements and verdicts have they secured? This will give you a sense of their ability to help you.

Maine Mesothelioma Law Firms

Experienced mesothelioma lawyers at Maine law firms know judges and jury pools in the state well. These insights can help them assess the best way to manage your case. 

Maine mesothelioma lawyers will likely be familiar with where asbestos was heavily used throughout the state. They’ll know which job sites and companies are linked to asbestos exposure. This can help them collect strong evidence for your case. 

Nationwide Asbestos Law Firms Outside Maine

People also choose to work with national mesothelioma law firms. These firms offer decades of experience, databases and resources. 

Lawyers at top law firms will travel to you for your initial consultation. Typically their travel expenses for that initial meeting are free of charge. 

Working with firms that practice throughout the country can be helpful if your mesothelioma lawyer advises you to file your claim outside of Maine. While you may live in Maine, if your exposure happened elsewhere or the company responsible for your asbestos exposure is based in another state, this may be the case.

Asbestos Compensation in Maine

Plaintiffs in Maine have received millions of dollars in mesothelioma compensation from asbestos verdicts and settlements. An experienced Maine asbestos attorney can help you seek compensation.

Notable Maine Settlements and Verdicts

• $7.78 Million: Awarded to a marine engineer in Sunset, Maine.
• $3.5 Million: Awarded to a paper company worker in Machias, Maine.
• $2.77 Million: Awarded to a veteran and equipment operator in York, Maine.
• $2.42 Million: Awarded to a union sheet metal worker in Wiscasset, Maine.

Each mesothelioma case is unique. Mesothelioma settlements in the U.S. vary between $1 million to $2 million. Nationally, the average mesothelioma trial payout is $20.7 million, according to the 2024 Mealey’s Litigation Report. 

Several factors can affect your compensation amount. Your Maine asbestos lawyer can explain any variable that could potentially impact your case.

Maine Asbestos Laws and Regulations

Maine has state regulations and federal laws governing asbestos use. Legislators have created rules for proper abatement and encapsulation practices.

Maine Asbestos Laws and Regulations

• Title 38, Chapter 12-A: Asbestos §1271 – §1284: These statutes outline the requirements for licensing, certification, notification and work practices related to asbestos abatement.
• DEP’s Solid Waste Management Rules, Chapter 425: These standards cover procedures for removing, encapsulating, demolition, enclosure, repairing and handling asbestos-containing materials.
• 06-096 CMR 411: This regulation covers transporting asbestos-containing materials under the state’s Non-Hazardous Waste Transporter Licenses.
• 06-096 CMR 401: This is the Landfill Siting, Design and Operation Rule, which specifies requirements for proper disposal of asbestos waste under the state’s Non-Hazardous Waste Transporter Licenses.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection works with lawmakers and other agencies. They control how asbestos is handled and disposed of throughout the state. 

Another state agency, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, offers advice on health risks from asbestos. They also provide safety tips for schools and public buildings.

How Are People Exposed to Asbestos in Maine?

Shipbuilding is one of Maine’s oldest and most dangerous industries because of past asbestos use. Clipper ships, World War II destroyers and custom yachts have all been built in the state. Maine was also home to chemical plants and paper mills that used a lot of asbestos materials.

Maine Sites Known for Asbestos Exposure

• Brunswick Naval Air Station: The facility closed in 2011 and is one of 14 industrial or military sites in Maine placed on the National Priorities List under the Superfund law. 
• Forster Manufacturing Company: Demolition in Wilton was postponed in July 2011 when tests confirmed high levels of asbestos in the air. 
• Oxford Paper Company: Lawsuits claim 2 former workers developed asbestos-related diseases from exposure at the Rumford mill.
• Portsmouth Naval Shipyard: This shipyard in Kittery is 1 of 4 active naval shipyards in the U.S. Shipyard workers were often exposed to asbestos in insulation, boilers, water pipes and gear. 
• Sanford Textile Mill: Built in 1915, the mill manufactured fabrics, light bulbs and plastic products. Contaminants at the site include PCBs, lead paint and asbestos. 
• Union Chemicals Company: The state closed the South Hope site in 1984 after multiple citations. Manufacturing of paint and coating strippers began there in 1967.
• Yankee Nuclear Power Plant: After 25 years of operation, the Wiscasset plant was dismantled in 1997. Asbestos was removed in 1998, but some nuclear waste is still stored there. 

Many older buildings were constructed with asbestos products like building materials. Many schools, for example, built before the 1980s contain legacy asbestos. Asbestos in schools remains an issue in Maine and nationally.

Occupations & Industries Known for Asbestos Exposure in Maine

A number of jobs in Maine historically had higher risks of occupational asbestos exposure. Air Force bases and air stations across Maine, for example, put veterans at risk of asbestos exposure. 

Asbestos was widely used in construction materials on military bases. It can also be found in older military vehicle and aircraft parts. Legacy asbestos can pose a risk to military personnel today and families living in older housing.

Jobs at Higher Risk in Maine

• Iron foundry worker
• Military personnel
• Paper mill worker
• Power plant worker
• Shipyard worker

Loved ones of those who worked with asbestos can also be exposed through secondhand exposure or “take-home exposure.” Asbestos fibers can be carried home on hair, clothes or skin. Like primary exposure, secondary exposure can lead to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

While asbestos was never actively mined in Maine, there is an asbestos mining prospect in the western part of the state. The area has a high rate of illnesses linked to asbestos. Maine also has a few other natural asbestos deposits. The state also borders Quebec, Canada where asbestos mines operated for many years.

Recommended Reading