Mesothelioma Attorneys in Missouri

How to Find and Choose a Missouri Mesothelioma Lawyer

Missouri ranks as one of the nation’s top jurisdictions for asbestos litigation. St. Louis consistently appears among the 10 busiest locations for asbestos claims, reflecting the state’s strong legal infrastructure for people seeking financial help after a mesothelioma diagnosis. 

Experienced attorneys know how to file claims efficiently and pursue financial assistance to cover medical costs, lost income and other diagnosis-related. This is important in a state with a mesothelioma incidence rate of 0.60 per 100,000 people and 52 new diagnoses in 2022, according to the most recent data from the CDC.

Missouri Jurisdiction Spotlight

• St. Louis ranks No. 9 nationally for mesothelioma case filings, as reported by KCIC.
• It holds the No. 4 position in the U.S. for lung cancer-related asbestos suits.
• For overall asbestos lawsuit filings, St. Louis stands as the No. 7 busiest jurisdiction in the country.

An experienced Missouri mesothelioma lawyer understands local court procedures and how exposure often occurred in industries across the state. Top attorneys offer free initial consultations, helping clients with the next steps toward compensation.

Firms like St. Louis based Simmons Hanly Conroy regularly handle Missouri cases. The firm has helped people file with asbestos trust funds and file cases, securing settlements, verdicts and trust fund payouts.​ This local firm has more than 25 years of experience and has recovered more than $725 million in compensation for Missouri families.

Nationwide Asbestos Law Firms Helping Clients in Missouri

Nationwide asbestos law firms offer vast resources, extensive asbestos litigation experience and the ability to handle cases across all 50 states. They travel to clients at no cost and can meet virtually, making the claim process easier and more accessible. Their teams include legal experts and experienced investigators who work with medical experts to build strong cases.

These firms have records of success handling asbestos trust fund, personal injury and wrongful death claims, ensuring clients pursue all available financial resources. For example, Weitz & Luxenberg successfully secured a $4.5 million settlement for the family of a Kansas City construction worker who passed away from mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure.

Asbestos Compensation From Filings in Missouri

Thanks to Missouri asbestos law firms, many Missourians have obtained mesothelioma compensation. For example, a Missouri jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $4.69 billion to 22 women in 2018. Their suit claimed asbestos in the company’s talc products caused ovarian cancer. That verdict was upheld in 2021 after J&J filed a motion to overturn the decision.

Another Missouri court awarded $5.1 million to the family of a woman diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2004. She experienced secondary asbestos exposure from her father, who worked with asbestos-containing machine parts.

Notable Missouri Settlements and Verdicts

• $34.1 Million: A 64-year-old Missouri roofer was awarded this amount in 2000, after being diagnosed with mesothelioma after working at Shell Oil Refinery for a decade. He was exposed to asbestos fibers via insulation dust, which he came into contact with while repairing and installing new refining units.
• $20 Million: Cathy and Bill Trokey were awarded this amount in 2022, after Bill was diagnosed with mesothelioma. He came into contact with asbestos while servicing asbestos-containing brakes at his father’s automotive service stations.
• $11.5 Million: The widow of a Navy veteran in Missouri filed a lawsuit against Crane Co. The company produced gaskets that contained asbestos, leading to the deaths of many veterans from mesothelioma. A Missouri judge awarded her this amount in 2015.

Mesothelioma settlements nationally can range between $1 million and $2 million. The national average asbestos lawsuit trial verdict is $20.7 million. Every mesothelioma case is different. Talk to your attorney about any specific factors affecting your claim.

How Asbestos Lawyers Handle Your Claim in Missouri

An experienced asbestos lawyer in Missouri guides you through a clear process to secure compensation for your mesothelioma claim. Most cases resolve within 12-18 months, though timelines vary based on case complexity.

Steps to a Mesothelioma Claim

1. Free Consultation and Case Review: Your attorney meets with you to evaluate your exposure history, diagnosis and legal options. This includes gathering medical records and work history to confirm eligibility.
2. Evidence Collection: The lawyer collects vital proof connecting your illness to asbestos exposure. This includes employment documents, expert testimony and medical records.
3. Filing the Claim: Your lawyer files your claim in the proper within Missouri’s statute of limitations, which allows 5 years to file a personal injury lawsuit and 3 years for a wrongful death claim.​
4. Discovery Phase: Both sides exchange evidence while your lawyer investigates the companies responsible for your exposure, including internal documents and witness statements.
5. Settlement Negotiations or Trial: Most cases settle before trial. Your lawyer reviews any settlement offers and advises you. If the parties cannot agree, the case proceeds to trial.
6. Resolution and Compensation: If the case settles or the court rules in your favor, your attorney will manage the payment process, ensuring funds are properly distributed to you.

This process helps you focus on your health while your attorney handles the legal complexities. A Missouri lawyer’s expertise ensures claims meet strict deadlines and pursue all avenues for maximum compensation.

Veterans in Missouri may also choose to claim VA benefits for service-related mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease. They can file a claim online, via mail or in person. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer in Missouri can help veterans and their families secure compensation. 

Asbestos Exposure in Missouri

Industrial work that used asbestos historically drove the state’s economy. Both residents and workers across Missouri faced asbestos exposure risks from multiple factories and manufacturing plants. People in Missouri may also be exposed to the toxic mineral via natural asbestos that forms along the St. Francois Mountain Range in southeastern Missouri.

In October 2024, Missouri became one of 35 states involved in a baby powder recall over possible asbestos contamination. The Dynarex Corporation recalled its baby powder products sold on or after January 18, 2024. The product was sold on Amazon and distributed for direct delivery. 

Sites in Missouri Known for Asbestos Exposure

• Carter Carburetor Site: The St. Louis facility manufactured and tested automotive parts from the 1920s until 1984. Asbestos and other harmful chemicals were found at the plant. The EPA is still working with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to determine if the site can be used again.
• CertainTeed Corporation: The St. Louis plant manufactured asbestos-cement pipe. The facility used crocidolite asbestos, also known as blue asbestos, which is a more dangerous mineral because it has thinner fibers.
• Goodfellow Federal Center: A 2021 whistleblower report highlighted asbestos contamination at the St. Louis facility. The center was built in the 1940s as a U.S. Army ammunition plant to support World War II. Renovations turned it into an office park in the 1960s. Local officials were aware of the contamination but downplayed the risks.
• Hickory Hills School: The results of an environmental assessment at the Springfield school revealed that 35 construction materials at the facility contained asbestos. Schools built before 1980 are likely to contain some form of asbestos.
• Jackson County Courthouse: Poor asbestos management during renovations led to exposure. In November 2011, a Jackson County Courthouse employee received a $10 million settlement in a lawsuit filed over improper asbestos handling procedures.
• Paseo YMCA: In 2006, a major cleanup project was completed at the Kansas City building, which included asbestos removal. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. It’s now being used as part of The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.
• Ruberoid Corporation: This St. Louis manufacturing plant produced roofing products. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health tested the facility in 1967 and 1969, finding dangerous concentrations of asbestos in air samples.
• St. Louis Lambert International Airport: In 2008, a judge ruled the airport violated asbestos abatement standards when some buildings were demolished during an expansion project.
• Weldon Spring Quarry: Asbestos and many other hazardous materials and chemicals have been found in the soil, groundwater and springs around the site located in St. Louis.

On May 22, 2011, a tornado with winds exceeding 200 miles per hour touched down in Joplin, Missouri. The twister destroyed approximately 8,000 structures and claimed the lives of more than 150 people. The EPA was particularly concerned about asbestos exposure for any workers involved in the cleanup.

The City of Joplin ordered the demolition of 118 heavily damaged homes whose owners failed to contact the city with plans to clear out the remaining debris. Before the city condemned the houses and hired a contractor to safely raze them, certified asbestos inspectors were hired to report any asbestos found on site.

W.R. Grace Facility in St. Louis

The W.R. Grace facility in St. Louis operated as a vermiculite processing plant from the late 1940s until 1988. It handled asbestos-contaminated vermiculite ore from Libby, Montana, a major source of asbestos exposure nationwide. Workers and nearby residents were exposed to asbestos dust both inside and outside the plant. Dust settled in surrounding homes and outdoor areas, and children played on raw vermiculite piles and railroad cars around the site. Workers rarely used protective equipment until late in the plant’s operation.

After the plant closed, W.R. Grace cleaned the facility in 1990, but decades of contamination remained in the area. The Missouri Department of Health and federal agencies investigated the site because of the health risks. The facility sits less than a quarter mile from residential neighborhoods, exposing workers, their families and the community to asbestos-related diseases. This site remains one of Missouri’s most significant asbestos exposure locations.

Occupational Asbestos Exposure in Missouri

Missouri has a history of occupational asbestos exposure. The state’s chemical, manufacturing, automotive and mining industries heavily used asbestos. Miners also faced considerable exposure risks while excavating or handling asbestos-contaminated mineral ore. 

Jobs in Missouri With a Higher Risk of Exposure

• Automotive worker
• Construction worker
• Electricians
• Industrial worker
• Masonry workers
• Military personnel
• Mining
• Pipefitters
• Shipbuilder
• Teacher

Secondary asbestos exposure is also an issue for people in Missouri. State courts have ruled that companies can be liable if someone indirectly brings home asbestos fibers from their primary exposure, causing an asbestos-related disease.

How Your Lawyer Supports You in Missouri’s Changing Asbestos Litigation

Lawyers supporting you in Missouri’s changing asbestos litigation play a vital role as laws evolve. Missouri attorneys track legal updates closely. They manage strict deadlines, maintain case evidence and guide clients through the changing legal environment. 

Missouri Legislative Changes

• Missouri House Bill 68: If approved, the proposed bill would shorten the statute of limitations for personal injury claims from 5 to 2 years. So far, the bill has passed the house and is moving to the Senate.
• Missouri House Bill 363: Requires asbestos lawsuit plaintiffs to disclose all claims they’ve made with qualified asbestos trust funds. Plaintiffs must file a sworn statement identifying claims filed with asbestos trusts and provide information about the status and disposition of each trust claim. The law also allows courts to admit trust-related documents as evidence in asbestos cases, helping defendants present alternative causation defenses.
• Missouri Senate Bill 331: The bill was introduced to establish disclosure procedures specifically for claimants in civil actions for damages from asbestos exposure. The bill applies to all asbestos-related lawsuits filed on or after its effective date, as well as pending cases where a trial hasn’t yet started.

Missouri lawyers also evaluate the strongest jurisdictions for filing claims and help clients pursue compensation from lawsuits and trust funds. These lawyers navigate new rules limiting damage awards and ensure claims meet all procedural standards. Their expert support helps protect clients’ rights and maximize recovery amid evolving asbestos laws.

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