Tennessee Mesothelioma Lawyer
Asbestos exposure in Tennessee has affected countless workers, residents, and families. If you or a loved one is dealing with an asbestos-related illness, our compassionate Tennessee mesothelioma attorneys can help you fight for the justice you deserve.
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Legally Reviewed By: Darron E. Berquist
Managing Attorney | Asbestos Litigation
- Page Last Updated:
- August 12, 2025
Legally Reviewed By: Darron Berquist
Managing Attorney | Asbestos Litigation
- Page Last Updated:
- August 12, 2025
Why Hire Our Award-Winning Tennessee Mesothelioma Lawyers?
Our Mesothelioma Verdicts and Settlements in Tennessee
What Are the Legal Options for Mesothelioma Compensation in Tennessee?
How Long Do You Have To File a Mesothelioma Claim in Tennessee?
What Are the Recent Changes in Tennessee Asbestos Litigation?
Which Tennessee Employers Exposed Workers to Asbestos?
Which Occupations Have Risk of Asbestos Exposure in Tennessee?
Why Hire Our Award-Winning Tennessee Mesothelioma Lawyers?
Hiring the Lanier Law Firm to represent you in your Tennessee mesothelioma case means having an award-winning team dedicated to protecting your rights. Here are some of the many reasons why you should choose a Tennessee mesothelioma lawyer from the Lanier Law Firm.
Top Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers With Decades of Experience in Asbestos Litigation
Our team of highly-recognized attorneys have been protecting the rights of mesothelioma victims for more than 30 years. Some of our featured mesothelioma attorneys serving clients in Tennessee and nationwide include:
Darron E. Berquist: Darron is the Managing Attorney of Asbestos Litigation at the Lanier Law Firm. He has significant experience representing clients in asbestos-related cases, including mesothelioma, and was part of the trial team that secured a $39 million verdict after proving asbestos contamination in talc. Mr. Berquist was recently recognized by Best Lawyers in Mass Tort Litigation and Class Actions for plaintiffs for 2024-2025.
Kevin LaMarca: Kevin is a Senior Attorney at the Lanier Law Firm. He focuses on asbestos litigation and has secured significant settlements, including $2.25 million for the family of a deceased papermill worker. Kevin was recognized as part of the Top 40 Under 40 by National Trial Lawyers.
Maura Kolb: Maura is the Managing Attorney of Asbestos Resolution at the Lanier Law Firm. With extensive experience in asbestos litigation, she manages the firm’s Asbestos Resolution Team, which collects millions of dollars annually for clients.
Offering the Highest Standards of Legal Care for Our Tennessee Clients
Our mesothelioma law firm‘s goal is to provide Legal Care to our Tennessee mesothelioma clients, offering serious and sound representation while doing everything possible to minimize stress and ensure constant communication.
Watch our founder and one of the top civil trial lawyers in America, Mark Lanier, further explain why the Lanier Law Firm should be your mesothelioma law firm.
Our Mesothelioma Verdicts and Settlements in Tennessee
We’ve recovered billions of dollars in mesothelioma verdicts and settlements for our clients. Our notable case results in Tennessee include:
- $2.2 million recovered for a former Tennessee millwright
- $1.7 million recovered for a former Tennessee laborer who worked on remodeling homes
- $1.4 million recovered for a veteran who worked in Tennessee as a mechanic in the Navy
- $1.1 million recovered for a former Tennessee resident who worked as a laborer
Client Testimonials
Every mesothelioma case we handle is personal to us. With a proven track record of success nationwide, our dedicated team has the experience and resources to fight for you after a mesothelioma diagnosis. But don’t just take our word for it—hear from our clients.
What Are the Legal Options for Mesothelioma Compensation in Tennessee?
Mesothelioma victims in Tennessee have many legal options to pursue compensation for asbestos exposure, including lawsuits, asbestos trust funds, workers’ compensation, and VA claims.
Tennessee Mesothelioma and Asbestos Lawsuits
The most common option for recovering compensation for asbestos exposure in Tennessee is filing a mesothelioma lawsuit against the parties responsible for their exposure. Victims can seek compensation for their damages, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims in Tennessee
Some companies responsible for widespread asbestos exposure filed for bankruptcy protection and can’t be sued. However, they set up asbestos trust funds as part of bankruptcy proceedings to compensate exposure victims. Combustion Engineering, Grace Chemical Co., and W.R. Grace are companies that have set up asbestos trusts after formerly operating in Tennessee.
Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Claims for Mesothelioma
Workers’ compensation in Tennessee is a no-fault insurance program that provides benefits for employees who suffer from work-related illnesses or injuries, including mesothelioma. Due to mesothelioma’s long latency period, workers may not receive a diagnosis until many years after exposure, sometimes long after they have retired or changed employers. As a result, mesothelioma claims can be more complicated than other workers’ compensation claims. Employers may attempt to deny or delay compensation, particularly when the exposure happened decades ago. Legal assistance from experienced mesothelioma attorneys can help workers navigate these challenges and secure the benefits they are entitled to under Tennessee’s workers’ compensation system.
VA Benefits for Tennessee Veterans
Tennessee veterans who developed mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illnesses may file a VA claim. Benefits for Tennessee veterans with mesothelioma may include VA disability compensation, VA pension, VA health care, aid & attendance, housebound benefits, dependency & indemnity compensation, survivors pension, CHAMPVA health insurance, and funeral and burial benefits.
Find out more about VA benefits claims for veterans exposed to asbestos from our attorney, Abigail Harris.
How Long Do You Have To File a Mesothelioma Claim in Tennessee?
The state’s statute of limitations for mesothelioma lawsuits is only one year after a diagnosis or death, giving plaintiffs little time to build a case compared to other states. Unfortunately, Tennessee’s asbestos laws are not friendly to claimants.
What Are the Recent Changes in Tennessee Asbestos Litigation?
Since 2021, the state passed legislation requiring each plaintiff to submit evidence justifying action against each named defendant within 30 days or risk dismissal.
The Tennessee Supreme Court also ruled that year in favor of the “bare metal” defense, allowing companies to argue they should not be held liable for replacement parts that contained asbestos.
Our experienced Tennessee mesothelioma lawyers can help you navigate the complicated legal environment for asbestos claims in the Volunteer State and hold those responsible for your exposure accountable.
Learn More About
Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit
- Are you eligible?
- What is the average settlement?
- How long will it take?
Why Should You Trust the Lanier Law Firm to Handle your Mesothelioma Case?
Which Tennessee Employers Exposed Workers to Asbestos?
Employers and worksites known to have exposed Tennessee workers to asbestos include:
Multiple Locations
- AFG Glass Plant
- American Enka Corp.
- Breeding Insulation Company Inc.
- Bridgestone Firestone
- Consolidated Aluminum Corp.
- DuPont (E.I. Dupont De Nemours & Company)
- Firestone Tire and Rubber
- Kraft Foods
- Marquette Cement
- Procter & Gamble
- Stauffer Chemical Co.
- Tennessee Valley Authority
- Victor Chemical Works
- W.R. Grace
West Tennessee
- Grace Chemical Co.
- Illinois Central Railroad
- Quaker Oats
- University of Tenessee, Martin
East Tennessee
- Clinton Engineering Works
- Combustion Engineering
- Department of Energy
- Farmers Chemical Association
- North American Rayon Corp.
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Tennessee Eastman
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Middle Tennessee
- Davison Chemical Company
- Dynatek Corporation
- Ford Motor Company
- General Electric
- Vanderbilt University
- Western Electric
Wrigley Charcoal Plant
The Wrigley Charcoal Plant site in Wrigley, Tennessee, is now home to farms and residential communities, but manufacturers dumped waste products at the site from 1881 until 1966. The EPA added the site to its Superfund National Priorities List in 1989 and began cleanup efforts, with the most recent action being an asbestos contamination removal in 2015.
Milan Army Ammunition Plant
The Milan Army Ammunition Plant has built and stored munitions for the U.S. Military since 1942. However, production contaminated nearby soil and groundwater, leading the EPA to add the site to the Superfund list in 1987. The agency still monitors the site to ensure it’s safe for continued use. The plant is also a known asbestos exposure site.
Smokey Mountain Smelters
Knoxville is home to the Smokey Mountain Smelters site, a former industrial facility used to produce fertilizers and later to smelt scrap aluminum. The site was contaminated with industrial byproducts and was added to the Superfund list in 2010 to ensure the safety of those living in nearby residential areas. Due to its heat resistance, asbestos was widely used in smelting operations at the site.
Oak Ridge Reservation
Oak Ridge Reservation is a U.S. Department of Energy facility near Knoxville that has been on the Superfund list since 1989. Founded to process nuclear materials for the Manhattan Project, the site still operates today. Hazardous wastes, including asbestos, have contaminated areas throughout the site, prompting ongoing cleanup efforts.
Which Occupations Have Risk of Asbestos Exposure in Tennessee?
Fields associated with occupational asbestos exposure in Tennessee include the following:
Paper Mill Workers in Tennessee
Many paper mills used asbestos in their machinery and as part of the paper manufacturing process. Tennessee’s many paper mills that may have exposed workers to asbestos include Evergreen Packaging Company, International Paper Company, Tennessee River Pulp & Paper, Bowater Paper Mill, Mead Paper Mill, and Calhoun Paper Mill.
Tennessee Power Company Employees
Power plants used asbestos to insulate vital equipment like turbines, generators, and boilers from extreme temperatures. Employers like the Tennessee Valley Authority, Bristol Gas and Electric Company, Chattanooga Electric Company, Tennessee Eastern Electric Company, and Knoxville Electric Light and Power Company may have exposed workers to asbestos.
Automotive Industry Workers in Tennessee
Tennessee has been home to several plants that make car and truck parts for companies like Ford and Firestone, including the Hoover Ball Bearing Company. These plants used asbestos in their equipment, potentially exposing employees to deadly fibers during the course of their work.
Tennessee Military Personnel
The U.S. military used asbestos in a variety of applications, including barracks construction, brake pads on vehicles, and firefighting supplies. Those who worked or served at facilities like Arnold Air Force Base and the Manhattan Project-era facilities at Oak Ridge may have inhaled asbestos fibers on the job.
Contact Our Talented Tennessee Mesothelioma Attorneys
We’re passionate about advocating for the rights of asbestos exposure victims, taking on even the largest corporations in the name of justice. Our knowledgeable Tennessee mesothelioma attorneys will fight to secure you the compensation you deserve.
Contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.
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