Mesothelioma in Painters Exposed to Asbestos
Asbestos was commonly used in paints and construction materials from the early 1900s to about 1990 due to its durability and low cost. Painters often worked with or around these materials, putting them at high risk for asbestos exposure and related illnesses like mesothelioma.
- Content Reviewed by:
- Darron E. Berquist
- Page Last Updated:
- November 24, 2025
Painters are at high risk of being exposed to asbestos and subsequently developing mesothelioma or other related illnesses. Many products used for painting and construction historically contained asbestos, and when disturbed, those products can release dangerous fibers into the air that can be inhaled or ingested.
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer most commonly affecting the lining of the lungs, but it can also develop in the abdomen or heart. Mesothelioma only has one known cause—asbestos exposure. However, it can take decades for symptoms to show. Without treatment, mesothelioma can be fatal within months.
The Lanier Law Firm can help painters diagnosed with mesothelioma or other conditions related to asbestos exposure navigate the legal process and maximize the compensation available to them. If you or a loved one was exposed to asbestos while working as a painter, contact us online today for a free case evaluation.
Asbestos Exposure in Painters
The paint industry widely used asbestos in its products from the early 1900s through around 1990. Both cheap and highly durable, asbestos was used as a filler to make paints tougher and more efficient. It was also commonly used in construction materials that painters often spent time around at work.
Older homes, buildings, and facilities—such as industrial sites, manufacturing plants, and shipyards—often contain asbestos, which can still pose dangers to painters working today.
Sources of Asbestos Exposure for Painters
Asbestos exposure when working with asbestos-containing paint is less likely while it remains in good condition. However, asbestos particles can become airborne when the paint is damaged or disturbed. Tasks that put painters at risk of asbestos exposure include the following:
- Handling drop cloths: While some painters may have avoided significant asbestos exposure while applying wet paint, their old drop cloths and protective gear may contain dried asbestos. Handling or disposing of these items can expose painters to asbestos particles.
- Equipment: Some painters may have been exposed to asbestos through paint that dried on their tools. They may have inhaled asbestos dust released when scraping the paint off or when it flaked off on its own.
- Sanding and stripping paint: Disturbing older paints that potentially contain asbestos can release dangerous fibers into the air.
- Cleaning dust and debris: Painters can inhale asbestos dust when cleaning up waste from older materials without taking proper precautions.
- Preparing surfaces: Wallboard or insulation contained in older buildings might be composed of asbestos-containing materials.
- Working on construction sites: Painting or removing asbestos-containing tiles can release deadly fibers into the air.
Asbestos-Containing Products in the Paint Industry
Though some paints contained up to 20 percent asbestos, they were not the only materials putting painters at risk of exposure. Other asbestos-containing products commonly encountered by painters include:
- Joint compound: Joint compounds and drywall mud used for plaster and wall repairs often contained asbestos to improve durability and fire resistance. Disturbing with these compounds can release asbestos dust into the air.
- Insulation materials: Asbestos was ubiquitous in insulation materials thanks to its heat-resistant properties. Painters working near walls, ceilings, and pipes that contain asbestos insulation can be exposed to airborne fibers, particularly during renovation or repair work.
- Ceiling tiles and panels: Painting or removing some ceiling tiles made before the 1980s may release asbestos dust, as these components used to include asbestos for fire resistance.
- Plaster: Sanding or repairing plaster in older walls and ceilings can result in asbestos exposure. Like many other building materials, plaster often contained asbestos for its fire-resistant properties.
Call 800-723-3216 now to see if our mesothelioma law firm can pursue compensation for you and your family. Consultations are free.
Legal Options for Painters Diagnosed With Mesothelioma
Painters diagnosed with mesothelioma or other diseases related to asbestos exposure can pursue compensation from liable companies through multiple different venues. These include the following:
Personal Injury Lawsuits
After identifying property owners, companies, or manufacturers who contributed to their asbestos exposure, painters can hold them accountable by filing personal injury lawsuits for a mesothelioma diagnosis against them. To succeed, painters must prove their illness resulted from asbestos exposure and show that the defendant failed to protect them from it.
Painters exposed to asbestos generally have one to six years to file a personal injury lawsuit after a mesothelioma diagnosis, depending on state laws and specific statutes of limitations.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits
If a loved one has worked as a painter and died from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, their family may be entitled to damages through a wrongful death lawsuit, among other asbestos claims after death. Depending on state laws, certain family members may receive compensation for damages such as loss of income, funeral and burial expenses, the deceased’s pain and suffering, the family’s grief, and loss of companionship.
Due to the aggressive nature of mesothelioma, it’s not uncommon for a personal injury plaintiff to pass away before their claim is resolved. The immediate families and estates of painters diagnosed with mesothelioma may be entitled to pursue compensation on their behalf.
Asbestos Trust Funds
Many companies that manufactured asbestos-containing products or exposed workers and consumers to asbestos have filed for bankruptcy protection. The courts have required these bankrupt companies to establish asbestos trust funds to compensate asbestos-exposure victims.
Painters may be entitled to seek compensation from multiple funds, depending on which companies are responsible for their exposure. Asbestos trust funds typically have deadlines of two to three years after a diagnosis to file a claim.
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Our nationally recognized attorneys have a reputation for winning big for our clients while handling their cases with a compassionate, personal touch. We’re not afraid to stand up to powerful companies and fight for the mesothelioma compensation you deserve.
Experience & Track Record of Success
The Lanier Law Firm has a long, distinguished history of handling and winning asbestos-related cases, including on behalf of painters with mesothelioma. Our renowned attorneys are well-versed in asbestos laws and understand how to handle the unique challenges that painters exposed to asbestos face.
We’ve won nearly $20 billion for our clients in asbestos-related settlements and verdicts, and we’re just getting started.
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We have a deep pool of expert witnesses, investigators, and medical professionals from which to draw to build the most compelling case. Our experienced lawyers use these resources to their full advantage, helping them thoroughly investigate, pinpoint the source of asbestos exposure, and hold the responsible parties accountable for the harm they caused.
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If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma or a similar illness after being exposed to asbestos while working as a painter, contact us today using our online form for a free case evaluation. Our award-winning mesothelioma attorneys are ready to help secure the maximum compensation available for your illness and suffering.
Darron E. Berquist specializes in asbestos exposure and product liability. He was part of the team that secured a $4.69 billion jury verdict in Ingham v. Johnson & Johnson, linking asbestos in talcum powder to ovarian cancer. Recognized by Best Lawyers for Mass Tort and Product Liability Litigation (2024-2025).
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