New Orleans Mesothelioma Lawyer

At The Lanier Law Firm, we are committed to standing up for individuals and families in New Orleans impacted by asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. Our legal team has achieved significant results, including a $3.8 million settlement for the family of a woman who suffered secondary asbestos exposure. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, our New Orleans mesothelioma lawyers are here to help pursue the compensation you deserve.

Louisiana’s industrial legacy and widespread use of asbestos have left a lasting impact on the health of many residents, particularly in New Orleans. From 1999 to 2017, 491 Louisiana residents lost their lives to mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure.

The Greater New Orleans area has consistently reported some of the highest mesothelioma case numbers in the state. Between 2000 and 2008, 182 cases were recorded locally, making up 60 percent of Louisiana’s total cases during that time. In 2009 alone, 12 new cases were reported in Jefferson, Orleans, and St. Bernard parishes, with over half of the patients already facing late-stage diagnosis.

Asbestos exposure in New Orleans has occurred in numerous settings, including shipyards, chemical plants, oil refineries, construction sites, and military installations. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the Lanier Law Firm’s dedicated New Orleans mesothelioma attorneys are here to help.

Why Choose the Lanier Law Firm’s Mesothelioma Lawyers for Your New Orleans Case?

The Lanier Law Firm is a nationally recognized leader in mesothelioma litigation, known for standing up to the world’s most powerful asbestos companies. Our award-winning New Orleans mesothelioma attorneys are committed to delivering the highest level of legal care, providing personalized, strategic, and relentless advocacy designed to achieve justice for victims and their families.

Since our founding in 1990, the Lanier Law Firm has built a reputation for securing substantial verdicts and settlements in complex asbestos exposure cases and mesothelioma claims. Unlike many firms that rush to settle, our dedicated legal team has the trial experience and resources to take cases to court when it’s in the client’s best interest. We are unafraid to challenge large corporations in the courtroom and have repeatedly shown our ability to win.

We understand the devastating toll a mesothelioma diagnosis takes and are here to shoulder the legal burden so you can focus on your health and family. When you work with The Lanier Law firm, you gain a devoted team fully committed to securing your mesothelioma compensation and pursuing justice with strength and compassion.

Mesothelioma Settlements in New Orleans

The Lanier Law Firm has a long track record of securing substantial settlements and verdicts in mesothelioma cases for New Orleans clients, including the following:

Call 800-723-3216 to see how our mesothelioma attorneys may help you and your family pursue financial recovery. Free consultations available.

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.

Where Did Asbestos Exposure Occur in New Orleans, Louisiana?

New Orleans workers in numerous industries have been exposed to asbestos on the job, resulting in serious health risks. Below are some notable locations where asbestos exposure occurred:

  • American Sugar Refining Company
  • Avondale Shipyard
  • Boland Machine Shipyard
  • Delta Match
  • Delta Shipyard
  • Dow Chemical
  • DuPont
  • Equitable Shipyard
  • Freeport Sulphur
  • Gulf Oil
  • Higgins Shipyard
  • Louisiana Power & Light
  • Quaker Oats
  • Shell Oil Refinery
  • Texaco
  • Todd Shipyard
  • Union Pacific
  • W.R. Grace
  • Westinghouse

These are just some of the known exposure sites located in New Orleans, which are linked to asbestos exposure claims in Louisiana. There are many additional sites throughout the state with a history of asbestos exposure.

Avondale Shipyard

Avondale Shipyard was once one of Louisiana’s largest employers and a key shipbuilding hub for military and commercial vessels. Thousands of workers were exposed to asbestos at the shipyard, which has been named in numerous asbestos-related lawsuits.

Higgins Shipyard

Famous for producing the WWII “Higgins boat,” Higgins Shipyard played a major role in the war effort. Asbestos was heavily used in ship construction, exposing workers to dangerous fibers during production. Many employees were unaware of the health risks tied to their daily work.

What Jobs in New Orleans Have the Highest Risk of Asbestos Exposure?

Many workers across Louisiana unknowingly faced dangerous levels of asbestos exposure while on the job. Prolonged contact with asbestos-containing materials has placed these workers at risk for developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.

Workers in New Orleans' Oil Refineries

Louisiana’s oil refining industry employed thousands of workers in high-heat environments where asbestos was used extensively for insulation and fireproofing. At-risk jobs included pipefitters, boilermakers, electricians, and engineers at facilities including:

  • Gulf Oil
  • Shell Oil Refinery
  • Texaco

Worker Exposure in New Orleans Chemical Plants

Chemical plants used asbestos to protect machinery and personnel from high temperatures and corrosion. Maintenance workers and equipment operators at the following plants were especially vulnerable:

  • Dow Chemical
  • DuPont
  • Freeport Sulphur

Power Plant Workers in New Orleans, LA

Power plants relied on asbestos to insulate boilers, turbines, and piping systems. Boiler operators, electricians, and maintenance staff at facilities, including Louisiana Power & Light, faced daily exposure.

Railroad Worker Exposure in New Orleans

Railroad workers, including mechanics, electricians, and maintenance personnel, encountered asbestos in brake pads, insulation, and other components. Union Pacific is one notable railroad operating in the area that is known for asbestos exposure.

Worker Exposure in New Orleans Manufacturing and Industrial Plants

Workers in industrial and manufacturing plants regularly handled asbestos materials during equipment maintenance and production. Known exposure sites include:

  • Delta Match
  • Quaker Oats
  • American Sugar Refining

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What Compensation Is Available for Asbestos Exposure Victims in New Orleans?

Mesothelioma is a devastating diagnosis with only one confirmed cause: preventable asbestos exposure. Victims and their families have several legal options for pursuing financial compensation to ease the burden of medical expenses, lost income, and emotional distress.

Filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit for mesothelioma is one of the most effective ways to seek compensation for asbestos exposure. Our experienced mesothelioma attorneys in New Orleans have successfully handled complex litigation against large corporations and won substantial verdicts and settlements. Most cases resolve through out-of-court settlements, but our team is always prepared to go to trial to fight for the justice you deserve.

Many asbestos companies filed for bankruptcy to shield themselves from mounting liability. The courts required them to establish asbestos trust funds to compensate asbestos-exposure victims. Today, an estimated $30 billion is still available in these trusts. A trust fund claim can often be resolved more quickly than a lawsuit and may provide compensation from multiple sources. Some notable companies that operated in Louisiana and have established trust funds include:

  • Johns-Manville
  • Armstrong World Industries
  • Owens Corning
  • Babcock & Wilcox
  • United States Gypsum (USG)
  • Combustion Engineering

 

Veterans sickened by asbestos exposure during military service may be eligible for VA benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Mesothelioma is rated as a 100 percent disabling condition, entitling qualified veterans to more than $3,800 in monthly disability compensation.

How Long Do You Have To File a Mesothelioma Claim in New Orleans, LA?

In Louisiana, the legal deadline (also known as the prescription period or statute of limitations) for personal injury lawsuits, including claims for mesothelioma or lung cancer, was recently changed. The old law required one to file a lawsuit within one year from the date of diagnosis or discovery of the illness. Now, the legal deadline is two years from the date of diagnosis or discovery of the illness. This change only applies to claims arising on or after July 1, 2024. For claims where the date of diagnosis or discovery was before July 1, 2024, the one-year prescription period still applies.

The one-year prescription period still also applies to wrongful death cases, which means a family member must file an asbestos-related wrongful death lawsuit within one year from the injured person’s death.

“The recent modification to Louisiana’s personal injury filing deadline is, ultimately, a good thing. The change essentially gives you more time to get help if you or a loved one have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease. But given the complexity of such cases, it’s important to seek legal advice as soon as possible after a diagnosis.” — Kevin LaMarca

Areas Of New Orleans That We Serve

The Lanier Law Firm is proud to serve clients throughout New Orleans, including the following neighborhoods:

  • French Quarter
  • Central Business District
  • Garden District
  • Uptown
  • Marigny
  • Bywater
  • Tremé
  • Mid-City
  • Lakeview
  • Algiers Point

Contact Our Compassionate Mesothelioma Attorneys in New Orleans

A mesothelioma diagnosis can be overwhelming for you and your family, but a New Orleans mesothelioma lawyer can help you fight for the compensation and justice you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Headshot of Darron E. Berquist, Managing Attorney for the Asbestos Litigation section of the Lanier Law Firm.
Darron E. Berquist
Managing Attorney, Asbestos Litigation

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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States We Serve

Headshot of Lawrence P. Wilson, Lanier Law Firm Senior Attorney in personal injury and product liability.
Lawrence P. Wilson

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Senior Attorney
Lawrence P. Wilson specializes in personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and certain maritime matters. He recently settled a $17.5 million personal injury case and secured a favorable verdict in Schwab v. Ford Motor Company. Recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer (2012-2021) and named to Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Lawyers.

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Alex Abston

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Attorney
Alex Abston specializes in pharmaceutical liability, product liability, and mass torts. She was part of the trial team that obtained one of the first federal jury verdicts in MDL 2804, In re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation. Honors include Lawdragon 500 Next Generation (2024) and Texas’ Top 40 Under 40 (2021-2024), among others.

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Alex Brown

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Managing Attorney, Business Litigation
Alex Brown specializes in business litigation, handling complex disputes in federal, state, and international forums. He led trial teams to secure a $9 billion jury award in the Actos case. Recent honors include Best Lawyers (2024-2025) and Lawdragon 500 (2025), among others.

Headshot of attorney Benjamin T. Major from the Lanier Law Firm's Issues and Appeals legal team.
Benjamin T. Major

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Attorney
Benjamin T. Major specializes in issues and appeals, helping preserve multi-billion dollar judgments and secure favorable settlements. Notable achievements include preserving a tort judgment for ovarian cancer victims and defeating motions in antitrust and false claims litigation. Recognized as a Texas Rising Star (2018-2020), among others.

Headshot of Lanier Law Firm Senior attorney Case A. Dam, part of the Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure practice.
Case A. Dam

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Senior Attorney
Case A. Dam specializes in asbestos exposure, representing clients with mesothelioma, asbestosis, and related cancers. He has served veterans, automotive mechanics, and workers in various industries. Recognized in the 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, among others.

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Darron E. Berquist

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Managing Attorney, Asbestos Litigation
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).

Headshot of David L. Rosenband, Senior Attorney practicing Personal Injury and Pharmaceutical and Product Liability.
David L. Rosenband

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Senior Attorney
David L. Rosenband specializes in pharmaceutical liability, personal injury, and product liability. He served as Liaison Counsel in the New York Bextra/Celebrex litigation and helped secure a $9 million verdict in the NJ Accutane case. Recognized for his work in MDLs and state court litigations.

Headshot of Evan M. Janush, Managing Attorney, New York, for Personal Injury, Pharmaceutical Liability, and Product Liability.
Evan M. Janush

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Managing Attorney, New York
Evan M. Janush oversees the firm’s pharmaceutical and product liability mass tort litigation in New York. He served on the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee in MDL 2804 and was part of the trial team in the Vioxx cases. Recognized by Best Lawyers for Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions (2024-2025) and Lawdragon 500 (2020).

Headshot of Judson A. Waltman is a Lanier Law Firm Managing Attorney for product liability, personal injury and maritime law.
Judson A. Waltman

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Judson A. Waltman specializes in personal injury, product liability, and maritime law. He secured one of the largest verdicts in Ward County, Texas, for an injured oilfield worker and a $2 million verdict for a Central Texas worker. Recognized by Best Lawyers for Personal Injury and Product Liability Litigation (2024-2025).

Headshot of Kevin LaMarca, Senior Attorney in the Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure, Personal Injury, and Product Liability practice.
Kevin LaMarca

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Senior Attorney
Kevin LaMarca specializes in asbestos exposure, personal injury, and product liability. He secured multiple seven-figure settlements, including $2.25 million for a deceased papermill worker’s family. Recognized as a National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, Kevin represents clients across the country in both state and federal courts.

Headshot of Manny Cabrera, Lanier Law Firm Senior Attorney for the asbestos exposure and mesothelioma practice.
Manny Cabrera

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Senior Attorney
Manny Cabrera specializes in asbestos exposure and catastrophic injury cases. He has represented clients in asbestos-related matters and personal injury, as well as trucking and premises liability cases. Honored as a National Trial Lawyers Civil Plaintiff Top 40 Under 40.

Headshot of Maura Kolb, Managing Attorney, Asbestos Resolution in the mesothelioma and pharmaceutical liability practice.
Maura Kolb

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Managing Attorney, Asbestos Resolution
Maura Kolb leads the Asbestos Resolution Team, securing millions for clients annually. She was part of the team that won a $258 million Vioxx verdict and has coordinated BP Gulf Oil Spill settlements. Recognized by Lawdragon 500 (2024), Maura serves on several national asbestos trust advisory committees.

Headshot of Megan Waida, Senior Attorney in the Lanier Law Firm's Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure practice.
Megan Waida

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Senior Attorney
Megan Waida specializes in asbestos exposure and appellate cases. Named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 (2018-2021), Megan advocates for asbestos victims and has a strong background in complex litigation.

Headshot of Michael A. Akselrud, Senior Attorney in our Business Litigation, Personal Injury, and Product Liability practice.
Michael A. Akselrud

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Senior Attorney
Michael A. Akselrud specializes in personal injury, business litigation, and product liability. He was part of the trial team that secured a $4.69 billion verdict in the Johnson & Johnson talcum powder case. Recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star (2016) and named to LawDragon 500 (2020).

Headshot of Michelle Greene, Senior Attorney in our Pharmaceutical Liability and Product Liability practice.
Michelle Greene

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Senior Attorney
Michelle Greene specializes in pharmaceutical and product liability, with a focus on toxic torts. She represented clients in AFFF and PFAS contamination cases. Recognized by Best Lawyers as “”Ones to Watch”” (2024-2025) and listed in Lawdragon’s Next Generation (2025) for Plaintiff Litigation.

Headshot of Patrice McKinney, Lanier Law Firm Senior Attorney in personal injury, product liability, and FELA.
Patrice McKinney

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Senior Attorney
Patrice McKinney specializes in personal injury, product liability, and FELA cases, with a focus on railroad workers injured on the job, car and trucking collisions, and oilfield injuries. Recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer (2017-2024) and Best Lawyers (2024-2025) for Personal Injury.

Headshot of Rachel Lanier, Managing Attorney, Los Angeles, Product Liability and Pharmaceutical Liability
Rachel Lanier

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Managing Attorney, Los Angeles
Rachel Lanier specializes in pharmaceutical and product liability, helping secure the $4.6 billion verdict in Ingham v. Johnson & Johnson. Recognized by Best Lawyers (2024-2025) for Mass Tort and Personal Injury, Rachel leads the firm’s social media addiction lawsuits and represents clients in high-profile MDLs.

Headshot of Rebecca Phillips, The Lanier Law Firm's Mass Torts Director.
Rebecca Phillips

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Mass Torts Director
Rebecca Phillips specializes in pharmaceutical liability, business litigation, and appeals. Co-lead counsel in the Bard Implant litigation, she also helped secure billions in opioid recovery for Texas. Recent honors include Super Lawyers Rising Star and Lawdragon 500 (2024-2025), among others.

Headshot of Sam E. Taylor, Senior Litigation Counsel for the Lanier Law Firm Personal Injury practice.
Sam E. Taylor

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Senior Litigation Counsel
Sam E. Taylor is board-certified in Personal Injury Trial Law and Civil Trial Law, with over 30 years of experience. He has tried over 50 civil jury trials, including mesothelioma and wrongful death cases. Recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer since 2008, Sam holds an AV Preeminent Rating for 25+ years.

Headshot of Zeke DeRose, Lanier Law Firm Senior Attorney, Business Litigation
Zeke DeRose

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Senior Attorney
Zeke DeRose specializes in business litigation, antitrust, and product liability. He is part of the legal team in an antitrust case against Google and represents the State of Arkansas in litigation against Meta. Recognized by Lawdragon 500 (2025) and Best Lawyers (2025), Zeke is a member of the National Trial Lawyers Top 100.

Headshot of Lanier Law Firm Senior attorney Catherine Heacox, part of the Personal Injury, Pharmaceutical and Product Liability practice.
Catherine Heacox

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Senior Attorney
Catherine Heacox specializes in pharmaceutical liability, personal injury, and product liability. Recognized by Super Lawyers as New York Metro Super Lawyer since 2013, Catherine has extensive experience in MDL and mass tort litigation.

Headshot of attorney Richard D. Meadow who serves as Of Counsel for the Lanier Law Firm.
Richard Meadow

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Of Counsel
Richard Meadow’s broad legal experience spans multiple practice areas and jurisdictions. He is recognized in Best Lawyers 2025 for his work in Mass Tort Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation. With over three decades of experience, Richard has dedicated his career to championing the rights of injured individuals.