Tennessee Mesothelioma Lawyer
Legally Reviewed By: Darron E. Berquist
Managing Attorney | Mesothelioma & Asbestos
- Page Last Updated:
- April 14, 2025
Legally Reviewed By: Darron Berquist
Managing Attorney | Mesothelioma & Asbestos
- Page Last Updated:
- April 14, 2025
While some small asbestos deposits are found naturally in the Great Smoky Mountains, most Tennesseeans were exposed to the deadly mineral through work at paper mills, automotive plants, and other industries.
Between 1999 and 2017, 895 Tennessee residents died from mesothelioma. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, the compassionate Tennessee mesothelioma lawyers with The Lanier Law Firm can help you fight for the justice you deserve. Contact us online today for a free consultation.
Why Choose The Lanier Law Firm?
Our award-winning team has fought to protect the rights of mesothelioma victims for more than 30 years. We’re nationally recognized for holding large corporations accountable for asbestos exposure and securing significant mesothelioma compensation for our clients.
Our goal is to provide Legal Care to our clients, offering serious and sound representation while doing everything possible to minimize stress and ensure constant communication.
Mesothelioma Settlements in Tennessee
We’ve recovered billions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients. Our notable mesothelioma 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.
Employers Who Exposed Workers to Asbestos in Tennessee
Asbestos was widely used in several industries for its strength, cost-effectiveness, and heat-resistant properties. 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.
Occupations at Risk for Asbestos Exposure
Fields associated with occupational asbestos exposure in Tennessee include the following:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Options for Asbestos and Mesothelioma
Compensation in Tennessee
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.
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.
Additional benefits may be available depending on your line of work. Employees exposed to asbestos on the job are eligible for workers’ compensation. Also, veterans exposed during military service can file a VA disability claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs to receive monthly payments and medical benefits.
Asbestos Laws and Regulations in Tennessee
Unfortunately, Tennessee’s asbestos laws are not friendly to claimants. 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.
Since 2021, things have only gotten harder. 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.
Contact The Lanier Law Firm Today
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.
States We Serve
By submitting this form, you agree to our terms & conditions. Please read the full disclaimer
