Search
Close this search box.

Texas Mesothelioma Lawyer

Lanier Law Firm’s Texas mesothelioma lawyers specialize in bringing asbestos companies to justice and getting fair compensation to those diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness.

Sam Taylor (1)

Legally Reviewed By: Sam E. Taylor
Managing Attorney | Mesothelioma & Asbestos in Houston

Sam Taylor

Legally Reviewed By: Sam E. Taylor
Managing Attorney | Mesothelioma & Asbestos in Houston

The Lanier Law Firm Is One of the World’s Most Experienced Mesothelioma Law Firms and We're Right Here in Texas

We have been accepting asbestos cases for more than 30 years. During that time, our successful litigation strategies have allowed us to build a reputation as one of the most respected mesothelioma law firms in Texas and across the nation.

We have won more than $20 billion in compensation for our clients, including the following mesothelioma verdicts and settlements in Texas:

  • $115 million verdict for 21 steelworkers diagnosed with mesothelioma
  • More than $4 million in settlements from multiple defendants on behalf of the family
    of a doctor exposed to asbestos in a shipyard where he worked before attending
    medical school
  • $2.1 million in settlements from multiple defendants on behalf of a deceased oil field
    worker’s family
  • $1.6 million settlement for the family of a deceased woman with mesothelioma who
    worked at a manufacturing plant

These are only a few remarkable results our attorneys have achieved for our clients. Results like these are the reason our peers have consistently selected our firm and our attorneys for such honors as:

  • Best Law Firms, Tier I ranking (U.S. News and Best Lawyers)
  • The Largest Verdict in the U.S. in 2018, according to U.S. News and the National Law Journal
  • Trial Lawyer of the Year – Mark Lanier
  • Best Lawyers in America – 12 attorneys
  • To 10 Super Lawyers in Texas – Mark Lanier, multiple years

Our reputation as a skilled team of formidable trial lawyers gives our clients an advantage when negotiating settlements. Most defendants do not want to face us in court and are thus more amenable to accepting responsibility and agreeing to a fair and reasonable settlement.

We provide a personalized approach and treat our clients with compassion and concern. Below are examples of the feedback we consistently receive from our satisfied mesothelioma clients:

The Lanier Law Firm is totally awesome. When I have had bad days, they have lifted me up. They truly care. You do not find that at very many places. I feel so blessed having them and all they have done for my family. They are family. They are the best of the best.” — Carla Hunter

“I can’t recommend a greater firm than The Lanier Law Firm! All members are fantastic and will work tirelessly to get the result you want. Sam Taylor is very knowledgeable and does excellent work in his field, so you’ll know you’re getting the best with him.”
— Owen Meaney

“Sammy Taylor at Lanier Law Firm has represented me, and he did a phenomenal job! Sammy is the perfect blend of professional and straightforward while still being empathetic to his clients’ needs. He was able to give me a better understanding of my situation and our steps moving forward. Sammy is a great communicator while being all class and plenty of relentlessness.”
— Shawn Stone

Our Featured Texas Mesothelioma & Asbestos Attorneys

Mark Lanier

Mark Lanier is consistently recognized as one of the top civil trial lawyers in America. He is known as a zealous advocate for individuals in personal injury and product liability claims against major corporations.

Mark won the largest verdict in Texas in 2016, according to VerdictSearch and Texas Lawyer, as well as the third largest verdict, with $1 billion and $502 million, respectively. Mark’s $118 million verdict on behalf of 21 asbestos victims is considered one of the largest asbestos liability awards in U.S. history.

He has earned the respect of his peers and received numerous honors, including

  • Best Lawyers in America every year since 2006
  • Texas Super Lawyers
  • Trial Lawyer of the Year by the National Trial Lawyers Association
  • The Texas Trailblazer Award of 2019

Sam Taylor

Sam Taylor is the Managing Attorney of the Asbestos Exposure & Mesothelioma litigation team out of The Lanier Law Firm’s Houston office. Sam is a Texas native and a successful trial lawyer rated in the top five percent of Texas lawyers. Mr. Taylor was named as one of the Top Attorneys in Texas with his selection to the Texas Super Lawyers list every year since 2008.

He has successfully tried more than 50 civil trials and 40 personal injury trials, including mesothelioma cases. He is board-certified in civil trial law and has been named a fellow of the Texas Bar Association.

Learn More About

Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Why Should You Trust the Lanier Law Firm to Handle your Mesothelioma Case?

Speak with an

Experienced Mesothelioma Attorney

Why hire an attorney with experience in handling mesothelioma cases in Texas?

Mesothelioma is a specialized area of law that requires specific knowledge of asbestos companies, products, and health effects. Although your asbestos exposure and mesothelioma case may seem straightforward, the large companies responsible for asbestos exposure make every maneuver possible to avoid taking responsibility.

Effectively Stand Up to Large Corporations

Asbestos companies may resort to such tactics as the following:

  • Stalling the case, hoping you will die before your case moves forward
  • Blaming you for your illness
  • Claiming you were exposed to asbestos elsewhere
  • Refusing to admit to the asbestos exposure or knowledge of harm

The Texas asbestos attorneys at The Lanier Law Firm are familiar with these tactics. We know how to thwart them to ensure asbestos companies answer for the harm they have caused.

Identify Your Sources of Exposure

Many of our clients are unaware of how they were exposed to asbestos. Some were exposed through multiple sources but were unaware of them all. An experienced Texas mesothelioma attorney can help you identify all sources of exposure to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

The Lanier Law Firm has built one of the largest collections of asbestos products in the world to help clients identify sources of asbestos exposure.

Determine the Correct Claim Type and Venue

You may be eligible to file multiple claims in various jurisdictions. The experienced lawyers at The Lanier Law Firm can ensure your mesothelioma claim is filed in the jurisdiction most favorable to you and that you file every type of claim for which you qualify.

Asbestos Exposure in Texas

Asbestos exposure may occur in the home, in public buildings, and even in natural environments. However, the workplace is the most common source of asbestos exposure.

Which industries had the highest levels of asbestos exposure?

Asbestos exposure has been significant in the following Texas industries:

  • Oil refineries
  • Steel mills and foundries
  • Chemical and petrochemical plants
  • Automobile factories
  • Ships and shipyards
  • Railroads
  • Construction companies
Factory

Which workers have the highest risks of asbestos exposure?

The following workers may have directly handled asbestos or asbestos-containing products, or they may have been involved in the repair, destruction, or removal of these products:

Construction worker

Texas Companies Who Exposed Their Workers to Asbestos:

A vast number of companies in Texas have exposed workers to asbestos. Some of the largest such employers include the following:

  • Todd Shipyard/Todd Shipping Company
  • Bethlehem Steel/Bethlehem Shipping Company
  • Gulf Oil
  • Gulfport Shipping Company
  • Chevron Phillips Chemical
  • Lyondell Chemical
  • Texas Chemical
  • Lone Star Industries
  • Texaco Oil
  • BNSF Railway

What are my legal options if I have
been exposed to asbestos?

Being exposed to asbestos alone is insufficient to constitute a legal mesothelioma claim. The civil justice system generally requires damages to have been suffered before a lawsuit can be filed. Asbestos exposure increases your risk of contracting a related illness, but it does not guarantee it.

However, if you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, you may be eligible to file a mesothelioma claim. Multiple claim types are available depending on the specific circumstances of your exposure. If you were exposed to asbestos through multiple sources, you may qualify to file multiple claims.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

The two types of mesothelioma lawsuits are personal injury and wrongful death suits. Personal injury lawsuits are filed by individuals who have been harmed. Wrongful death lawsuits are filed by family of a deceased individual whose death was precipitated by the wrongful acts and omissions of asbestos companies.

Personal Injury Lawsuits

In a personal injury lawsuit in Texas, you must prove that you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness and that the defendant exposed you to asbestos. You may be able to recover the following damages:

  • Economic damages
  • Noneconomic damages
  • Punitive damages

Economic Damages

Economic damages are the verifiable monetary losses caused by your diagnosis. These losses may include lost income and lost earning capacity if you were still working at the time of your diagnosis. Economic damages also include medical expenses and the cost of services you can no longer perform for yourself.

Noneconomic Damages

Noneconomic damages are the subjective, intangible losses brought on by your illness. Pain and suffering damages are the most well-known economic damages, but they can also include such losses as the following:

  • Loss of society
  • Loss of bodily functions
  • Loss of capacity to enjoy life
  • Loss of consortium

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages, also known as exemplary damages, are awarded to punish a defendant whose conduct was fraudulent, malicious, or grossly negligent.

Asbestos companies notoriously concealed evidence of the harm asbestos exposure can cause. This conduct often meets the criteria for a court to award these types of damages.

Wrongful Death Lawsuits

In the tragic death of an individual due to an asbestos-related illness, the immediate family members could recover economic, noneconomic, and punitive damages. Recoverable economic and non-economic damages include:

  • Burial and funeral expenses
  • Lost income of the deceased
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of parental guidance
  • Loss of support
  • Loss of companionship

If the deceased already filed a lawsuit, the Texas wrongful death law allows the family to continue the case and collect the damages awarded to the deceased. This is known as a survival action.

Trust Fund Claims

Section 524(g) of the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Code allows companies with asbestos liabilities to file for bankruptcy on the condition that they establish trust funds for the benefit of asbestos-exposure victims.

If your source of asbestos exposure is a bankrupt company, you may be able to file an asbestos trust fund claim for economic and non-economic damages without having to file a civil lawsuit. This is typically a faster process.

Workers’ Compensation Claims

If your asbestos exposure occurred on the job, you may qualify for a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation benefits include free medical care, monthly disability benefits, and death benefits.

Unlike most states, Texas employers are not required to carry workers’ compensation. Employers who carry this coverage are protected from lawsuits. Thus, workers who are eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim cannot also file a lawsuit against the employer.

If your employer does not carry workers’ compensation or you were a subcontractor, you may file a lawsuit against the employer.
In either case, you can also file a lawsuit against third parties who sold asbestos products to your employer.

VA Claims

If you were exposed to asbestos in the line of active military duty, you may qualify for VA benefits, which include free medical care and monthly tax-free disability compensation. While you cannot sue the military, you can sue the parties that supplied asbestos to the military, in addition to obtaining VA benefits.

Where does The Lanier Law Firm accept cases?

The Lanier Law Firm accepts cases throughout the state of Texas. No matter your Texas location, our mesothelioma lawyers will travel to you and try your case in the venue that is most advantageous for you. We will gladly meet with you at your home to discuss your case.

Whether you live in a major city such as Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, or Corpus Christi, or you live in a rural Texas town, we live and breathe Texas.

When should I contact an attorney about my Mesothelioma case in Texas?

Texas has a statute of limitations of two years from the date of diagnosis.

While this may seem like more than sufficient time, promptly speaking with an attorney is crucial due to the time it may take to identify all sources of exposure and prepare your case against the large, resourceful asbestos companies responsible for your condition.

How much does a Texas
mesothelioma attorney cost?

Our law firm charges no upfront fees. We advance your case costs and absorb all the associated risks, so contacting a lawyer with The Lanier Law Firm is risk-free. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.