Written by Joe Lahav, Esquire | Legally Reviewed By Daniel Wasserberg | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: August 8, 2024

How to File a Legal Claim in Colorado

Colorado residents with mesothelioma may file a claim with the U.S. District Court of Colorado. Asbestos exposure is the primary cause of this cancer. The best route to pursue legal action is to hire a mesothelioma lawyer with experience in the state.

Colorado Legal Statistics for Asbestos
  • Highest Verdict: $40 Million
  • Average Verdict: $5 Million to $11.4 Million
  • Number of Claims Filed: 145
  • Ranking for Plaintiff Favorability: 22nd
  • Ranking in Mesothelioma Deaths: 21st

A Colorado mesothelioma lawyer can make navigating the legal process easier for patients and their loved ones. They can help you file a personal injury claim. They can also access trust funds to secure compensation from the responsible parties. It’s essential to note that there is a deadline to file called a statute of limitations.

Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure in Colorado

Certain companies in Colorado exposed their workers to asbestos. This exposure can increase their risk of developing mesothelioma. These companies include Centel Corporation, Schmidt Incinerators and Utilicorp. Colorado’s construction, power generation and manufacturing industries have put employees at risk for asbestos exposure.

Besides these companies, there are other job sites in Colorado where workers have been exposed to asbestos. These sites include:

  • Colorado Springs Utilities
  • Drive Train Industries
  • Ray D. Nixon Power Plant

Natural asbestos can be found in various areas of Colorado, such as the Caribou Mine and the Monarch deposit in Boulder. Veterans may have faced asbestos exposure at military bases in Aurora, Denver, Colorado Springs and at Fort Carson. 

The Denver Department of Parks & Recreation responded to an exposure threat in March 2021. Sledders had caused damage in Ruby Hill Park, which exposed asbestos from an old landfill containing asbestos waste.

Departments Overseeing Colorado Asbestos Laws

Several state and federal laws regulate its safe handling and removal in Colorado to minimize asbestos exposure.

  • Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. This department is the state’s primary regulatory body for asbestos. It enforces state-level occupational health laws. It also ensures compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s NESHAP regulations.
  • Solid and Hazardous Waste Commission. The commission creates and enforces state asbestos handling, transport and disposal regulations. It also controls requirements related to hazardous waste disposal sites.

The DPHE has implemented rules like the Air Quality Control Commission guidelines. These rules control licenses and EPA training programs for safe asbestos handling. Only those with a state-approved license should handle asbestos to reduce exposure and protect public health.

Mesothelioma Law Firms Practicing in Colorado

Choosing an experienced asbestos law firm to build a strong case against large asbestos companies is vital. Mesothelioma law firms can help people exposed to asbestos in Colorado with their legal claims. These firms can advise whether to file a lawsuit in Colorado or another state.

The primary goal of mesothelioma law firms is to obtain the best possible financial outcome for their clients and their families. These law firms have the necessary skills and resources to make the legal process easier for their clients. Lawyers can travel to meet with clients and answer their questions.

Weitz and Luxenburg
700 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
  • $8.5 Billion Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • Rated #1 by U.S. News & World Report for 2022
Simmons Hanly Conroy Logo
1 Court Street
Alton, Illinois 62002
  • $8.9 Billion Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • Rated a Tier 1 Law Firm in 2022 by U.S. News & World Report
meirowitz & wasserberg logo
1040 Sixth Avenue 12B
New York, NY 10018
  • $200 Million Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • Rated in the Top 10 Asbestos and Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers
Cooney & Conway Logo
120 N Lasalle Street Suite 3000
Chicago, IL 60602
  • $7 Billion Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • Rated a National Tier 1 Firm by U.S. News & World Report in 2022
Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman
820 Mililani Street Suite 505
Honolulu, HI 96813
  • $600 Million Recovered
  • Serves Clients Nationwide
  • 30+ Years Experience
Mesothelioma law firms can be found in the following Colorado cities including:
  • Arvada
  • Aurora
  • Centennial
  • Colorado Springs
  • Denver
  • Fort Collins
  • Lakewood
  • Pueblo
  • Thornton
  • Westminster

Asbestos Verdicts Awarded in Colorado Courts

Colorado residents have received millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for mesothelioma. Workers in Colorado have been compensated through asbestos lawsuits settled or decided by juries. Winning or settling a case can help cover medical expenses, living costs and lost wages.

Some significant asbestos verdicts in Colorado include:
  • $40 million in a class action suit against Chevron
  • $4 million to a health care worker
  • $3.7 million to a truck driver
  • $3 million to a Navy veteran
  • $2.4 million to a construction worker
  • $1.9 million to a retired insulator worker

A notable court case in 2019 alleged that an Air & Liquid Systems Corporation worker carried asbestos home on his clothes. This secondary exposure led his son to develop mesothelioma years later. Another Colorado plaintiff filed a mesothelioma lawsuit in 2019 against boiler manufacturer Cleaver-Brooks. The suit is ongoing.

Asbestos Litigation and Regulations in Colorado

Colorado asbestos laws are similar to those in other states. The state licenses asbestos inspectors and removal professionals. Before any renovation or remodeling, buildings must be inspected for asbestos. If asbestos is found, a licensed professional must remove it.

Public buildings need a permit before asbestos removal. Written notice is required before any work around asbestos, except for private residences. The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment manages permits, licensing and notifications. 

The 2018 Asbestos Trust Claims Transparency Act affects how much victims can recover in damages in Colorado. It requires disclosing any trust fund claims made within 120 days of filing. This disclosure can reduce your settlement or jury verdict award.

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