Nebraska Mesothelioma Lawyer

How to File a Mesothelioma Claim in Nebraska

To start a mesothelioma claim in Nebraska, you should first contact an asbestos lawyer. These lawyers will help you gather the necessary information about your exposure and medical history. Filing an asbestos claim can be complex, but a qualified lawyer can guide you through the process.

Key Facts About Filing Claims in Nebraska

1. Nebraska has a statute of limitations that sets a deadline for filing an asbestos lawsuit. It is 4 years for personal injury and 2 years for wrongful death claims.   
2. Under Nebraska law, multiple parties can be held responsible if their actions contributed to your asbestos exposure.   
3. If you have received money from an asbestos trust fund, Nebraska law may affect the amount you can recover in a lawsuit.
4. Nebraska follows specific rules of evidence that your lawyer will need to navigate when presenting your case in court.   

Experienced mesothelioma lawyers in Nebraska understand the legal procedures. They know how to properly file documents with the correct courts. Your lawyer will also help you identify the companies responsible for your asbestos exposure. While the process has several steps, an attorney will handle the legal details for you.

Asbestos lawyers play a crucial role in helping people file claims in Nebraska. They understand the state-specific laws and deadlines. Your lawyer will gather evidence and work with medical experts to build a strong case. They will also negotiate with the responsible companies to seek fair compensation for your illness. Hiring an experienced asbestos lawyer gives you the best chance for a successful claim.

How Can Hiring an Asbestos Lawyer in Nebraska Help Me?

An experienced asbestos lawyer in Nebraska can help you understand your legal options. They know the unique laws and rules for asbestos cases in Nebraska. Good asbestos lawyers know the time limits, called statutes of limitations, for filing an asbestos lawsuit in Nebraska. A local lawyer will know the procedures involved. 

Choosing a mesothelioma lawyer over a general personal injury lawyer is important. Asbestos cases are complex. They involve specific medical evidence and proving a history of asbestos use. Experienced lawyers can investigate how and where you were exposed. This expertise can make a big difference in the outcome of your asbestos lawsuit.

Nebraska Mesothelioma Law Firms

Nebraska mesothelioma law firms specialize in local asbestos cases. These lawyers understand the unique asbestos litigation laws in Nebraska. They know the specific time limits for filing claims in Nebraska. 

Nebraska mesothelioma lawyers have experience handling claims within Nebraska courts. Working with a mesothelioma lawyer with a history of success in the state can increase your chances of a favorable outcome. Their familiarity with the state’s legal landscape is a valuable asset.

Nationwide Asbestos Law Firms Outside Nebraska

Nebraska residents may also consider a nationwide mesothelioma law firm. If your exposure happened in another state or the liable company is headquartered elsewhere, you may need to file there. Nationwide mesothelioma firms handle cases across the country.

Nationwide firms have a deep understanding of asbestos litigation across the country. More than 50% of asbestos plaintiffs file claims outside of their home state. A 2019 KCIC industry report shared this data.

Asbestos Settlements Secured in Nebraska

Multimillion-dollar mesothelioma verdicts are not common in Nebraska. Many Nebraska cases conclude with a mesothelioma settlement instead of going to trial.  

In a settlement, both parties agree to certain compensation outside of court. This can often provide quicker financial relief for families coping with mesothelioma. While jury verdicts can sometimes be larger, settlements offer a more predictable outcome. Mesothelioma compensation can provide financial help for medical bills and suffering.

Nebraska Mesothelioma Settlements

• Heather Nelson filed a wrongful death mesothelioma claim in Nebraska in 2024. Nelson settled for an undisclosed amount with Johnson & Johnson, LTL Management, Janssen Pharmaceuticals and Kenvue Inc.
• In 2020, Starr Snyder settled his mesothelioma claim filed in Nebraska. Snyder settled for an undisclosed amount with defendants such as DAP, Inc., Cleaver Brooks and Metropolitan Life Insurance. 

Nebraska judges transferred many cases filed between the 1980s and 2000s to the Asbestos Products Liability Litigation MDL 875. This multidistrict litigation consolidates cases filed in various districts in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Asbestos Regulations and Laws in Nebraska

Nebraska has state laws to control asbestos. These rules aim to protect people from the dangers of asbestos exposure. Nebraska also follows federal legislation that deals with asbestos safety.   

Laws Governing Asbestos in Nebraska

• Nebraska Administrative Code Title 178, Chapter 22: This code sets rules for how people must safely handle asbestos projects in the state.   
• Nebraska Revised Statutes § 71-6301: This law controls activities involving asbestos to prevent health risks in Nebraska.   

Several state departments help ensure people follow asbestos rules. The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy oversees asbestos projects and enforces regulations. They also work to ensure proper handling and disposal of asbestos. 

For example, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy completed a phase 1 study to ensure an asbestos-contaminated site in Cozad, Nebraska, was properly remediated before the city built a bandstand at the location.

How Are People Exposed to Asbestos in Nebraska?

People in Nebraska faced asbestos exposure in certain jobs and locations. Small manufacturing industries and power plants comprise the most significant part of Nebraska’s exposure threats. These factories used asbestos insulation and other products.

Workers in construction, power plants and manufacturing faced the highest risks. These industries commonly used asbestos products. Those who repaired or operated high-heat machinery may have inhaled the fibers. Even military personnel at bases in Nebraska experienced exposure. The state does not have natural asbestos deposits.

Sites Known for Asbestos Exposure

• Allied Chemical: This company in Columbus used asbestos in its manufacturing processes.   
• Air Force Bases: Personnel at military bases worked in buildings containing asbestos products. Examples include Lincoln and Offutt Air Force bases.
• Power plants: Employees of Nebraska power plants may have loosened the fibers from pipes, gaskets, boilers or other equipment. Workers may have operated asbestos-insulated machinery at certain plants. These include Blue Hill City Light and Water, Whelan Energy Center and Madison Utilities.
• Sierra Talc: This talc milling facility in Grand Island processed talc that sometimes contained asbestos.   
• Union Pacific Railroad Company: Employees working on trains and in rail yards handled asbestos brakes and insulation for the railroad company headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.   
• Western Mineral Products: This company processed contaminated vermiculite in Omaha. At this plant, workers unloaded, bagged and swept asbestos-containing ore. 

The Omaha Police Department headquarters also has asbestos issues. In August 2021, the department chief ordered a new asbestos contingency plan. A study of the building found asbestos in four of its six floors.

Some older schools in Nebraska still contain asbestos products. For example, Hayes Center Elementary in Hays County is managing asbestos contamination. Officials are managing it to prevent future exposure.   

Asbestos Exposure at Work in Nebraska

Occupational exposure in Nebraska put workers in power plants, factories and farms at risk. As a primarily agricultural state, farmers also encountered asbestos. It insulated farm buildings and contaminated fertilizer. Veterans also experienced military asbestos exposure on bases. 

Higher-Risk Jobs in Nebraska

• Boilermakers
• Construction workers
• Factory workers
• Farmers
• Insulators
• Mechanics
• Pipefitters
• Power plant workers
• Shipyard workers

Even family members of workers could face secondhand exposure. This happens when asbestos fibers enter homes on work clothing. Exposed loved ones can get sick as a result years later.

Many companies in Nebraska used asbestos, which put workers at risk. Western Mineral Products and Sheldon Station power plant serve as examples. Asbestos lawsuits have held Nebraska companies accountable.

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