Oklahoma Mesothelioma Lawyer

How Do I File an Asbestos Claim in Oklahoma? 

To file an asbestos claim in Oklahoma, you need to submit proof that asbestos caused your illness. A consultation with an experienced asbestos lawyer can help you take the first step in the process.  You don’t need to figure it out on your own. A lawyer can handle the legal steps and explain what happens next. 

Your lawyer will help you gather medical records and work history to prove your exposure. Once you have the right information, your lawyer will file your claim in the proper court.

Key Facts About Filing Asbestos Claims in Oklahoma

1. You must file a mesothelioma lawsuit within the statute of limitations. Oklahoma gives two years to file in most cases.
2. Oklahoma lets juries award extra money if companies acted with reckless disregard for safety. Courts refer to this as punitive damages.
3. Oklahoma allows setoffs if you already got money from an asbestos trust fund. The court may reduce your award by the amount received through a trust. 
4. Each company is liable for a portion of the damages that the Oklahoma court found them responsible for. Some other states hold defendants jointly and severally liable for the entire amount rather than a portion. 

Experienced asbestos lawyers can make filing a mesothelioma lawsuit in Oklahoma easier. They know the local laws and will fight for the compensation you deserve. They will guide you through every step and help you focus on your health and family.

How Can Hiring an Oklahoma Mesothelioma Lawyer Help Me?

Hiring a mesothelioma lawyer in Oklahoma can help you get compensation if asbestos made you sick. These lawyers know asbestos cases and fight for you. A regular personal injury lawyer may not understand the best way to navigate asbestos litigation.

For example, an Oklahoma mesothelioma lawyer knows how to interpret the statute of limitations for asbestos lawsuits. This law limits the time you have to file a lawsuit. 

You should find a mesothelioma lawyer quickly because time runs out fast. They handle tough tasks, like gathering witnesses and taking depositions. 

Oklahoma Mesothelioma Law Firms

Lawyers at top Oklahoma mesothelioma law firms have experience handling cases in the state. They’ll know the court process and local regulations. They’ll understand how to navigate filings, deadlines and rules specific to Oklahoma. These mesothelioma lawyers may also have insights into state judges, court staff and potential jury pools.

Oklahoma asbestos law firms will have teams with local knowledge of jobsites and companies where asbestos exposure occurred. They’ll understand which workplaces and industries put people at risk. They can help you collect evidence, find important records and build a strong case.

Working with a firm that has handled cases in Oklahoma can improve your chance of receiving fair mesothelioma compensation. These lawyers know what to expect in local courts and how to present your case effectively.

Nationwide Asbestos Law Firms Outside Oklahoma

Nationwide asbestos law firms help Oklahoma residents file mesothelioma claims across the country. While you may live in Oklahoma, if your exposure took place in another state, you may need to file there. Nationwide firms can help you file and manage your case in jurisdictions across the country.

Hiring a nationwide firm may give you more options. These firms often have large teams and extensive resources to support your case. They’ll also travel to meet with you for free and will guide you through each step. 

Asbestos Compensation in Oklahoma

Oklahoma juries have awarded multimillion-dollar mesothelioma verdicts in serious cases. Residents who developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure have received help through the legal system. Jury verdicts can take time, but they offer hope for people facing the expenses of mesothelioma treatment.

Many asbestos cases in Oklahoma end in a mesothelioma settlement instead of a jury verdict. A mesothelioma settlement can help families receive mesothelioma compensation faster without going to trial. These settlements still provide money to help with medical bills and lost income. 

Notable Asbestos Verdicts in Oklahoma

• $8 Million: An Oklahoma jury awarded this amount in 2021 to a man who worked with asbestos products while helping build oil refineries. He developed mesothelioma as a result. The jury ordered multiple companies, including National Oilwell Varco and others, to pay for his illness.
• $6 Million: A jury gave this award in 2015 to an Oklahoma man who was exposed to asbestos while working on oil drilling rigs. He later developed mesothelioma. The jury ordered Murco Wall Products to pay for the damages.
• $1.2 Million: A jury awarded $1.2 million in 2009 to a woman whose husband died of mesothelioma. He worked with asbestos products for years as an industrial engineer and oil field consultant. Montello, Inc. of Oklahoma, as well as Union Carbide, received an order to pay for the damages.

People with mesothelioma or their families should speak to a lawyer to learn more about their options for mesothelioma compensation. These awards help cover medical costs and provide support for loved ones.

Regulating Asbestos in Oklahoma

Oklahoma has state laws that help protect people from asbestos exposure. These laws work with federal legislation to keep workers and families safe. State rules control who can work with asbestos and how companies must handle it.

Asbestos rules in Oklahoma also help make sure the air stays clean. These laws set penalties for breaking safety rules. The goal is to reduce exposure and prevent illness.

Laws Governing Asbestos in Oklahoma

• Oklahoma Asbestos Control Act: This law requires people and companies to get a license before working with asbestos.
• Oklahoma Clean Air Act, Sections 27A-2-5-116: These laws give the state power to set rules about asbestos in the air. They also allow the state to fine people or companies that break air safety rules.

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and the Oklahoma Department of Labor help enforce these laws. They make sure licensed workers follow the rules and handle asbestos safely. These laws help protect workers and families. If you think someone is breaking the rules, you can report it to state officials.

In recent years, Oklahoma has focused more on asbestos safety during building renovations and demolitions. In October 2021, renovation of a municipal building in Norman, Oklahoma, halted when workers found hazardous asbestos. It was in a hidden ceiling. The estimated cost to remediate the contaminated ceiling was $1 million. It delayed the renovation completion approximately eight months.

How Asbestos Exposure Happens in Oklahoma

People in Oklahoma have been exposed to asbestos at work, at home and in public places. Jobs in oil refineries, chemical plants and factories often used asbestos products. Some parts of the state also have natural asbestos deposits in the soil. This can lead to exposure when people dig or build in those areas.

Workers and residents may breathe in asbestos fibers without knowing it. These fibers can get stuck in the lungs and cause health problems over time. Families can also face secondhand exposure from dust brought home on clothes.

Sites Known for Asbestos Exposure

• Conoco Refinery: Workers in Ponca City, Oklahoma, used asbestos insulation and gaskets that released fibers into the air.
• Hudson Refinery: This site in Cushing, Oklahoma, had many asbestos products that exposed workers and cleanup crews.
• Oklahoma Refining Company: The facility in Cyril, Oklahoma, used asbestos materials during oil production.
• Sinclair Oil Refinery: Workers handled asbestos pipe coverings, insulation and other products in this Tulsa, Oklahoma, facility.
• Tech Ops – Tulsa: It’s home to the largest airline maintenance base in the world. Asbestos brakes, insulation, gaskets and valves exposed workers. 
• Ultramar Diamond Shamrock: Workers in Ardmore, Oklahoma, used asbestos insulation in many plant operations. 
• Vermiculite processing sites: These plants received asbestos-contaminated ore from another state between 1948 and 1993. Locations included Oklahoma City, Duke and Southard. 

Some public buildings in Oklahoma still contain asbestos products. Examples include older schools and buildings at the University of Oklahoma. Asbestos in schools can pose risks if the materials break or wear down. If you suspect asbestos exposure, talk to a doctor to stay safe and healthy.

Higher-Risk Industries in Oklahoma

Many workers in Oklahoma faced occupational asbestos exposure in the past. Oklahoma has many industries where asbestos was common. Jobs in oil refineries, power plants and construction often used asbestos. People in the armed forces encountered military asbestos exposure. 

Oil and gas plants, chemical plants and factories used asbestos to prevent heat and fire damage. Workers in these places often breathed in the tiny fibers without knowing it. Family members of workers faced secondhand asbestos exposure from dust brought home on clothing. Over time, this can cause serious health problems.

Higher-Risk Jobs in Oklahoma

• Boiler operators
• Chemical plant workers
• Construction workers
• Electricians
• Factory workers
• Insulators
• Mechanics
• Oil refinery workers
• Pipefitters
• Plumbers
• Power plant workers
• Shipyard workers
• Welders

Many large companies in Oklahoma exposed workers to asbestos. These include Ultramar Diamond, Sinclair Oil, Gary-Williams Energy, Conoco and Sunoco. Workers at these companies may have been exposed without warning or proper safety.

If you worked in one of these jobs or lived with someone who did, talk to a doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference and bring hope for better health.

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