Rhode Island Mesothelioma Lawyer

How to Find and Choose a Rhode Island Mesothelioma Lawyer

Finding the right mesothelioma lawyer in Rhode Island begins with looking for attorneys experienced in asbestos litigation within the state’s specific legal framework. Seek lawyers licensed in Rhode Island who understand the 3 year statute of limitations, local courthouse procedures and common asbestos exposure sources across the state, like shipyards and manufacturing sites.

Choose a lawyer who communicates clearly, works on a contingency fee basis and has proven success securing compensation for Rhode Islanders with mesothelioma, including veterans. Early consultation with an experienced mesothelioma legal team improves your chances of a favorable outcome and offers support through every step of your claim.

Reputable nationwide firms have documented success helping people in Rhode Island secure compensation. For example, Simmons Hanly Conroy helped a factory worker in Smithfield obtain a $5 million mesothelioma settlement.  A lawyer will come to your home for meetings, offering extensive resources and trial experience while minimizing your need to travel during treatment.

Weitz & Luxenberg

• $8.5 Billion Recovered
• Serves Clients Nationwide
• Rated #1 by U.S. News & World Report for 2022

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Simmons Hanly Conroy

• $8.9 Billion Recovered
• Serves Clients Nationwide
• Rated a Tier 1 Law Firm in 2022 by U.S. News & World Report

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Compensation From Asbestos Filings in Rhode Island

Rhode Island has a long history of asbestos litigation, but most cases reach resolution through settlements or pretrial rulings rather than jury trials. Although most claims resolve outside the courtroom, Rhode Island residents continue to secure compensation with the help of experienced attorneys. Settlement amounts are typically kept private, but nationally, the average mesothelioma settlement ranges from $1 million to $2 million, giving plaintiffs meaningful financial support even without a trial.

In many instances, Rhode Island residents were exposed to asbestos while working in neighboring states. Lawyers often file lawsuits in the locations where exposure occurred, establishing a clear legal connection to the responsible companies. 

Many of the companies responsible for asbestos exposure operate in multiple states, and national law firms help Rhode Island residents file claims in the jurisdictions where those companies are headquartered. This approach allows plaintiffs to pursue mesothelioma compensation efficiently while navigating the complex legal and logistical aspects of multistate litigation.

How Does an Asbestos Lawyer Handle Your Claim in Rhode Island

Filing a mesothelioma claim in Rhode Island involves several clear steps your legal team will manage for you. Your lawyer guides you from the first initial free consultation through the entire process until your case is resolved. They may also file an asbestos trust fund claim if a defendant in your case declared bankruptcy and established a fund.

Steps to a Mesothelioma Claim

1. Confirm your medical diagnosis: Your doctor confirms mesothelioma through a biopsy test and other scans and writes a detailed pathology report, which your lawyer will review.
2. Gather evidence: Your lawyer collects work history, military records and exposure details to identify responsible companies.
3. File your claim: Your attorney will file your lawsuit within Rhode Island’s 3-year statute of limitations. They’ll handle all paperwork and court deadlines.
4. Provide a statement if needed: You may give a deposition, often remotely, to share your firsthand account of your exposure.
5. Negotiate or proceed to trial: Most cases settle, but if necessary, your lawyer prepares to argue your case in court.
6. Receive compensation: Upon winning or settling, you receive payment for medical bills, lost income and other damages.

Your Rhode Island lawyer simplifies every legal step and continually communicates with you and your family. This professional support allows you to focus on treatment, knowing your case is being handled by experts familiar with Rhode Island’s laws and asbestos exposure environments.

Unsure About Your Legal Options?

Over $30 billion has been set aside to support those diagnosed with mesothelioma. We’ll help you explore your options and introduce you to the nation’s leading mesothelioma law firms.

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Asbestos Exposure in Rhode Island 

Rhode Islanders may have been exposed to asbestos if they worked in jobs like manufacturing or shipbuilding. Asbestos exposure in Rhode Island usually happened at work. Old buildings, such as schools, are also common exposure sites.

The state also has one naturally occurring asbestos deposit in Cumberland near the northeast state line. This can pose a risk of environmental asbestos exposure.

Sites in Rhode Island Known for Asbestos Exposure

• Barrington Congregational Church: In 2005, the EPA filed a complaint against a contractor who caused asbestos dust to become airborne when grinding vinyl asbestos floor tile during a renovation project inside classrooms at the Barrington church. 
• Bradford Elementary School: Workers demolished this school in Johnston after asbestos was found in the old boiler room and under the floor tiles.
• Department of Education administrative building: Asbestos in the insulation led to respiratory problems for numerous workers. In 1991, the Professional Employees Union requested a Health Hazard Evaluation.
• Kaiser Aluminum: From the 1950s through the 1970s, Kaiser Aluminum produced asbestos products. Asbestos litigation led the company to file for bankruptcy in 2002. A $1.2 billion trust fund was created to handle future asbestos claims.
• Narragansett Power: This industry often uses asbestos in electrical panels, arc chutes, insulation boards and other equipment.
• Newport Naval Yard: Workers experienced asbestos exposure at this Naval Operating Base used to station, maintain and protect ships.
• Pawtucket City Hall: The City of Pawtucket made a plan for remediation after state inspectors found asbestos in the building.
• Puritan Aerosol: In 1983, the EPA designated the Cumberland location a Superfund site after discovering several contaminants, including asbestos. 

Winsor Hill, Brown Avenue, and Sarah Dyer Barnes, 3 schools in Providence, may have exposed more than 600 students, teachers and administrators to asbestos for as long as a year. The suspected exposure came from old asbestos-containing vinyl tiles ripped up during the summer of 1990. 

The Rhode Island Department of Health closed the schools until the issues were resolved. Schools built before 1980 likely contain some form of asbestos since it was a popular building material for classrooms, auditoriums, lounges and corridors. 

Newport Naval Yard

Asbestos was heavily used at the Newport Naval Yard in Rhode Island. Extensive use of asbestos in shipbuilding and maintenance from the 1930s to the 1980s led to significant asbestos exposure. Workers, including military personnel and civilians, breathed in toxic asbestos dust in confined spaces like boiler rooms and engine compartments, where asbestos insulation, gaskets and other materials were common. Poor ventilation made exposure frequent and hazardous.

This long-term exposure resulted in many workers developing asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. The shipyard’s buildings themselves also contained asbestos, increasing risk throughout the site. Newport Naval Yard remains one of Rhode Island’s most significant locations with ongoing health and legal consequences.

Occupational Asbestos Exposure in Rhode Island

Many occupations across Rhode Island have been a source of asbestos exposure. The state was once a leading source of textile production. That industry has a history of asbestos exposure since the mineral was commonly used in commercial cloth and fabrics. Other notable occupational asbestos risk sites include: Power plants, schools, manufacturing sites and shipyards. 

Higher-Risk Jobs in Rhode Island

• Construction worker
• Industrial worker
• Manufacturing worker
• Military personnel
• Paper and textile worker
• Power plant worker
• Shipyard worker
• Teacher
• Textile worker

Rhode Island will hold companies responsible for cases of secondary asbestos exposure. Many people who worked in labor jobs during the 20th century worked directly with asbestos. Secondary exposure is more common in women and children. 

They typically came into contact with asbestos in their home when a family member brought toxic fibers from work into the house on their clothes and shoes. Similar to primary exposure, secondary exposure can also lead to asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma decades after exposure.

How Your Lawyer Supports You in Rhode Island’s Changing Asbestos Litigation

Rhode Island’s asbestos litigation environment is evolving, with recent trials and ongoing legal debates shaping how claims are handled. Your lawyer stays informed about these changes to provide the best defense for your rights in this dynamic legal landscape.

Recent developments include the first asbestos case tried in Rhode Island in nearly 40 years, highlighting a shift toward more active litigation. The 2024 trial involved the Estate of Bonnie Bonito suing Union Carbide Corporation over her mesothelioma diagnosis linked to asbestos exposure from her husband’s work clothes. After a 9-day trial, the Providence Superior Court jury returned a verdict in favor of the defense. The trial demonstrates that asbestos claims in Rhode Island are gaining visibility, creating more opportunities for experienced legal teams to advocate effectively and help families pursue meaningful compensation.

Your attorney will strategize for Rhode Island’s specific litigation landscape. With this proactive support, your legal team can adapt to new challenges, increasing your chances of achieving a favorable settlement or verdict while you focus on your health.