Texas Mesothelioma Lawyers

How to Find and Choose a Texas Mesothelioma Lawyer

When choosing a mesothelioma lawyer in Texas, prioritize attorneys with experience in asbestos cases connected to the state’s major industries. Many mesothelioma diagnoses in Texas link to jobs in oil refining, shipbuilding, power plants and manufacturing. The state ranks second in the country for mesothelioma deaths and third for mesothelioma cases. Counties with the most cases are Harris, Bexar and Dallas, according to the CDC.

Top firms such as Nemeroff Law Firm have decades of success representing Texans with asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma. For example, Nemeroff helped the family of Patricio Sanchez Jr. receive $6 million in a mesothelioma verdict against National Gypsum, U.S. Gypsum and other companies.

Hiring an experienced Texas mesothelioma lawyer can make a significant difference in your case. Attorneys with proven experience in Texas courts can help you meet legal deadlines, navigate state laws and maximize compensation for medical costs, lost income and family support.

Nationwide Asbestos Law Firms Helping Clients in Texas 

Nationwide asbestos law firms have licensed attorneys based in Texas cities like Houston and Dallas, allowing them to meet clients locally while leveraging nationwide experience. These firms provide vital legal support to clients in Texas, combining extensive resources with knowledge of complex asbestos litigation. 

Leading firms such as Simmons Hanly Conroy, Weitz & Luxenberg and Cooney & Conway are recognized for their success in securing substantial verdicts and settlements for Texans. For example, Simmons Hanly Conroy has recovered more than $1 billion nationwide and maintains a strong presence in Texas courts.

These firms understand Texas’s challenging legal environment, where courts often favor asbestos defendants. They carefully evaluate the best jurisdiction for filing claims to maximize compensation. Their attorneys handle all aspects of litigation and trust fund claims, meet deadlines and focus on securing full financial recovery for medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering.

Compensation From Asbestos Filings in Texas

Asbestos verdicts in Texas vary widely and reflect the unique circumstances of each case. Texas juries have ordered companies to pay significant mesothelioma compensation to Texas residents.

Notable Texas Settlements, Verdicts or Trust Funds

• $130 Million: A jury in Orange, Texas, awarded these damages in 2001 to 5 plaintiffs who developed asbestos-related diseases after exposure to NARCO and Dresser’s asbestos products. All 5 plaintiffs were exposed while employed at a U.S. Pipe plant in another state.
• $11.6 Million: A Texas jury awarded these damages in 2002 to a man who developed mesothelioma after working with the Georgia-Pacific drywall joint compound at Knox Glass Company.
• $11 Million: A Dallas jury awarded these damages in 2013 to a painter who developed mesothelioma after working with asbestos products during the construction of malls, skyscrapers and homes.
• $9 Million: A Dallas jury awarded these damages in 2011 to the widow of a refinery worker who developed mesothelioma after working with asbestos insulation as a contract employee for Dow Chemical.
• $8.4 Million: A Dallas County jury awarded these damages in 2012 to the estate of a Dow Chemical refinery worker who developed mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos-containing pipes.

In addition to a jury verdict, nationwide asbestos firms are known to get asbestos settlements worth more than $1 million for their clients. They can also secure 6-figure payouts from asbestos trust funds.

How Does an Asbestos Lawyer Handle Your Claim in Texas

An asbestos lawyer in Texas guides you through each step of filing a mesothelioma claim. They’ll make this complex process manageable for you and your family.  Your lawyer will focus on maximizing compensation while you can focus on your health and family. 

Steps to a Mesothelioma Claim

1. Initial Consultation and Case Review: Your lawyer reviews your medical records, diagnosis and asbestos exposure history. They’ll tailor a legal strategy based on your individual case that meets all of Texas’s specific laws and timelines.
2. Evidence Gathering: Your attorney collects essential documentation, including medical reports, employment history showing exposure sites like the former vermiculite processing facility in Dallas, witness statements and expert opinions. This evidence links your mesothelioma diagnosis to asbestos exposure, supporting your claim.
3. Filing the Claim: Your lawyer prepares and files your lawsuit in the correct jurisdiction or submits asbestos trust fund claims. Texas has a strict 2-year statute of limitations from diagnosis, making timely filing critical.
4. Discovery Phase: Both sides exchange information, conduct depositions and collect further evidence. Your attorney manages this phase carefully to strengthen your case.
5. Negotiation or Trial: Your lawyer will negotiate a settlement on your behalf that covers medical bills, lost income and other damages. Most cases settle out of court. If no fair settlement is offered, your case may go to trial and your Texas lawyer will litigate for you.
6. Ongoing Support: Throughout the process, your Texas mesothelioma lawyer will keep you updated, empowering you to make informed decisions about settlements and litigation.

Texans diagnosed with mesothelioma have clear support from experienced attorneys, who guide them step-by-step through the legal process. With knowledgeable legal help, clients can confidently pursue justice and compensation.

Asbestos Exposure in Texas

Texas has 6 naturally occurring asbestos deposits, but most asbestos exposure in the state has happened in occupational settings. Asbestos use was prevalent among companies in Texas during the 20th century to insulate equipment. Texas refineries, including Texaco Oil and Gulf Oil, used asbestos to prevent dangerous fires. 

Sites Known for Asbestos Exposure

• Oil Refineries: Oil and chemical refineries provide jobs to thousands of people in Texas, but these occupations can be dangerous because they require constant exposure to high-intensity heat. Because of its heat-resistant qualities, asbestos was used as an insulating material and a fire retardant. 
• Old Buildings: Asbestos construction materials pose risks in buildings constructed before the 1980s. In May 2021, about 115 firefighters responded to a fire at a warehouse in Austin, Texas, with asbestos-containing materials. The firefighters later received X-rays as a precautionary measure to document their lung health in case they developed asbestos-related diseases.
• Schools: Asbestos materials were used in schools across the U.S. Many schools in Texas contain asbestos that must be contained or removed. For example, in January 2019, construction at 2 Tyler High and Tyler Legacy High was stalled because of asbestos floor tiles. The school district hired a professional asbestos abatement company to remove the contaminated tiles before construction continued safely.
• Shipyards: Shipyard workers and crews are occupations known to have a high risk for asbestos exposure because the material was widely used until the 1980s. Asbestos was used as a fire retardant and was also often used to coat pipes and boilers in engine rooms.
• Vermiculite Processing: The W.R. Grace & Company/Texas Vermiculite site in Dallas imported asbestos-contaminated vermiculite until 1992. Working at or living near vermiculite plants puts people at risk of asbestos exposure.

Chemical companies, like Texas Chemical, Lyondell Chemical and Chevron Phillips Chemical, used asbestos for its resistance to heat and corrosion. Shipyards in Texas, including Bethlehem Shipping Company, Gulfport Shipping Company and Todd Shipping Company, used asbestos products to make ships.

Texans’ exposure to this toxic, fire-resistant mineral resulted in thousands of asbestos-related deaths from mesothelioma and asbestosis. In 2022, the most recent year for which CDC data is available, there were 191 new mesothelioma cases reported in Texas. The mesothelioma incidence rate was 0.60 per 100,000 people.

AMFELS Shipyard

The AMFELS Shipyard in Brownsville, Texas, opened in 1971 and is known for building and repairing commercial vessels like barges and oil rigs. Asbestos was widely used there, especially for insulation and fireproofing, exposing workers to serious health risks often without protective gear.

Many workers and their families became ill because of this asbestos exposure, leading to lawsuits and regulatory fines, including an OSHA citation in 2018. Despite tighter regulations now, the shipyard’s ongoing repairs of older vessels still pose asbestos risks, making AMFELS one of Texas’s most significant asbestos exposure sites.​

Occupational Asbestos Exposure in Texas

Most Texans diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos on the job. They worked in oil refineries, steel mills, foundries, chemical plants, automobile factories and petrochemical industries. Veterans are at a uniquely high risk of asbestos exposure. The U.S. armed forces used many types of asbestos products in every branch of the military. 

Higher-Risk Occupations in Texas

• Chemical plant workers
• Construction workers
• Insulation installers
• Manufacturing plant workers
• Metal workers
• Military service members
• Oil refinery workers
• Power plant workers
• Shipbuilders

Texas native and peritoneal mesothelioma survivor Chris Shelton spent 30 years in the pipeline industry operating heavy equipment. He was also part of the recovery efforts in New York City following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He told us he’s anxious to return to work, “I’m a working guy,” Shelton said. “My family is important, but I’m not used to being home, scaling back. That’s why it’s hard for me to lay around and just rest when I know I should be working still.”

Workers’ families are also at risk of secondary exposure when loved ones come home with microscopic asbestos fibers on their clothes, workboots, skin and hair. These fibers can be transferred when hugging, handling laundry or on upholstery and carpets in the home. Some people were also exposed living near work sites with asbestos in the air.

How Your Lawyer Supports You in Texas’s Changing Asbestos Litigation

In Texas, asbestos litigation is continually adapting to new legal challenges and changing regulations in 2025. Lawyers proactively monitor updates such as stricter filing standards, enhanced compliance requirements and evolving court procedures to ensure claims meet current legal benchmarks. These adjustments demand detailed medical records, expert testimony and thorough preparation.

Texas Legislative Changes

• House Bill 1325: Allowed previously dismissed unimpaired asbestos plaintiffs to re-file if diagnosed later, reinstating cases without penalty.
• House Bill 1492: The Texas Asbestos Trust Transparency Law requires plaintiffs to disclose all asbestos trust fund claims before trial, including payment amounts and claim details. This addresses “inconsistent claiming,” where plaintiffs withheld trust claims from litigation defendants to gain an unfair advantage.
• Senate Bill 15: Established medical criteria requiring that plaintiffs prove actual asbestos-caused illness or impairment before filing lawsuits. It ended the “bundling” of thousands of claims and moved unimpaired plaintiffs’ cases to inactive dockets, allowing only seriously ill victims to pursue expedited claims.

Experienced attorneys also assist clients in navigating tactics defendants use, including bankruptcy maneuvers like the “Texas Two-Step,” which can complicate claim resolution. By staying informed and agile, Texas mesothelioma lawyers help clients access all available compensation routes, from lawsuits to trust fund claims, despite a complex, often defendant-friendly environment. Their support ensures clients’ cases remain strong and well-positioned for success despite ongoing litigation shifts.​

Recommended Reading