Massachusetts Mesothelioma Lawyers

Finding and Choosing a Massachusetts Mesothelioma Lawyer

Finding the right mesothelioma lawyer in Massachusetts starts with looking for firms that specialize in asbestos cases and have a proven track record in the state. Massachusetts ranks No. 13 nationally for mesothelioma cases and No. 11 for mesothelioma deaths according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making it essential to work with attorneys who understand how local courts handle these claims.

For people with mesothelioma, working with an experienced Massachusetts mesothelioma attorney is crucial. These lawyers know the state’s asbestos laws and understand how local courts and juries handle cases in counties like Suffolk, Middlesex and Essex. Choose an attorney who offers free consultations, works on contingency and can demonstrate successful outcomes in cases similar to yours.

Local mesothelioma lawyers bring valuable knowledge about job sites and industries where asbestos exposure occurred in Massachusetts. They can build strong claims based on this knowledge, which increases the chances of securing financial help. Law firms such as Simmons Hanly Conroy have an office in Chestnut Hill and have won millions in compensation for local clients. For example, Simmons Hanly Conroy helped a U.S. Navy veteran in Marshfield receive a mesothelioma settlement of $4 million.

Nationwide Asbestos Law Firms Helping Clients in Massachusetts 

Several national asbestos law firms serve people in Massachusetts, bringing powerful resources to help families coping with mesothelioma. These firms have decades of experience handling asbestos claims nationwide, including in Massachusetts. They offer access to expert investigators, medical professionals and a vast network of legal experts to build strong cases.

Firms like Weitz & Luxenberg and Nemeroff Law Firm have helped thousands of families across the country and secured millions in compensation for Massachusetts residents. These firms travel to clients at no cost, providing personalized support whether you live in Boston, Salem or farther away. 

Compensation From Asbestos Filings in Massachusetts

Massachusetts plaintiffs have received millions of dollars in mesothelioma compensation from verdicts and settlements. Your Massachusetts asbestos attorney can help you secure financial assistance from legal action to cover medical bills, lost wages and other diagnosis-related expenses.

Notable Massachusetts Settlements, Verdicts or Trust Funds

• $39 Million: In 2024, a Boston jury awarded this verdict to Bryce Zundel’s family over asbestos-contaminated talc used in a medical procedure. He underwent his procedure in 2014 and was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2021.
• $14.4 Million: The Boston Superior Court awarded this amount in 2017 to the families of two workers who became ill because of asbestos insulation projects. The court found New England Insulation guilty of negligence.
• $9.3 Million: Katherine Lydon was awarded this trial verdict in a wrongful death suit against T&N, formerly Turner & Newell, in 2014. Her husband John was a construction supervisor. He’d worked with an asbestos insulation spray for years and developed mesothelioma.

Every mesothelioma case is different. Mesothelioma settlements can range from $1 million to $2 million. Mesothelioma verdicts usually average more, as much as $20.7 million in 2024 according to Mealey’s. Several factors can affect your verdict or settlement amount. Talk to your attorney about any important factors that could affect your claim. 

How Does an Asbestos Lawyer Handle Your Claim in Massachusetts 

A Massachusetts asbestos lawyer takes on the legal work so you can focus on treatment and family. From the initial consultation through settlement or trial, your attorney manages every aspect of building and pursuing your claim.

Steps to a Mesothelioma Claim

1. Initial consultation: Your lawyer reviews your medical records and work history to determine whether you have a valid claim and identifies companies responsible for your asbestos exposure.
2. Filing and investigation: Your lawyer files your claim in the appropriate Massachusetts court and gathers evidence including employment records, medical documentation and company asbestos use histories.
3. Discovery and resolution: Both sides exchange information and conduct depositions to strengthen their cases. Most claims settle during negotiations, but your lawyer prepares for trial to secure maximum compensation if settlement offers fall short.

Your attorney handles court deadlines, legal paperwork and communication with defendants while keeping you informed of progress. This allows you to concentrate on your health and spending time with loved ones rather than navigating complex legal procedures.

Asbestos Exposure in Massachusetts 

Asbestos has a long history in Massachusetts. Residents were exposed to asbestos in textile mills, power plants and auto parts factories. The state’s shipbuilding industry also led to asbestos exposure, which caused many shipyard workers to become ill.

Sites in Massachusetts Known for Asbestos Exposure 

• Blackburn & Union Privileges Superfund Site: W.R. Grace manufactured asbestos automotive parts here and other companies also contaminated the site over the years. The US Environmental Protection Agency, Interior and the State Attorney General’s office and Department of Justice obtained more than $14 million in 2 separate settlements for cleanup.
• Boston Naval Shipyard: One of the country’s most vital shipbuilding facilities, the shipyard employed nearly 50,000 workers to build U.S. Navy ships to serve in World War II.
• Charlestown Navy Yard: Considered a significant source of asbestos exposure, the yard used asbestos for its fireproofing and insulating properties. 
• Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant: In 2024, the state sued the owner of the shuttered facility in Plymouth for violations concerning the handling, shipping, storing and disposal of asbestos-containing materials.

Veterans were also exposed to asbestos in the state, including those who worked in the Navy, on Air Force bases and at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford. Management at the VA hospital was aware of asbestos contamination at the facility for years, but nothing was done to correct the problem, putting veterans and employees at risk.

Asbestos mines once operated in Berkshire County, Salem and Pelham. Older buildings are also a potential source of asbestos exposure from remaining legacy asbestos. Many were constructed with asbestos products and building materials. Schools built before the 1980s likely contain legacy asbestos.

Pleural mesothelioma survivor Joey Barna was diagnosed in 2018. He had worked in the HVAC industry and other jobs where he encountered asbestos.

Fore River Shipyard

The Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts, was one of the largest and most active shipbuilding facilities in the U.S. from its founding in 1883 until its closure in 1986. During its peak years, it employed tens of thousands of workers and produced hundreds of vessels for the U.S. Navy and commercial clients. Like most shipyards, Fore River relied heavily on asbestos for its heat-resistant and fireproof properties. 

Asbestos was used extensively in boilers, turbines, pipes, gaskets, insulation and other ship components.​ From the 1930s through the early 1980s, civilian and military workers alike faced daily asbestos exposure without adequate protection. Many former shipyard workers and Navy veterans later developed mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer decades after exposure. Today, the site is home to the U.S. Naval Shipbuilding Museum and stands as a reminder of the history of asbestos use and its impact on public health. 

Occupational Asbestos Exposure in Massachusetts

Commercial and industrial job sites in Massachusetts used asbestos products to prevent fires, control heat and limit chemical corrosion. Workers who handled or made these products are at risk of developing related diseases much later in life. Certain occupations are considered higher-risk for asbestos exposure.

Higher-Risk Jobs in Massachusetts 

• Asbestos product manufacturing
• Automotive manufacturing
• Chemical production
• Construction
• General manufacturing
• Insulation installation
• Power generation
• Shipbuilding
• Textile mills

Massachusetts will hold companies responsible for secondhand asbestos exposure. Sometimes referred to as “take-home duty,” secondhand exposure can happen when a person who works with asbestos carries home toxic fibers on their clothing, skin or hair. Like primary exposure, secondary exposure can also cause mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. 

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

Massachusetts asbestos laws and litigation continue to evolve, creating new challenges and opportunities for mesothelioma claims. Experienced lawyers track legislative changes that could affect deadlines or evidence standards. For example, they stay informed about recent environmental enforcement actions and stricter regulations on asbestos abatement companies in Massachusetts to protect clients’ rights.

For example, House Bill 1746 aims to reform the state’s statute of repose to better accommodate asbestos-related claims. Massachusetts has a strict 6-year statute of repose. It bars tort claims related to deficiencies in construction projects 6 years after completion or occupancy, even when the injury, such as mesothelioma, develops decades later.

Lawyers also evaluate the strongest jurisdiction to file your claim, considering local court tendencies and potential jury pools. This strategy ensures your case gets the best chance of success, especially in a state with complex asbestos rules and ongoing regulatory changes. Legal teams work to keep your evidence and filings meeting all state requirements.

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