Contact an experienced Virginia mesothelioma lawyer to discuss your legal options if you have an asbestos illness like mesothelioma. In Virginia, past asbestos exposure was so significant that the state currently ranks in the top 10 among all states for the most asbestos-related deaths.
If you have mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible for significant compensation. Currently, there is over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds set up for those who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness. Fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the top mesothelioma lawyers in Virginia, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and more.
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Info on law firms that will recover your HIGHEST COMPENSATION
We are pleased to offer assistance to asbestos victims and their families in all areas of Virginia, including:
Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Arlington, Richmond, Newport News, Alexandria, Hampton, Roanoke, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Lynchburg, Centreville, Dale, Reston, Harrisonburg, McLean, Tuckahoe, Leesburg, Ashburn, Charlottesville, Lake Ridge, Burke, Blacksburg, Danville, Annandale, Linton Hall, Manassas, Marumsco, Mechanicsville, Oakton, Petersburg, Fair Oaks, Springfield, West Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Winchester, Sterling, Cave Spring, Salem, Short Pump, Lincolnia, Herndon, Staunton, Bailey’s Crossroads, South Riding, Fairfax, Chester, West Springfield, Hopewell, Chantilly, Christiansburg, Tysons Corner, Waynesboro, McNair, Woodlawn Cdp, Cherry Hill, Franklin Farm, Montclair, Lorton, Franconia, Rose Hill Cdp, Meadowbrook, Idylwood, Burke, Centre, Colonial Heights, Bristol, Radford, Culpeper, Fort Hunt, Sudley, Wolf Trap, Buckhall, Vienna, Great Falls, Manassas Park, Highland Springs, Bon Air, Laurel, Hybla, Valley Glen, Allen, Merrifield, Williamsburg, Kingstowne, Front Royal, Hollins, Groveton, East Highland Park, Bull Run, Kings Park, West Martinsville, Newington, Brandermill, Falls Church, Timberlake, Neabsco, Mount Vernon, Newington Forest, Cascades, Broadlands, and more.
Virginia Asbestos Statistics
Between 1999 and 2017, there were 8,095 deaths of Virginia residents from asbestos-related causes.
This number puts Virginia in the top ten states for asbestos deaths.
Of those deaths, 1,455 were caused by mesothelioma.
Newport News has the most asbestos-related deaths in the state, followed closely by Hampton and Virginia Beach.
About Mesothelioma and Asbestos
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer with one known cause: asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma takes a few forms. The most common is pleural mesothelioma, cancer of the tissue lining the lungs. It causes symptoms like shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pains.
Less common is peritoneal mesothelioma, which grows in tissue in the abdomen. It causes symptoms such as abdominal pain and swelling and gastrointestinal issues.
People are exposed to asbestos when the material sheds tiny fibers that can be inhaled or ingested. Once inside the body, these fibers damage cells and tissue and trigger inflammation or scarring. Some people exposed to asbestos develop mesothelioma or other illnesses decades later.
Get a Free Consultation with a Virginia Mesothelioma Lawyer
If you have mesothelioma, you are entitled to seek compensation. Mesothelioma is almost always caused by negligent asbestos exposure, and the companies responsible can be held accountable.
Top Virginia asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers are your best advocates in making a claim. They have the experience, expertise, and resources necessary for the best outcome.
Reputable asbestos law firms always offer free initial consultations, so don’t hesitate to reach out. They will review your case, answer your questions, and explain your legal options. There is no fee or obligation to take this step.
How a Mesothelioma Lawyer Can Assist Victims of Asbestos Exposure in Virginia
Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis is life-altering, impacting not just the individual but their entire family. Although financial compensation cannot heal the emotional and physical pain, a skilled mesothelioma lawyer in Virginia can play a crucial role in alleviating financial stress and helping victims focus on their recovery and loved ones.
Comprehensive Legal Support
Mesothelioma attorneys offer extensive support, managing every phase of the legal journey. From investigating exposure history to filing a lawsuit, they handle the complexities, ensuring victims and their families do not have to navigate the process alone.
Contingency Fee Basis
One comforting aspect is that many mesothelioma lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis. This means they only receive payment if the case concludes successfully with compensation for the client, allowing victims to pursue justice without upfront costs.
Personalized Approach
Attorneys in Virginia often travel to meet clients at a location that suits them best, whether at home or another convenient venue. This personal touch ensures that legal processes are as stress-free as possible, while also respecting the victim’s comfort and health.
In summation, mesothelioma lawyers provide essential assistance by simplifying legal proceedings, offering financial relief options, and delivering personalized attention. These services enable victims to concentrate on their health and family while experts handle the pursuit of justice and compensation.
Past Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts in Virginia
In Virginia, there have been significant settlements and verdicts for families affected by mesothelioma, providing financial relief for medical expenses and offering a measure of accountability. Here’s a glimpse into some notable cases:
$4 Million for a mechanic in Gloucester Point demonstrates the potential compensation for occupational asbestos exposure.
$3.84 Million awarded to a sand blaster and tile installer in Hampton reflects the serious impact of this dangerous disease.
$3.59 Million was secured for a union pipefitter and U.S. Navy veteran from Richmond, underscoring the risks faced by veterans and industrial workers.
Other Significant Settlements Include:
$2.96 million for a production division chief in Charlottesville.
$2.74 million awarded to a bricklayer and cement finisher in Fincastle.
$2.69 million for a union millwright in Chesterfield diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma.
$1.94 million to a pipefitter and inspector from Abingdon.
$2.82 million for a U.S. Navy veteran and salesman based in Stephens City.
$2.68 million given to a metal worker from Monroe dealing with pleural mesothelioma.
$1.86 million for a mechanic and U.S. Air Force veteran in Richmond.
$2.81 million to a railroad worker in Goode.
$2.52 million for a U.S. Army veteran and exterminator from Fairfax.
$1.79 million awarded to a pipe coverer and insulator in Spring Grove.
These figures reflect individual circumstances, highlighting the influence of factors like exposure history, age, and diagnosis on settlement outcomes. Each case tells a unique story, contributing to the ongoing fight against mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions.
Understanding the Contingency Fee Structure for Mesothelioma Lawyers
When considering legal representation for a mesothelioma case, you might wonder how lawyers are compensated, especially if upfront costs are a concern. This is where the contingency fee structure comes into play—a system built to ease the financial burden on clients.
No Upfront Costs
One of the biggest advantages of this structure is that you don’t pay any initial fees. This means you can hire a lawyer without worrying about out-of-pocket expenses at the start of your case.
Payment Upon Success
Lawyers working on a contingency fee basis are only paid if they succeed in winning compensation for you. Their payment is a pre-agreed percentage of the settlement or award. This aligns your lawyer’s incentives with your own, as they are motivated to secure the highest possible compensation.
Financial Relief
Clients can pursue justice and potential compensation without financial risk. If the case is unsuccessful, you generally owe nothing for legal fees, minimizing your financial exposure.
By employing this structure, mesothelioma lawyers make legal representation accessible to more individuals, ensuring that their focus is on your case’s success.
How Do I File a Mesothelioma Claim in Virginia?
The first step in filing a claim is to find and work with an experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorney. An asbestos law firm can help you file one or more of the following:
Mesothelioma Personal Injury Lawsuit. Mesothelioma is often considered a personal injury because asbestos exposure is typically negligent. Most asbestos lawsuits end in settlements but occasionally go to trial.
Asbestos Trust Fund Claim. If the companies that exposed you to asbestos went bankrupt, you cannot sue them. You could be eligible for a claim with an asbestos trust fund. Your lawyer can find all trusts you are eligible for.
VA Benefits Claim. If you can connect your mesothelioma to asbestos exposure during military service, a lawyer can help you claim VA benefits. These include monthly disability compensation.
Where Was I Exposed to Asbestos in Virginia?
There are many possible ways you could have been exposed to asbestos. Workplace exposure is the most common cause of mesothelioma in any state. These are some examples of locations in Virginia where asbestos put workers at risk.
According to the Political Economy Research Institute of the University of Massachusetts (UMASS), DuPont once produced the largest amount of pollution in the United States.
DuPont’s largest plant, located in Richmond, Virginia, exposed its workers to asbestos and put residents in danger.
The use of asbestos went on from the 1930s until 1980. Consequently, in 2010, during a lawsuit, a representative of DuPont admitted that the company used asbestos in pipes, burners, boilers, tanks, ovens, and furnaces for decades.
Several employees filed lawsuits throughout the years before the 2010 lawsuit after they became ill. In fact, one victim who lost his case died of mesothelioma in 2008.
Most already suspected asbestos was the culprit, but the company initially denied the allegations despite evidence dating back to the 1930s.
DuPont didn’t inform its employees even after asbestos was found to be harmful. Other victims could settle out of court, while some ended up going to trial.
In 2011, a judge granted a new trial to the man who died in 2008.
Mining and Asbestos
Mining is a major industry in Virginia. Coal mining is the largest sector of the industry. Miners could be exposed to asbestos in equipment.
Virginia also has natural deposits of asbestos, although they are not mined. Natural deposits can potentially be harmful when disturbed. Development, roadbuilding, natural disasters, and mining other substances can inadvertently release asbestos fibers that harm workers and nearby residents.
There is one vermiculite mine in Virginia. Vermiculite deposits are often contaminated with asbestos. A safety assessment conducted in 2000 found that Viriginia’s vermiculite mine does contain contaminating asbestos. The mine put workers and residents at risk of exposure.
Asbestos in Virginia Shipyards
With an extensive coastline, the maritime industry has always been important in Virginia. Both civilian shipyards and U.S. Navy installations have exposed workers to asbestos in the past.
Shipbuilding is one of the industries that most heavily used asbestos. During the middle of the 20th century, ships were constructed with hundreds of asbestos-containing materials and components.
Anyone who worked in a Virginia shipyard, building, repairing, maintaining, or just working around ships, could have been exposed to asbestos. U.S. Navy veterans have very high rates of asbestos because of the heavy use of it in ships.
Surry Power Station, Isle of Wight, Virginia
Another company known for asbestos is Surry Power Station. The company put workers at risk when they were sent to repair a nuclear power plant.
Even though safety officials for the power station assured the workers they wouldn’t be exposed to asbestos, tons of fibers permeated the air when they torched old pipes.
Although the amount of asbestos is not known, at least a dozen workers were reported to have asbestos all over their clothes.
Other Job Sites in Virginia Associated with Asbestos
There are many other examples of workplaces in Virginia that put workers at risk of asbestos exposure:
Chemical Plants
Allied Chemical Corporation, Chesterfield
General Chemical Company, Fort Royal
Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation, Pulaski
Power Companies
Virginia Electric and Power, Amoco and Surry
Bremo Bluff Power Station, Bremo Bluff
Dominion Virginia Power, Bremo Bluff and Dominion
Appalachian Electric Power Company, Carbo, Glen Lyn, and Narrows
Chesterfield Power Station, Chesterfield
Dutch Gap Power Plant, Chesterfield
Possum Point Power Station, Dumfries
American Electric Power Company, Glen Lyn
Hercules Power Company, Peppers
Paper Mills
Georgia Pacific-Big Island Paper Mill, Big Island
Owens-Illinois Paper Mill, Big Island
Columbian Paper Mill, Bristol
Covington Paper Mill, Covington
Saint Laurent Paper, West Point
Chesapeake Paper Powerhouse, Chesapeake
Westvaco Paper Mill, Covington
West Virginia Pulp and Paper, Covington and Richmond
Shipyards
Lyon Shipyard, Norfolk
Colonna’s Shipyard, Norfolk
Newport News Naval Shipyard, Newport News
Little Creek Naval Base, Norfolk
How a Mesothelioma Law Firm Identifies Asbestos Exposure Sources
When facing a mesothelioma diagnosis, uncovering where asbestos exposure occurred is crucial. A dedicated mesothelioma law firm can assist in this complex process. Here’s how they do it:
Detailed Client Interviews: Attorneys conduct thorough interviews with clients to gather a comprehensive work and residential history. This helps pinpoint potential exposure sites, whether at home or in the workplace.
Investigating Work History: Many cases of asbestos exposure occur at job sites. Legal teams meticulously review the client’s work history, focusing on industries known for asbestos use like construction, shipbuilding, and manufacturing.
Accessing Industry Databases: Law firms utilize specialized databases containing information on companies and job sites with known asbestos use. This data aids in tracing possible exposure sources linked to former places of employment.
Leveraging Expert Networks: Experienced attorneys work with industry experts, including occupational safety specialists and environmental scientists, to analyze potential exposure scenarios and substantiate claims.
Reviewing Medical Records: Medical records and pathology reports are evaluated to support evidence of exposure and link it to potential sources.
Building Historical Context: Historical research is often necessary, as asbestos might have been present decades ago. Discussions with former coworkers or accessing historical site records can uncover vital information.
By systematically piecing together this information, mesothelioma law firms are adept at identifying the origin of asbestos exposure, ultimately helping clients pursue justice and compensation.
Virginia Asbestos Laws
Virginia state laws dictate how asbestos lawsuits can proceed and set safety rules to prevent ongoing asbestos exposure.
Virginia Statute of Limitations for Asbestos Lawsuits
Residents of Virginia who plan to file an asbestos-related lawsuit must adhere to the strictly enforced statute of limitations. The statute of limitations puts a time limit on when you can file a mesothelioma lawsuit:
Personal Injury Lawsuit. The plaintiff must file the case within two years of diagnosis or within two years from when it should have been reasonably diagnosed.
Wrongful Death Lawsuit. For wrongful death lawsuits associated with asbestos, the plaintiff must file within two years of the victim’s death.
Compensation for Secondhand Asbestos Exposure Victims
Most people with mesothelioma were exposed directly at work. Some of those workers inadvertently exposed family members in the home through what is known as secondhand or secondary exposure.
Before they understood the risks of asbestos, many workers carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing. Family members, often wives who laundered their husbands’ work clothes, could have been exposed. Some got sick years later.
Virginia is one of several states that recognizes companies have a take-home duty. Companies are responsible for warning workers and their families of the risks of secondhand exposure. This means secondhand exposure victims can sue, make claims, and seek compensation.
Asbestos Safety Regulations
The Commonwealth of Virginia follows NESHAP federal regulations regarding asbestos removal. The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry administers the regulations.
The state requires that if a space of 10 square feet needs to be cleared of asbestos material, that state will require notification prior to removal.
The state doesn’t require notification if the asbestos is of a non-friable nature, as long as OSHA work procedures are in place.
Any asbestos that is considered friable cannot be used, moved, or disposed of without notifying the state beforehand.
Virginia requires that a permit be held while working around asbestos. The permit must be obtained prior to the work and is given within seven days after the state accepts an asbestos notification form and fee.
For more detailed information on asbestos laws and regulations in Virginia, as well as any asbestos-related concerns or questions, contact the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.
Getting Medical Help in Virginia
If you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, it’s important to seek treatment from physicians and clinics that specialize in these diseases.
Currently, two established cancer centers in Virginia are backed by the National Cancer Institute (NCI):
Massey Cancer Center: Virginia Commonwealth University, 401 College Street, Richmond Virginia, 23298; General Information: 804-828-0450
University of Virginia Cancer Center: 6171 West Complex, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22908; General Information: 434-924-3627
This firm was extremely professional and responsive. If you have any meso questions, I’d highly recommend them.
– Michael L.
Legal Assistance in Virginia
If you or your loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, keep in mind that you may qualify for significant compensation. Remember to fill out our form to get your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers. For additional assistance, contact us at 800-793-4540.
Paul Danziger grew up in Houston, Texas and earned a law degree from Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago. For over 25 years years he has focused on representing mesothelioma cancer victims and others hurt by asbestos exposure. Paul and his law firm have represented thousands of people diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer, recovering significant compensation for injured clients. Every client is extremely important to Paul and he will take every call from clients who want to speak with him. Paul and his law firm handle mesothelioma cases throughout the United States.
Van Gosen, B.S. (2006). Reported Historic Asbestos Mines, Historic Asbestos Prospects, and Natural Asbestos Occurrences in the Eastern United States. U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved from: https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1189/pdf/Plate.pdf
How the Firm Contributes to the Community and Raises Mesothelioma Awareness
Active Support for Clients and Communities
The firm is deeply committed to supporting both their clients and the broader community. Their dedication goes beyond legal representation, extending into community engagement and charitable activities.
Miles for Meso: A Community Initiative
One of the standout initiatives is the Miles for Meso event. Launched in 2009, this nationwide 5K race is designed to raise both funds and awareness for mesothelioma. It serves as a gathering point for those affected by asbestos exposure and their supporters. Notably, these races have taken place in various states, including Virginia, creating a strong sense of community and shared purpose.
embodies hope—hope that through collective fundraising and awareness efforts, effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for mesothelioma can be found. Participants and supporters, like Joyce Larson, whose spouse battles the disease, see this event as a beacon of optimism.
National Impact and Advocacy
To date, the Miles for Meso races have successfully raised more than $925,000 for mesothelioma research and advocacy. This significant contribution underlines the firm’s role as a key national sponsor, continually supporting the quest for improved mesothelioma treatments and awareness. Through these efforts, the firm not only aids individuals directly affected by mesothelioma but also strengthens local communities by fostering involvement and support.
