Personal Injury

What You Need to Know About Mesothelioma Lawsuits in Texas

Due to the importation of large amounts of asbestos into the state of Texas throughout the 20th century, thousands of people were exposed to it. Because of this, a lot of people contracted mesothelioma, and Texas continues to see about 3000 mesothelioma diagnoses each year. If you have ever been exposed to asbestos and developed mesothelioma, you will be glad to know there are laws that protect you and you have avenues through which you can get compensation. Below, we will look at some of these laws and what you can do if you have been exposed to asbestos and developed mesothelioma.

Texas Asbestos Laws

Texas has tight regulations on how asbestos can be handled. The laws and regulations cover such issues as how buildings can be demolished and how asbestos can be disposed of.

The Texas Asbestos Health Protection Act is a piece of legislation that regulates the remodeling or demolition of any buildings that contain asbestos. The Act requires that any building owners or construction companies that want to demolish such buildings have them inspected. People who violate this law can be fined $10,000 per day.

The Texas Department of Health must be contacted if any buildings are found to contain asbestos. The department of health works within the Texas Asbestos Health Protection Act and through certified and approved contractors to ensure that such buildings are demolished safely.

Legal Recourse

If you have been exposed to asbestos, the first thing to do is to get a professional diagnosis for mesothelioma. Once you have done this, it is time to get in touch with attorneys in El Paso TX or in the jurisdiction you live in. They will start negotiations with the other party to find out how much you will be compensated. If this fails, they will bring the case to a judge and the court will decide if you have a legitimate case or not.

These cases usually end up in a settlement and go very well for the plaintiff when they have a legitimate diagnosis.

Possible Outcomes

This area of the law can be complicated to navigate because if the case goes to a judge, your lawyers have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were exposed by the party you are suing. Because of this, you will need lawyers who:

  • Have years of experience dealing with mesothelioma cases and lawsuits
  • Know the full history of asbestos exposure in Texas
  • Have a comprehensive understanding of mesothelioma laws in Texas

Once you find the right lawyers, you can either file a wrongful death suit or a personal injury claim. For the best outcome, ensure that you have as many details about the claim as possible on hand so your lawyers have an easier time arguing your case.

Protecting Your Company

If you know that you have a building at a site that is verified to have asbestos, ensure that you take the necessary measures to ensure you are not sued. These include providing protective gear for anyone entering the site as well as placing appropriate warning signs at the site.

Mesothelioma is a serious condition and the good news is that if you have it, there are some legal steps you can take to get a settlement.