01. Mississippi Law Firms
Top Mesothelioma Law Firms in Mississippi
Individuals who have lived or worked in Mississippi and develop asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma can seek legal support from mesothelioma law firms. Lawyers at these firms understand how state asbestos laws impact lawsuit and claim options. They can explain an individual’s legal options and handle the entire litigation process on their behalf.
The following law firms can help people living in Mississippi seek compensation:
Working with a mesothelioma law firm has a number of benefits. Asbestos attorneys are experienced with the nuances of asbestos laws and filing. They can also help clients track down information about employment and exposure history.
Lawyers at these firms have proven records holding asbestos companies accountable for the harm they caused. A mesothelioma law firm can help asbestos victims seek compensation.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02. Filing Lawsuits in Mississippi
Filing Mesothelioma Lawsuits in Mississippi
Mississippi mesothelioma patients and their families may be eligible to file asbestos lawsuits. Because of asbestos use in the state, many residents have been impacted by mesothelioma.
Between 1999 and 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded 457 cases of mesothelioma in Mississippi. During the same time, approximately 378 Mississippians died from the disease. Due to mesothelioma’s long latency period, many of these individuals were likely exposed to asbestos decades earlier.
Mississippi asbestos victims may have been exposed at jobsites, homes, schools and other places. Residents diagnosed with mesothelioma can seek legal advice from experienced attorneys to determine their best options for compensation. These lawyers have won compensation for asbestos victims through mesothelioma settlements and verdicts.
Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Mississippi?
Mississippi residents diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos illness may be eligible to file lawsuits. Additionally, family members may seek compensation if their loved ones pass away after developing mesothelioma.
Many Mississippi residents with mesothelioma may have come into contact with asbestos at state shipyards and industrial sites.
Commercial and Navy vessels have been built, repaired and refurbished at various sites along the Mississippi coast since the 1930s. Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula is one shipyard in the state that is known for asbestos use.
Pipefitters, iron workers and other shipyard personnel may have come into contact with various types of asbestos products while working on watercraft. Navy veterans stationed in Mississippi may have also come into contact with asbestos aboard ships.
Asbestos exposure may also occur in the home and community in general. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, damaging many older homes and buildings on the Mississippi seaboard. The hurricane generated large amounts of asbestos-containing debris. Afterward, homeowners, first responders, cleanup crews and construction workers may have handled asbestos-containing or asbestos-contaminated materials.
Mississippians who lived in the following cities and towns have filed mesothelioma lawsuits to seek compensation from manufacturers and distributors of asbestos and asbestos products:
- Biloxi, MS
- Brandon, MS
- Columbus, MS
- Gulfport, MS
- Hattiesburg, MS
- Jackson, MS
- Lucedale, MS
- Myrtle, MS
- Natchez, MS
- Ocean Springs, MS
- Pascagoula, MS
- Perkinston, MS
- Petal, MS
- Poplarville, MS
- West Point, MS
Deadlines for Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Mississippi
People living in Mississippi may be able to file a lawsuit if affected by an asbestos-related disease. A qualified mesothelioma attorney can help prepare the case and file on behalf of the victim.
Each state has time frames for filing lawsuits, outlined in laws called the statutes of limitations. Depending on the lawsuit type, this timeline generally runs from the date of diagnosis or death. Patients may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit. Family members of deceased patients may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
An experienced mesothelioma attorney can navigate the legal system on behalf of Mississippi asbestos victims. They can help gather important evidence to file a lawsuit against a former employer, product manufacturer or other responsible organization.
Additionally, a Mississippi asbestos attorney may be able to file for additional compensation from other sources, such as asbestos trust funds or veterans benefits.
03. Mississippi Settlements & Verdicts
Mesothelioma Settlements in Mississippi
Victims have won multi-million-dollar settlements in Mississippi. This compensation can help cover medical bills and loss of income. It can also provide security for their loved ones’ future.
Below are a few settlements compensating victims of asbestos exposure in Mississippi:
- $3.2 million for a 69-year-old shipyard worker (Avondale Shipyards) and oil rig worker
- $1.8 million for a 49-year-old union electrician
- $1.5 million for a 62-year-old Air National Guard mechanic and mail carrier
- $1.5 million for a 56-year-old shipyard worker and auto mechanic
- $1.4 million for a 63-year-old Navy veteran (Naval Base San Diego) and boiler operator
- $1.3 million for a 78-year-old asbestos products laborer (Johns-Manville) and welder
- $1.2 million for a 70-year-old Navy veteran and machinist (General Dynamics Electric Boat)
- $1 million for a 70-year-old Army veteran and at-home mechanic
Note: Each lawsuit is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in the future. Contact a reputable Mississippi mesothelioma lawyer to understand how much compensation you may be eligible to receive.
04. Asbestos Laws in Mississippi
Mississippi Asbestos Laws & Regulations
Several federal and state laws apply to the safe handling and removal of asbestos in Mississippi. Federal laws include those established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In addition, Mississippi has state agencies and regulations to manage asbestos projects.
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) oversees certification and training for asbestos projects. Mississippi building owners must notify the MDEQ if they plan to work on buildings with more than a specific amount of asbestos-based material. They also must use licensed asbestos removal contractors whenever they disturb asbestos-containing materials.
Anyone who works with asbestos in Mississippi has to undergo training and obtain a state license. Unlicensed contractors are not allowed to inspect buildings, plan or design asbestos-centric projects or manage renovation sites.
Mississippi Laws Affecting Asbestos Litigation
Mississippi has some specific state laws around asbestos lawsuits. For example, the state adopts the “two disease rule.” Under this rule, an individual who has filed a legal action regarding a non-malignant asbestos disease may file another lawsuit if a malignant disease develops.
A mesothelioma attorney can explain how this law and others may impact a victim’s filing options.
Find Mesothelioma Doctors, Lawyers and Asbestos Exposure Sites Near You
