01. Nevada Law Firms
Top Mesothelioma Law Firms in Nevada
Nevada residents and workers harmed by asbestos exposure have legal help available. Experienced lawyers at mesothelioma law firms represent Nevadans through the entire legal process. They can file lawsuits and claims on behalf of their clients. Mesothelioma compensation can help cover medical bills and lost income.
The following law firms can help Nevadans seek compensation:
Experienced mesothelioma lawyers have the resources to research clients’ cases thoroughly. This research can help them find possible sources of exposure and build strong cases.
Mesothelioma lawyers also understand asbestos laws across the country. Their knowledge of states’ laws helps them determine which state to file in to provide the best outcomes for their clients.
Lawyers at asbestos law firms can also travel to their clients to make the process easy and convenient. This allows the patient to focus on treatment.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
02. Filing Lawsuits in Nevada
Filing Mesothelioma Lawsuits in Nevada
Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit in Nevada starts with contacting an experienced lawyer. Lawyers can work to find where victims may have been exposed to asbestos. Once lawyers have identified potentially responsible asbestos companies, they can file against them.
Nevada is home to a number of industries that have historically used asbestos products. For example, the construction, mining and utilities industries often relied on asbestos because of its durability and heat resistance. In Nevada, these industries combined employ nearly 140,000 people.
Asbestos exposure can lead to a person developing mesothelioma. Nevada had approximately 465 new cases of the disease between 1999 and 2020. The state recorded 383 deaths from mesothelioma during that time.
Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Nevada?
Nevada residents and workers who develop an illness after asbestos exposure may be eligible to file mesothelioma lawsuits. Family members may also qualify for filing after the death of a loved one.
Nevada has many potential sources for asbestos exposure. Nevadans have been exposed to asbestos at work, home and school. Common sources of asbestos exposure in Nevada include:
- Air Force bases: Veterans may have been exposed to asbestos at Air Force bases. Creech Air Force Base and Nellis Air Force Base contained asbestos construction materials.
- Asbestos company facilities: Several notable asbestos companies operated facilities in Nevada. These include Johns-Manville, Owens-Corning Fiberglas, Eagle Picher Industries Inc. and The Flintkote Company.
- Old commercial buildings: Buildings constructed before 1980 likely contained asbestos products. Some of those buildings may still have asbestos in them. For example, in 2004, the Vagabond Inn and Tam O’Shanter Motel on the Las Vegas Strip underwent a 19-day asbestos removal and demolition process. These buildings were constructed in the 1950s.
Manufacturing is also one of the fastest-growing industries in the state, with a growth rate of 9.1%. One notable manufacturing company is Olin Chemicals. The company has a manufacturing plant in Henderson, Nevada. Workers at this asbestos jobsite have used electrolysis diaphragms that contain asbestos to produce chlor-alkali.
Nevada residents from the following cities have filed asbestos lawsuits:
- Eureka, NV
- Henderson, NV
- Las Vegas, NV
- Reno, NV
- Sparks, NV
- Spring Creek, NV
Deadlines for Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Nevada
Nevada has laws called the statutes of limitations that set time frames to file lawsuits. Mesothelioma lawyers can explain how asbestos statutes of limitations affect clients.
Nevada’s statutes of limitations cover filing personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits.
Mesothelioma patients may have other options in addition to lawsuits. For example, mesothelioma victims may be eligible to file asbestos trust fund claims. Many asbestos companies start these trusts as part of bankruptcy proceedings.
Asbestos law firms can also help veterans with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims. VA benefits may also be available to family members after a veteran dies from mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma lawyers can explain other available options.
03. Nevada Settlements & Verdicts
Mesothelioma Settlements in Nevada
Sometimes, lawsuits settle outside of court. Asbestos companies may make mesothelioma settlements with people sickened by their asbestos products. A settlement may help avoid a trial.
In Nevada, some settlements have reached millions of dollars. Patients and their families can use mesothelioma compensation in many ways. It can help cover medical expenses and lost income.
Some notable Nevada mesothelioma settlements include:
- $11.9 million for a 65-year-old union pipefitter and at-home mechanic
- $3.9 million for a 62-year-old electrician
- $3.8 million for a 72-year-old construction worker and mechanic
- $3.5 million for a 56-year-old Merchant Marine, longshoreman and warehouse worker
- $3.2 million for a 59-year-old inspector with secondary exposure
- $3.2 million for a 72-year-old contractor and carpenter
- $2.9 million for an 85-year-old Army veteran and electrician
- $2.2 million for an 85-year-old Air Force veteran and home renovator
- $1.9 million for a 72-year-old Navy veteran and boiler technician
Mesothelioma lawyers can find the best compensation options for their clients.
Mesothelioma Verdicts in Nevada
Some mesothelioma lawsuits end with a judge or jury making a decision called a verdict. On average, mesothelioma verdicts result in higher compensation than settlements.
In 2021, a jury awarded $15.6 million to a man who spent 50 years as an electrician. The man often sanded and filed plastic housings manufactured by Eaton Corporation. He was not aware the housings had asbestos. The case found the company at fault for not warning product users of the dangers of asbestos.
Note: Each lawsuit is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in the future. Contact a reputable Nevada mesothelioma lawyer to understand how much compensation you may be eligible to receive.
04. Asbestos Laws in Nevada
Nevada Asbestos Laws & Regulations
Nevada has various state asbestos regulations and follows federal regulations. State codes set which agencies oversee Nevada’s asbestos laws.
Nevada established the following agencies to handle asbestos oversight:
- Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (DEP): The DEP administers rules on the disposal of asbestos and asbestos-containing products. The DEP also manages asbestos handling, record-keeping and transportation.
- Nevada Division of Industrial Relations (DIR): The DIR administers the rules for licensing asbestos workers. Additionally, the DIR establishes and enforces new certification, licensing and inspection laws.
These organizations and regulations protect Nevada residents and workers.
Nevada Laws Affecting Asbestos Litigation
Some Nevada laws may have a direct impact on asbestos lawsuits. These laws affect the following:
- Assignment of fault: An asbestos company may be held negligent for several reasons, but a court may also find the mesothelioma victim (plaintiff) partially negligent. Plaintiffs found more than 50% negligent in causing their injuries cannot recover any damages.
- Punitive damages: Punitive damages are monies awarded in addition to those given to compensate victims for their injuries. They are designed to punish companies for bad behavior. Nevada limits punitive damages to no more than three times the amount awarded to compensate a victim for their injuries. However, certain exceptions to this rule may apply in asbestos cases.
A mesothelioma lawyer can explain how these laws may affect an individual case.