Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral once prized for its heat- and fire-resistant properties. For decades it was used heavily in industrial settings, insulation, and construction materials — and disturbed fibers, once inhaled or ingested, can lodge permanently in the lining of the lungs or abdomen. Symptoms often don’t appear until 20 to 50 years after exposure, which is why so many people diagnosed today were exposed on the job long before anyone fully understood the risk.

While the danger of asbestos has been known for decades, it has been used in hundreds of products including adhesives, millboard, automotive materials, cement products, plasters, electrical materials, flooring, roofing, and protective clothing. Anyone working in industries that manufactured these products may have been exposed to asbestos.

Construction workers, shipbuilders, oil refinery workers, automotive assemblers, and members of the military may have worked with materials containing asbestos, exposing themselves to the deadly fibers.

Renovating or demolishing old buildings often releases asbestos that has been safely contained for many years. Recently, it was discovered that workers replacing cables with fiber optic cables for telecommunications companies were exposed to asbestos when dust was released from the protective pipes.

For many years, household products incorporated asbestos because of its heat-resistant properties. It is possible that people could be exposed to asbestos by using these products, particularly if they are in disrepair or are inhaled: slow cookers, hair dryers, baby powder, cigarette filters, attic insulation, and ironing board covers.

Secondary exposure to asbestos is a major cause of mesothelioma. Cases of the wives and children of workers in high-exposure industries, such as Louisiana’s shipyards, developing the disease are not uncommon.

When a diagnosis of mesothelioma is received, it is vital that a connection be made to the exposure event. Our Louisiana mesothelioma and asbestos expsoure attorneys will conduct the necessary investigation to determine the origin of your exposure to asbestos.

Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases often take years and even decades to appear. Louisiana law allows the exposure victim and his family to pursue the manufacturers, employers, and suppliers responsible, even if the exposure happened many years ago. Compensation can include:

Diagnosis, treatment, specialists, and ongoing care for a mesothelioma or asbestos-related diagnosis.

Income lost because you’re too sick to work, both now and going forward.

Money for the physical and emotional toll of a serious, often terminal, diagnosis and the long-term pain and suffering that a mesothelioma diagnosis causes the victim.

Compensation for the activities, relationships, and milestones your illness has taken from you.

If you lost a loved one to mesothelioma or asbestos exposure, surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for their loss.

The value of your damages will be determined by examining evidence of how the disease has affected your life, your family, and your livelihood. Medical records proving the extent and seriousness of the disease will also be examined. A mesothelioma attorney from Neblett, Beard & Arsenault has experience arguing these cases and will fight to get you the maximum possible settlement for your losses by exploring the following options:

• Settling with the company liable for your damages.
• Accessing a mesothelioma trust fund if your former employer is now bankrupt.
• Taking the case to trial and receiving a jury award.
• Applying for veterans disability benefits.

While many former Louisiana companies responsible for exposing workers to asbestos went bankrupt many years ago, there are still sources of compensation available to victims. It is important we fight for this recovery to help with your high medical costs, future expenses, and the financial security of your family. There are approximately 60 trust accounts holding billions in funds to compensate victims of mesothelioma. However, it is vital that you act quickly to pursue a claim.

Our attorneys will help you determine the best course of action for your particular case. Our Louisiana mesothelioma attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so there is no expense to you if you choose Neblett, Beard & Arsenault to handle your mesothelioma lawsuit claim until your case is settled.

Whether you were just diagnosed, you’ve known for a while, or you suspect that past exposure may be causing your current ailments, these steps protect your health and your case:

Confirm your diagnosis with a specialist and get a clear picture of your treatment plan. Your medical records will be central to your case.

Think through every job, job site, or product that may have exposed you to asbestos, even decades ago. Old employment records, pay stubs, or coworkers can help fill in the gaps.

Louisiana has strict deadlines for filing these claims, and they can be shorter than you’d expect for a diagnosis with a long latency period.

Asbestos cases often involve multiple companies and years of exposure history. We know how to investigate that history and build a case that holds every responsible party accountable.

Our Attorneys have decades of experience holding manufacturers, employers, and suppliers accountable for asbestos exposure across Louisiana. We know how to use every tool the law gives us to get you the maximum compensation. See the entire team.

Richard J. Arsenault

Michael S. Koch

Wesley J. Gralapp

Asbestos cases can involve companies that no longer exist, went bankrupt, or spent decades hiding the risks from asbestos exposure at a job site. Untangling that history takes real experience. We’ve spent over 40 years learning how to build these cases and win them for Louisiana families going through a devastating experience.

We’ve recovered over $10 billion for Our Clients by building cases that win. In asbestos and mesothelioma cases, that means identifying every company responsible for your exposure — not just the most obvious one — and pursuing every avenue available to make sure you walk away fully compensated. Through our experience, work ethic, commitment, and dedication, we are able to obtain maximum results.

A mesothelioma diagnosis is devastating for you and your family. You’re dealing with treatment, uncertainty, and the inability to continue working. We treat you like family, handle the legal fight, and make sure the companies responsible are held fully accountable.

Common Questions About Louisiana Mesothelioma and Asbestos Cases

I was exposed decades ago. Can I still file a claim?
Yes, in many cases. Louisiana law may allow the clock to start running from your diagnosis, not from the date of exposure. We’ll review your specific timeline to confirm. It is important you contact us as soon as possible to begin investigating your claim and determining the best course of action for recovery.

The company that exposed me is out of business. Do I still have a case?
Often, yes. Many companies responsible for asbestos exposure have set up trusts specifically to compensate victims, even after going out of business or filing for bankruptcy. There are approximately 60 trust accounts holding billions in funds to compensate victims of mesothelioma.

Can I file a claim on behalf of a family member who passed away?
Yes. Surviving family members can often bring a wrongful death claim if a loved one died from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness. Louisiana also allows loved ones to bring a claim for the victim’s pain and suffering while he was living. A diagnosis of mesothelioma often brings years of treatment, painful suffering, and an emotional toll on both the victim and the family. We have experience finding every available means of recovery for this ordeal.

Do I have to pay you upfront?
No. We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless you win your case, and our fees come out of that settlement or judgment amount.

How do you figure out where I was exposed?
We investigate your full work and residential history, including job sites, products used, and coworkers who may remember the same conditions. We engage in discovery, seeking employment records and communications from past employers. We interview witnesses and we often work with experts to connect the dots from exposure to diagnosis. These are complicated claims, and you need attorneys with experience in complex injury and exposure cases.