New Mexico Mesothelioma Lawyer

Asbestos exposure victims and their families seek legal help from trusted New Mexico mesothelioma lawyers. Workplace asbestos exposure in New Mexico has caused many people to get sick from asbestos-related illnesses, such as mesothelioma.

If you or a loved one have been a victim of mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the experienced mesothelioma lawyers in New Mexico, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and more.

We are happy to offer assistance to asbestos victims in all areas of New Mexico, including:

Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, Roswell, Farmington, South Valley, Clovis, Hobbs, Alamogordo, Carlsbad, Gallup, Los Lunas, Sunland Park, Deming, Las Vegas, Chaparral, Portales, Los Alamos, North Valley, Lovington, Artesia, Silver City, Española, Zuni Pueblo, Anthony, Grants, Socorro, Shiprock, Corrales, Bernalillo, Ruidoso, Bloomfield, Belen, Aztec, Raton, Kirtland, Truth or Consequences, Eldorado at Santa Fe, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, Lee Acres, Meadow Lake, Taos, White Rock, Rio Communities, Placitas Cdp, North Hobbs, Tucumcari, Paradise Hills, Los Chaves, El Cerro Mission, Santa Teresa, Bosque Farms, Edgewood, Vado, Peralta, Holloman AFB, University Park, Milan, Sandia Heights, San Felipe Pueblo, Eunice, La Cienega, El Cerro, Tularosa, Chimayo, Clayton, Santa Rosa, Agua Fria, Dulce, Cannon AFB, Ruidoso Downs, West Hammond, Boles Acres, Lordsburg, Crownpoint, Valencia, Santo Domingo Pueblo, Ranchos de Taos, Doña Ana, Navajo, Bayard, San Ysidro Cdp, Pojoaque, Jal, Nambe, La Mesilla, Las Maravillas, Flora Vista, Jarales, Mesilla, Berino, Waterflow, Moriarty, Jemez Pueblo, Sandia Knolls, Questa, Arroyo Seco, Mescalero, Keeler Farm, and more.

How a New Mexico Mesothelioma Lawyer Can Help

If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma, a top New Mexico asbestos attorney can help you get compensation. Asbestos exposure that causes mesothelioma is almost always negligent. Asbestos companies can be held accountable and pay victims.

New Mexico mesothelioma lawyers will take all the steps necessary to get the compensation you deserve:

• Review your case for free and answer important questions
• Explain your legal options for seeking compensation
• Handle all the steps in filing a lawsuit or making a claim
• Work with investigators to find where and when you were exposed to asbestos
• Work with medical experts to connect asbestos exposure to your illness
• Negotiate a settlement
• Maximize your compensation by finding all your expenses
• Litigate in court for a jury award, if necessary
• Offer contingency payment, so you owe nothing until they win

When seeking legal representation, consider connecting with premier law firms in Albuquerque known for their expertise in asbestos litigation. These firms have pioneered significant cases in the area, bringing a wealth of local legal knowledge and a track record of success.

1. Firm Expertise: These firms are adept at navigating intricate case details, ensuring a thorough understanding of both primary exposure cases and those involving secondary victims.
2. Local Advantage: Their intimate familiarity with New Mexico law and local courts provides a strategic edge in litigation. They also possess insights into New Mexico employers who may have exposed workers to asbestos.
3. Proven Success: With a history of successful outcomes, these firms leverage extensive resources and experience to fight for the best results for their clients.

Choose a New Mexico lawyer with proven experience handling and winning asbestos cases. They should be part of a large, nationwide firm with the resources necessary to take your case to a successful conclusion.

In New Mexico, a mesothelioma lawsuit can include a significant number of defendants. There’s no strict limit on how many parties can be named. For instance, one notable case involved a woman who filed against 48 different companies, holding them accountable for her spouse’s lung cancer and eventual passing. This flexibility allows plaintiffs to seek compensation from various entities they believe contributed to asbestos exposure and subsequent illness. Therefore, those pursuing justice in mesothelioma cases have the opportunity to target multiple companies within a single legal action.

Asbestos Litigation in New Mexico

The landscape of asbestos litigation in New Mexico mirrors the experience of many other states across the United States. Individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases have consistently sought legal recourse, aiming to hold employers and manufacturers accountable for their exposure to this harmful substance.

Resolution of Cases

Most asbestos-related legal cases in New Mexico tend to be settled out of court, reducing the number that reach a full trial. However, these cases still have significant outcomes. Often, while the trials may take place in other states, New Mexico laws can still be applied, creating a diverse legal landscape for these proceedings.

Notable Cases

• 2018 Delaware Case: In one significant trial, a Delaware court applied New Mexico law to find a major automotive company strictly liable for not warning about asbestos dangers. Alongside them, other automotive giants were named in the lawsuit, culminating in a monumental financial verdict in favor of a plaintiff who succumbed to mesothelioma.
• 1998 San Francisco Case: Another landmark case involved a New Mexico resident who worked in power plants across Arizona and New Mexico. A San Francisco jury awarded him a notable settlement after he was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma. This included compensation for his spouse’s loss of consortium, reflecting the far-reaching impacts of asbestos exposure.

Legal Flexibility and Multi-Defendant Lawsuits

New Mexico law provides plaintiffs with the flexibility to name multiple defendants within a single lawsuit. This practice is reflected in numerous cases, such as a 2011 lawsuit where a woman sued 48 companies following her spouse’s lung cancer diagnosis and subsequent death. Earlier, in 2003, more than 15 lawsuits targeted a prominent utility company, underscoring the breadth of litigation in the state.

Understanding the Court Exposure Standard for Asbestos Claims in New Mexico

In New Mexico, like many states, asbestos claims are subject to specific legal standards to establish a company’s liability. The central principle is to prove that exposure to a particular company’s asbestos product was significant enough to have contributed to the plaintiff’s illness, such as mesothelioma.

Common Legal Benchmark: The Lohrmann Test

The most frequently applied benchmark in these cases is the Lohrmann test. This legal criterion requires the plaintiff to demonstrate more than just the presence of the asbestos product at the worksite. Here’s what must be proven:

• Substantial Factor: The product must be shown as a substantial factor in causing the condition.
• Frequency and Regularity: Evidence should establish that exposure to the asbestos material was frequent and not merely incidental.
• Duration of Exposure: The contact with the product must be regular and sustained over time.

Simply put, it’s insufficient to claim that the defendant’s product was merely in the vicinity. The claimant must substantiate their case with evidence of a significant interaction with the material.

Navigating the Legal Landscape

For anyone navigating an asbestos claim in New Mexico, it’s crucial to understand these exposure standards. Partnering with a knowledgeable legal expert familiar with state-specific requirements is essential to effectively present a case that can meet these rigorous criteria.

Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in New Mexico

Mesothelioma attorneys in New Mexico can explain all of the options for recovering damages for past asbestos exposure. You could be eligible for one or more of the following:

• Mesothelioma personal injury lawsuit. A common way to seek compensation after asbestos exposure is through a lawsuit. Asbestos illnesses are personal injuries because exposure is usually negligent. Most lawsuits end in a settlement. Only rarely do they go to trial.
• Mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit. If you lost a loved one to mesothelioma, you might be eligible to seek compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.
• Asbestos trust fund claim. Bankrupt asbestos companies typically cannot be sued. However, most of them set up trust funds to compensate future claimants. Your lawyer can determine if you are eligible to make a claim with one or more asbestos trust funds.
• VA benefits claim. If you can connect your asbestos exposure to military service, you are eligible for VA benefits. These include specialist health care and monthly disability compensation.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to a New Mexico asbestos law firm. There are time limits on taking legal action. You should be able to get a free initial consultation, so there is no risk.

To get started, simply fill out the form provided below. This initial consultation is not only free but also confidential, ensuring your privacy is respected. Taking this step is crucial, as it allows you to explore your legal options without any financial obligation.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Locate the Consultation Form: Scroll down to access the form directly on this page.
2. Provide Necessary Details: Fill in your contact information and any relevant details about your case.
3. Submit the Form: Once completed, submit the form to initiate your consultation request.

Remember, taking quick action is important due to the legal time constraints associated with mesothelioma cases. This straightforward process helps you connect with experienced legal professionals who can guide you through your options.

Where Was I Exposed to Asbestos in New Mexico?

Most asbestos exposure occurs in the workplace. These are some of the many places New Mexico residents and workers encountered asbestos.

Naturally-Occurring Asbestos in New Mexico

Most asbestos exposure occurs in the workplace, but in New Mexico, there are many natural deposits of this harmful mineral.

Workers in the state’s mining industry have been put at risk of exposure to asbestos deposits. Mine activities also release fibers that contaminate surrounding areas and put residents at risk.

New Mexico’s mines include five coal mines, many uranium mines, and mines that extract manganese, beryllium, copper, potash, molybdenum, and other minerals.

Workers and residents in the area may be exposed to deposits of asbestos found in these mines through the air, soil, and dust.

Asbestos in the Oil and Natural Gas Industries

New Mexico is a significant producer of oil and natural gas. The U.S. Energy Information Agency (EIA) reports that New Mexico was the sixth-largest oil producer in the nation in 2010.

New Mexico has used oil and natural wells for over a century. Most of the pre-1980 machinery contains insulation components and gaskets made with asbestos materials for fire safety reasons.

Petroleum and gas industry workers have long been at risk for asbestos exposure. They are in the “high-risk” groups prone to develop mesothelioma and other illnesses linked to asbestos.

Mineral Processing

Mineral processing plants in Albuquerque received shipments of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite from the infamous W.R. Grace mines in Libby, Montana:

• Allied American Gypsum Company
• American Gypsum Company/Centex
• Solico Inc./Southwest Vermiculite Company
• Southwest Vermiculite Company

The mine shipped harmful vermiculite around the country for decades. Anyone who worked at the Albuquerque facilities could have been exposed to asbestos. Even residents in the area were at risk.

Asbestos in New Mexico Buildings

Government buildings at the local, state, and federal levels built before 1980 often contain asbestos and cause exposure.

• The U.S. government was one of the largest purchasers of asbestos from such companies as Johns Manville and W.R. Grace.
• Federal agencies such as the Departments of Defense and Justice constructed military bases, law enforcement agency headquarters, housing, and even schools with asbestos in insulation, roofing materials, and floor tiles.
• After the 1970s, the government began using other materials like insulation and fire retardants in new facilities.
• However, many workers in the maintenance and renovation of older buildings were exposed to asbestos. Some of them later developed lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.

Kirtland Air Force Base

Buildings and equipment at Kirtland Air Force Base also contained asbestos and put military and civilian workers at risk. Veterans have high rates of mesothelioma because of how extensively asbestos was used in the military.

The base’s buildings included asbestos in insulation, roofing materials, ceiling tiles, flooring tiles, and more. Vehicles and other equipment also contained asbestos. Anyone who did maintenance or repair work had the highest risk of asbestos exposure.

Asbestos was widely used in military operations due to its heat resistance and durability. Air force bases across New Mexico, including Kirtland, incorporated asbestos in various crucial components. Aircraft mechanics were particularly vulnerable, as asbestos was commonly found in brakes. Additionally, it was used in sealants, piping, and paint, further increasing exposure risks for those involved in construction and maintenance tasks.

The pervasive use of asbestos in these applications underscores the significant health risks faced by military personnel, especially those involved in mechanical and construction roles.

Other New Mexico Workplaces with Asbestos

Power Plants

• Reeves Power Plant, Albuquerque
• Municipal Light Plant, Farmington
• San Juan Power Plant, Farmington
• Four Corners Power Plant, Fruitland
• Lovington Power Plant, Fruitland
• City Power Plant, Gallup
• Chino Mines Power Plant, Hurley
• Los Alamos Power Plant, Los Alamos
• Community Power and Light, Roswell
• New Mexico Light, Heat, and Power, Silver City

Lumber Companies

• Alamogordo Lumber Company, Alamogordo
• Southwest Lumber Company, Alamogordo
• Bates Lumber, Albuquerque
• Apache Lumber, Albuquerque

Schools and Medical Centers

• St. Joseph’s Hospital, Albuquerque
• V.A. Medical Center, Albuquerque
• New Mexico State University, Las Cruces
• Monterrey School, Roswell
• St. Mary’s Hospital, Roswell
• Agua Fria High School, Santa Fe
• Santa Fe General Hospital, Santa Fe
• New Mexico State Teachers College, Silver City
• Alta Vista Middle School, Carlsbad

Refineries and Gas Companies

•  Albuquerque Gas and Electric, Albuquerque
• Navajo Refining, Artesia
• El Paso Natural Gas Company, Gallup
• Plateau Refinery, Farmington
• City of Las Cruces Gas Distribution System, Las Cruces

Government Buildings and Military

• Federal Building- GCA, Albuquerque
• Manuel Lujan Building, Santa Fe
• Holloman Air Force Base, Alamogordo
• Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque
• Walker Air Force Base, Roswell

Definitions of Friable and Regulated Asbestos-Containing Material (RACM)

According to New Mexico’s Environmental Department Air Quality Bureau, the definitions for friable and regulated asbestos-containing material (RACM) are crucial for understanding their handling and regulation.

Friable Asbestos Material

• Characteristics: This type of material contains over 1% asbestos. Identification is done using a method called Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM).
• Properties: When dry, these materials can be easily crumbled or reduced to powder by hand.
• Verification: If initial tests show asbestos content below 10% through methods other than PLM, further verification with PLM point counting is required.

Regulated Asbestos-Containing Material (RACM)

• Inclusions: RACM involves a few different scenarios:
  1. Friable asbestos materials.
  2. Category I nonfriable asbestos that has turned friable.
  3. Category I nonfriable asbestos subjected to processes like sanding, grinding, cutting, or abrading.
  4. Category II nonfriable asbestos likely to be crumbled or made into powder due to forces during demolition or renovation.

Understanding these definitions is essential for safely managing asbestos and ensuring compliance during building works.

New Mexico Asbestos Laws

Several New Mexico laws regulate the handling of existing asbestos. Others dictate how asbestos lawsuits proceed.

Statute of Limitations

• New Mexico has a statute of limitations that must be followed in order to file an asbestos-related lawsuit.
• Under N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2a:14-1 et seq, plaintiffs must file their case within three years of the diagnosis of the asbestos disease.
• Or, it can be filed within three years of when the disease should have been reasonably known.
• For wrongful death cases, plaintiffs must file within three years from the date of the victim’s death.

Asbestos Safety Laws in New Mexico

In New Mexico, asbestos regulations are enforced by several key agencies to ensure public and workplace safety.

The New Mexico Department of Environment, specifically the Air Quality Bureau, takes the lead in enforcing state-level asbestos regulations. This department closely aligns with federal NESHAP rules and regulations. Below are the critical requirements and definitions relevant to asbestos safety:

• Notification Requirements: Before any demolition project begins, notification must be given to the state, regardless of whether asbestos is present. This ensures that all potential hazards are accounted for and managed appropriately.
• Facility Definitions: The regulations apply to various facilities, including public, industrial, and commercial buildings, as well as residential homes, townhomes, and duplexes.
• Renovation Protocols: Notification is required only if the renovation involves over 35 cubic feet, 160 square feet, or 260 linear feet of material. The area slated for renovation or demolition must undergo a thorough asbestos inspection before, during, and after the project.
• On-site Safety: A person trained in working with asbestos must be present on-site at all times to maintain safety standards.
• Legal Compliance: It is against both state and federal laws to conceal asbestos or dispose of it improperly. Asbestos must be securely packaged and clearly labeled during transport and disposal to comply with NESHAP standards.

In addition to the Department of Environment, the New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau plays a crucial role in enforcing workplace safety guidelines related to asbestos. This bureau ensures that safety protocols are followed to protect workers from asbestos exposure during their duties.

By understanding and adhering to these regulations, property owners and contractors in New Mexico can effectively manage asbestos risks and ensure compliance with both state and federal laws.

For more information, contact the New Mexico Department of Environment at 800-224-7009.

Mesothelioma Treatment in New Mexico

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestosis, look for treatment at a facility backed by the National Cancer Institute, as these facilities typically staff specialists in asbestos diseases.

The University of New Mexico (UNM) Cancer Center is a National Cancer Institute-designated facility in Albuquerque that concentrates on various cancers, including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and more.

UNM has 83 board-certified, world-class oncologists experienced in every type of cancer.

Great people. Helped my family through our meso diagnosis.

– Donald H.

Legal Help in New Mexico

Remember, if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may qualify for significant compensation. Don’t forget to fill out our form to get our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area. If you have questions or need assistance, contact us toll-free at 800-793-4540.