San Antonio Mesothelioma Lawyer

With the help of experienced San Antonio mesothelioma lawyers, asbestos victims in the city are fighting back and pushing for justice. From military bases to the oil industry, many San Antonio locations exposed residents and workers to asbestos, a dangerous carcinogen that causes mesothelioma and other illnesses.

If you or a loved one suffer from mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may qualify for substantial compensation. Currently, there is over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds, awaiting those who’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos illness. Fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the experienced mesothelioma lawyers in San Antonio, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and more.

San Antonio Asbestos Facts

• Texas has had a high number of asbestos-related deaths, with more than 15,000 between 1999 and 2017.
• The oil industry in the state, and in and around San Antonio, played a big role in asbestos exposure in workers.
• The military, which has a few bases in the city, also used asbestos heavily and put service members and veterans at risk.

About Asbestos and Mesothelioma

Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer. Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was once used heavily in many industries, including several that operated throughout San Antonio.

Most asbestos exposure occurred in the workplace. Asbestos materials shed tiny fibers that workers can inhale or ingest if not using adequate protective gear. When these fibers are inhaled, they can lodge in the mesothelial tissue, which lines the lungs and abdomen. Over a prolonged period, these fibers accumulate, causing irritation and inflammation.

Asbestos fibers cause cell and tissue damage in the body, which can lead to illness decades later in some people. This damage can result in the development of tumors, as the fibers disrupt normal cellular processes and promote cancerous growth. Specifically, asbestos exposure can cause:

• Pleural mesothelioma
• Peritoneal mesothelioma
• Asbestosis
• Lung cancer

Understanding the link between asbestos inhalation and mesothelioma is crucial for prevention and early detection. The fibrous nature of asbestos makes it particularly insidious, as it can remain dormant in the body for years before manifesting as a serious health issue.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a San Antonio attorney can help you recover damages for medical and other expenses.

Understanding Mesothelioma: Symptoms and Effects on Families

Mesothelioma, a severe and often late-diagnosed cancer, primarily results from long-term exposure to asbestos. It typically affects the lining of vital organs like the lungs and, less commonly, the heart. Each year, around 3,000 new cases emerge in the United States, creating ripple effects that extend beyond the patient to their entire family.

Recognizing the Symptoms

For those at risk or already diagnosed, identifying the symptoms early can be challenging. Mesothelioma symptoms often resemble those of less severe illnesses and may manifest decades after exposure, making diagnosis complex. Common symptoms include:

• Persistent Cough: Often dry, this cough can worsen over time.
• Shortness of Breath: Arising from fluid build-up around the lungs.
• Chest and Abdominal Pain: Resulting from tumor pressure.
• Extreme Fatigue: A constant sense of tiredness and low energy.
• Weight Loss: Unexplained and rapid weight reduction.

These symptoms not only deteriorate physical health but also significantly impact mental well-being.

Effects on Patients and Families

The diagnosis of mesothelioma is life-altering. Patients often face rapid health decline soon after diagnosis due to the aggressive nature of the disease. The physical toll is immense, but the emotional and financial stress on families can be equally daunting.

• Emotional Strain: Watching a loved one battle such a formidable disease can be heartbreaking, bringing feelings of helplessness and despair.
• Financial Burden: Medical treatments are expensive, often leading to mounting bills and financial anxiety.
• Lifestyle Changes: Families may need to alter their daily routines to care for the patient, impacting work and social life.

Despite these challenges, families often rally together to support one another, seeking justice and compensation for the negligent asbestos exposure that resulted in this devastating disease. Such claims can ease the financial strain and provide some measure of relief.

In times of such hardship, the strength of family bonds and support networks becomes crucial to navigating these difficult waters.

The Importance of Working with a San Antonio Asbestos Lawyer

Asbestos exposure is almost always negligent. If you have mesothelioma, you can hold the asbestos companies accountable for your expenses. You have a right to take legal action, to make a claim, and to demand compensation.

These cases can get very complicated, so it is essential you choose and work with a top Texas mesothelioma attorney in San Antonio. They should be backed by a big law firm and offer several advantages:

• Extensive experience handling and winning asbestos cases
• Jurisdiction in multiple states
• A network of investigators and medical experts to prove your case
• Deep knowledge of where and when San Antonio companies used asbestos
• Experience negotiating settlements and litigating in court
• Adequate resources to handle a complex asbestos claim
• Free initial consultations and no-fee guarantees until they win
• The best chance of getting fair compensation for your illness

Why Acting Swiftly After a Mesothelioma Diagnosis is Essential for Legal Exploration

Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis can be overwhelming, but it’s important to act quickly in considering legal avenues.

Understanding Time Constraints

1. State-Specific Deadlines: The time you have to file a claim, known as the statute of limitations, varies by state and is often shorter than you might expect.
2. Decades-Later Advantage: Mesothelioma can manifest many years after exposure, but laws are designed to account for this delayed onset, allowing for cases to be filed long after initial exposure.

Benefits of Prompt Legal Consultation

• Evidence Preservation: Acting early helps in gathering critical evidence and identifying witnesses who can support your claims.
• Detailed Assessment: An experienced attorney can help you navigate complex medical and occupational records to construct a strong case.
• Compensation Potential: By moving quickly, you increase the chances of obtaining compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other related expenses.

Choosing the Right Legal Path

• Tailored Legal Advice: Each case is unique, and timely legal advice ensures you explore all available options, including potential settlements or court trials.
• Peace of Mind: Swift action can provide peace of mind, allowing you and your family to focus on health and personal priorities.

It’s crucial not to delay. Connecting with a seasoned personal injury attorney right after diagnosis can secure your legal rights and potentially lead to a favorable outcome.

How to File a Mesothelioma Claim in San Antonio, Texas

You have several options when filing a claim for mesothelioma and asbestos exposure. The first step in the process is to find the right lawyer to help you. They will explain your options and which you are eligible for:

• Mesothelioma Personal Injury Lawsuit. Negligent asbestos exposure makes mesothelioma a personal injury. You can sue for a settlement or jury award.
• Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Lawsuit. You can also sue for compensation if a loved one died from mesothelioma.
• Asbestos Trust Fund Claim. You may qualify to make a claim with a trust fund if any of the asbestos companies that exposed you went bankrupt.
• Veteran Benefits Claim. The VA offers benefits, including disability compensation, to veterans exposed to asbestos during military service.

Can You File a Mesothelioma Claim Many Years After Exposure?

Yes, it is possible to file a mesothelioma claim even years after exposure. Many individuals worry that too much time has passed since their exposure to asbestos, which primarily occurs in industrial workplaces or through products used decades ago. However, there’s hope for those affected.

Diagnosis Triggers Legal Opportunity

The clock for filing a claim often starts ticking at the time of diagnosis rather than at the moment of exposure. Mesothelioma may take several decades to manifest symptoms, thus pushing back the statute of limitations. This means you might still have a viable legal path to pursue compensation once a diagnosis is confirmed.

Why Speak to an Attorney?

Consulting a proficient personal injury attorney is pivotal. They can unravel the complexities of mesothelioma claims, assessing the specifics of your case. An attorney can:

• Evaluate your exposure history
• Navigate the statute of limitations
• Determine the right time to file a claim

Taking swift action post-diagnosis can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim. Expert legal advice will ensure you explore all possible avenues for compensation, even if it feels like too much time has passed since exposure. Remember, each case is unique, and legal advice tailored to your situation is crucial.

How Was I Exposed to Asbestos in San Antonio?

You were most likely exposed at one or more jobs in your past. Most people with mesothelioma are diagnosed decades after workplace exposure. This long latency period is typical, as the disease often only emerges many years after the initial contact with asbestos.

In many cases, the progression from exposure to the development of noticeable symptoms can span 20 to 50 years. This delayed onset can make it challenging to link the disease back to the original source of exposure.

Understanding this timeline is crucial for both early detection and effective legal recourse. If you suspect past exposure, regular screenings and consultations with a healthcare professional are advisable to catch any signs early.

Many San Antonio companies and workplaces used asbestos. These are just a few examples:

Asbestos in the Oil Industry

The oil industry has been a huge part of the Texas economy for decades, including in and around San Antonio. The oil industry frequently used asbestos in its facilities.

Since oil production and refining pose risks of heat and fire, asbestos was used as insulation and in many components and equipment, including:

• Pipes
• Manifolds
• Valves
• Benchtops
• Safety clothing
• Electrical equipment

Oil companies like San Antonio-based Valero Energy used asbestos materials in their administration facilities. Valero’s Bexar County headquarters ranks high in the number of worksites with asbestos exposure.

Valero inherited its job sites from LoVaca Gathering Company and its parent Coastal States Gas Corporation. Many of those job sites, including the San Antonio headquarters building and the Three Rivers refinery, contain asbestos.

Al Gonzalez Energy Management (AGE) is another San Antonio oil company with older facilities.

AGE started operations in 1991, a decade after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its first reports linking asbestos exposure to severe health problems.

AGE inherited older facilities, including a San Antonio refinery from Howell Hydrocarbons and Chemical. These former Howell properties contain significant amounts of asbestos dating from the 1940s and 1950s.

The Military and Asbestos

San Antonio has a long-standing relationship with the U.S. military.

Three major military bases, Joint Base San Antonio’s Fort Sam Houston, Lackland, and Randolph, were active military installations between the 1920s and the early 1970s. The military was a large-scale user of asbestos during this period.

In 2021, ten families stationed at three Texas bases, including Lackland, sued a private landlord over asbestos and other poor living conditions. They are suing Balfour Beatty Communities LLC for concealing the dangerous conditions before signing the leases.

Indirect Asbestos Exposure for Family Members: How It Happens

Family members can face asbestos exposure even if they never step foot inside a workplace where asbestos is present. The danger arises when asbestos fibers cling to the hair, clothing, and personal items of individuals who work with or near asbestos materials. When these workers return home, microscopic fibers can be transferred to household surfaces and the air, inadvertently putting loved ones at risk.

Here’s how the process often unfolds:

• Contaminated Clothing: Workers may unknowingly bring asbestos fibers into their homes via their clothing. Once home, shaking out these clothes or wearing them around the house can release fibers into the air, posing a threat to others.
• Hair and Skin: Asbestos fibers can settle on skin and hair. Simple acts like hugging or sitting together can transfer these fibers to family members, leading to potential health hazards.
• Shared Spaces and Laundry: Washing contaminated clothes can expose others in the household, as fibers dislodge in the laundry process, spreading to other garments and surfaces.

By understanding these pathways, families can take preventive steps to reduce the potential for exposure, such as designated work clothes and proper hygiene practices.

Buildings and Businesses Associated with Asbestos in San Antonio

Many businesses and industries used asbestos in San Antonio. This includes the construction industry, which used asbestos in materials that went into residences and public buildings.

Schools

• Alamo Heights High School
• Apprentice School
• Bexar County Medical School
• Camelot Elementary School
• Northeast Independent School District’s Central Administration Building
• Colonial Hills Elementary School
• Columbia Heights Elementary School
• Coronado Village Elementary School
• Crockett Elementary School
• Dwight Middle School
• Edgewood Elementary School
• Eisenhower Middle School
• El Dorado Elementary School
• Fox Technical High School
• Garner Middle School
• Gus Garcia Middle School
• Hawthorne Middle School
• Incarnate Word College
• Jackson-Keller Elementary School
• John F Kennedy High School
• John Jay High School
• John Marshall High School
• Lanier High School
• Burbank High School
• MacArthur High School
• Mark Twain Middle School
• Oliver W Holmes High School
• Palo Alto Elementary School
• Rosedale Elementary School
• Saint Mary’s University
• San Antonio College
• San Antonio Independent School District
• Schenck Elementary School
• Stewart Elementary School
• Tox Technical High School
• Trinity University
• Will Jackson Middle School
• Winston Churchill High School

Hospitals and Nursing Homes

• Baptist Hospital
• Bexar County Hospital
• Brady Memorial Clinic
• Buena Vista Clinic
• Caduceus Nursing Home
• Community Hospital
• Golden Manor Jewish Home For The Aged
• Hillside Manor Nursing Home
• Kerrville State Hospital
• Lackland Air Force Base Hospital
• Lutheran General Hospital
• Park North General Hospital
• Robert B. Green Hospital
• Rosa Verde Medical Facility
• San Antonio Community Hospital
• Santa Rosa Medical Center
• South Texas Cancer Radiation Treatment Center
• Southwest Methodist Hospital
• Wilford Hall Military Hospital

Power Plants

• Braunig Power Plant
• Leon Creek Power Plant
• Mission Road Power Plant
• W.B. Tuttle Power Plant

Banks

• Alamo National Bank
• Bexar County National Bank
• Broadway National Bank
• Churchill National Bank
• Citizens Bank
• First Federal Savings & Loan
• First National Bank
• Main Savings
• National Bank of Commerce
• Northside State Bank

Other Businesses

• City of Public Service Board
• City Public Service Board
• City Service Power
• Coca Cola
• College Park Apartments
• CrossRoads Shopping Center
• Crown Tower Office Building
• Cummins Diesel Project
• Data Point Terminal
• Galveston, Harrisburg, and San Antonio Railway
• Pioneer Flour Mills
• Post Laundry
• S W Research
• Saint Benedict’s Convent
• Sam’s Center
• San Antonio City Water

Mesothelioma Treatment in San Antonio

The Mays Cancer Center at the University of Texas Health San Antonio is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. An NCI-backed medical center provides excellent care for cancer patients and has cutting-edge treatments, research, clinical trials, and world-class experts.

Two Comprehensive Cancer Centers are nearby in Houston: the Baylor College of Medicine’s Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center and the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

When my husband was diagnosed we had no idea what to do. Our doctor said we should reach out to an attorney to talk about compensation. After talking to several firms we found the mesothelioma lawyer center and were grateful we did. They helped with every step of the way. If you need a meso attorney then I would recommend contacting them.

– Isabelle D.

San Antonio Legal Help

If you’ve been injured by asbestos, there is a good chance that you’ll qualify for considerable 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 additional assistance, contact us at 800-793-4540.