Houston Mesothelioma Lawyer

Our Houston Mesothelioma Lawyers Help Get Compensation

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that affects tissue in the lining of the lungs, heart, stomach, and other organs. It often develops in people who inhaled or were exposed to asbestos fibers in building materials. Many patients who develop mesothelioma die within one year of diagnosis.

The sad part is that manufacturers of asbestos-based products knew that people who were exposed to the substance were getting sick, but they kept making, promoting, and selling their products, harming even more individuals. However, this makes them potentially liable to a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and suffers from mesothelioma or lung cancer, you may be entitled to compensation through a lawsuit or possibly from an asbestos trust fund earmarked to pay your damages without having to go to court. Successful cases hold liable parties accountable and make them pay for the harm they’ve caused victims and their families.

The Houston mesothelioma lawyers at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law have extensive experience helping those who suffer from mesothelioma and are familiar with the devastating effects that the illness has on victims and their families. We know the laws, the system, and the tactics insurance companies and their attorneys use to avoid paying claims, and we are fully prepared to go up against them.  Let us take care of all legal hurdles and negotiations involved in getting you justice and the compensation you deserve.

We offer a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case and determine the best way to move forward. There are no fees to you unless we win, so call us today at (713) 973-8888 orand toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 to get started.

How Our Mesothelioma Lawyer in Houston Works for You

Why Choose Us

Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit can be complicated, but when you have an experienced Houston mesothelioma attorney on your side, we take the burden off of you and handle everything. There are many lawyers out there, but here are some reasons why we believe Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law is the best choice:

  • We have more than 35+ years of experience.
  • We get results and have recovered $1 billion for our clients. Visit our client victories page to read about real cases — and real money — the dedicated attorneys at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law have won.
  • We know how to deal with insurance companies and can often win a settlement through negotiations, without having to go to trial.
  • We provide great customer service and are available 24/7 for client emergencies.
  • Terry Bryant and two additional attorneys are board certified.
  • We have a 98 % positive group of satisfied clients who give testimonials to our service.
  • We are recognized in our field — our law firm has received the Better Business Bureau’s Winner of Distinction Award multiple times.
  • We offer free initial consultations to get you started.
  • We have the resources of a skilled legal team, investigators, and expert witnesses to go up against a large medical institution or insurance company.
  • We offer a No-Fee Guarantee, which means you pay us nothing unless you get your money.

At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we have years of experience successfully holding responsible parties accountable for damages due to their negligence or fault. We win big for our clients.

What We Do

When you hire our Houston mesothelioma lawyers, we will meet with you to hear how you were exposed to asbestos and the effects of your illness on your life. We will:

  • Determine if you have a valid case and what kind of settlement to ask for
  • Investigate your case and gather evidence as to how you were injured and who was responsible
  • Get testimony from experts as to the harm you received and how it affects your life and family
  • Handle negotiations for a fair settlement with insurance companies and other attorneys to avoid going to court
  • Take your case to trial, if necessary, and present it in front of a judge and/or jury.

We will be there for you throughout the entire legal process, answering your questions and keeping you informed.

Damage Awards Our Mesothelioma Lawyer May Win

For over 60 years, asbestos has been known to be a human carcinogen (a substance that causes cancer) by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Mesothelioma is a debilitating, devastating disease that can sometimes take 30-50 years to develop after exposure to asbestos. People who suffer from mesothelioma can file a personal injury lawsuit against the company or companies responsible for their disease. In the case of a death from mesothelioma, a lawsuit may be filed when an eligible family member seeks compensation from those responsible for their loved one’s death.

In a successful lawsuit, our mesothelioma lawyer may win an award for compensation that covers both economic and noneconomic damages.

Economic damages are for monetary losses such as:

  • medical and rehabilitation bills and expected future medical expenses
  • lost wages and future earning capacity
  • funeral costs, in case of death.

Non-economic damages are for losses that don’t have such a clear-cut dollar value but negatively affect your life, including:

  • pain and suffering
  • emotional anguish and stress
  • loss of quality of life and consortium.

Punitive damages may also be awarded in rare cases where the injury was caused by actions that were wantonly reckless and negligent.

What are Amounts of Damage Awards?

There are a wide range of amounts that may be awarded in a successful mesothelioma case, from the tens of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the circumstance of the case. Factors that will be considered in determining amounts include:

  • The severity of your injuries
  • Actual costs of your losses and expenses and continuing care
  • Lost earnings and whether you will be able to work in the future
  • Your age, earning potential, and family situation
  • Whether death is involved
  • Availability of insurance coverage and assets of the defendants
  • The skill and negotiating power of your attorney.

Since mesothelioma injuries are often severe, involve permanent damage, and require long-term care or end in death, they often result in a higher settlement amount. Texas law does not put a cap on how much a victim may receive in economic damages, and our mesothelioma attorneys at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law will fight for the full compensation you deserve. Call us today at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000 to get started.

Mesothelioma Attorney in Houston Knows Disease Signs and Symptoms

Mesothelioma, is an insidious cancer that occurs to a great many people who are exposed to asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). It is difficult to diagnose because it mimics other respiratory illnesses and because it has a long incubation period. It can take 30 to 50 years from first exposure until the disease is detected.

Most victims are injured in the workplace, where they may be exposed to tiny asbestos fibers that are released into the air on a daily basis. When breathed in, the fibers become trapped in the lungs and can remain there for years. Scarring and inflammation make it difficult to breathe and lead to serious health problems.

Mesothelioma is incurable, but the earlier the diagnosis, the more patient treatment options there are.

Common symptoms of mesothelioma may include:

  • chest pain
  • coughing up blood
  • fever
  • shortness of breath
  • fluid accumulation in the protective pleural membranes that surround the lungs
  • general fatigue.

Patients with more advanced forms of mesothelioma also may experience abdominal pain, weight loss, blood clots, and jaundice. Because many of these side effects are similar to those of other lung-related conditions, mesothelioma can be difficult to diagnose. A chest X-ray or a CT scan can assist in diagnosis, but a biopsy of the affected area is often necessary.

If you even suspect you may have been exposed to asbestos and developed mesothelioma, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. If you receive a positive diagnosis, get legal guidance from our mesothelioma lawyers in Houston to see if you have a claim.

Mesothelioma Law Firm in Houston Handles the Claim Process

Texas remains one of the nation’s busiest states for asbestos litigation since Texas blue-collar workers, many of whom worked in the construction industry or in oil refineries, used asbestos throughout much of the 20th century. In addition, Texas has 15 U.S. military bases and a total of 28 military-related buildings that were built with asbestos-containing products, so anyone who worked or lived in these buildings could be at risk of developing mesothelioma.

Each state has a statute of limitations, a deadline for filing a mesothelioma lawsuit. Your mesothelioma lawyer in Houston, TX, can assist in filing a claim before the deadline runs out. Your attorney handles the filing of the case, as well as other pertinent details that include:

  • filing the claim in the appropriate location
  • determining the responsible party
  • gathering evidence to prove liability
  • going through discovery where opposition evidence is evaluated
  • taking depositions
  • negotiating for a settlement
  • going to trial, if necessary.

In general, many mesothelioma lawsuits do not go to trial and are settled out of court through negotiations with insurance companies and attorneys for the defendants. The process is often expedited, depending on the health of the claimant.

Because there were so many claims against them, many manufacturers of asbestos-based products went bankrupt and were forced to set aside money in trust to pay out future asbestos claims. Asbestos trusts aren’t subject to regular statutes of limitations; they have their own deadlines to file claims. It is possible for mesothelioma victims to file claims with multiple trusts, depending on the circumstances.

Our experienced Texas mesothelioma lawyers will examine your individual situation and all legal options before filing a claim. Every second is precious when a diagnosis like this is made, and the sooner our attorney is contacted, the sooner a settlement can be reached that will provide for the victim and their family.

Our Mesothelioma Attorneys Must Prove Negligence

To win your lawsuit, our mesothelioma attorneys would have to show that another party, the defendant in the case, was negligent and at fault for causing the damages you received. This means showing the following legal elements:

  • Duty: The defendant had a duty not to cause harm.
  • Breach: The defendant breached this duty by actions or failure to act.
  • Cause: This breach caused you to be injured.
  • Damages: You suffered damages as a result.

In addition to the manufacturer of the asbestos product, responsible parties that may be named as defendants in a mesothelioma case include:

  • The property owner where you were exposed to asbestos
  • An owner of the company you worked for
  • An employer who didn’t warn of the dangers of asbestos or provide you with proper protection
  • Violators of the Texas Occupations Code Section 1954.001 that requires that buildings be inspected for the presence of asbestos whenever they’re demolished or renovated.

Our attorneys would seek to locate all potentially negligent parties and name them as defendants, as they all may have assets and insurance that could go toward a settlement.

Houston Mesothelioma Lawyer Answers Your Questions

When dealing with a serious condition like mesothelioma, you are bound to have questions and concerns.  These are best addressed at your free consultation, but to get you started, here are some answers to questions our attorneys are often asked:

Are there time limits for filing?

Yes, Texas has statutes of limitation, which are deadlines for filing cases, after which the courts are unlikely to hear your case. According to the law (TX CPRC Chapter 16, section 16003), for personal injury, claims must generally be filed within 2 years after a mesothelioma diagnosis. For wrongful death, claims must be filed within 2 years after death from mesothelioma. *Always speak directly to an attorney for the exact deadlines that apply to your potential claims.

What are sources of mesothelioma exposure?

The EPA cites the following most prominent environmental sources of mesothelioma-induced cancers:

  • Industries where people mine or manufacture asbestos products
  • Construction sites (particularly building, demolition, and renovation activities)
  • Automotive brake and clutch repair work outfits
  • Deteriorating, damaged, or disturbed asbestos-containing products, such as insulation, fireproofing, acoustical materials, and floor tiles, and old buildings which contain these ACMs.

In Texas, many oil refineries were built with asbestos insulation to prevent fires, since petroleum is extremely flammable. This insulation can break down over time, causing the fibers to be inhaled by oil refinery workers.

People working (or living) around these sites can also suffer from exposure to mesothelioma when the products containing the element were disturbed due to renovation or removal or the normal release of asbestos fibers into the air. Our Texas mesothelioma lawyer will know if a job site you worked on was likely to have used asbestos.

Can I File a Lawsuit if I Don’t Know How I Was Exposed to Asbestos?

Yes. Our mesothelioma lawyers understand that mesothelioma’s long incubation period can make it difficult to determine how you were exposed to asbestos. We have access to experienced investigators that can help determine how you were exposed and what parties are responsible for your illness.

Can I Afford To Hire A Houston Mesothelioma Lawyer?

Yes. At the accident and injury law office of Terry Bryant, our Houston mesothelioma attorneys believe everyone should have access to experienced legal help, regardless of income. We offer free consultations and the No Fee Guarantee®, a simple promise that you pay us nothing unless you get your money.

At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we are available to answer your questions as they arise, and will be there to do so throughout the entire legal process.

Asbestos, Mesothelioma, and the Ongoing Risks for Texas Workers

Mesothelioma has been used virtually everywhere in America. It is a mineral that exists naturally in a fibrous form and is resistant to heat, water, chemicals, and electricity. For almost 150 years, mesothelioma has been a vital element in thousands of construction, commercial, and consumer products. Read More

Mesothelioma Treatments

Treating mesothelioma requires expensive and invasive procedures that may offer minimal benefits for the patient. These treatments can include:

  • Surgery –Surgery to treat mesothelioma is generally limited to patients whose cancer hasn’t spread, and it involves removing the lining of the chest wall. In more extreme cases, parts of the diaphragm, the pericardium, nearby lymph nodes, and the lung on the affected side of the body may be removed as well. Patients who undergo surgery for mesothelioma can experience severe complications.
  • Chemotherapy –There are two types of chemotherapy used to treat mesothelioma:
  • Systemic chemotherapy is administered as a pill or injected into a patient’s vein, entering the bloodstream and circulating throughout the body until it targets the cancer.
  • Intrapleural, or intraperitoneal, chemotherapy involves direct injections into the affected area of the body—usually the chest cavity or the abdominal wall.
  • Radiation therapy –Radiation is often combined with surgery and chemotherapy and is useful for targeting small tumors that may be difficult or impossible to remove with surgery alone. It can be administered in the hospital or by using an implant placed into or near the tumor.

Is Asbestos Still Used Today?

Yes. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has banned many applications, asbestos is still used in a variety of building materials and manufacturing applications, such as:

  • Automatic transmission components
  • Brake blocks
  • Cement corrugated sheet
  • Cement flat sheet
  • Cement pipe
  • Cement shingle
  • Clothing
  • Clutch facings
  • Disk brake pads
  • Drum brake linings
  • Friction materials
  • Gaskets
  • Millboard
  • Non-roofing coatings
  • Pipeline wrap
  • Roof coatings
  • Roofing felt
  • Vinyl floor tile.

It typically doesn’t cost anything upfront for a first-time consultation with our Houston mesothelioma lawyer. If we find the claim legitimate, we will take the case and handle the suit at no upfront cost to the victim. The attorney receives a percentage of the final settlement as payment.

Get Help from Our Mesothelioma Attorneys in Houston

If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it’s important to know your legal compensation rights and avenues. At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we will help determine whether you have a valid claim for mesothelioma, conduct thorough research, hire the right experts to build the strongest possible case to win you the money you need to rebuild your life — whether through negotiations or courtroom trial. We believe our job is to get justice for our clients — and we take it seriously. We combine a deep knowledge of the law, years of experience in negotiation and litigation, a compassionate approach to our clients, and the tenacity to go up against large corporations . . . and win.

We have the resources to take on any mesothelioma case and get the results you and your family need, and we’re ready to help 24/7. So don’t wait. Contact us to get started today at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free 1 (800) 444-5000.

Attorney Terry Bryant

Attorney Terry BryantTerry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]