How to Prove Asbestos Exposure in Texas
Evidence is key in Asbestos Trust Fund claims and lawsuits
Asbestos diseases are a serious concern in Texas. Thousands of people here were exposed to this dangerous mineral in the past and now have asbestos-related lung cancer or mesothelioma. Asbestos victims have rights. Significant compensation is available for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and more. But to collect payments in Texas, evidence connecting past asbestos exposure to a lung cancer or mesothelioma diagnosis must be firmly established.
You need extensive documentation, medical records, and other evidence to file a successful lawsuit or trust fund claim. But for many asbestos victims and their families, proving exposure can be challenging. For one thing, many victims were exposed to asbestos 20-70 years ago and a lot of documents from that time are not readily available today.
For peace of mind and maximum compensation, victims should turn to experienced asbestos lung cancer and mesothelioma attorneys to help investigate what happened and collect the evidence that proves their cases. Lawyers who have been filing asbestos claims and lawsuits for decades understand the complex legal processes involved and how to win. No matter how long ago exposure happened, the right attorney can gather important evidence to prove asbestos exposure in Texas. As a Houston-based law firm, we are highly familiar with Texas law and know how to investigate, negotiate, and litigate these claims.
How did asbestos exposure happen in Texas?
Proving a mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer claim comes down to presenting impactful evidence. The types of evidence collected will depend on how the asbestos exposure happened. For many Texans with asbestos lung cancer or mesothelioma, their contact with asbestos was at work. Some jobs had more contact with asbestos than others. In Texas, industries that put employees at a high risk of asbestos exposure include:
- Oil and gas
- Construction
- Shipbuilding
- Automotive
- Insulation
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Welding
- Manufacturing
- Military
In addition to occupational exposure, Texans were exposed to asbestos at home when loved ones who worked with the material had asbestos fibers in their hair and on their clothes at the end of the workday. This is sometimes called “secondary exposure.” People who lived near asbestos mines or facilities are at a heightened risk of developing asbestos lung cancer or mesothelioma as well.
In Texas, known exposure incidents and operations associated with toxic asbestos exposure include, but are not limited to:
- Allamoore Talc District – Buck Claim, Diablo, Hudspeth, and Culberson counties
- Chevron Phillips Plastics, Orange
- Citgo Refinery, Corpus Christi
- Exxon (Standard Oil), Baytown
- DuPont Chemical, Beaumont
- Frito-Lay, Irving
- Goodyear Tire & Rubber Plant, Houston
- Nalco Chemical Plant, Freeport
- Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Co., Dallas
- Texaco Oil, the “Indian Refinery,” Corpus Christi
- W.R. Grace/Texas Vermiculite, Dallas
How an attorney can collect evidence
Building a claim means collecting evidence to build a strong case for financial compensation. Compensation for asbestos exposure can come from various sources, including Asbestos Trust Funds, Veterans’ Affairs (VA) benefits, personal injury claims, and wrongful death lawsuits. For success, a victim must typically prove four things:
- Type of asbestos or asbestos-containing product involved
- Duration of exposure
- Dates and locations of asbestos exposure
- Medical diagnosis of asbestos-related illnesses like lung cancer or mesothelioma
Proving a case means collecting a lot of evidence. Common types of evidence required in an asbestos claim or lawsuit include:
- Medical records
- Employment records
- Witness testimony
- Expert opinions
In Texas, there are some special circumstances that apply to proving asbestos exposure. For example, Texas has a statute of limitations to file a lawsuit after being diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness. Additionally, Texas often requires a higher standard of proof for asbestos exposure claims than other states. It is important to work with a knowledgeable and experienced lawyer who is familiar with the specific laws and regulations in Texas.
How an asbestos cancer lawyer can help
Asbestos exposure victims who are suffering from mesothelioma or lung cancer are faced with the incredibly difficult task of proving the cause of their illness. The experienced asbestos lung cancer lawyers and mesothelioma attorneys at the Ferrell Law Group can handle this for you.
For more than 30 years, the Ferrell Law Group has been working hard to pursue compensation for lung cancer and mesothelioma victims. You don’t have to remember exactly where and when you were exposed to asbestos. We specialize in investigating asbestos exposure and gathering the necessary evidence to prove our clients deserve maximum compensation. Our law firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for the victims of asbestos lung cancer and mesothelioma and their families.
If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and is now suffering from mesothelioma or lung cancer, contact the Ferrell Law Group for a free case consultation. At no cost to you, a member of our team can listen to the details of your situation, let you know if you have a strong case for compensation, and answer your asbestos-related legal questions.
Our national law firm is based in Houston, Texas. We know what it takes to win asbestos claims and lawsuits across the state, from Houston to El Paso and everywhere in between. We can help prove your case. Contact the Ferrell Law Group for a free consultation today.
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