Maryland Mesothelioma & Asbestos Lawyer
Manufacturing, power plants, and shipyards have played a vital role in Maryland’s economy. Thousands of workers in these fields have developed devastating illnesses such as mesothelioma from asbestos exposure because companies actively concealed what they knew about the substance’s dangers. If you or your family member has contracted an asbestos-related illness, a Maryland mesothelioma lawyer at the Lanier Law Firm can help you pursue compensation.
Legally Reviewed By: Jonathan Armour
Senior Attorney | Mesothelioma & Asbestos
- Page Last Updated:
- December 13, 2024
Legally Reviewed By: Jonathan Armour
Senior Attorney | Mesothelioma & Asbestos
- Page Last Updated:
- December 13, 2024
Why Should You Choose a Maryland Mesothelioma Attorney at the Lanier Law Firm?
Compensation Available in a Maryland Mesothelioma Claim
Maryland Time Limits for Filing an Asbestos Exposure Claim
Where Does Asbestos Exposure Occur in Maryland?
Who Is Liable for Asbestos Exposure?
Top Mesothelioma Treatment Centers in Maryland
Every year in Maryland, an average of 271 people die of asbestos-related illnesses, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. These illnesses could have been prevented if the companies that mined, processed, and used asbestos had been transparent about its dangers.
The largest asbestos companies became aware of its dangers as early as the 1930s. Instead of informing the public or taking measures to protect workers, the companies colluded to conceal the information in a blatant prioritization of profits over people.
If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, a Maryland mesothelioma lawyer at the Lanier Law Firm can help you hold these companies accountable.
Why Should You Choose a Maryland Mesothelioma Attorney at the Lanier Law Firm?
When you have developed an asbestos-related illness, you need a law firm with experience handling mesothelioma cases. Our nationally recognized mesothelioma lawyers have over 250 years of combined experience helping individuals recover billions in compensation from the large corporations that wrongfully exposed them to asbestos without their knowledge or consent.
We are one of the most experienced and successful mesothelioma law firms in the world, with more than $20 billion in settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients, including the following:
- $4.5 million for a man exposed to asbestos through joint compound
- $3.7 million for an 82-year-old man exposed to asbestos in the Navy
- $2 million settlement for a former shipyard worker who contracted pleural mesothelioma
When you hire the Lanier Law Firm, you gain the benefit of the resources we have accumulated through our experience handling mesothelioma cases, including one of the world’s most extensive inventories of asbestos products, secret internal documents we obtained through our own investigations, and the unmatched trial skills of our award-winning Maryland mesothelioma lawyers.
You will also receive unmatched communication and support from our compassionate Maryland mesothelioma attorneys until your case resolves. Many of our clients have kept in touch with us long after their cases have ended. This is because our clients are more than cases to us. They are like family.
Unsolicited Client Testimonials
Our dedicated Maryland mesothelioma attorneys are driven by the need to make a difference for clients who have suffered devastating losses because of the misconduct of large corporations. We are honored when we receive unsolicited feedback from our clients, such as the following:
I would like to thank The Lanier Law Firm for everything they have done for my family. Since my father’s first emails to them, to after his passing and the resolution of our issue, they were right there with us, caring, attentive, and super professional. I would not hesitate to recommend them!
– B. Cirelli
The Lanier Law Firm handled our lawsuit with sensitivity and thoroughness and professionalism. We’ll always be grateful for how they represented us.
– Gaye Bailey
The Lanier Law firm has been such a blessing for our family. My mother passed away from mesothelioma. The many settlements my father received allowed him to live comfortably until he passed away at 95. The Lanier law firm was very professional and always answered our questions promptly. I am very grateful for all of their guidance.
– Nancy K.
Our Featured Lawyers
Mark Lanier
Mark LanierMark Lanier founded the Lanier Law Firm in 1990 with a mission to represent individuals needing serious and sound representation. This is what he calls legal care. Throughout his distinguished career, Mark Lanier has achieved some of the nation’s largest verdicts for people injured by large companies.
The New York Times has referred to Mark Lanier as one of the top civil trial lawyers in the nation. He is a regular contributor on major news networks who is often invited as a featured lecturer at such prestigious law schools as the following:
- Harvard Law School
- Stanford Law School Pepperdine University School of Law
- University of Chicago Law School
- Texas Tech University School of Law
Mark’s accomplishments have not escaped the notice of the legal community, which has awarded him numerous accolades, such as the following:
- Legal 500 Hall of Fame
- Best Lawyers in America
- Chambers USA Top Ranked
- Super Lawyer
- Top 100 Verdicts according to Verdict Search
- America’s Top 100 Attorneys
- Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Lawyers
- Most Impressive Plaintiff Verdict according to Courtroom View Network in 2019
- Trial Lawyer of the Year by the National Trial Lawyers Association
- Leading Lawyers in Plaintiffs’ Dispute Resolution
- Elite Trial Lawyers
- 50 Most Influential Lawyers in the U.S., according to the National Trial Lawyers Foundation in 2018
- Litigation Star, according to Benchmark Litigation
- AV Preeminent Rating for professional excellence and ethical standards
Jonathan Armour
Jonathan ArmourJonathan Armour started working for the Lanier Law Firm as an undergraduate, essentially growing up with the Lanier Law Firm’s high standards. His commitment to clients and strong work ethic won him a permanent position at the Lanier Law Firm in 2007 after he graduated from law school.
He has been recognized by the prestigious National Trial Lawyers Association as a Top 40 Under 40 lawyer, an honor only awarded to the nation’s most talented and effective lawyers.
Jonathan Armour is also a member of the Christian Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice. He is known for his exceptional litigation skills and is a trained mediator.
Compensation Available in a Maryland Mesothelioma Claim
Mesothelioma compensation in Maryland can be substantial, with verdicts as high as $11.5 million. In recent years, asbestos companies appealed a $7.2 million verdict to the Maryland Supreme Court, which upheld the verdict.
Maryland mesothelioma compensation can come from multiple claim types, including the following:
- Lawsuits
- Asbestos trust fund claims
- Worker’s compensation
- VA claims
Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Maryland mesothelioma lawsuits are a means for asbestos exposure victims to recover economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are compensation for provable financial losses suffered as a result of your illness. This may include but not be limited to the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages, if you were still working when diagnosed
- Projected future medical expenses and lost wages
- Lost business opportunities
- Personal care services
- Domestic services
Punitive Damages
Non-economic damages do not include punitive damages, which are awarded separately. While there are no hard limits on punitive damages in Maryland, they are only available in limited cases where you can show clear and convincing evidence that a defendant behaved with malice.
Making such a case can be challenging, but our Maryland mesothelioma attorneys possess significant evidence that mesothelioma companies knew asbestos was dangerous and conspired to prevent the public from becoming aware of it, conduct that meets the Maryland punitive damages standard.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are compensation for pain and suffering. Since October 1, 1994, § 11-108 of the Maryland statutes has limited the non-economic damages you could recover. The limit was originally set at $500,000, with annual increases of $15,000. As of October 1, 2022, the adjusted non-economic damages limit is $920,000.
Wrongful Death Damages
If your beloved family member has passed away from an asbestos-related illness, Maryland’s wrongful death laws allow a personal representative to pursue economic, non-economic, and punitive damages on behalf of your family. The damages you may be able to recover in a wrongful death lawsuit include the following:
- Your loved one’s medical expenses
- Your loved one’s pain and suffering
- Your family’s grief and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of comfort
- Loss of protection
- Loss of marital care
- Loss of parental care
- Loss of counsel, training, advice, and guidance
The non-economic damages limits and punitive damages standards for wrongful death lawsuits are the same as personal injury suits.
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims
The asbestos industry kept the dangers of asbestos hidden from the public from the 1930s until the late 1970s. Tragically, this was too late for millions of workers and members of the public who had developed deadly mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis from their exposure.
With such a large segment of the population impacted by these devastating diseases, many asbestos companies lacked the resources to compensate all their victims. Faced with financial ruin, asbestos companies began filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Section 524(g) of the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Code requires such companies to establish asbestos trust funds and provide a claims process by which asbestos exposure victims can apply for economic and non-economic damages.
Approximately 60 asbestos trust funds with $30 billion are available for asbestos-exposure victims diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses. The following Maryland companies and suppliers have filed for bankruptcy and established trust funds:
- Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation
- National Gypsum Company
- W.R. Grace
When you hire the Lanier Law Firm, our asbestos trust fund team will identify the funds you qualify for and file your claims. Identifying these funds requires a detailed process. In addition to identifying employers and other direct sources of asbestos exposure, we will also need to identify the companies that provided asbestos to these sources.
Maryland Workers’ Compensation Benefits
for Mesothelioma Patients
Occupational asbestos exposure is by far the most common source of asbestos exposure, but most lawsuits are filed against asbestos manufacturers and suppliers. This is because workers’ compensation typically covers employees unless they are independent contractors.
Workers’ compensation protects employers from liability, removing an employee’s right to sue. Instead, employees may file a claim for free medical care and partial wage replacement. However, partial wage replacement is only available if you are still working at the time of your diagnosis.
If you already retired, you can still file a claim for free medical care through workers’ compensation. Wage replacement benefits in Maryland are paid weekly, amounting to two-thirds of your weekly average wages.
If you are a deceased employee’s dependent spouse or child, you may also qualify for death benefits, which pay a weekly benefit amount equal to what the employee would have received in most cases. Survivors can also recover burial and funeral benefits through workers’ compensation.
Va Claims for Maryland Veterans Exposed to
Asbestos in the Military
As the home of the U.S. Naval Academy and other naval installations, Maryland has a strong military presence. Maryland veterans exposed to asbestos during active duty who contracted an asbestos-related illness have the right to file a VA claim. If approved, you may be entitled to the following:
- VA disability benefits – a monthly tax-free payment
- Deductible-free medical care
If you are the family of a veteran who passed away because of asbestos exposure in the military, you may qualify for VA survivor benefits.
The VA provides multiple methods of applying for benefits, including the following:
- Online
- By mail
- In person at the Baltimore regional office
- With the help of an accredited representative
Maryland Time Limits for Filing an Asbestos Exposure Claim
Maryland sets strict deadlines on when a lawsuit must be filed, known as the statute of limitations. In most personal injury cases, this time limit is three years from the date of diagnosis. In a wrongful death lawsuit, the statute of limitations is 10 years after the death or three years after the cause of death is discovered, whichever is earlier.
Trust fund claims also have deadlines, which vary by the individual trust fund. Most trust fund claim deadlines are based on the state statute of limitations for mesothelioma lawsuits.
Regardless of the time frame, it is important that you not wait to contact a Maryland mesothelioma lawyer. Before your claim can be filed, our attorneys must conduct a detailed investigation and preparation process.
Early involvement by an experienced attorney is crucial because it allows us to build a strong case against a asbestos company that will likely leverage vast resources to avoid paying compensation.
This will make obtaining a substantial settlement or proving your case in court easier. It will also help us ensure you receive the maximum compensation available.
Where Does Asbestos Exposure Occur in Maryland?
Asbestos exposure most commonly occurs on the job, but it can also occur in the following locations:
- Public buildings, such as school buildings
- During do-it-yourself brake service on classic cars
- In the home
- In naturally-occurring asbestos deposits
Asbestos was commonly used in home construction until approximately 1980, and asbestos-tainted vermiculite was used in insulation until around 1990. Asbestos can also be found in other forms of insulation and various areas of the home, including the following:
- Floor tiles
- Drywall
- Popcorn ceilings
- Plaster walls and ceilings
- Plumbing pipes, especially cement water pipes
- Ductwork
- Electrical wiring
- Fire bricks
- Roofing felt
- Roof shingles
- Consumer goods
Asbestos-containing consumer goods include products with heat insulation, soundproofing, or fire resistance, such as oven mitts, clothing irons, hair dryers, and asbestos curtains.
Asbestos sometimes enters the home when a worker carries fibers home on work clothes. Asbestos fibers are tiny and lightweight. Once in the home, they can disperse into every room through the ventilation system. Family members can experience significant exposure by hugging the worker and laundering their work clothes. This is known as secondary asbestos exposure.
Naturally-Occurring Asbestos in Maryland
Maryland is home to naturally-occurring asbestos deposits throughout the state, including four that were commercially mined in the following locations:
- Bok Asbestos Mine near Hebbville
- Neikirk Asbestos Mine in Pylesville
- Jenkins Asbestos Mine in Pylesville
- Powhatan Asbestos Plant in Baltimore
Who Is Liable for Asbestos Exposure?
Liability for asbestos exposure falls on any company or individual that caused or contributed to your asbestos exposure. Liability most often falls on companies that have engaged in the following activities:
- Asbestos mining
- Asbestos processing
- Manufacture of asbestos-containing products
- Distribution of asbestos or asbestos-containing materials
- Marketing and sales of asbestos or asbestos-containing products
Liability for asbestos exposure falls under the doctrine of strict liability, which holds manufacturers and suppliers accountable for the harm their products cause, regardless of whether they were negligent. In strict liability cases, it is only necessary to prove that the product was harmful when used as directed as a result of one or more of the following:
- Defective design
- Manufacturing defect
- Failure to warn or instruct
Although strict liability generally applies to asbestos cases, you can also sue based on negligence, which is the infliction of harm due to a failure to exercise reasonable care.
Steel and Metal Product Manufacturers
The following steel and metal manufacturers exposed workers to asbestos:
- American Can Company
- Armco Steel
- Bethlehem Steel
- Continental Can Company
- Kaiser Aluminum
- Kennicott Copper
- Maryland Steel Company
- Pennsylvania Steel Company
Like most factories, steel and metal factories used asbestos in construction and in various wearable machinery parts, such as valves, gaskets, and pipe insulation. In steel manufacturing, asbestos was often sprayed onto the outside of steel columns to increase their fire resistance.
Oil Refineries
Maryland oil refineries that exposed workers to asbestos include the following:
- ESSO Standard Oil Company
- Gulf Oil
- Standard Oil Company
- Wilson Distillery Company
Oil refineries are rife with fire hazards due to crude oil’s combustible nature and its myriad of products. Asbestos was used as insulation around storage tanks, pipes, and ductwork. It was even used in workers’ clothing due to the high risk of explosions in these facilities.
Shipyards
Workers were exposed to asbestos at the following Maryland shipyards:
- Maryland Dry Dock
- Port of Baltimore
- Sparrows Point Shipyard
Shipyards were hazardous environments for workers because asbestos was used in nearly every ship component. Whether workers were building ships or repairing them, their jobs almost always required them to handle asbestos directly. Ship repair workers may still experience significant asbestos exposure today while repairing or renovating older ships.
Automotive Manufacturers
The following Maryland automobile manufacturers exposed workers to asbestos:
- General Motors
- Mack Truck Plant
- Borg Warner Corp
The most prevalent use of asbestos in the automotive industry was in parts that experience high heat due to friction, such as brakes and clutches. Mechanics who install and repair these parts may be exposed to asbestos. Service workers may still experience asbestos exposure when maintaining or repairing older vehicles.
Building Supply Manufacturers
Workers at the following building supply manufacturers experienced significant levels of asbestos exposure:
- General Refractories Company
- National Gypsum Company
- Palmetto Fibre Company
- PPG Industries General Manufacturing
- General Electric Company
- Mount Vernon Mills
- Proctor & Gamble
Asbestos was heavily used in building products because of its fire retardant properties, flexibility, tensile strength, anti-corrosive properties, and lightweight. It was often referred to as a miracle mineral because it was useful in such a large array of applications. Asbestos was heavily used in the following building products:
- Building Insulation
- Pipe insulation
- Ductwork
- Drywall
- Flooring
- Roofing
- Adhesives
- Steel beams
- Wood products
- Cement pipes
Chemical Plants
Asbestos exposure occurred in the following Maryland chemical plants:
- Allied Chemical Corp
- E.I. DuPont de Nemours
- Celanese Corp
- FMC Corp
The chemical industry valued asbestos for its anti-corrosive properties and its non-reactivity to chemicals.
Power Generation
Workers in the following Maryland power plants experienced asbestos exposure:
- Baltimore Gas & Electric
- Chalk Point Powerhouse
- Potomac Edison Co
- Western Electric Co
- Dickerson Powerhouse
- Westinghouse Electric
Asbestos was valued in power plants for its ability to prevent fire in the event of electrical sparks and other high-heat situations common in the industry.
Navy Installations
United States Navy personnel and civilian employees were exposed to asbestos at the following Navy facilities:
- Aberdeen Proving Ground
- US Naval Acadamy
- US Naval Proving Ground
Members of the US Navy experienced the highest asbestos exposure of any other military branch due to its prevalence on Navy ships.
Breweries and Food/Beverage Manufacturers
The following companies in the food and beverage industry exposed workers to asbestos:
- The Coca-Cola Company
- F&M Schaeffer Brewing Company
- Crown Cork & Seal Company
Asbestos in these facilities could be found in factory machinery, including in parts subject to friction, gaskets, and pipes. It was also used as insulation around industrial ovens and in building components, including floor tiles, drywall, and insulation.
Materials Manufacturers
Factory workers experienced asbestos exposure while producing materials at the following Maryland factories:
- Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
- Koppers Co
- Maryland Glass
- Maryland Plastics
All these companies utilized machinery that contained asbestos in movable and wearable parts.
Rubber factories used talc to prevent rubber from sticking to the machines. Unfortunately, talc is often contaminated with asbestos, which meant these workers may have handled asbestos directly.
Zonolite Exfoliation
Zonolite was the name brand of vermiculite from the Libby, Montana, vermiculite mine owned by W.R. Grace. This mine provided most of the world’s vermiculite until approximately 1990, when it became publicly known to be contaminated with asbestos.
Vermiculite underwent a process known as exfoliation, in which it was heated to an extremely high temperature, causing the material to expand and transform into a lightweight substance suitable for loose-fill insulation. It is also used as a soil amendment.
Vermiculite exfoliation released asbestos into the environment so that anyone handling or working around it was exposed. Maryland was home to a Zonolite exfoliation plant, which was located in Muirkirk and, at times, in Baltimore.
According to the Government Accountability Office and the EPA, this facility processed 93,100.2 tons of Libby vermiculite between January 1966 and November 1988.
Why You Need an Experienced Maryland Mesothelioma Lawyer
A successful mesothelioma case requires the assistance of a mesothelioma law firm with the knowledge of how the asbestos companies covered up the truth about asbestos for decades, with the resources and determination to stand up to very large companies with vast resources.
When you hire a Maryland mesothelioma lawyer at the Lanier Law Firm, you can rest assured that our passionate attorneys will not give up until they win the compensation you need and deserve. We have seen firsthand the devastation caused by an asbestos-related illness, and we will go to any lengths necessary to ensure you and your family are fairly compensated.
While financial compensation cannot reverse a diagnosis, it can alleviate the resulting financial distress and ensure you and your family are financially secure. We provide our services at no upfront cost to you, and you will never owe us anything until after we recover your compensation.
You are already paying the price for the asbestos companies’ outrageous misconduct in knowingly exposing workers to such a toxic substance as asbestos. You shouldn’t have to pay financially too. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
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