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Mesothelioma Lawyers
Virginia Mesothelioma Lawyers
The mesothelioma lawyers at the Simmons firm represent victims of mesothelioma cancer throughout the United States including the state of Virginia. We have represented thousands of families affected by mesothelioma and asbestos-related cancer and have seen the suffering it causes firsthand. The Simmons firm is dedicated to giving our clients the respect and attention they deserve, no matter where they live. If you or someone you love has mesothelioma, we will come to you. Over the past decade, we've represented many clients throughout Virginia, including the following cities:
- Abingdon
- Alexandria
- Bassett
- Cumberland
- Danville
- Falls Church
- Lynchburg
- Newport News
- Norfolk
- Richmond
- Winchester
As a nationwide firm, our asbestos attorneys have the resources and experience necessary to represent individuals and families against large companies in this complex area of litigation. Our firm has recovered over $3 billion in verdicts and settlements for thousands of families dealing with mesothelioma. Our lawyers have recovered $59 million for mesothelioma victims in the state of Virginia alone.*
You should know that Virginia has a unique set of laws that could impact your ability to file a claim. For example, Virginia has statute of limitation laws that restrict the time frame in which mesothelioma victims and family members can file a lawsuit. Rest assured our mesothelioma lawyers are prepared to help you understand the process for filing an asbestos lawsuit and guide you through the legal system. Contact the Simmons firm if you have a question about a potential case.
If you have mesothelioma or lung cancer due to asbestos exposure, please contact our mesothelioma lawyers for a free case evaluation.
An Introduction to Asbestos and Mesothelioma
Asbestos is a deadly mineral that has been used in thousands of products. When microscopic asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they can cause a number of diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Of the diseases caused by asbestos, mesothelioma is the most aggressive, attacking the internal lining of the lungs and abdomen. Mesothelioma typically does not develop until decades after the asbestos exposure occurred.
A number of work sites throughout Virginia are linked to asbestos exposure including:
Covington
Westvaco Paper Mill
West Virginia Pulp & Paper
Hopewell
Phillip Morris Plant
Allied Chemical Plant
Firestone Plant
Allied Signal, Inc.
Newport News
Riverside Hospital
Franklin Printing Company
Newport News Naval Shipyard
Norfolk
Little Creek Naval Base
Norfolk Naval Shipyard
Naval Air Station Jet Engine Testing Facility
Richmond
Dutch Gap Power Plant
Phillip Morris
Virginia Electric & Power
Dupont Chemical Plant
Richmond Steel
Yorktown
American Oil Company (Amoco) Refinery
Virginia Power & Light Power Plant
If you or a loved one has suffered from an asbestos-related disease, please contact us today for a free legal consultation.
Learn More About Mesothelioma:
» Mesothelioma Diagnosis Information
» Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit
The majority of individuals who have been exposed to asbestos encounter the so-called "magic mineral" in their line of work, often due to inadequate safety precautions. Others are exposed to asbestos indirectly when they come in contact with the clothing of a family member involved in a high-risk asbestos occupation.
Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. When microscopic asbestos dust particles becomes airborne, they can be inhaled or swallowed and can cause serious health issues. Common work environments where a mesothelioma or cancer patient may have encountered asbestos include oil refineries, sheet metal plants, automotive plants, construction sites, and many more. Click here to view a complete list of occupations that have been linked to asbestos exposure.
Since even before America became a country, Virginia has been a major player in the shipbuilding industry. For example, the Norfolk Naval Shipyard was founded in the 1700s as the British Naval Yard. This shipyard peaked during WWII, employing over 40,000 workers. Because fires on ships can be frequent and severe, asbestos seemed like the perfect insulator to shipbuilders at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for many years. As a result, many workers at this and other shipyards around Virginia were exposed to huge amounts of asbestos throughout their careers.
Giving Back to Mesothelioma Patients & Families
In 2010, the Simmons firm established the Simmons Mesothelioma Foundation, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting research and advancing awareness about this rare cancer. The Foundation partners with established experts and thought-leaders in the mesothelioma research field. Learn more about the Foundation's current mesothelioma research partners.
As a long-time supporter of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation and the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, the Simmons firm has an extensive history of supporting the fight against mesothelioma and cancer. The firm has also pledged over $10 million to establish the Simmons Cancer Institute at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. The institute provides extraordinary new resources to enhance treatments and implement the continuing search for a permanent cure. It is the largest single gift in the history of SIU and establishes the university as home to one of the leading cancer facilities in the United States.
Asbestos Exposure in Texas Today
Asbestos has not yet been banned in the United States. Its use is regulated, but it is still used in products today. Asbestos has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a human carcinogen. This assessment is supported by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), both of which believe that the future use of asbestos should be banned. Virginia has struggled with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases for a number of years. Consider the following:- The Environmental Working Group reported that there were up to 972 mesothelioma cases in Virginia from 1979 to 2001.1
- CDC statistics show Virginia's age-adjusted death rate for malignant mesothelioma to be 14.5 deaths per million per year.2
- The National Cancer Institute and CDC's state cancer profiles show Virginia's 2006 annual incidence rate for lung and bronchus cancers was 65.8 deaths per 100,000.3
For more information about asbestos in Texas and throughout the U.S., visit the Environmental Protection Agency's website.