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This year, thousands of Americans will be diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. As union workers, you and your family have a higher risk of exposure.
The sad truth is companies knew about the dangers of asbestos exposure, but remained silent. Now, after a latency period of 10 to 50 years, union workers are developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Similarly, their family members are falling ill due to asbestos exposures that occurred when workers brought the dust home on their clothes and skin.
American workers have been led to believe that asbestos is no longer a threat and that, if you become sick, you have no medical or legal options. That’s simply not true. Help is available. The lawyers at Simmons Hanly Conroy represent hundreds of union members and their families throughout the United States.
Download our guide:
Asbestos Litigation, Your Guide to the Legal Process.
While no amount of compensation can buy you a medical miracle, a lawsuit can help you afford the mesothelioma treatments you need and help eliminate the worry that medical costs are draining your family budget.
Download the GuideAsbestos is a unique medical and legal matter. Have an open conversation with your doctor about your history of asbestos exposure and the possible risks, especially if you develop the following symptoms: persistent cough, weight-loss and shortness of breath. These could be signs of mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease.
If you are sick, put the resources and the results of Simmons Hanly Conroy on your side. Our attorneys have seen the effects of asbestos diseases firsthand and will give you and your family the respect and personal attention you deserve.
Asbestos was used in thousands of products at job sites throughout the United States. Bricklayers, cement masons, steelworkers, carpenters and other union trades were unnecessarily put at risk. When older buildings burn or are destroyed in disasters, first responders, such as fire fighters, may also be exposed to asbestos.
Scroll down the page to see a complete list of the unions whose members Simmons Hanly Conroy has been proud to represent in mesothelioma and asbestos litigation.
Experience
Our mesothelioma attorneys have represented hundreds of skilled union tradesmen, including fire fighters, throughout the country. Our lawyers and staff have a proven track record of helping families affected by asbestos.
Reputation
We work with leading medical experts throughout the country. The firm has an A rating with the BBB and has been peer reviewed by other lawyers and given the highest possible rating.
Location
Simmons Hanly Conroy, headquartered in Alton, Illinois, has a nationwide practice with law offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and St. Louis.
A Friend to Labor
Simmons Hanly Conroy is a proud member of the St. Louis Labor Council and throughout its existence has regularly supported charitable and political causes that are friendly to organized labor.
A commitment made last year by the Simmons Hanly Conroy law firm as a challenge grant to raise matching funds from union members, was fulfilled recently with the presentation of a $25,000 check to the Fight Fund to help union families facing financial difficulties because of the lack of work. A total of $75,000 has come from the Simmons firm matching reader contributions. Presenting the check is Simmons Attorney Chris Guinn (at right). Accepting the check (from left) are St. Louis Labor Council President Pat White and United Way Labor Liaisons Amy Phillips and Roz Sherman-Voellinger. (Credit: St. Louis Labor Tribune, Aug. 24, 2015)
Read more about the firm’s contributions in past years:
ANSWER:
People who have mesothelioma can help medical researchers find a cure by participating in clinical trials. Ten years ago, mesothelioma patients had no treatment options. Today, there’s one FDA approved treatment option and more work is being done to find a cure. Simmons Hanly Conroy has established a foundation specifically to advance mesothelioma medical research and has donated over $8 million to mesothelioma research.
ANSWER:
No. It was banned in 1989 under the Toxic Substances Control Act, but in 1991, the U.S. Fifth District Appellate Court overturned it. In 2009, the United States imported 1,500 metric tons of asbestos to be used in everyday products such as chalk boards, cement shingles, vehicle brakes and cement pipes.
ANSWER:
No. When companies go bankrupt in the United States it doesn’t necessarily mean they go out of business. Instead, a bankruptcy judge approves a plan for them to restructure their debt which allows them to continue on with business as usual. Essentially, declaring bankruptcy allows companies to avoid the consequences from their actions of poisoning their workers. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a Simmons Hanly Conroy attorney, who practices asbestos litigation, can help you navigate these complex questions and make sure your legal rights are enforced.
ANSWER:
Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit can help you afford the mesothelioma treatments you need and eliminate the worry that medical costs are draining your family budget. In addition, it sends a message to the companies who knowingly used asbestos that their actions were wrong.
ANSWER:
It depends. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer since you filed the old claim, then it would be considered a new diagnosis. Therefore, you would be eligible to file a new claim. If you think you may be eligible to file a new claim, one of our attorneys will help you get the answers you need.
ANSWER:
Not necessarily. It’s common for workers to feel loyal toward their current or former employer, or to the people they worked with. It’s possible to file a claim without naming an employer. Instead, the claim would list the companies who made the asbestos products your employer used.
ANSWER:
Maybe. Do they have experience representing mesothelioma victims? Asbestos litigation falls under a unique type of law that requires years of experience to develop the knowledge necessary to successfully pursue a case. You need to be confident that the firm you choose is the best fit for your family’s goals. We have over 40 attorneys who focus their practices solely on helping people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. In addition, our asbestos attorneys have experience helping people who experienced occupational asbestos exposure while working in the trades. Union mesothelioma cases have their own types of considerations, so we encourage you to call us regarding the specific facts of your potential case.
Simmons Hanly Conroy has helped hundreds of union members who were diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure due to their work with organized labor. Below is a list of unions to which our clients have belonged.
Dealing with a mesothelioma diagnosis can be challenging. Hiring a mesothelioma lawyer doesn’t have to be. Call us today or fill out the form below to find out how, just like we’ve helped hundreds of other union workers, we may be able to help you, too.