Filing a Union Mesothelioma Lawsuit

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.

Free Consultation

Learn More About Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit

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 Guide
background image

What Can You Do?

Asbestos 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.

Who is at Risk?

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.

Simmons Hanly Conroy Helps Union Tradesmen with Mesothelioma

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.

MORE THAN

$20 MILLION

DONATED TO CANCER RESEARCH

$25,000 For $5 For The Fight

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:

background image

Common Questions about Union Members’ Asbestos Exposure

Why should I get screened? If I have it, it’s one more thing to worry about

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.

Isn’t asbestos banned?

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.

Aren’t all the companies who used asbestos decades ago bankrupt and out of business?

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.

Why should I file a lawsuit?

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.

I filed a claim with another law firm years ago. Doesn’t that mean I’m not eligible to file another one?

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.

If I file a claim, does that mean I will be suing my current or former employer?

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.

I know an attorney. Shouldn’t I just talk to him or her?

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.

Unions Whose Members Were Exposed to Asbestos

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.

  • Carpenters Local #5 St. Louis, MO
  • Lockheed Allied Industrial Workers Union Local #105
  • American Federal of Labor
  • AFL-CIO New York Local 66
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
  • American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
  • Asbestos Workers Local #1 St. Louis, MO
  • IAFF
  • Boeing-Aero Mechanics: Local #751
  • AFL-CIO New York Local 66
  • Carpenters Local #106 Des Moines, Iowa
  • Electrical Workers’ Union Local #48 Portland, OR
  • Amalgamated Clothing & Textile Workers Union
  • Firefighters Union Local #1285 Las Vegas
  • Carpenters Local #4 Sioux City, IA
  • Boilermakers Local #101 Denver, CO
  • Electrical Workers’ Union Local #494 Milwaukee, MI
  • UAW Furniture Manufacturing 57-61 Philadelphia, PA
  • International Ladies Garment Workers
  • Glassbottle Blowers Association
  • Carpenters Union Local #377 Wood River, IL
  • IBEW Local #15, Chicago
  • United Mine Workers of America
  • Heat & Frost Insulators
  • International Union of Elevator Constructors
  • Laborers Union Local #282 Jefferson, MO
  • International Longshoreman’s Association
  • Bricklayers Union Local #25
  • Cement Mason Local #920 Fort Worth, TX
  • LACERA
  • Energy and Chemical Workers Union
  • Frosty Root Beer Local #56
  • Fireman & Oilers Local #78 Kalamazoo, MI
  • IBEW
  • ILW Local #13
  • International Woodworkers Union
  • IOWU Local #10 San Francisco, CA
  • Iron Workers Local #290 Dayton, OH
  • Plumbers & Pipefitters Local #636
  • Longshoreman Local #1986
  • Local #6 Asbestos Workers Boston, MA
  • Machinists Union Alton, IL
  • Longshoreman’s Union
  • Sheet Metal Workers Local #6 Toledo, OH
  • Local IEOU #642
  • Meatcutters Union Local #427
  • Metal Lathers Local #46 New York
  • National Maritime Union
  • Steel Workers Union Local #1063 Granite City, IL
  • Millwrights, Conveyor & Machinery Erectors Local #1102 Warren, MI
  • National Union of Hospital & Healthcare Employees Local #1199 Newark, NJ
  • Operators Union Local #148
  • National Writers Union
  • New England Telephone & Telegraph Company Union
  • OCAW Local #241 El Dorado, KS
  • Oil Chemical & Atomic Workers
  • Operating Engineers Local #9 Denver, CO
  • Brotherhood of Railway Carmen Division TCU
  • Carpenters & Joiners of America Union Local #311 Joplin, MO
  • Pattern Makers League
  • Pipefitters Local #562 St. Louis
  • Plumbers Union Local #519 Miami, FL
  • Retail Clerks International Toledo, OH
  • Roofers Union
  • Rubber Workers Union Local #746 Tyler, TX
  • Sheet Metal Workers Local #110
  • Shipbuilders Local #61
  • SPEA
  • Teachers Union IEA
  • Structural Ironworkers Union Local #433
  • Teamsters Local #120 St. Paul, MN
  • Teamsters Local #525 Alton, IL
  • Teamsters Local #600 St. Louis
  • Textile Workers Local #1374
  • Transportation Communication Union
  • UA Local #393
  • UAW Local #2250 Wentzville, MO
  • UAW Local #1648 Chicago
  • United Steel Workers Detroit, MI
  • United Mine Workers
  • United Postal Workers Union
  • United Electrical Workers Local #1392
  • United Pulp & Paper Association of Western Pulp & Paper Workers Union
  • United Glassworkers Local #9
  • United Food Commercial Workers
  • United Steel Workers of America Local #3643 Alton, IL
  • United Rubber Workers Local #351 Tuscaloosa, AL
  • United States Seafarers Union
  • United Textile Workers
  • United Transportation Union
  • Wood, Wire & Metal Lathers International Union Local #205 Alberta, Canada
  • Steelworkers Union for Combustion Engineering
  • New York City District Council of Carpenters Local
  • US Steel Workers
  • AFL-CIO U.S. Sugar
  • Amalgamated Clothing & Textile Workers Union
  • Cement & Gypsum Workers Local #106 Mason City, IA
  • Carpenters Union Local #94 Providence, RI
  • Cannery Union Local #740 Oakland, CA
  • International Aerospace & Machinist Union Local #141 Romulus, MI
  • Insulators Union Local #46
  • International Brotherhood of Pipefitters Boston, MA
  • Labors Union Local #534 Hamilton, OH
  • Local IEOU #642
  • National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 14 Louisville, KY
  • Operating Engineers Local #302 Seattle, WA
  • Papers Allied International Chemical & Energy Workers AFLCIO Local #449
  • Painters & Allied Trades Union Local #184 Chicago
  • Painters & Janitorial Local #1176
  • Pipecovers Union Local
  • Cement and Gypsum Workers #106 Mason City, IA Carpenters Local #5

Hiring a Mesothelioma Lawyer

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.