Find a Mesothelioma Lawyer in Houston, Texas
Houston, the biggest city in Texas and one the largest in the United States, is home to over 2 million people. With nearly 100 skyscrapers located in downtown Houston, asbestos exposure was a likely occurrence during and after their construction. As the most populated city in the state, there are many options for asbestos law firms. If you live or ever worked in Houston, Texas, you should know how to locate an experienced mesothelioma lawyer in the event you are diagnosed with this cancer.
JUMP TO A TOPIC
Top Mesothelioma Lawyers and Law Firms in Houston
As the most populated city in Texas, Houston offers many local mesothelioma law firms and attorneys. Some personal injury law firms or lawyers will take on cancer cases caused by asbestos exposure – even if they do not have extensive knowledge on these types of cases. One website mentions 24 mesothelioma lawyers in Houston, Texas.
Reasons to Find a National Asbestos Law Firm for Madison County Claims
You should always prioritize finding a national asbestos law firm no matter where you plan to file your claim. There are many reasons why you need a national firm with a license to practice law in multiple places, spanning multiple states or even regions of the country.
BCBH Law in Houston, Texas
Local law firms may seem like the best option due to convenience, but that might not be the case. National asbestos law firms often possess more skill, knowledge and experience to navigate these specific cases. A nationally recognized asbestos law firm like Bullock Campbell Bullock & Harris, PC has more expertise and resources to successfully help victims of mesothelioma.
BCBH Law is also based in Houston, Texas, making any meetings or communication much easier for you or a family member diagnosed with mesothelioma. This law firm, led by four experienced mesothelioma attorneys, is the top firm in Houston. The partners at BCBH Law are:
- Angela Bullock
- Craig Bullock
- Taylor Campbell
- Casey Harris
All four have served mesothelioma and asbestos victims for more than 20 years. They understand how to move cases quickly through the court system and prioritize their clients’ well-being and financial future.
Here are a few characteristics setting law firms like BCBH Law apart from others.
Most Mesothelioma Claims Involve Multiple Locations
Mesothelioma cases can involve multiple companies, locations and victims. Mesothelioma claims are intended for any and all companies possibly responsible for a victim’s exposure to asbestos. These types of claims often concern multiple companies, even multiple locations, as they may have been involved in the manufacturing and distribution of products containing asbestos.
The several locations often involved in asbestos cases are usually where the manufacturers are located, distributors are located, company headquarters are located, and where the employee worked at the time of exposure. All of these locations are where legal claims are to be filed – and yes, you can file mesothelioma claims in multiple locations against multiple companies.
A national mesothelioma lawyer such as BCBH Law’s four partner attorneys will help narrow down where you need to file your claim – whether it be in Houston or across three different states. A local mesothelioma lawyer would be confined to Houston, Texas, and surrounding suburbs.
Due to the complexity and variety of locations involved in mesothelioma claims, choosing a national law firm or lawyer to navigate all of your potential asbestos claims will optimize your time and results. Hiring a Houston lawyer will likely confine you to Houston – and then require you to search for and hire lawyers in each state included in your mesothelioma claim. A national law firm offers the convenience and efficiency of having one attorney for all of your claims.
National Law Firms Have More Experience With Asbestos Legal Claims
Another reason to seek out a national mesothelioma law firm is they have more experience with asbestos claims than local law firms.
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer with less than 3,000 diagnoses each year. Due to the rarity of mesothelioma, only a few people are diagnosed in Houston, Texas each year – which means only one or two victims may contact a local lawyer for guidance.
As a local lawyer receiving a couple of asbestos claims a year, it is impossible to compare their experience to a national asbestos attorney receiving mesothelioma cases regularly. National mesothelioma lawyers are experts in the legal processes for asbestos claims. They have mastered the strategies required to determine a victim’s complete asbestos exposure history.
Bullock Campbell Bullock & Harris, PC is a prime example of a top national asbestos law firm. BCBH Law has a complete database of confirmed asbestos exposure sites all over the United States. By examining a mesothelioma victim’s history of employment, BCBH attorneys can identify the different exposure sites.
How to File a Mesothelioma Claim in Houston, Texas
The first step to filing a mesothelioma claim in Houston, Texas is finding a qualified lawyer to take on the case. Finding the right attorney can relieve much stress from the victim. They’ll complete the required paperwork, communicate with the many lawyers for the defendant companies, and move your claim through the process efficiently.
The next step of a mesothelioma claim in Houston, Texas, is filing the case at the local courthouse. Harris County Civil Court is located in the center of Houston.
The complete steps for mesothelioma claims are:
- Find a mesothelioma lawyer
- Meet with your legal team
- Go through your history of exposure to asbestos
- File your mesothelioma claim
- Go through a full review of your work history, exposures, and evidence of malpractice from at-fault companies
- Provide a deposition
- Discuss a potential settlement
- Take the case to trial, hopefully for a favorable verdict
Many cases don’t make it to trial due to the demand of mesothelioma settlements by defending companies. Typically, at-fault companies do not want to risk taking the case to trial and being ordered to pay extreme verdict amounts. They prefer to settle behind closed doors, which allows the defendants to deliver the victim’s award much more quickly.
Asbestos Exposure in Houston, Texas
Asbestos exposure in Houston, Texas was very likely in the 20th century. Most industries incorporated the cancer-causing mineral into countless products and materials, leading to unknown exposure to asbestos and the development of asbestos diseases.
Some of the confirmed sites of asbestos exposure in Houston, Texas are:
- 1st City Bank Building
- Aldene High School
- Astrodome
- Astroworld
- Baylor Medical Center
- Brown & Root
- Chevron Refinery
- City Jail
- Docks, Ports, Shipyard & Ship Channels
- Dupont Chemical Plant
- Exxon Building
- First National Bank Building
- Houston Power & Light Co. – Powerhouse
- Goodyear Tire & Rubber Synthetic Rubber Plant
- General Electric Plant
- Honeywell Office Building
- IBM
- Intercontinental Airport
- Kroger Stores
- Lyondell Petroleum Company
- MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Nabisco, Inc.
- NASA
- Pennzoil Building
- Rice University
- San Jacinto Building
- Southern Pacific Railroad Company
- Texas Children’s Hospital
- University of Houston
- Wyatt Boiler Works
- YMCA Building
At-Risk Occupations for Houston Workforce
Construction, insulation and other industrial progress achieved throughout the 20th century are the main source of asbestos in Houston. Most exposure occurred on job sites, also known as occupational asbestos exposure. People working in specific trades or for companies manufacturing asbestos products were unknowingly at risk.
High-risk occupations for the Houston workforce include:
- Construction work
- Insulation work
- Railroad workers
- Electrical workers
- Plumbers
- Pipefitters
- Electrical plant workers
- Gas plant workers
- Power plant workers
Houston Asbestos Laws and Regulations
The Texas Asbestos Health Protection Act is the primary law governing asbestos regulation in Texas, which requires employers to protect workers from exposure to asbestos fibers by educating employees on the health hazards of asbestos and limiting the level of asbestos exposure in the workplace.
The Texas Asbestos National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) Regulations (Sections 61.130-61.140 of the Texas Administrative Code) implement the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for asbestos. These regulations set emissions standards for asbestos-containing materials that are subject to reduction.
The Texas Hazard Communication Act (Texas Labor Code, Chapter 502) requires employers to provide employees with information regarding the hazards of asbestos exposure. Employers must also develop and implement a written hazard communication program including information on the dangers of asbestos exposure and the precautions workers can take to protect themselves from these dangers.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to provide employees with a safe and healthy workplace. Employers must take steps to protect workers from hazardous working conditions, including exposure to asbestos fibers.
The state of Texas also states that any work disturbing asbestos must be performed by trained and licensed professionals, and you must alert the Texas Department of State Health Services.
The only exception for performing asbestos removal without a license is removing floor tile or sheet vinyl flooring. However, the person removing the material must participate in the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) guidelines training and follow those guidelines throughout the removal process. Before performing the removal, the flooring material must be sampled by a certified inspector.
All asbestos removal should be completed safely and by someone with proper training. The full Texas Asbestos Regulation is accessible on the Texas Department of State Health Services website.
Chrysotile asbestos is banned in the United States. The ban prevents ongoing and new uses of the mineral, along with importation and manufacturing. Chrysotile asbestos is the most common of the six asbestos types and the only type reportedly still used in select industries.
Chrysotile asbestos is still used in the chlor-alkali industry. Chlor-alkali is used to make chlorine, hydrogen and sodium hydroxide. Chlor-alkali plants have a few years to transition to an alternative.
All other industries – including construction – have found substitutes for asbestos. The mineral was valued for its durability and resistance to heat, which protected wires, insulation and other building components from damage.
Governing Bodies Overseeing Asbestos in Houston, Texas
The Texas Department of State Health Services is the main governing body overseeing asbestos in Houston and other Texas cities. The national regulatory body for asbestos is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Other governing bodies overseeing asbestos in Houston, Texas are:
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – federal regulatory agency responsible for protecting the public and the environment by ensuring clean and quality air and land, including asbestos regulation.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – federal agency responsible for setting and enforcing workplace safety standards, including those for asbestos exposure.
- Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) – primary regulatory agency for asbestos in Texas; collaborates with local agencies to promote general health and well-being among the public, including enforcing asbestos laws and regulations while educating the public on asbestos safety.
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) – state agency responsible for protecting the state’s public health and natural resources, including asbestos emissions.
Statute of Limitations for Asbestos Claims in Houston, Texas
The statute of limitations law was implemented to protect defendant’s from legal liability after a certain period of time that their alleged offense was committed. This law places a limit on the amount of time a victim has to file a claim. In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death cases is two (2) years.
In most cases, the time window begins immediately after someone is wronged, injured or deceased. However, mesothelioma and asbestos cases are an exception due to the long latency period of the disease. The statute of limitations for mesothelioma and asbestos claims begins once the victim is diagnosed with mesothelioma, or after the victim dies and the family can file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Delaying any type of legal action can risk the window for the statute of limitations closing. The only way to ensure the process is stress-free and efficient is to find an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to accept the case. Your knowledgeable asbestos attorney will initiate the process and thoroughly handle all the details to ensure you receive adequate compensation. BCBH Law is one such option, with the main office located in Houston, Texas, making any case for Houston residents much easier.
The law firm of Bullock Campbell Bullock & Harris is a national law firm dedicated to bringing justice to mesothelioma victims and their families. The highly accomplished attorneys of BCBH are available to discuss your diagnosis and exposure history. Contact the mesothelioma attorneys at BCBH Law for legal guidance in your Houston asbestos claim.
Texas Mesothelioma Laws & Law Firms by City
Sources & Author
