01. Filing Claims and Lawsuits in Nevada
Filing Mesothelioma Claims and Lawsuits in Nevada
Nevada workers and residents may have been exposed to asbestos at work, home, school or elsewhere. As a result, these individuals may develop an asbestos disease, such as mesothelioma. Between 1999 and 2019, 366 Nevada residents died of mesothelioma.
Nevada asbestos disease patients may be eligible for compensation. Asbestos compensation may come in the form of a lawsuit verdict, settlement or trust fund claim. These claims can help patients and their loved ones recover compensation. Financial compensation can help pay for medical expenses, travel costs and pain and suffering.
A mesothelioma lawyer can help guide claimants through the legal process. This often involves choosing a claim type, gathering evidence, filing the claim and helping to litigate or negotiate awards.
Dedicated asbestos attorneys have deep knowledge of how to build a successful claim.
Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Claim in Nevada?
Nevadans diagnosed with an asbestos disease may be eligible to file an asbestos claim. Asbestos claims are often brought against a former employer or asbestos product manufacturer. Common sources of asbestos exposure in Nevada include:
- Air Force bases: Stead Air Force Base and Nellis Air Force Base contained asbestos construction materials. Veterans may have been exposed to asbestos at Air Force bases.
- Asbestos company facilities: Several notable asbestos companies operated facilities in Nevada. These include Johns-Manville, Owens Corning Fiberglas, Eagle Picher Industries, Inc. and The Flintkote Company.
- Old buildings, including hotels and casinos: Buildings constructed before 1980 likely contained asbestos products. For example, in 2004, the Vagabond Inn and Tam O’Shanter Motel on the Las Vegas strip underwent a 19-day asbestos removal and demolition process. These buildings were constructed in the 1950s.
Visitors and residents may have been exposed to asbestos at these and other locations. Although asbestos products have largely been phased out since the 1980s, exposure is still a risk today. Workers in high-risk asbestos occupations should continue to use caution when dealing with aging asbestos products.
Residents of Nevada who lived in the following cities and towns have filed mesothelioma lawsuits to protect their rights and to seek compensation from negligent manufacturers and distributors of asbestos:
- Eureka, NV
- Henderson, NV
- Las Vegas, NV
- Reno, NV
- Sparks, NV
- Spring Creek, NV
Deadlines for Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in Nevada
All states have filing deadlines for mesothelioma claims. Nevada patients and loved ones wishing to file an asbestos claim must pay attention to filing deadlines. An attorney with experience in asbestos laws can help individuals navigate these rules, called the statutes of limitations.
These statutes dictate how long a claim may be filed after an asbestos-related diagnosis or death. They differ across states and claim types. Listed below are Nevada’s relevant statutes for mesothelioma claims.
If a statute of limitations has already passed, claimants may still have other options for compensation. For example, trust fund claims are not subject to statutes of limitations. Interested individuals should consult a mesothelioma law firm to determine their options.
02. Nevada Mesothelioma Law Firms
Mesothelioma Law Firms in Nevada
Nevada residents and workers impacted by an asbestos-related disease can seek legal help from local or nationwide law firms. Experienced mesothelioma law firms can help claimants understand their filing options for financial compensation. These firms can handle the filing process on the claimant’s behalf, enabling them to focus on treatment and time with their loved ones.
The following law firms can help people living in Nevada receive compensation:
Working with a national law firm can have several advantages over working with smaller, local firms. Nationwide mesothelioma firms have decades of experience and access to many resources to build successful claims. Lawyers at these law firms have proven experience holding asbestos companies accountable and securing settlements for their clients.
National law firms understand the intricacies of asbestos laws across the country and can identify the most favorable jurisdiction to file your claim. It is not always ideal to file your claim in the state you currently live in.
Lawyers at national firms will also travel to you to make the process as easy as possible. They are dedicated to getting you and your family the compensation and peace of mind you deserve.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
03. Nevada Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts
Mesothelioma & Asbestos Settlements in Nevada
Nevada workers and residents have recovered millions of dollars through mesothelioma claims. Common defendants include former employers, asbestos products manufacturers and negligent building owners.
Mesothelioma compensation awards can help patients cover medical expenses, lost income and emotional losses. Loved ones of deceased patients may also be able to recover compensation for these damages. Cases may result in a settlement, which is a legal agreement reached between the plaintiff and defendant.
We have listed below a few of the verdicts and settlements compensating victims of asbestos exposure in Nevada:
- $11.8 MILLION: Pipefitter – 66 years old
- $3.4 MILLION: Merchant Marine/Longshoreman – 58 years old
- $3.1 MILLION: Contractor – 74 years old
- $2.8 MILLION: Electrician – 86 years old
- $2.2 MILLION: Construction Worker/Plant Worker – 86 years old
- $1.8 MILLION: Navy/Maintenance – 72 years old
- $1.4 MILLION: Navy Worker/Plumber – 83 years old
- $1.1 MILLION: Mechanic/Police – 78 years old
- $800,000: Sales – 74 years old
- $600,000: Contractor/Supervisor – 75 years old
Note: Each lawsuit is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in the future. Contact a reputable Nevada mesothelioma lawyer to understand how much compensation you may be eligible to receive.
04. Asbestos Laws in Nevada
Nevada Asbestos Laws & Regulations
Some Nevada state agencies have enacted asbestos regulations surrounding workplace safety and asbestos handling.
The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) handles rules related to asbestos exposure during construction, renovation or demolition. The Division of Industrial Relations handles asbestos abatement project notifications and regulations around certification and licensing.
State-specific asbestos regulations include:
- Asbestos licensing in Nevada: This law requires an approved license for anyone who performs asbestos work in Nevada. The DEP issues these licenses. Asbestos professionals licensed in other states can apply for a license in Nevada as well. These individuals must meet all the relevant requirements and pay the appropriate fee.
- The Washoe County District Board of Health regulations governing air quality management: Washoe County includes Reno, Nevada. The county’s Air Quality Management guidelines require asbestos sampling. The county also requires submission of an Acknowledgment of Asbestos Assessment (AAA Form) before a building permit can be issued.
- Contributory negligence rule: Contributory negligence means liability will be assigned based on fault. In cases where a claimant’s action may have contributed to their asbestos disease, the plaintiff may recover damages from defendants if the plaintiff is not more than 50% to blame for their illness.
- Punitive damage caps: In Nevada, punitive damages are limited to three times the amount of compensatory damages (if more than $100,000) or $300,000 if compensatory damages are less than $100,000.
Nevada workers, residents and corporations are also subject to all federal asbestos regulations.
If an individual or business violates any of these state or federal regulations, they may be subject to punitive measures, including fines.
For example, in 2008, a Nevada landfill operator was fined $1 million for violating the Clean Water Act after a landfill cover failed. The failure sent waste, including asbestos, into the Las Vegas water system. Along with the fine, the company was also ordered to create a $36 million waste management plan to ensure no further contamination.