01. Filing Claims and Lawsuits in Wisconsin
Filing Mesothelioma Claims and Lawsuits in Wisconsin
From 1999 to 2017, there were 1,514 Wisconsin residents diagnosed with mesothelioma. The state also had the eighth-highest mesothelioma mortality rate in the country between 1999 and 2019. During that period, the state recorded 1,351 mesothelioma deaths. This put the state well above the national average death rate for mesothelioma patients.
Wisconsin patients may choose to file a mesothelioma claim or lawsuit to hold guilty parties responsible for the asbestos exposure that led to their diseases. Exposure may have occurred in a number of ways, including at a patient’s workplace or home. Occupational exposure is one of the most common ways to come into contact with the mineral.
Mesothelioma patients may be eligible to file for compensation with the help of a mesothelioma lawyer. An experienced attorney can help patients and their loved ones seek legal action against guilty parties, such as asbestos companies. Wisconsin residents wishing to pursue legal action should contact a lawyer to learn more about their options.
Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Claim in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin workers and residents may be eligible to pursue legal action for their asbestos diseases. These diseases can develop after asbestos exposure of any length, frequency or type. Many Wisconsin residents with asbestos diseases were exposed while working at asbestos jobsites.
Potential sources of asbestos exposure in Wisconsin include:
- Automotive manufacturers: A 1987 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) investigation found airborne asbestos at the Four Wheel Drive Corporation automotive plant in Clintonville. The report also noted brake shavings at the plant contained 10 – 20% asbestos.
- Metal manufacturers: Employees in metal manufacturing and processing plants were frequently in contact with asbestos used in equipment. For example, Milwaukee’s Ladish Company metal plant in Cudahy underwent a NIOSH investigation in 1985. The report detailed 28 job activities with a potential for asbestos exposure. Thus, any metal workers working in the plant may have experienced asbestos exposure.
- Vermiculite processing plants: Tons of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite were shipped worldwide from the W.R. Grace & Company’s mine in Libby, Montana. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) records show W.R. Grace shipped 1,995 tons of vermiculite to Koos, Inc.’s Kenosha facility between 1969 and 1982. Workers in this plant may have been exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos disease victims may choose to file for compensation to hold responsible parties accountable. Common options for legal action include lawsuits and trust fund claims. Mesothelioma patients who are veterans may also be eligible to file a VA claim for monthly disability benefits.
Residents of Wisconsin 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:
- Amherst Junction, WI
- Ashland, WI
- Baraboo, WI
- Berlin, WI
- Birnamwood, WI
- Boscobel, WI
- Brandon, WI
- Centuria, WI
- Combined Locks, WI
- De Pere, WI
- Elkhorn, WI
- Fond du Lac, WI
- Germantown, WI
- Greendale, WI
- Greenfield, WI
- Hancock, WI
- Hudson, WI
- Iron River, WI
- Kimberly, WI
- La Crosse, WI
- Lac Du Flambeau, WI
- Luxenberg, WI
- Madison, WI
- Marquette, WI
- Menomonee Falls, WI
- Menomonie, WI
- Mercer, WI
- Milwaukee, WI
- Muskego, WI
- Neenah, WI
- New Berlin, WI
- Onalaska, WI
- Oshkosh, WI
- Pearson, WI
- Pewaukee, WI
- Potosi, WI
- Prairie du Sac, WI
- Racine, WI
- Randolph, WI
- Rhinelander, WI
- Rice Lake, WI
- Sheboygan, WI
- South Milwaukee, WI
- South Range, WI
- Sun Prairie, WI
- Tomah, WI
- Tomahawk, WI
- Trego, WI
- Verona, WI
- Viroqua, WI
- Wales, WI
- Watertown, WI
- Waukesha, WI
- Wausau, WI
- West Bend, WI
- West Salem, WI
- Windsor, WI
Deadlines for Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in Wisconsin
Wisconsin asbestos victims have a limited period of time to pursue litigation. This is due to a collection of state laws called the statutes of limitations. These statutes determine how long individuals have to file a lawsuit after an asbestos disease diagnosis or death. Attorneys at mesothelioma law firms can help victims gather documentation and meet filing deadlines.
Some Wisconsinites may also be eligible to submit an asbestos trust fund claim. As part of bankruptcy proceedings, companies may establish asbestos trust funds to compensate current and future asbestos victims. A mesothelioma lawyer may help claimants determine which options are right for their unique situations.
02. Wisconsin Mesothelioma Law Firms
Mesothelioma Law Firms in Wisconsin
Wisconsin residents may seek legal support from mesothelioma law firms. Former residents and workers in Wisconsin may be eligible to file a claim in the state. Experienced law firms can explain eligibility and filing options. They can also determine if this state is the best jurisdiction to file the claim in.
The following law firms can help people living in Wisconsin receive compensation:
When considering legal representation for your mesothelioma claim, it is beneficial to seek legal support from experienced nationwide law firms. These firms have the breadth of experience, knowledge and resources to build a successful case. Their lawyers have experience prosecuting large asbestos companies and holding them accountable for their wrongdoings.
Lawyers at these firms frequently travel across the country to visit claimants. This means you will not need to travel to discuss your case. They will come to you to address your questions and needs. Nationwide law firms aim to make the process easy for you. Their main goal is to secure the most favorable financial outcome for you and your family.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
03. Wisconsin Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts
Mesothelioma & Asbestos Settlements in Wisconsin
Wisconsin residents who developed an illness from asbestos exposure and their loved ones have received millions of dollars in compensation. Mesothelioma lawyers can help individuals file a mesothelioma lawsuit.
A successful lawsuit can help patients and loved ones receive compensation for medical bills, living expenses, lost income and future financial security. Individuals in Wisconsin have received compensation through asbestos lawsuit verdicts and settlements.
As a reference point, we have provided below a sampling of asbestos settlements achieved on behalf of Wisconsin residents who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace:
- $4.7 MILLION: Navy/Teacher – 72 years old
- $4.2 MILLION: Navy/Electrician – 68 years old
- $3.5 MILLION: Navy/Mechanic – 56 years old
- $3.4 MILLION: Maintenance – 57 years old
- $3.4 MILLION: Plumber – 62 years old
- $3.2 MILLION: Pipefitter – 72 years old
- $3.0 MILLION: Plant Worker – 70 years old
- $3.0 MILLION: Household/Plant Worker – 78 years old
- $2.8 MILLION: Engineer/Plasterer – 60 years old
- $2.6 MILLION: Plant Worker/Sheet Metal Worker – 68 years old
- $2.5 MILLION: Navy/Electrician – 72 years old
- $2.4 MILLION: Navy – 66 years old
- $2.3 MILLION: Machinist/Maintenance – 71 years old
Note: Each lawsuit is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in the future. Contact a reputable Wisconsin mesothelioma lawyer to understand how much compensation you may be eligible to receive.
04. Asbestos Laws in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Asbestos Laws & Regulations
Many states have their own asbestos regulations and enforcement agencies. Several Wisconsin agencies administer the state’s asbestos laws, including the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of Health Services (DHS).
The state laws relating to asbestos are found primarily in the Wisconsin Statutes, Chapter 254. This chapter details proper asbestos removal and handling certification requirements, testing fees, management of asbestos in buildings (including schools) and indoor air quality rules. It also outlines penalties for violating any of these regulations. Violation of state or federal asbestos regulations may result in fines.
Proper licensing for asbestos removal in the state should go through Wisconsin’s DHS Asbestos Program. This program provides:
- Certification for asbestos workers
- Collection of licensing fees
- Management of asbestos notifications
- Inspection of asbestos abatement projects to ensure compliance with state and federal laws
Only properly trained and licensed individuals can work on asbestos projects. Contractors must submit notification for any renovation or demolition operations involving asbestos at least 10 business days before the work begins. The Wisconsin DHS also provides a way for workers or members of the public to report potentially unsafe asbestos work in their community.
Find Mesothelioma Doctors, Lawyers and Asbestos Exposure Sites Near You
