Missouri Mesothelioma Lawyers

Filing Deadlines in Missouri

Missouri sets a statute of limitations on mesothelioma lawsuits. The clock starts at diagnosis, not exposure.

Missing these deadlines can permanently bar a family's right to compensation.

When the Clock Starts

In Missouri, the statute of limitations begins on the date of diagnosis, not the date of asbestos exposure. This is called the "discovery rule."

Mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years. Without the discovery rule, most patients would lose their right to file before they even knew they were sick.

The clock starts when:

• A physician provides a formal mesothelioma diagnosis
• Symptoms reasonably indicated the disease was present

Personal Injury Claims in Missouri

Missouri allows 5 years from diagnosis to file a personal injury claim. These claims are filed by the patient and typically seek recovery for medical expenses (past and future treatment), lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life, meaning the impact of the disease on daily activities, relationships, and ability to work.

Wrongful Death Claims in Missouri

Missouri allows 3 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. These claims can be filed by:

• Surviving spouse
• Children (including adult children)
• Parents (in some cases)
• Estate representative

Wrongful death claims can recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses incurred before death
• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship and guidance

Asbestos Exposure Sites in Missouri

Missouri has 94 cities with documented asbestos exposure sites and 333 liable parties on record. Workers in these areas may have grounds for mesothelioma claims.

Select a city to view specific exposure sites, companies, and facilities with known asbestos exposure history.

View all 34 cities

Olivette 2 sites Richmond 2 sites St. Ann 2 sites Valley Park 2 sites

Missouri has 4 cancer centers specializing in mesothelioma treatment. For a complete list of documented asbestos exposure sites in Missouri, see our exposure database.

Types of Compensation in Missouri

Families in Missouri affected by mesothelioma may qualify for multiple forms of compensation. Most cases involve a combination of trust fund claims and litigation.

Lawsuits and Settlements

Personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits can be filed against companies responsible for asbestos exposure. Most cases settle before trial, with average mesothelioma settlements ranging from $1 million to $2.4 million. Total compensation can be significantly higher when combining multiple sources. Missouri courts generally allow expedited scheduling for mesothelioma cases.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Over 60 bankruptcy trusts hold more than $30 billion for asbestos victims. These claims are separate from lawsuits and can be filed regardless of whether a company is still operating. Trust fund claims have their own deadlines and requirements.

Learn about trust fund claims →

Asbestos Exposure History in Missouri

Manufacturing and lead smelting dominated exposure, particularly in eastern and southwestern Missouri. Workers at the Saint Joseph Lead Mine in Sullivan, Eagle Picher in Joplin, and Mallincrodt Chemical Works in Weldon Springs faced exposure. Amoco Oil Refinery in Sugar Creek used asbestos in insulation, pipe coverings, and protective gear for high-heat smelting and refining.

The overlap of heavy manufacturing with mining operations created dense clusters of contamination. The state has 273 documented sites across 34 cities in 16 counties. Power plants like Sioux Power Plant in West Alton contributed further.

People also faced risks at the Zonolite W.R. Grace vermiculite plant in St. Louis, Ford Motor Company in Hazelwood, and International Shoe Company in Cape Girardeau. Contaminated waste and routine maintenance tasks spread exposure. Insulation workers, miners, factory laborers, and power plant operators in Joplin, St. Louis, and Sullivan bore the brunt. Family members were also affected through take-home dust.

People with mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases continue to emerge decades later. Cleanups and health monitoring remain ongoing.

Choosing a Missouri Mesothelioma Lawyer

Mesothelioma litigation is a focused practice area. Not every personal injury attorney has the exposure databases, product identification resources, or trial experience these cases require. Our guide to choosing a mesothelioma law firm covers this in detail.

A few things to look at when narrowing a shortlist. Attorneys who concentrate on mesothelioma and asbestos cases typically maintain databases of products, manufacturers, and job sites that most general personal injury firms don't have. A firm's past settlements and verdicts in asbestos cases say more about depth than general trial experience. Familiarity with Missouri procedures, judges, and filing requirements shortens the learning curve, especially in an expedited docket. And most mesothelioma attorneys work on contingency, so the family pays nothing unless compensation is recovered.

Learn more about mesothelioma lawyer costs and how contingency fees work.