Missoula, Montana is the county seat of Missoula County in western Montana. The city proper has a population of 73,489 (2020 census), while the Missoula Metropolitan Area has 117,922 residents. Historically and currently, the economy centers on lumber and paper milling, dairying, agricultural marketing, tourism, and educational facilities; the city also serves as regional headquarters for the U.S. Forest Service and hosts the Intermountain Fire Sciences Laboratory. Geographically, Missoula sits at the convergence of five mountain ranges in a broad valley at 3,209 feet elevation, positioned along the Clark Fork River near its confluence with the Bitterroot and Blackfoot rivers, approximately 25 miles east of the Idaho border.
Workers across 3 documented sites in the Missoula area were exposed to asbestos in industrial, commercial, and government settings.
Exposure Record
Asbestos Exposure Sites in Missoula
Missoula, Montana has 3 companies and facilities with documented asbestos exposure on record. Workers at these sites, and their families who may have experienced secondary exposure, may qualify for mesothelioma compensation.
- Highlander Brewery
- Missoula Distributors
- Papermill-Stone Container
This list may not include all exposure sources. An attorney with access to asbestos product databases can identify additional responsible parties based on work history and job site records.
Deadlines
Filing Deadlines in Montana
Montana law sets strict time limits for filing mesothelioma claims. These deadlines begin when you receive a diagnosis, not when exposure occurred.
Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your right to compensation. Even with longer deadlines, starting early gives your legal team time to gather evidence and build a strong case.
Full Montana legal guide →Compensation
Compensation Options
Mesothelioma patients exposed in Missoula may be eligible for compensation from multiple sources.
Lawsuits Against Responsible Parties
Personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits can be filed against companies responsible for asbestos exposure. These claims can recover damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life. Average mesothelioma settlements range from amounts that vary widely by case, and total compensation is often higher.
Asbestos Trust Funds
Many asbestos companies have filed for bankruptcy and established trust funds to pay people affected by asbestos exposure. Over 60 trusts hold more than $30 billion. You can file claims with multiple trusts if you were exposed to products from multiple companies.
VA benefits for veterans
Veterans who developed mesothelioma from military service typically qualify for VA disability compensation, often at the 100% rating. These benefits can be received alongside lawsuit settlements and trust fund payments.
Cancer Centers in Montana
The following NCI-designated cancer centers in Montana treat people with mesothelioma.
Billings Clinic Cancer Center
Billings, MT
800.332.7156
Representation
Finding a Mesothelioma Lawyer
When looking for legal representation for a mesothelioma case tied to Missoula exposure, a few things separate asbestos-focused firms from general personal injury practices. Look for attorneys who concentrate on asbestos litigation rather than dabble in it, and who carry working knowledge of Missoula and Montana industries and the specific job sites in the area. Ask about the firm's track record of settlements and verdicts in similar cases. Confirm they carry the investigation resources these claims need, including product identification databases and access to the decades of deposition testimony already on file. Finally, most mesothelioma attorneys work on contingency, which means no payment unless they recover compensation.
Most mesothelioma attorneys offer confidential case reviews and work on contingency: you pay nothing unless they recover compensation.
Talk to a Mesothelioma Attorney About Your Montana Case
Aaron Heckaman
Bailey Cowan Heckaman PLLC
Aaron Heckaman is a Houston-based mesothelioma trial lawyer with Bailey Cowan Heckaman PLLC, recognized by America's Top 100 Attorneys. He is not a referral service. He explains how these cases work, names the companies likely responsible for your loved one's exposure, and what your family could recover in Montana. No fees unless you recover compensation.
Sponsored by Bailey Cowan Heckaman PLLC. 1360 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 2300, Houston, TX 77056. Sponsored placement, independently vetted. Full disclosure
Attorney Advertising. Aaron Heckaman, Bailey Cowan Heckaman PLLC, 1360 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 2300, Houston, TX 77056, is responsible for the content of this advertisement. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is different. No attorney-client relationship is formed by using this site. Bailey Cowan Heckaman PLLC is licensed in Texas. Matters in other jurisdictions are handled in association with attorneys licensed in those states. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
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Independent Mesothelioma Support
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MesoWatch is an independent mesothelioma advocacy and journalism organization. Our advocates can answer questions about treatment, exposure history, trust funds, and connect you to the right resources for your situation.
MesoWatch is an independent advocacy and journalism organization. For legal advice, talk with a licensed attorney.