Rhode Island Mesothelioma Lawyers

Filing Deadlines in Rhode Island

Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island

Rhode Island allows 3 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 Rhode Island

Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island

Rhode Island has 1 cities with documented asbestos exposure sites and 1 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.

Rhode Island has 1 cancer centers specializing in mesothelioma treatment. For a complete list of documented asbestos exposure sites in Rhode Island, see our exposure database.

Types of Compensation in Rhode Island

Families in Rhode Island 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 amounts that vary widely by case. Total compensation can be significantly higher when combining multiple sources. Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island

Shipyards, manufacturing, and military installations drove the state's exposure. Rhode Island's roughly 400 miles of coastline made it ideal for naval ports and shipyards. Thousands of workers encountered asbestos throughout nearly every part of ships, particularly in boiler rooms, engine rooms, weapons storage, and sleeping quarters. Herreshoff Boatyard and Wickford Shipyard operated from the early 1900s until the 1970s. Most ships of that era contained thousands of asbestos components.

Manufacturing also contributed. Textile mills, chemical plants, and power generation facilities used asbestos before the 1980s. Acme Tile Company, Biltmore Textile, Rhode Island Textile Company, and J. and P. Coats Inc. exposed workers to friable asbestos in insulation, fireproofing, and building components.

Schools and public buildings exposed hundreds of students and educators before the 1990s. Vinyl tiles, ceilings, and spray-on asbestos on walls were common sources. Naval Station Newport and Quonset Point Naval Air Station exposed military personnel from the early 1900s through the 1980s.

Between 1999 and 2017, Rhode Island recorded 1,363 asbestos-related deaths, including 249 from mesothelioma and 121 from asbestosis. Providence County accounted for 629 deaths. The latency period for mesothelioma can extend 20 to 50 years. Workers exposed in the 1960s and 1970s are still developing serious illnesses today.

Choosing a Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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.