Texas industrial landscape

Texas Mesothelioma Lawyers

Texas ranks third nationally for mesothelioma diagnoses, with 206 new cases and 350 deaths each year. The age-adjusted rate of 0.7 per 100,000 residents is near the national average. Between 1999 and 2021, more than 4,038 people in Texas were diagnosed.

Filing Deadlines in Texas

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

Personal Injury
2 Years from Diagnosis
For claims filed by mesothelioma patients
Wrongful Death
2 Years from Death
For claims filed by surviving family members

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

When the Clock Starts

In Texas, 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 Texas

Texas allows 2 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 Texas

Texas allows 2 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 Texas

Texas has 71 cities with documented asbestos exposure sites and 260 liable parties on record. Workers in these areas may have grounds for mesothelioma claims.

Map of documented asbestos exposure sites in Texas

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

Houston 69 sites Dallas 20 sites Pasadena 11 sites Beaumont 9 sites Baytown 8 sites Tyler 8 sites Borger 7 sites Odessa 7 sites Deer Park 6 sites San Antonio 6 sites Sinton 6 sites Fort Worth 5 sites Port Arthur 5 sites Texas City 5 sites Galveston 5 sites Amarillo 4 sites Orange 4 sites Corpus Christi 3 sites Longview 3 sites Mesquite 3 sites Pt. Arthur 3 sites Abilene 2 sites Austin 2 sites Big Spring 2 sites Choc Bayou 2 sites Denison 2 sites Dumas 2 sites Falfurrias 2 sites Forth Worth 2 sites Freeport 2 sites
View all 34 cities
Galena Park 2 sites Pt. Neches 2 sites Victoria 2 sites Waco 2 sites

Texas has 6 cancer centers specializing in mesothelioma treatment. For a complete list of documented asbestos exposure sites in Texas, see our exposure database.

MesoWatch Investigations: Texas

MesoWatch publishes original primary-source investigations covering Texas asbestos exposure. The Texas military base asbestos footprint documents 11 active and former installations across the state where veterans and civilian contractors faced presumptive exposure from pre-1980 base construction. The Houston Ship Channel exposure sites investigation maps refineries, petrochemical plants, and shipyards along the 52-mile industrial corridor that drove much of the state's documented exposure. The Galveston and Texas City shipyard belt covers Gulf Coast shipbuilding, and the Beaumont-Port Arthur refinery corridor documents the Golden Triangle's petrochemical exposure history.

For people diagnosed with mesothelioma in Texas, the MD Anderson mesothelioma trial access gap details the geographic concentration of clinical trial access in Houston and the driving distances families face from West Texas, the Panhandle, and the Rio Grande Valley. The ASARCO El Paso smelter investigation documents a 120-year industrial operation that closed through the largest environmental bankruptcy in United States history. The Texas mesothelioma research output investigation shows Texas ranks second in the country in mesothelioma research, with one institution accounting for 68% of the state's published work. Navy and shipyard veterans should also see the Navy shipyard FOIA asbestos cohort for documented per-shipyard exposure records.

Recent Texas Coverage

Recent reporting from MesoWatch on asbestos exposure, litigation, and treatment relevant to Texas.

Which Asbestos Trust Funds Apply to Texas Workers? Texas refinery, shipyard, and plant workers may qualify for multiple asbestos trust funds. How claims work and what to expect. Galveston Shipyard Workers and Mesothelioma: What the Navy Records Show Galveston and Texas City shipyards exposed thousands to asbestos during WWII and beyond. Data on workers, claims, and outcomes. Beaumont to Texas City: 451 Deaths Along America's Asbestos Corridor The Beaumont-Port Arthur-Texas City industrial belt has the highest per capita asbestos death rate in Texas.

Types of Compensation in Texas

Families in Texas 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. Texas courts generally allow expedited scheduling for mesothelioma cases.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Over 60 bankruptcy trusts hold more than $30 billion for people harmed by asbestos exposure. 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 →

VA benefits for Texas veterans

Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma typically qualify for VA disability benefits, often at the 100% rating. These benefits can be received alongside lawsuit settlements and trust fund payments.

Learn about VA benefits →

Asbestos Exposure History in Texas

Oil refineries, chemical plants, shipyards, and steel mills drove exposure along the Gulf Coast and Houston Ship Channel. Industrial activity boomed from the early 1900s through the late 20th century. Workers at Brown Shipbuilding, Consolidated Steel Orange Shipyard, and Bloodworth Bond Shipyard in Houston and Texas City handled asbestos in insulation, boilers, gaskets, and safety gear. Exxon refineries, Pure Oil Union 76 Beaumont Works, La Gloria Oil Refinery, and Koppers Chemical Plant created additional exposure.

Wartime demands and petrochemical expansion concentrated risk in energy and maritime sectors. Landmark litigation followed. Claude Tomplait filed suit in 1966 as a Texas insulation worker. Clarence Borel's 1969 case, tied to shipyards and refineries on the Texas-Louisiana border, helped set national asbestos legal precedents.

People also encountered asbestos in power plants like City of Austin Power Plant and schools like Anderson High School and Angleton High School. Public buildings including City of Houston Court Building and even Corsicana State Home were contaminated. Exposure has been documented at 208 sites across 32 cities in 23 counties.

Houston recorded 524 asbestos-related deaths from 1979 to 2002. Beaumont-Port Arthur recorded 451. Dallas recorded 270. Insulators, refinery operators, shipbuilders, and steelworkers bore the brunt. Many carried fibers home on clothing, exposing family members.

Choosing a Texas 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 Texas 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.

Legal Q&A

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the statute of limitations for a mesothelioma lawsuit in Texas?

In Texas, people with mesothelioma have two years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury lawsuit. Wrongful death claims brought by surviving family members must be filed within two years from the date of death. These deadlines apply regardless of when asbestos exposure occurred. Filing after either window closes typically bars the claim from proceeding in court.

How many people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in Texas each year?

Texas sees approximately 206 new mesothelioma diagnoses each year, with roughly 350 deaths annually from the disease. The state's rate of 0.7 cases per 100,000 people reflects its long history of industrial asbestos use. Between 1999 and 2021, Texas recorded 4,038 total cases, ranking third in the nation for mesothelioma cases, a reflection of its large oil, chemical, and manufacturing workforce.

What industries put Texas workers at risk for asbestos exposure?

Texas workers faced significant asbestos exposure across several major industries, including oil refineries, chemical plants, shipyards, and steel mills. The state has 208 documented asbestos exposure sites spread across 32 cities. Industrial centers including Houston, Beaumont, and Port Arthur concentrated much of this exposure, particularly among workers who spent decades in refineries and along the Gulf Coast shipyards.

Where can people with mesothelioma get treatment in Texas?

Texas has several cancer centers with experience treating mesothelioma: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Mays Cancer Center in San Antonio, the Lung Institute at Baylor College of Medicine, and Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center in Dallas. MD Anderson is one of the most frequently referenced centers for pleural mesothelioma treatment in the United States.

What is the average payout for an asbestos claim?

Average payouts for asbestos claims vary by disease type and resolution method. People with mesothelioma typically receive $1 million to $2.4 million in lawsuit settlements from multiple defendants, plus $300,000 to $400,000 from trust funds. Asbestos-related lung cancer claims average $250,000 overall, while non-malignant conditions like asbestosis yield $10,000 to $50,000. Trial verdicts for mesothelioma average $5 million to $11.4 million but are less common than settlements. These figures reflect reported trends from law firm data as of 2026.