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Last updated on June 2026

HAVE YOU BEEN EXPOSED TO ASBESTOS AND DEVELOPED MESOTHELIOMA OR RELATED HEALTH PROBLEMS?

You May Be Entitled To Substantial CompensationMesothelioma Lawsuits: Alabama Mesothelioma Lawsuit - Levy Konigsberg

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Mesothelioma And Asbestos Exposure

FILING MESOTHELIOMA LAWSUIT IN ALABAMA

For decades, the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision in Garrett v. Raytheon dictated that the state’s two-year statute of limitations for toxic torts cases ran from the date of the plaintiff’s last exposure to the toxic substance. Because the serious health effects caused by asbestos exposure may not manifest into a diagnosis of mesothelioma until years or even decades after such exposure, under the frequently harsh “last exposure rule”, the statute of limitations would have likely expired well before a potential plaintiff ever discovered that he had mesothelioma.

While there was an exception for persons suffering from an asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma, whose last exposure to an asbestos product occurred after May 1979, a potential plaintiff last exposed to an asbestos product before May 1979 would likely have no viable claim against that product’s manufacturer by the time he is diagnosed with the disease.

However, in an important toxic tort decision, Griffin v. Unocal Corp., the Alabama Supreme Court overruled its decades-old last exposure rule in toxic tort cases, and instead adopted a more rational “discovery rule.” Under the discovery rule, a potential plaintiff’s claim accrues, and the statute of limitations begins to run, on the first date the injured party, through reasonable diligence, should have reason to discover the injury – in a case of mesothelioma, the date of diagnosis. As it appears from the court’s opinion, Alabama courts will now apply the discovery rule regardless of the date of last exposure.

In the Griffin case, David Griffin was exposed to hazardous chemicals manufactured by multiple chemical companies while employed at a tire-manufacturing facility in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, from 1973 to 1993. David was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia on September 9, 2003, approximately ten years after he left his employment at the tire plant. He died in February 2004 as a result of his leukemia. A week later, his wife, Brenda Sue Griffin, filed a wrongful death lawsuit on his behalf alleging that David’s illness and subsequent death was caused by his exposure to various chemicals during his employment at the tire manufacturing facility. The defendant chemical companies filed motions to dismiss stating that Plaintiff’s claims were time-barred because her claim accrued and the statute of limitations began to run in 1993, and the time to start an action expired in 1995 (despite the fact that David discovered his injuries eight years later!). The trial court granted the defendants’ motions. On appeal, the Supreme Court of Alabama overruled Garrett and the cases that followed its ruling, and stated that a cause of action, such as one for mesothelioma, accrues not on the date of last exposure, but instead, only when there has occurred a manifest, present injury, i.e., the date of diagnosis of mesothelioma.

In overturning the trial court’s dismissal of Plaintiff’s claims, the Supreme Court held that the proper construction of the term “accrued” means that a cause of action arises only when there has occurred a manifest, present injury. The Court further held that a “manifest, present injury” exists when a condition has evidenced itself sufficiently that its existence is objectively evident and apparent, even if only to the diagnostic skills of a physician. In the case of mesothelioma, even though the exposure to asbestos may have occurred years ago, the present injury is the diagnosis of mesothelioma.

WERE YOU EXPOSED TO ASBESTOS AND DEVELOPED MESOTHELIOMA OR OTHER HEALTH ISSUES?

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ALABAMA MESOTHELIOMA FAQS

How Much is a Mesothelioma Claim Worth?

The compensation paid to a victim of asbestos exposure will vary, case to case. The issues impacting the value of a claim include the number of parties named in a lawsuit. For example, an employer may have used products that contained asbestos that were used extensively and may be named as one of the parties in a lawsuit. In other cases, several manufacturers supplied asbestos-containing products. These companies may already have filed bankruptcy but may have been required to establish a trust to pay out future claims filed against them. To value your claim requires a comprehensive investigation into the facts.

What industries in Alabama exposed workers to asbestos?

Countless industries in Alabama used asbestos-containing products in the past. The industries where employees or contractors may have been exposed to asbestos include, but are not limited to:

  • Chemical companies
  • Tire manufacturing
  • Oil refineries
  • Shipbuilding
  • Power plants
  • Manufacturing facilities
  • Military facilities
  • Paper mills
  • Metal works

How Long Do You Have to File a Mesothelioma Claim?

The statute of limitations in Alabama allows for two years from the day of being diagnosed with the disease. The case of Griffin v. Unocal Corp changed the way these cases could be brought against a negligent company. The law now allows cases to be filed based on a discovery rule, rather than the earlier process which was the date of last exposure – which barred many people who were suffering the consequences of asbestos exposure from filing a claim or lawsuit.

How Do I Know if My Disease was Caused by Asbestos Exposure?

If you have developed mesothelioma, the condition is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. However, to file a claim, a medical professional must confirm your condition. Talk to your doctor, explain your work history and any exposure to asbestos, and get any testing ordered that can confirm that you have developed mesothelioma. The disease must be confirmed by a medical doctor before filing a claim.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer?

Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer that is caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Employers who allowed their workers to be exposed to this cancer-causing substance were negligent and must be held accountable for the losses associated with the disease. Your Alabama mesothelioma lawyer will perform a full investigation into the facts, where you were exposed, and identify all liable parties to file a claim or lawsuit.

Do the Lawyers Advertising for Mesothelioma Claims Litigate Cases?

You may be surprised to find out that many firms that advertise on TV or radio do not actually do the legal work involved in litigating a mesothelioma claim. You are far better served by a law firm that has extensive experience in these legal cases, and a record of achieving favorable outcomes, rather than a firm that brokers “leads” to other firms.

Can I get Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Mesothelioma?

Workers have the right to benefits through the Alabama Workers’ Compensation system when injured at work, or developing a work-related illness, including toxic exposure. To be eligible for benefits, it must be established that the exposure occurred in a work environment. The company may be out of business, may have been sold to another entity, or may have filed bankruptcy. It may or may not be possible to get benefits through the agency, but you do have the right to file a personal injury claim against all liable parties.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

The Alabama statute of limitations allows for two years from a diagnosis of mesothelioma in which to file a claim. The law also allows for cases of mesothelioma in family members who were exposed to asbestos when a worker brought the fibers into the home on clothing or other materials.

We handle mesothelioma lawsuits against major companies that exposed people to asbestos and put their health at risk.

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We work on contingency, which means there’s no cost to hire and no fee unless we win.

Why Choose Levy Konigsberg?

Since the 1980s, Levy Konigsberg has evolved into a nationwide powerhouse for mesothelioma litigation in the U.S. Our national mesothelioma lawyers have represented numerous individuals and groups of workers, successfully securing multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts.

 

Our top-rated mesothelioma lawyers have:

  • A massive knowledge of asbestos law and science
  • Decades of experience to their legal practices
  • Tried hundreds of asbestos and mesothelioma cases before juries
  • Secured record mesothelioma and asbestos compensation verdicts
  • Achieved some of the highest peer reviews and ratings available
  • Helped hundreds of satisfied clients

Additionally, we offer:

  • A caring and understanding approach to your case
  • Personalized attention and counsel based on each unique case
  • No upfront costs for handling your mesothelioma case
  • Fast and efficient handling of your mesothelioma case
  • Frequent case updates and reliable attorney accessibility

Understanding the science of asbestos exposure is an invaluable resource. One of the many benefits of our early involvement in mesothelioma litigation is our access to pioneering researchers and experts in this complex and ever-changing medical field. We put these experts to work on behalf of our clients, in the courtroom and in treatment of their disease.

Our lawyers bring to bear on every case a level of experience that can only come from decades of working together toward a common goal—maximum compensation for mesothelioma victims and their families.

Each new generation of mesothelioma attorneys at the firm acquires the skills, techniques, and knowledge of our senior partners through mentoring relationships. Not only does this benefit every lawyer, but it also benefits our clients in the form of consistently successful representation.

 

A Long History of Success in Mesothelioma Cases

Countless lawyers who advertise themselves as mesothelioma attorneys have never actually handled an asbestos case before. In fact, they refer them out to real mesothelioma lawyers for a fee.

That is not how we operate.

We are true, experienced mesothelioma attorneys who personally work on each case from beginning to end. We are always happy to meet our clients, whether at our New York, New Jersey, California, Georgia, Washington, or Maryland offices, at a client’s home or hospital, or anywhere in the country.

Our legal team has succeeded by negotiating tirelessly with manufacturers of asbestos products and their insurance companies, no matter how influential or uncooperative they are. We are even often able to recover compensation from companies that have long been bankrupt.

Most defense lawyers are familiar with our solid reputation and credentials and know in advance that we will not settle for less than the best possible offer. They know that we build every mesothelioma and asbestos case as if it is going to trial, and we have taken hundreds of cases to juries when a fair settlement had not been offered.

The mesothelioma attorneys at Levy Konigsberg have also served as lead counsel in major state and federal mass consolidation cases designed to benefit many hundreds of people diagnosed with mesothelioma and other types of asbestos-related diseases.

We are proud of the work our lawyers do on behalf of our clients, often in groundbreaking cases against the toughest defendants. Our law firm has obtained landmark asbestos and mesothelioma jury verdicts for exposures to welding rods, cable, asbestos gaskets and packing, commercial talc, and industrial equipment, including the first-ever jury verdicts against welding rod, cable, and commercial talk manufacturers.

Our law firm is frequently referenced by the legal press for our association with the largest and landmark asbestos and mesothelioma verdicts in virtually every category, including various jurisdictions, types of asbestos products involved, and forms of asbestos exposure.

We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for victims of mesothelioma and asbestos cancers, and we are prepared to fight for you.

 

Providing Your Case with the Individual Attention It Deserves

Unfortunately, many law firms today use a generalized approach to handling cases of the same type, even those as complex as mesothelioma cases.

With a goal of cutting back on the time spent on each case, they use broad-brush practices and techniques to process cases as fast as they can, often risking the possibility of missing important details in a case and, thus, undermining the goal of negotiating the best possible compensation for their clients.

Contrary to such mentality, we treat every case as if it was our only one. We investigate each case with a team of lawyers, paralegals, and leading experts in the field, all while being in constant communication with the clients, to ensure that we have done everything we could to reach the full potential of each individual case.

In many courts, mesothelioma cases are treated urgently and given high priority. This is particularly true if the claimant is alive. In some jurisdictions, the entire case can be resolved within four to five months; in others, it can take longer.

Here, at Levy Konigsberg, our mesothelioma cancer attorneys do everything possible to avoid delays and move our clients’ cases as quickly as we can. We accomplish this in large part due to the coordinated work of our team members and the fact that every mesothelioma case goes through a strict control and supervision, including regular follow-ups and reviews by the lead lawyers.

Our mesothelioma attorneys update clients on a regular basis, so that they always know of every important development on their case and that it is being taken care of. Our lawyers and support staff take every phone call with a high level of priority and try to answer them on the spot.

If unavailable at that very moment, we call clients back as promptly as possible. It is not uncommon that our mesothelioma attorneys provide clients with their personal cell phone numbers to address any urgent questions that the clients may have in the future.

 

Reach Out to Our Award-Winning Mesothelioma Attorneys Today for a Free Consultation

Our mesothelioma attorneys fight for justice on behalf of innocent people, including the victims of deadly asbestos exposure. Companies that knew the threat asbestos poses must be held accountable for the illnesses and harm that resulted from their negligence. If you were exposed to asbestos, the mesothelioma lawyers at Levy Konigsberg are ready to help.

Our partners have been honored with an AV® Preeminent™ rating, the highest given, from the nationwide Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™. Year after year, our partners are designated by their peers as Super Lawyers® and as the Best Lawyers® in America.

While we are proud of our awards and accolades, our clients remain the central and most important part of our practice. Their satisfaction is our top priority. We understand that every client’s case is their whole life. Our attorneys treat each client with the care they deserve, addressing their unique needs and doing our utmost to help them put their life back together as much as possible.

We offer a free initial consultation, and cover the expenses of building your case, so there is no cost to you unless we recover compensation for you.

We have offices located in New York, New Jersey, California, Georgia, Washington, and Maryland. Many of our mesothelioma lawyers are licensed to practice law in a number of U.S. states and have the capability and extensive experience of representing mesothelioma clients throughout the United States. You are encouraged to contact us with any questions.

Cases of Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma News

ATTENTION: Mesothelioma has no known cure and often causes severe pain, suffering, and other types of damage, such as loss of consortium, and loss of income. Additionally, due to the exceedingly high cost of mesothelioma treatments, many families exhaust savings and accumulate financial debt in order to pay for the medical expenses of their family member.

Under the law of most states, pain and suffering from mesothelioma may be compensated through the award of money damages, usually obtained with the help of experienced mesothelioma attorneys. In some states other types of damages may also be recovered.

Asbestos litigation affords mesothelioma victims the opportunity to receive financial compensation and hold accountable the companies that caused their asbestos exposure.

IMPORTANT: If you or your family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should get in touch with a mesothelioma lawyer as early as possible to determine if you have a mesothelioma case and to:

  • Preserve your rights to bring a legal action against the responsible parties within the limited time frame allowed by law, known as statute of limitations;
  • Obtain maximum compensation in your case by being able to:
    • Preserve evidence and establish facts of the asbestos exposure while the claimant is still alive and able to provide information;
    • File and resolve a lawsuit against the responsible parties before they file for bankruptcy or, if they already have, to obtain compensation before their bankruptcy trust funds run out of money;
  • Expedite your case, as courts tend to give higher priority to mesothelioma lawsuits where the claimant is still alive.

NOTE: We have offices located in New York, New Jersey, California, Georgia, Washington, and Maryland. Many of our mesothelioma lawyers are licensed to practice law in a number of U.S. states and have the capability and extensive experience of representing mesothelioma clients throughout the United States. You are encouraged to contact us with any questions.

Since the 1970s, our founding partners were pioneers in championing the rights of asbestos and mesothelioma victims. In fact, Stan Levy was the first personal injury lawyer in the Northeast to pursue an asbestos case and one of the first mesothelioma attorneys in America.

Later, in 1985, he formed Levy Konigsberg with a mission to apply his extensive experience and legal knowledge to seek justice and financial compensation on behalf of asbestos and mesothelioma victims across the United States.

Find out whether you have a case by speaking to one of our experienced mesothelioma lawyers.

Trust Levy Konigsberg's Legal Team for Proven Results in Mesothelioma Cases

Levy Konigsberg LLP, a nationally recognized law firm, has built a legacy over three decades, securing billions in compensation for its clients. Led by award-winning attorneys, we specialize in representing individuals and families across the country who have suffered from asbestos exposure and devastating illnesses such as mesothelioma. Our top-rated trial practice holds corporations accountable for exposing workers and communities to asbestos, with numerous testimonials and successful case results.

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