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Updated: February 16, 2026

Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure in New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is home to one of the most significant asbestos exposure sites in the American South: Avondale Shipyard. At its peak, Avondale employed over 26,000 workers who built and repaired ships insulated with asbestos-containing materials. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, shipyard workers face among the highest rates of mesothelioma diagnosis in the country. Combined with refineries, the Port of New Orleans, and chemical plants along the Mississippi River corridor, thousands of workers and their families remain at risk. Louisiana allows only 1 year from diagnosis to file a claim — one of the shortest deadlines in the nation.

26,000+ Avondale Workers at Peak
$30B+ In Trust Funds Available
1 Year LA Statute of Limitations
$0 Upfront Legal Cost

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Mesothelioma Compensation for New Orleans Families: What Our Clients Have Recovered

If your family is facing a mesothelioma diagnosis in New Orleans, you are not alone — and compensation may be available. Below are actual amounts received by real clients of our firm, after attorneys’ fees and expenses, in mesothelioma cases involving asbestos exposure. Our attorneys represent families nationwide, including in New Orleans.

$30B+ Available in Asbestos Trust Funds
$1M – $1.4M Average Mesothelioma Settlement
$2.4M Average Trial Verdict
$2B+ Recovered for Our Clients
$6,142,500 Secondary Exposure

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a woman, age 68, who developed mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos through assisting her husband in his general contracting work and through contact with asbestos fibers on her husband's clothes.

$5,939,010 Construction / Demolition

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 46, who was exposed to asbestos while repairing boats and while doing demolition and repair of buildings damaged by fire and flooding.

$4,750,000 U.S. Navy Veteran

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 49, who was exposed to asbestos through his career in the Navy.

$3,600,450 Navy / Contractor

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 67, who was exposed through his service in the Navy and as a construction contractor on commercial and residential projects.

$3,403,890 Navy / HVAC Mechanic

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 57, who was exposed through his service in the Navy and as a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic.

$3,185,280 Paper Mill / Carpenter

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 81, who was exposed through his work at a paper mill and as a carpenter.

$2,727,900 Navy / Telecom

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 61, who was exposed through his service in the Navy and as a telephone installer and repairman.

$1,988,910 Oil Field Worker

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 50, who was exposed as an oil field worker.

$1,886,580 Secondary Exposure

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a woman, age 62, who was exposed through contact with asbestos fibers on the clothes of her husband, who worked as an electrician at a shipyard.

$1,181,250 Secondary Exposure

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a woman, age 33, who was exposed through contact with asbestos fibers on the clothes of her father, who worked at an auto plant.

All amounts shown are received by clients after attorneys’ fees and expenses. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique and compensation depends on individual circumstances including exposure history, diagnosis, and jurisdiction.

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Every case is different, but understanding the factors that affect compensation can help you make informed decisions. Three quick questions — no obligation.

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Medical and legal information reviewed and updated: • Sources: Industrial records, asbestos litigation databases, OSHA reports

Why Mesothelioma Cases Occur in New Orleans

New Orleans' industrial identity was shaped by shipbuilding, port operations, petrochemical refining, and heavy manufacturing — four industries where asbestos was used extensively for decades. The Mississippi River corridor running through the greater New Orleans metropolitan area became one of the most industrialized stretches in the American South during the 20th century. Along its banks, shipyards, refineries, chemical plants, and power generation facilities relied on asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, pipe coverings, and fireproofing materials to manage extreme temperatures and corrosive processes.

At the center of this industrial landscape stood Avondale Shipyard, established in 1938 on the west bank of the Mississippi River in Bridge City, just minutes from downtown New Orleans. Avondale grew to become the largest private employer in the state of Louisiana, with over 26,000 workers at its peak production periods. For more than five decades, Avondale built and repaired military and commercial vessels that were insulated with asbestos-containing materials throughout — in engine rooms, boiler rooms, pipe systems, bulkheads, and virtually every compartment below deck. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, shipyard workers rank among the occupations with the highest rates of mesothelioma, and Avondale's massive workforce makes the New Orleans area one of the most heavily impacted communities in the nation.

The peak period of asbestos use in New Orleans' industrial sector spanned from the late 1930s through the early 1990s. During World War II, Avondale and other regional shipyards ramped up production dramatically to support the war effort, employing thousands of workers who cut, shaped, and installed asbestos insulation under demanding conditions with little to no protective equipment. After the war, many of these workers continued at Avondale or transitioned into the booming petrochemical industry, where asbestos remained a standard material in refinery construction and maintenance throughout the region.

The 20-to-50-Year Latency Period

Mesothelioma does not appear immediately after asbestos exposure. The disease has a latency period of 20 to 50 years, meaning workers exposed at Avondale Shipyard, the Port of New Orleans, and area refineries during the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s are being diagnosed now. A pipefitter who installed asbestos-wrapped pipe insulation at Avondale in 1970 may only receive a mesothelioma diagnosis in 2025 or later. This long latency period is why New Orleans continues to produce new mesothelioma cases decades after asbestos use was curtailed.

The concentration of industrial exposure in New Orleans also means that many workers were exposed at multiple facilities over the course of a career. A welder might have worked at Avondale for a decade, then taken jobs at Chalmette Refining and along the Industrial Canal, each assignment adding to the cumulative asbestos burden. This multi-site exposure history is important for legal claims because it can connect a patient to multiple asbestos trust funds and multiple defendants, increasing the total compensation available.

Louisiana's 1-Year Statute of Limitations: Act Immediately

Louisiana has one of the shortest statutes of limitations for mesothelioma in the entire United States — just 1 year from the date of diagnosis. Unlike states such as Texas (2 years) or Pennsylvania (2 years), Louisiana gives mesothelioma patients and their families an extremely narrow window to file a personal injury claim. Missing this deadline can permanently eliminate your right to pursue compensation through the courts. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and has any connection to New Orleans-area industrial facilities, contacting an experienced mesothelioma attorney should be among your very first steps. Our firm provides free, no-obligation consultations and can begin building your case immediately.

Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure in New Orleans

Asbestos was embedded in New Orleans' industrial infrastructure for decades. The following categories represent the most significant sources of occupational asbestos exposure in the greater New Orleans metropolitan area.

Avondale Shipyard

Avondale Shipyard is the single most significant source of occupational asbestos exposure in the New Orleans area. Founded in 1938 and operating for over six decades, Avondale built and repaired hundreds of military and commercial vessels. At its peak, the shipyard employed more than 26,000 workers — making it the largest private employer in the state of Louisiana. Asbestos was used throughout the shipbuilding process: in pipe insulation, boiler lagging, turbine casings, bulkhead fireproofing, gaskets, valve packing, and dozens of other applications. Workers who built ships, performed maintenance and repairs, or worked in Avondale's fabrication shops were routinely exposed to airborne asbestos fibers, often in confined below-deck spaces with minimal ventilation.

Port of New Orleans

The Port of New Orleans, one of the busiest ports in the United States, has operated along the Mississippi River since the city's founding. Dock workers, longshoremen, and maritime laborers at the port were exposed to asbestos through the loading and unloading of asbestos-containing cargo, work aboard ships insulated with asbestos, and proximity to asbestos-containing materials in port warehouses and equipment. Port maintenance crews who repaired dock infrastructure, cranes, and storage facilities also encountered asbestos in building materials and industrial equipment.

Refineries and Chemical Plants

The greater New Orleans area, particularly the parishes along the Mississippi River corridor between New Orleans and Baton Rouge (often called "Cancer Alley"), contains dozens of refineries and chemical plants that used asbestos extensively. Workers who performed construction, maintenance, and turnaround work at these facilities faced significant asbestos exposure from pipe insulation, boiler systems, heat exchangers, and process equipment.

  • Chalmette Refining (now PBF Energy Chalmette) — Major refinery in Chalmette, St. Bernard Parish; asbestos used in pipe insulation, boilers, and processing units throughout its operational history
  • Murphy Oil Corporation (Meraux Refinery) — Located in Meraux, St. Bernard Parish; asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing materials used in refinery operations for decades
  • Kaiser Aluminum (Chalmette Works) — Aluminum smelting and fabrication facility in Chalmette; asbestos used in furnace insulation, potroom linings, and industrial equipment throughout the plant
  • Entergy Power Plants (multiple locations) — Power generation facilities across the New Orleans area used asbestos insulation on boilers, turbines, steam pipes, and electrical components

Industrial Canal and Waterway Facilities

The Industrial Canal connecting the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain, along with the Intracoastal Waterway, is lined with industrial facilities, warehouses, and manufacturing operations that used asbestos-containing materials. Workers at grain elevators, storage terminals, and maintenance facilities along these waterways were exposed to asbestos in building materials, equipment insulation, and industrial products.

Exposure Source Type of Facility Asbestos Uses Peak Exposure Era
Avondale Shipyard Shipbuilding & Repair Ship insulation, pipe covering, boiler lagging, gaskets 1940s–1990s
Port of New Orleans Maritime & Port Operations Cargo handling, ship repair, warehouse materials 1940s–1980s
Chalmette Refining Oil Refinery Pipe insulation, boilers, heat exchangers 1940s–1980s
Murphy Oil (Meraux) Oil Refinery Insulation, gaskets, fireproofing materials 1940s–1980s
Kaiser Aluminum Aluminum Manufacturing Furnace insulation, potroom linings, equipment 1950s–1980s
Entergy Power Plants Power Generation Boiler insulation, turbine casings, wiring 1940s–1980s
Industrial Canal Facilities Industrial & Warehousing Building materials, equipment insulation 1940s–1980s

This is not an exhaustive list. Hundreds of additional industrial facilities across the greater New Orleans area used asbestos-containing materials. If you worked at any shipyard, refinery, manufacturing, or construction site in New Orleans before the mid-1990s, asbestos exposure is likely. Our attorneys maintain detailed databases of New Orleans-area exposure sites and can investigate your specific work history as part of a free case evaluation. Remember: Louisiana's 1-year statute of limitations means you must act quickly.

Jobs in New Orleans Linked to Asbestos Exposure

Certain occupations in New Orleans' industrial sector carried a dramatically higher risk of asbestos exposure. Workers in these trades handled asbestos-containing materials directly, worked in confined shipyard and refinery spaces where asbestos fibers accumulated, or were present during activities that disturbed existing asbestos insulation. If you or a family member held any of these positions at a New Orleans-area facility, mesothelioma risk is elevated.

Shipyard Workers & Welders

Workers at Avondale Shipyard and other New Orleans maritime facilities performed a wide range of tasks that involved asbestos exposure. Ship fitters, welders, painters, and general laborers all worked in environments where asbestos insulation was being installed, removed, or disturbed. Below-deck work in engine rooms and boiler rooms created especially concentrated exposure conditions due to poor ventilation and confined spaces. At Avondale's peak, over 26,000 workers occupied the facility simultaneously, and asbestos was present in virtually every phase of vessel construction.

Pipefitters & Boilermakers

Pipefitters and boilermakers are among the most heavily exposed occupations in New Orleans. These tradespeople installed, maintained, and repaired the piping systems and boilers that formed the backbone of both shipbuilding and refinery operations. Asbestos-containing pipe insulation, gaskets, and packing materials were standard components. During turnaround maintenance at area refineries and during ship repair at Avondale, pipefitters removed old asbestos insulation in confined spaces, releasing dense concentrations of airborne fibers.

Insulators & Lagging Workers

Insulators worked directly with asbestos-containing insulation materials at both Avondale Shipyard and New Orleans-area refineries. They applied and removed lagging from pipes, vessels, boilers, and equipment, mixing raw asbestos with bonding agents, cutting asbestos blankets to size, and fitting insulation around high-temperature equipment. This occupation had the most direct and sustained contact with asbestos materials of any trade in the region's industrial sector.

Dock Workers & Longshoremen

Dock workers and longshoremen at the Port of New Orleans were exposed to asbestos through multiple pathways: handling asbestos-containing cargo, working aboard ships insulated with asbestos, and performing maintenance on port infrastructure that contained asbestos building materials. The physical demands of loading and unloading cargo in ship holds stirred up asbestos dust from deteriorating insulation in the vessel's structure, creating airborne fiber concentrations that dock workers inhaled throughout their shifts.

Refinery Operators & Chemical Plant Workers

Operators at Chalmette Refining, Murphy Oil, and other New Orleans-area refineries and chemical plants spent entire shifts in processing units where asbestos insulation surrounded them on pipes, vessels, and equipment. Although they did not install insulation directly, operators were exposed to deteriorating asbestos on aging equipment and to asbestos dust released during maintenance activities conducted nearby. Long-term cumulative exposure was common across the refinery workforce.

Electricians & Maintenance Workers

Electricians in New Orleans' shipyards, refineries, and power plants worked near and around asbestos-insulated equipment daily. Running conduit and wiring through areas with deteriorating asbestos insulation released fibers into the breathing zone. Maintenance crews performed general repairs that frequently disturbed asbestos-containing materials in walls, ceilings, pipe insulation, and equipment housings across every type of New Orleans industrial facility.

Documenting Your New Orleans Work History

If you held any of these positions at a New Orleans-area shipyard, refinery, or industrial facility, documenting your complete work history is essential for building a mesothelioma claim. Our attorneys help clients reconstruct their employment timeline, identify every facility where exposure occurred, and connect that exposure history to specific asbestos product manufacturers and their trust funds. Even if your records are incomplete, we can use union records, Social Security earnings statements, coworker testimony, and facility records to build your case. With Louisiana's 1-year statute of limitations, do not delay in beginning this process.

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Based on your New Orleans work history, you may be connected to multiple asbestos trust funds and legal claims.

New Orleans shipyard and industrial exposure cases often involve multiple facilities and asbestos product manufacturers, which can significantly increase total compensation. Louisiana's 1-year statute of limitations is among the shortest in the nation — do not delay. Complete the form below for a free, confidential case review with attorneys who have decades of experience with New Orleans exposure cases.

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Types of Mesothelioma Diagnosed in New Orleans

Mesothelioma develops when inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers become embedded in the lining of internal organs, causing cellular damage that leads to malignant tumor growth over decades. New Orleans' industrial exposure profile — dominated by shipyard work, refinery operations, and maritime labor — produces specific patterns of mesothelioma diagnosis that reflect the types and duration of asbestos contact that workers experienced at facilities like Avondale Shipyard and area refineries.

Pleural Mesothelioma (Lungs)

Pleural mesothelioma accounts for approximately 75 to 80 percent of all mesothelioma diagnoses and is the most common form seen in New Orleans patients. This type develops in the pleura — the thin membrane surrounding the lungs — when inhaled asbestos fibers migrate to the pleural lining and cause chronic inflammation and eventual malignancy. New Orleans shipyard workers, pipefitters, insulators, and dock workers who inhaled asbestos dust over months or years of occupational exposure are at the highest risk for pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms typically include persistent chest pain, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, and fluid buildup around the lungs (pleural effusion).

Early detection significantly affects treatment options and prognosis. If you worked at Avondale Shipyard, the Port of New Orleans, or any New Orleans-area refinery or industrial facility and are experiencing respiratory symptoms, inform your physician about your occupational asbestos exposure history. Visit our diagnosis and treatment page for more information about the diagnostic process and available treatment approaches.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma (Abdomen)

Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum — the lining of the abdominal cavity — and accounts for approximately 15 to 20 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses. Research has identified a correlation between peritoneal mesothelioma and certain occupational exposures, including those common in New Orleans' shipyard and refinery environments. Asbestos fibers can reach the peritoneum through ingestion (swallowing fibers that were inhaled and cleared from the airways) or through the lymphatic system. Symptoms include abdominal pain and swelling, unexplained weight loss, bowel changes, and fluid accumulation in the abdomen.

Treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma has advanced significantly, with cytoreductive surgery combined with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) showing improved survival rates compared to earlier treatment methods. Regardless of the type of mesothelioma diagnosed, the same legal options — personal injury lawsuits, asbestos trust fund claims, and VA benefits for veterans — are available to New Orleans patients and their families. Louisiana's 1-year filing deadline applies to all types of mesothelioma claims.

Mesothelioma Treatment Centers Near New Orleans, Louisiana

Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma in the New Orleans area have access to some of the region’s leading cancer treatment facilities. These centers offer specialized thoracic oncology programs, access to clinical trials, and multidisciplinary care teams experienced in treating asbestos-related cancers. Early evaluation at a specialized center can significantly improve treatment outcomes.

Ochsner Health

New Orleans, LA
Surgery Chemotherapy Clinical Trials Radiation Multimodal Therapy

Ochsner is the largest nonprofit health system in Louisiana's Gulf South, with thoracic surgery and oncology programs experienced in treating asbestos-related cancers.

LSU Health Sciences Center

New Orleans, LA
Surgery Chemotherapy Clinical Trials Radiation

LSU Health provides academic medical care and cancer treatment services with thoracic oncology specialists experienced in mesothelioma cases.

LCMC Health / Tulane Cancer Center

New Orleans, LA
Surgery Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Clinical Trials Radiation

Tulane Cancer Center, part of LCMC Health, offers multidisciplinary cancer treatment and participates in mesothelioma clinical research programs.

Need Help Finding a Specialist?

Our attorneys work with leading mesothelioma specialists nationwide and can help connect you with the right treatment team. Call 1-800-400-1805 for a referral.

New Orleans Veterans & Military Asbestos Exposure

New Orleans has a deep military history and a large veteran population. The city's strategic position on the Gulf Coast made it a center of naval operations, and many veterans carry a unique asbestos exposure history that combines military service with post-service industrial employment. This dual exposure pattern is particularly common among Navy veterans who served aboard ships insulated with asbestos and then returned to New Orleans to work at Avondale Shipyard or in the region's petrochemical industry.

Navy Veterans and Gulf Coast Exposure

The U.S. Navy used asbestos extensively in ship construction from the 1930s through the 1970s. Engine rooms, boiler rooms, mess halls, sleeping quarters, and virtually every compartment of naval vessels contained asbestos insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing materials. Veterans who served aboard Navy ships — particularly those stationed at or transiting through Gulf Coast ports including New Orleans, Gulfport, and Pensacola — were exposed to asbestos during their service. Machinist's mates, boiler technicians, hull maintenance technicians, and enginemen faced the highest exposure levels. The Naval Support Activity New Orleans (now closed) also exposed personnel to asbestos in facility buildings and maintenance operations.

Dual Exposure: Military Service Followed by Shipyard or Refinery Work

A pattern seen frequently in New Orleans mesothelioma cases involves veterans who were exposed to asbestos during military service and then took jobs at Avondale Shipyard or in the local petrochemical industry after their discharge. The skills that made these veterans effective in the military — pipefitting, boiler operation, welding, mechanical maintenance, and electrical work — were directly transferable to shipyard and refinery employment. This resulted in decades of cumulative asbestos exposure spanning both military and civilian careers.

The legal significance of dual exposure is substantial. Veterans with this history may be entitled to multiple sources of compensation:

  • VA Disability Compensation — Monthly tax-free benefits for service-connected mesothelioma
  • VA Healthcare — Treatment at VA medical centers at no cost for service-connected conditions, including the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System in New Orleans
  • Special Monthly Compensation — Additional VA benefits for veterans requiring aid and attendance
  • Asbestos Trust Fund Claims — Claims against the trust funds of companies whose products were used in both military vessels and Avondale-built ships
  • Personal Injury Lawsuits — Civil claims against asbestos product manufacturers and employers

Veterans: Filing VA Claims Does Not Affect Civil Claims

VA disability claims and civil mesothelioma lawsuits are separate legal processes. Filing for VA benefits does not reduce or prevent compensation from asbestos trust funds or personal injury lawsuits. Our attorneys help New Orleans-area veterans pursue every available source of compensation simultaneously, maximizing total recovery while ensuring no filing deadlines are missed. Louisiana's 1-year statute of limitations applies to veterans and civilians alike. If you are a veteran diagnosed with mesothelioma, time is especially critical — both the Louisiana filing deadline and VA filing processes have specific requirements that should be addressed immediately.

Family Members Exposed to Asbestos in New Orleans

Asbestos exposure in New Orleans did not stop at the shipyard gate or the refinery fence. For decades, workers carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing, skin, hair, and personal items — unknowingly exposing their families to the same deadly material they encountered at work. This pattern, known as secondary or take-home exposure, has been documented extensively in New Orleans' shipyard and industrial community and has led to mesothelioma diagnoses in people who never set foot in Avondale Shipyard or a refinery.

How Secondary Exposure Occurred in New Orleans

Avondale Shipyard workers, pipefitters, insulators, and refinery employees typically arrived home covered in dust that included asbestos fibers. Before the dangers were widely understood, standard practice was for spouses — most often wives — to shake out, brush off, and launder contaminated work clothes at home. This process released asbestos fibers into the household air, where family members inhaled them. Children who greeted parents at the door, sat in their laps, or played near contaminated clothing were also exposed. In some cases, workers' vehicles served as an additional exposure pathway, with asbestos fibers accumulating in car interiors that family members shared.

According to WikiMesothelioma.com, secondary asbestos exposure is a recognized cause of mesothelioma, and family members of shipyard workers are among the populations most affected by take-home exposure due to the high volume of asbestos used in vessel construction and repair.

Legal Rights of New Orleans Families

Louisiana courts recognize secondary asbestos exposure as a valid basis for mesothelioma claims. Family members who developed mesothelioma from take-home asbestos exposure have the same legal right to pursue compensation as the workers themselves. These claims can be filed against the companies that manufactured the asbestos products, the employers who failed to prevent fibers from leaving the workplace, and the asbestos trust funds established through bankruptcy proceedings.

If a spouse, child, or other family member of a New Orleans industrial worker has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and never worked directly with asbestos, secondary exposure should be investigated. Our attorneys have handled numerous New Orleans-area secondary exposure cases and understand the specific evidence required to establish the connection between a worker's occupational exposure and a family member's diagnosis. The same 1-year Louisiana statute of limitations applies to secondary exposure claims.

Support Groups & Resources for New Orleans Families

A mesothelioma diagnosis affects the entire family. These organizations provide support, education, counseling, and practical assistance for patients and caregivers.

National Organizations

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation

Research & Patient Support

Leading mesothelioma research foundation providing patient support, education, and peer-to-peer networking for patients and families.

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Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)

Advocacy & Education

National advocacy organization dedicated to preventing asbestos exposure, providing support for those affected, and driving a global ban on asbestos.

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American Cancer Society

Patient Services

Comprehensive cancer support including patient navigation, local support groups, transportation assistance, lodging programs, and 24/7 helpline.

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CancerCare

Counseling & Support

Free professional counseling, support groups, educational workshops, and financial assistance programs for cancer patients and caregivers.

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Louisiana Resources

Louisiana Comprehensive Cancer Control Program

State Resources

State-level cancer support, advocacy, and resources connecting Louisiana families with local support services, financial assistance, and treatment information.

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Personalized Resource Recommendations

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Filing Deadline Check

Is Your Family Still Eligible to File?

Statutes of limitations can be as short as 1 year. Find out if your family’s filing window is still open.

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Free Guide: New Orleans Asbestos Exposure & Your Legal Rights

If you or a family member worked at Avondale Shipyard, the Port of New Orleans, or any of the area's refineries and industrial facilities, this guide explains the legal options available to you and what steps to take after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

  • Avondale Shipyard and New Orleans exposure sites and responsible companies
  • Louisiana's critical 1-year statute of limitations and filing deadlines
  • Which asbestos trust funds apply to New Orleans shipyard and refinery cases
  • How to document your New Orleans work history for a legal claim
  • Veterans benefits available for dual-exposure cases
  • Secondary exposure rights for New Orleans workers' families

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Steps New Orleans Families Can Take After Diagnosis

Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis is overwhelming. There is a great deal to process emotionally and medically, and legal considerations add another layer of urgency — especially in Louisiana, where the 1-year statute of limitations is among the shortest in the country. The following steps provide a clear, measured path forward for New Orleans families facing this diagnosis. None of these steps require you to have all the answers right away — an experienced mesothelioma attorney can guide you through each one.

  1. Contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney immediately. This is listed first because of Louisiana's 1-year statute of limitations. Unlike states with 2- or 3-year filing windows, Louisiana gives you just 12 months from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury claim. Missing this deadline can permanently eliminate your right to compensation through the courts. Choose an attorney who focuses specifically on mesothelioma cases and understands the urgency of Louisiana's filing requirements. Our firm provides free, no-obligation consultations and handles all cases on a contingency basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
  2. Prioritize medical care. Your health comes first. Seek treatment from an oncologist experienced with mesothelioma. Ochsner Medical Center and LSU Health New Orleans are among the regional medical facilities with experience treating mesothelioma patients. Your treatment plan should be established as a top priority alongside your legal case.
  3. Document your New Orleans work history. Write down every job you held, every facility where you worked, and every trade you performed — particularly any work at Avondale Shipyard, the Port of New Orleans, Chalmette Refining, Murphy Oil, Kaiser Aluminum, Entergy plants, or other industrial sites. Include dates, job titles, the names of employers and contractors, and the names of any coworkers who can confirm your presence at these sites.
  4. Build an exposure timeline. For each job, note the specific tasks that may have involved asbestos contact: insulation removal, pipe fitting, welding near asbestos-insulated equipment, boiler maintenance, ship construction, or proximity to these activities. If you served in the military, include your service branch, duty stations, and MOS or rating. This timeline will be used to identify which companies and trust funds are connected to your exposure.
  5. Preserve important documents. Gather and safeguard any records that support your exposure history: old tax returns showing employers, union membership cards, Social Security earnings statements, military service records (DD-214), Avondale Shipyard employment records, medical records, and photographs from job sites. These documents strengthen your case and help your attorney identify every applicable source of compensation.
  6. Understand your compensation options. New Orleans mesothelioma patients may be entitled to compensation from multiple sources, including personal injury lawsuits, asbestos trust funds (over $30 billion available nationally), workers' compensation, and VA benefits for veterans. Your attorney should evaluate every option and pursue all applicable claims simultaneously. Because Louisiana's deadline is so short, beginning this evaluation immediately is essential.

You Do Not Have to Navigate This Alone

Our attorneys have helped hundreds of families across the Gulf South through the legal process after a mesothelioma diagnosis. We handle every aspect of the legal case so you can focus on your health and your family. The consultation is free, there is no obligation, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. With Louisiana's 1-year deadline, contacting us sooner gives us more time to build the strongest possible case. Request a free case review or call 1-800-400-1805.

Portrait of Paul Danziger, Co-Founder and Lead Attorney at Danziger & De Llano
Co-Founder & Lead Attorney

Paul Danziger

Texas Bar #00788880 • Admitted 1993 • Northwestern University School of Law

Paul Danziger has spent over 30 years representing mesothelioma patients and their families across the United States, including workers exposed at Avondale Shipyard, New Orleans refineries, and industrial facilities throughout Louisiana. He co-founded Danziger & De Llano, LLP with the mission of providing personal attention and aggressive advocacy that asbestos victims deserve.

Before law school, Paul earned his B.B.A. and a Master's degree in Tax Accounting from the University of Texas and worked as a CPA and tax consultant in New York. His financial and legal background gives him a distinctive ability to evaluate complex mesothelioma cases and maximize compensation for his clients.

Paul has been named a Texas Super Lawyer multiple times (2006–2009, 2014–2016, 2024) and was recognized as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers. He is also the executive producer and co-writer of the film Puncture (starring Chris Evans), based on a real product liability case.

30+ Years in Practice
Super Lawyers Multiple Years
Top 100 National Trial Lawyers
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Portrait of Rod De Llano, Co-Founder and Senior Trial Attorney at Danziger & De Llano
Co-Founder & Senior Trial Attorney

Rod De Llano

Texas Bar #00786666 • Admitted 1993 • Northwestern University School of Law

Rod De Llano brings over 30 years of complex litigation experience to every mesothelioma case he handles, including New Orleans shipyard and refinery exposure cases. A Princeton University graduate with a degree in economics, Rod combines analytical rigor with a deep commitment to justice for asbestos victims and their families.

Rod and Paul Danziger have worked together since law school at Northwestern, building one of the most experienced mesothelioma practices in the country. Rod's expertise in complex litigation — including multi-district asbestos cases, trust fund claims, and trial proceedings — ensures that every client receives the strongest possible representation.

30+ Years in Practice
Princeton University Graduate
$2B+ Recovered for Clients
Speak with Rod About Your New Orleans Case

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Find Out What Your New Orleans Mesothelioma Case Is Worth

If you or a family member was exposed to asbestos at Avondale Shipyard, the Port of New Orleans, a refinery, chemical plant, or any industrial facility in the New Orleans area and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Louisiana's 1-year statute of limitations means every day counts. Our attorneys have decades of experience with Gulf South exposure cases and will evaluate every source of compensation available to your family.

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1-Year Louisiana Deadline Louisiana's statute of limitations is among the shortest in the nation. Do not wait to explore your options.
Over 30 Years of Experience Our attorneys have recovered over $2 billion for mesothelioma patients and families.
Fast Results Trust fund claims can resolve in as few as 90 days. We move quickly for our clients.

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FAQ answers reviewed by legal team:

Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma in New Orleans

Why does New Orleans have elevated mesothelioma risk?

New Orleans has one of the highest concentrations of asbestos exposure sites in the Gulf South. Avondale Shipyard, the largest private employer in Louisiana at its peak with over 26,000 workers, used asbestos extensively in ship construction and repair from 1938 through the 1990s. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, shipyard workers face among the highest rates of mesothelioma of any occupation. Combined with the Port of New Orleans, oil refineries in Chalmette and along the Mississippi River corridor, chemical plants, Kaiser Aluminum, and Entergy power plants, tens of thousands of workers faced occupational asbestos exposure across multiple industries for decades. The 20-to-50-year latency period means these historical exposures continue to produce new mesothelioma diagnoses today.

What is the statute of limitations for mesothelioma in Louisiana?

Louisiana has one of the shortest statutes of limitations in the United States for mesothelioma claims — just 1 year from the date of diagnosis for personal injury claims, and 1 year from the date of death for wrongful death claims. Louisiana applies a discovery rule, meaning the clock starts when the disease is diagnosed, not when the asbestos exposure occurred. Given mesothelioma's 20-to-50-year latency period, this distinction is critical. Do not wait to explore your legal options. Missing the 1-year window can permanently bar your claim. Contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible after diagnosis.

Was asbestos used at Avondale Shipyard?

Yes. Avondale Shipyard, located on the west bank of the Mississippi River in Bridge City near New Orleans, used asbestos extensively from its founding in 1938 through the 1990s. Asbestos was present in ship insulation, pipe covering, boiler lagging, gaskets, valve packing, fireproofing materials, and dozens of other products used throughout vessel construction and repair. At its peak, Avondale employed over 26,000 workers, making it the largest single-site asbestos exposure source in the New Orleans area and one of the most significant in the American South. Thousands of former Avondale workers and their family members have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases.

Can New Orleans shipyard workers file mesothelioma claims?

Yes. New Orleans shipyard workers who were exposed to asbestos at Avondale Shipyard, the Port of New Orleans, or other maritime facilities and later diagnosed with mesothelioma can pursue compensation through multiple channels: personal injury lawsuits against asbestos product manufacturers, claims against asbestos trust funds (over $30 billion available nationally), and in some cases VA benefits for veterans. Because many New Orleans workers were exposed at multiple facilities over the course of a career, they may qualify for claims against several trust funds simultaneously, increasing total recovery. Louisiana's 1-year statute of limitations makes immediate legal consultation essential.

Do New Orleans veterans qualify for additional benefits?

Yes. Veterans who were exposed to asbestos during military service and later diagnosed with mesothelioma may qualify for VA disability compensation, VA healthcare, and special monthly compensation — in addition to civil lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims. Many New Orleans veterans experienced dual exposure: first during Navy service aboard ships insulated with asbestos, then in post-service shipyard employment at Avondale or industrial work along the Mississippi River corridor. Our attorneys help veterans pursue all available compensation sources simultaneously.

Can family members of New Orleans workers file mesothelioma claims?

Yes. Family members who developed mesothelioma from secondary (take-home) asbestos exposure have legal standing to file their own claims. New Orleans shipyard and refinery workers frequently carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing, skin, and hair, unknowingly exposing spouses and children who handled contaminated work clothes. Louisiana courts recognize these secondary exposure claims, and compensation is available through the same channels — lawsuits, trust funds, and settlements. The 1-year Louisiana statute of limitations applies to these claims as well.

How much compensation can New Orleans mesothelioma patients receive?

Compensation amounts vary based on the specifics of each case, including the number of responsible parties, the severity of illness, the patient's work history, and which trust funds apply. New Orleans cases often involve exposure at Avondale Shipyard plus one or more additional facilities, which can increase total recovery through multiple trust fund claims and lawsuits. Over $30 billion remains in asbestos trust funds nationally. While no attorney can guarantee a specific amount, our firm has recovered over $2 billion for mesothelioma patients and families and works to maximize every claim.

How do I find a mesothelioma lawyer for my New Orleans case?

Look for attorneys who focus specifically on mesothelioma and asbestos litigation, have documented experience with New Orleans shipyard and industrial exposure cases, and work on a contingency fee basis (no fees unless they win). Danziger & De Llano has over 30 years of experience handling asbestos cases for shipyard workers, refinery employees, veterans, and their families. We offer free, no-obligation consultations and can begin evaluating your case immediately. Because Louisiana allows only 1 year from diagnosis to file, contacting an attorney right away is critical. Call 1-800-400-1805 or submit a form above.

This page was last reviewed and updated on by the legal team at Danziger & De Llano, LLP.

Sources & References

  1. NCI SEER Program — Mesothelioma Cancer Stat Facts
  2. ATSDR — Toxicological Profile for Asbestos
  3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Asbestos
  4. OSHA — Asbestos Standards and Regulations
  5. National Cancer Institute — Mesothelioma Treatment (PDQ)
  6. American Cancer Society — Malignant Mesothelioma
  7. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Asbestos Exposure
  8. RAND Corporation — Asbestos Litigation Costs and Compensation

New Orleans Families Deserve Answers — and Justice

If you or someone you love was exposed to asbestos at Avondale Shipyard, the Port of New Orleans, a refinery, or any industrial facility in the New Orleans area, do not wait. Louisiana's statute of limitations is only 1 year from diagnosis — one of the shortest in the nation. Our attorneys are ready to fight for the compensation your family deserves.

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