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Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure in Kansas City, Missouri

Kansas City's economy was shaped by defense manufacturing, automotive assembly, aviation maintenance, and heavy industry — sectors where asbestos was used extensively for decades. The Honeywell/Bendix Kansas City National Security Campus produced nuclear weapons components, while GM Fairfax and Ford Claycomo assembled vehicles using asbestos-containing parts. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, Kansas City's diverse industrial base created significant occupational asbestos exposure risk across multiple employment sectors. Due to a latency period of 20 to 50 years, families are still being diagnosed with mesothelioma today from exposures that occurred decades ago.

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$30B+ In Trust Funds Available
5 Years Missouri Statute of Limitations
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Mesothelioma Compensation for Kansas City Families: What Our Clients Have Recovered

If your family is facing a mesothelioma diagnosis in Kansas City, 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 Kansas City.

$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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Medical and legal information reviewed and updated: • Sources: Industrial records, DOE records, asbestos litigation databases

Why Mesothelioma Cases Occur in Kansas City

Kansas City's industrial foundation was built on defense manufacturing, automotive assembly, aviation maintenance, and steel production — four sectors where asbestos was used as a standard material for decades. The city's strategic location at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas rivers made it a natural hub for transportation, manufacturing, and military logistics, and each of these industries brought significant asbestos exposure risks to workers throughout the metropolitan area.

According to WikiMesothelioma.com, Kansas City's industrial diversity created a widespread pattern of occupational asbestos exposure that affected workers across defense, automotive, aviation, and steel production sectors. The Honeywell/Bendix Kansas City National Security Campus manufactured non-nuclear components for nuclear weapons for decades, employing thousands of workers in a facility where asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and building materials were standard. The GM Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kansas, and the Ford Claycomo Assembly Plant north of the city used asbestos in brake components, clutch facings, gaskets, and facility insulation. The TWA Overhaul Base at Kansas City International Airport maintained commercial aircraft using asbestos-containing parts. Armco Steel operated facilities where asbestos insulation was used on furnaces, pipes, and processing equipment.

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 the Bendix plant, GM Fairfax, or Ford Claycomo during the 1960s and 1970s are being diagnosed now. A machinist who fabricated components at the Kansas City Plant in 1970 may only receive a mesothelioma diagnosis in 2025 or later. This long latency period is why Kansas City continues to produce new mesothelioma cases decades after asbestos use was curtailed.

Kansas City's position as a bi-state metropolitan area — spanning both Missouri and Kansas — also creates unique legal considerations. Workers who lived in one state but worked in the other may have claims subject to different statutes of limitations and legal frameworks. The GM Fairfax plant, for example, is located in Kansas City, Kansas, while many of its workers resided in Missouri. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can navigate these interstate complexities to ensure no legal options are missed.

Kansas City's Asbestos Legacy by the Numbers

The Kansas City metropolitan area supported a diverse industrial base that employed hundreds of thousands of workers across defense, automotive, aviation, and manufacturing sectors. The Honeywell/Bendix Kansas City Plant alone employed thousands in weapons component production. GM and Ford between them employed thousands of additional workers in automotive assembly. Missouri consistently records significant mesothelioma mortality, and the Kansas City region is a notable contributor. If you worked at any major industrial facility in the Kansas City area, documenting your asbestos exposure history is a critical first step.

Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure in Kansas City

Asbestos was embedded in Kansas City's industrial infrastructure across multiple sectors for decades. The following categories represent the most significant sources of occupational asbestos exposure in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area.

Defense & Nuclear Weapons Manufacturing

Kansas City played a critical role in America's nuclear weapons program. The production of weapons components created widespread asbestos exposure for the workers who manufactured, maintained, and operated these facilities.

  • Honeywell/Bendix Kansas City National Security Campus — Manufactured non-nuclear components for nuclear weapons including electrical, mechanical, and engineered-material components. Asbestos was used in insulation, gaskets, electrical components, and building materials throughout the facility. Operated by Bendix Corporation (later Honeywell, now Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies) for the U.S. Department of Energy.

Automotive Assembly

Kansas City was a major automotive assembly center, with both General Motors and Ford operating large plants in the metropolitan area. Automotive manufacturing involved extensive use of asbestos in brake pads, clutch facings, gaskets, and facility insulation.

  • GM Fairfax Assembly Plant (Kansas City, KS) — Assembled Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Buick vehicles for decades. Asbestos was used in brake components, clutch facings, gaskets, and throughout the facility's insulation and building materials.
  • Ford Claycomo Assembly Plant — Manufactured Ford and Lincoln vehicles north of Kansas City. Asbestos-containing materials were present in vehicle components and factory infrastructure including pipe insulation, boilers, and electrical systems.

Aviation Maintenance

Commercial aircraft maintenance operations in Kansas City created asbestos exposure for workers who serviced aircraft engines, braking systems, and cabin insulation materials.

  • TWA Overhaul Base (Kansas City International Airport) — Trans World Airlines operated a major aircraft maintenance facility where mechanics, sheet metal workers, and maintenance crews encountered asbestos in brake linings, heat shields, gaskets, cabin insulation, and engine components.

Steel Production & Heavy Manufacturing

Steel mills and heavy manufacturing operations in the Kansas City area used asbestos insulation on furnaces, rolling mills, pipes, and processing equipment. Workers in these environments faced sustained asbestos exposure.

  • Armco Steel (Kansas City) — Steel production with asbestos in furnace linings, pipe insulation, gaskets, and building materials throughout the facility.
Exposure Source Type of Facility Asbestos Uses Peak Exposure Era
Honeywell/Bendix KC Plant Defense / Nuclear Weapons Insulation, gaskets, electrical, building materials 1940s–1990s
GM Fairfax Assembly Automotive Assembly Brake components, clutch, gaskets, facility insulation 1940s–1980s
Ford Claycomo Assembly Automotive Assembly Vehicle components, pipe insulation, boilers 1950s–1980s
TWA Overhaul Base Aviation Maintenance Brake linings, heat shields, cabin insulation, engines 1960s–1990s
Armco Steel Steel Production Furnace linings, pipe insulation, gaskets 1940s–1980s

This is not an exhaustive list. Hundreds of additional industrial, commercial, and construction sites across the greater Kansas City area used asbestos-containing materials. If you worked at any industrial, manufacturing, or construction site in Kansas City before the mid-1980s, asbestos exposure is likely. Our attorneys maintain detailed databases of Kansas City-area exposure sites and can investigate your specific work history as part of a free case evaluation.

Jobs in Kansas City Linked to Asbestos Exposure

Certain occupations in Kansas City's industrial sector carried a dramatically higher risk of asbestos exposure. Workers in these trades handled asbestos-containing materials directly, worked in environments where asbestos fibers accumulated, or performed tasks that disturbed existing asbestos insulation. If you or a family member held any of these positions at a Kansas City-area facility, mesothelioma risk is elevated.

Defense Plant Machinists & Technicians

Workers at the Honeywell/Bendix Kansas City Plant machined, assembled, and tested nuclear weapons components in facilities insulated with asbestos-containing materials. Machinists, electronics technicians, and quality inspectors worked in areas where asbestos insulation on pipes, ducts, and equipment deteriorated over time, releasing fibers into the workplace air. Maintenance workers who repaired facility infrastructure faced even greater exposure from disturbing asbestos insulation directly.

Automotive Assembly Workers

Workers at GM Fairfax and Ford Claycomo handled asbestos-containing brake pads, clutch facings, gaskets, and friction materials during vehicle assembly and testing. Assembly line workers, quality inspectors, and brake installation technicians were exposed to asbestos dust generated during cutting, fitting, and testing operations. Maintenance crews who serviced factory equipment insulated with asbestos faced additional exposure.

Aircraft Mechanics & Aviation Workers

Mechanics and maintenance workers at the TWA Overhaul Base replaced asbestos-containing brake linings, removed and installed insulation in aircraft cabins and engine compartments, and worked with gaskets and seals that contained asbestos. The confined spaces within aircraft fuselages concentrated asbestos fibers during maintenance operations, increasing exposure intensity for workers performing overhaul and repair tasks.

Pipefitters & Boilermakers

Pipefitters and boilermakers at Kansas City's industrial facilities installed, maintained, and repaired piping systems and boilers insulated with asbestos materials. These tradespeople worked across multiple facility types — defense plants, automotive factories, power plants — and encountered asbestos in pipe coverings, gaskets, packing materials, and boiler insulation at every job site.

Steelworkers & Foundry Workers

Workers at Armco Steel and other Kansas City metalworking facilities operated furnaces, rolling mills, and processing equipment insulated with asbestos. The extreme heat environment of steel production made asbestos insulation critical for equipment operation, and workers who maintained, repaired, or operated this equipment were exposed to asbestos fibers continuously. Asbestos-containing protective clothing was also common in steel production environments.

Construction & Demolition Tradespeople

Construction workers who built and renovated Kansas City's industrial facilities, commercial buildings, and older residential structures handled asbestos-containing floor tiles, roofing materials, cement board, joint compound, and fireproofing spray. Demolition and renovation of older structures released accumulated asbestos fibers from decades of material deterioration.

Documenting Your Kansas City Work History

If you held any of these positions at a Kansas City-area 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.

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Types of Mesothelioma Diagnosed in Kansas City

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. Kansas City's diverse industrial exposure profile produces patterns of mesothelioma diagnosis that reflect the types and duration of asbestos contact workers experienced across the region's defense, automotive, aviation, and manufacturing sectors.

Pleural Mesothelioma (Lungs)

Pleural mesothelioma accounts for approximately 75 to 80 percent of all mesothelioma diagnoses and is the most common form seen in Kansas City 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. Kansas City defense plant workers, automotive assembly employees, and aviation mechanics who inhaled asbestos dust over months or years of occupational exposure are at the highest risk. 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 a Kansas City-area industrial facility and are experiencing respiratory symptoms, inform your physician about your occupational asbestos exposure history. The University of Kansas Cancer Center provides specialized oncology care. Visit our diagnosis and treatment page for more information.

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. Asbestos fibers can reach the peritoneum through ingestion 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. 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 Kansas City patients and their families.

Mesothelioma Treatment Centers Near Kansas City, Missouri

While Missouri does not currently have NCI-designated mesothelioma specialty centers, patients from Kansas City have access to the nation’s top treatment programs. Many of these leading centers accept out-of-state patients and offer travel assistance programs. Below are nationally recognized mesothelioma treatment centers that serve patients from Kansas City and across the country.

MD Anderson Cancer Center

Houston, TX NCI-Designated Cancer Center
Surgery Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Clinical Trials Radiation Multimodal Therapy

Ranked #1 for cancer care nationwide, MD Anderson treats mesothelioma patients from all 50 states and offers the most comprehensive mesothelioma treatment program in the country.

Brigham and Women's Hospital / Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Boston, MA NCI-Designated Cancer Center
Surgery Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Clinical Trials Radiation Multimodal Therapy

The Brigham and Dana-Farber alliance is one of the nation's leading mesothelioma treatment programs, known for pioneering surgical techniques and multimodal therapy protocols.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

New York City, NY NCI-Designated Cancer Center
Surgery Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Clinical Trials Radiation Multimodal Therapy

One of the world's most experienced cancer centers, MSK operates a dedicated mesothelioma program and extensive clinical trial portfolio for patients nationwide.

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.

Kansas City Veterans & Military Asbestos Exposure

Kansas City has a substantial veteran population, and many of these veterans carry asbestos exposure histories that combine military service with post-service industrial employment. The presence of the Honeywell/Bendix defense plant and other military-connected employers in the Kansas City area created a natural pipeline for veterans transitioning into civilian defense manufacturing jobs where asbestos exposure continued.

Defense Industry Veterans

Many veterans who served in the military returned to Kansas City and took jobs at the Honeywell/Bendix Kansas City Plant, where their security clearances and technical skills made them ideal candidates for nuclear weapons component manufacturing. These veterans experienced asbestos exposure during military service and then accumulated additional exposure during decades of civilian employment in the defense industry.

Dual Exposure: Military Service Followed by Industrial Work

A pattern seen frequently in Kansas City mesothelioma cases involves veterans who were exposed to asbestos during military service and then took jobs at Bendix, GM, Ford, or other industrial employers. Navy veterans who served aboard ships insulated with asbestos often transitioned into industrial maintenance roles in the Kansas City area. 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, including the Kansas City VA Medical Center
  • 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 facilities and Kansas City industrial plants
  • 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 Kansas City-area veterans pursue every available source of compensation simultaneously, maximizing total recovery while ensuring no filing deadlines are missed.

Family Members Exposed to Asbestos in Kansas City

Asbestos exposure in Kansas City extended beyond the factory floor. 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 in Kansas City's industrial community and has led to mesothelioma diagnoses in people who never worked at Bendix, GM, Ford, or any other asbestos-using facility.

How Secondary Exposure Occurred

Kansas City defense plant workers, automotive assemblers, and aviation mechanics typically arrived home carrying dust that included asbestos fibers. Before the dangers were widely understood, spouses routinely shook out, brushed off, and laundered contaminated work clothes at home. This process released asbestos fibers into household air, where family members inhaled them. Children who greeted parents at the door or played near contaminated clothing were also exposed.

Legal Rights of Kansas City Families

Missouri 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, employers who failed to prevent fibers from leaving the workplace, and asbestos trust funds established through bankruptcy proceedings.

If a spouse, child, or other family member of a Kansas City industrial worker has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and never worked directly with asbestos, secondary exposure should be investigated. Our attorneys have handled numerous 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.

Support Groups & Resources for Kansas City 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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Missouri Resources

Missouri Cancer Consortium

State Resources

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

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Personalized Resource Recommendations

Our team can connect your family with support resources tailored to your specific situation — including local support groups, financial assistance programs, and caregiver resources. Call 1-800-400-1805.

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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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Every state has strict deadlines for filing mesothelioma claims. Missing these deadlines can mean losing your right to compensation entirely. Answer three quick questions to understand where your family stands.

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Free Guide: Kansas City Asbestos Exposure & Your Legal Rights

If you or a family member worked at the Honeywell/Bendix plant, GM Fairfax, Ford Claycomo, the TWA Overhaul Base, or other Kansas City industrial facilities, this guide explains the legal options available to you.

  • Kansas City defense, automotive, and aviation exposure sites
  • Missouri statute of limitations and filing deadlines
  • Which asbestos trust funds apply to Kansas City cases
  • How to document your Kansas City work history for a legal claim
  • Veterans benefits available for dual-exposure cases
  • Secondary exposure rights for Kansas City workers' families

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Steps Kansas City 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. The following steps provide a clear, measured path forward for Kansas City families facing this diagnosis.

  1. Prioritize medical care. Your health comes first. Seek treatment from an oncologist experienced with mesothelioma. The University of Kansas Cancer Center is a nationally recognized cancer treatment facility with expertise in thoracic malignancies. Your treatment plan should be established before anything else.
  2. Document your Kansas City work history. Write down every job you held, every facility where you worked, and every trade you performed — particularly any work at the Honeywell/Bendix plant, GM Fairfax, Ford Claycomo, the TWA Overhaul Base, Armco Steel, or other industrial sites. Include dates, job titles, employer names, and the names of coworkers.
  3. Build an exposure timeline. For each job, note the specific tasks that may have involved asbestos contact: component machining, brake installation, insulation work, equipment maintenance, or proximity to these activities. If you served in the military, include your service branch, duty stations, and MOS or rating.
  4. Contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney. The Missouri statute of limitations gives you 5 years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury claim. While 5 years provides more time than many states, building a strong case requires identifying asbestos product manufacturers, gathering employment records, and filing trust fund claims — processes that benefit from starting early. Our firm provides free, no-obligation consultations and handles all cases on a contingency basis.
  5. Preserve important documents. Gather and safeguard any records that support your exposure history: old tax returns, union membership cards, Social Security earnings statements, military service records (DD-214), medical records, security clearance documentation, and photographs from job sites.
  6. Understand your compensation options. Kansas City mesothelioma patients may be entitled to compensation from multiple sources, including personal injury lawsuits, asbestos trust funds (over $30 billion available nationally), workers' compensation, VA benefits for veterans, and potentially EEOICPA benefits for DOE facility workers. Your attorney should evaluate every option.

You Do Not Have to Navigate This Alone

Our attorneys have helped families across the country through the legal process after a mesothelioma diagnosis, including cases involving Kansas City industrial exposure. 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. 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. 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.

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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. 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.

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Find Out What Your Kansas City Mesothelioma Case Is Worth

If you or a family member was exposed to asbestos at the Honeywell/Bendix plant, GM Fairfax, Ford Claycomo, the TWA Overhaul Base, or any other Kansas City industrial facility and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to significant compensation.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma in Kansas City

Why does Kansas City have elevated mesothelioma risk?

Kansas City's industrial history includes nuclear weapons component manufacturing at the Honeywell/Bendix Kansas City National Security Campus, automotive assembly at GM Fairfax and Ford Claycomo, aircraft maintenance at the TWA Overhaul Base, and steel production at Armco Steel. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, this concentration of heavy industry created widespread occupational asbestos exposure across Kansas City's workforce. Each of these industries used asbestos extensively, and the 20-to-50-year latency period means new diagnoses continue today.

What is the statute of limitations for mesothelioma in Missouri?

Missouri allows 5 years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury lawsuit for mesothelioma, and 3 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. Missouri applies a discovery rule, meaning the clock starts when the disease is diagnosed, not when the asbestos exposure occurred. While 5 years provides more time than many states, patients should not delay building their case.

Did the Honeywell/Bendix Kansas City Plant use asbestos?

Yes. The Honeywell/Bendix Kansas City National Security Campus manufactured non-nuclear components for nuclear weapons and used asbestos extensively in insulation, gaskets, electrical components, and building materials. Workers in this facility were exposed to asbestos for decades. Because this was a Department of Energy facility, some former workers may also qualify for EEOICPA compensation in addition to standard mesothelioma claims.

Can Kansas City automotive workers file mesothelioma claims?

Yes. Workers at the GM Fairfax Assembly Plant and Ford Claycomo Assembly Plant who were exposed to asbestos in brake components, clutch facings, gaskets, insulation, and building materials may file mesothelioma claims. Compensation may be available through personal injury lawsuits, asbestos trust fund claims, and other sources. Note that the GM Fairfax plant is in Kansas, which may affect legal options — an experienced attorney can navigate these interstate complexities.

Can family members of Kansas City workers file mesothelioma claims?

Yes. Family members who developed mesothelioma from secondary (take-home) asbestos exposure have legal standing to file their own claims. Kansas City industrial workers frequently carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing, exposing spouses and children. Missouri courts recognize secondary exposure claims, and compensation is available through lawsuits, trust funds, and settlements.

How much compensation can Kansas City mesothelioma patients receive?

Compensation varies based on exposure history, the number of responsible parties, severity of illness, and applicable trust funds. Kansas City cases often involve multiple employers — defense, automotive, aviation, and steel — which can increase total recovery. Over $30 billion remains in asbestos trust funds nationally. Our firm has recovered over $2 billion for mesothelioma patients and works to maximize every claim.

Do Kansas City veterans qualify for additional mesothelioma benefits?

Yes. Veterans exposed to asbestos during military service may qualify for VA disability compensation, VA healthcare, and special monthly compensation — in addition to civil lawsuits and trust fund claims. Many Kansas City veterans worked at defense contractors like Honeywell/Bendix after service, creating dual exposure histories that open multiple compensation pathways.

How do I find a mesothelioma lawyer for my Kansas City case?

Look for attorneys who focus specifically on mesothelioma and asbestos litigation, have experience with Missouri and Kansas cases, and work on a contingency fee basis. Danziger & De Llano has over 30 years of experience handling mesothelioma cases nationwide. We offer free, no-obligation consultations. 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

Kansas City Families Deserve Answers — and Justice

If you or someone you love was exposed to asbestos at the Honeywell/Bendix plant, GM Fairfax, Ford Claycomo, or any other Kansas City industrial facility, do not wait. The Missouri statute of limitations is 5 years from diagnosis. Our attorneys are ready to fight for the compensation your family deserves.

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