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Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure in Oklahoma

Oklahoma's oil refineries, power plants, and military installations exposed thousands of workers to asbestos for decades. Tinker Air Force Base — one of the largest aircraft maintenance depots in the world — is among the most significant asbestos exposure sites in the state. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, Oklahoma workers across multiple industries faced prolonged occupational asbestos exposure. Due to a latency period of 20 to 50 years, Oklahoma families are still being diagnosed with mesothelioma today from exposures that occurred decades ago.

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Mesothelioma Compensation for Oklahoma Families: What Our Clients Have Recovered

If your family is facing a mesothelioma diagnosis in Oklahoma, 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 Oklahoma.

$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.

$3,921,750 Navy / Construction

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a man, age 68, who was exposed through his service in the Navy, as an auto mechanic, and while working in construction.

$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.

$3,310,650 Industrial / HVAC

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 62, who was exposed while installing industrial and commercial furnaces and air conditioning units.

$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.

$2,082,780 Oil Refinery / Drywaller

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 81, who was exposed through his work at an oil refinery and as a drywaller.

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: Military records, industrial databases, OSHA reports

Why Mesothelioma Cases Occur in Oklahoma

Oklahoma's industrial history is anchored in oil and gas production, power generation, military aviation, railroad operations, and glass manufacturing — all industries that relied heavily on asbestos-containing materials for decades. From the oil boom of the early 20th century through the 1980s, Oklahoma workers across these sectors handled, installed, and worked around asbestos insulation, gaskets, brake linings, and fireproofing materials without adequate protection or warning.

According to WikiMesothelioma.com, Oklahoma's combination of petroleum refining, power generation, and military installations created a broad pattern of occupational asbestos exposure across the state. Workers who built, maintained, and operated these facilities inhaled microscopic asbestos fibers daily, often without any protective equipment or knowledge of the dangers they faced.

Perhaps the most significant single exposure site in Oklahoma is Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City. Tinker AFB is one of the largest aircraft maintenance and repair depots in the world, employing tens of thousands of military personnel and civilian workers over the decades. Aircraft maintenance required extensive contact with asbestos-containing materials used in insulation, brake systems, engine components, and facility construction. The sheer scale of operations at Tinker — maintaining and overhauling military aircraft around the clock — meant that asbestos exposure was widespread and prolonged for an enormous workforce.

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 Oklahoma refineries, power plants, and military installations during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s are being diagnosed now. An aircraft mechanic who worked with asbestos brake pads and insulation at Tinker AFB in 1970 may only receive a mesothelioma diagnosis in 2025 or later. This long latency period is why Oklahoma continues to produce new mesothelioma cases decades after asbestos use was curtailed.

The geographic spread of exposure across Oklahoma — from Oklahoma City's military and industrial base to Tulsa's oil refining corridor to Lawton's military community around Fort Sill — means that workers statewide were affected. Many Oklahoma workers were exposed at multiple facilities over the course of a career, compounding their asbestos burden and increasing the number of potential legal claims available to them.

Oklahoma's Asbestos Legacy by the Numbers

Tinker Air Force Base alone has employed hundreds of thousands of workers since its establishment in 1941. Combined with Oklahoma's oil refineries, power plants operated by OG&E and PSO, railroad facilities, and glass manufacturing plants, the state's industrial workforce faced decades of occupational asbestos exposure. Oklahoma consistently reports mesothelioma diagnoses linked to these industries. If you worked at any industrial facility, military installation, or power plant in Oklahoma, documenting your asbestos exposure history is a critical first step.

Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure in Oklahoma

Asbestos was deeply embedded in Oklahoma's industrial infrastructure for decades. The following categories represent the most significant sources of occupational asbestos exposure across the state.

Oil Refineries

Oklahoma's petroleum industry is one of the oldest in the nation, with refineries operating across the state since the early 1900s. Asbestos was used extensively in pipe insulation, heat exchangers, catalytic crackers, boilers, and storage tank insulation at these facilities. Refinery workers who performed turnaround maintenance — the periodic shutdown and overhaul of processing units — faced some of the most intense asbestos exposure, as they removed and replaced deteriorating insulation in confined spaces. Major refinery operations in Tulsa, Ponca City, and other Oklahoma locations all relied on asbestos-containing materials.

Power Plants (OG&E and PSO)

Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E) and Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) operated coal-fired and gas-fired power plants across the state that used asbestos insulation on boilers, turbines, steam pipes, and electrical components. Workers at these generating stations — including boiler operators, maintenance crews, electricians, and turbine technicians — faced regular asbestos exposure throughout their careers.

  • OG&E Generating Stations — Multiple power plants across Oklahoma with asbestos in boiler insulation, turbine casings, pipe lagging, and electrical wiring insulation
  • PSO Power Plants — Coal-fired and gas-fired facilities in northeastern Oklahoma with extensive asbestos use in high-temperature equipment and insulation systems

Military Installations

Oklahoma's military bases represent some of the most significant asbestos exposure sites in the state. Tinker AFB's aircraft maintenance operations were particularly hazardous, but other installations also used asbestos extensively.

  • Tinker Air Force Base (Oklahoma City) — One of the world's largest aircraft maintenance depots; asbestos used in aircraft insulation, brake systems, engine gaskets, hangar construction, pipe insulation, and facility buildings throughout the base
  • Fort Sill (Lawton) — Army installation with asbestos in barracks, administrative buildings, heating systems, and vehicle maintenance facilities
  • Vance Air Force Base (Enid) — Training installation with asbestos in older buildings, hangars, and support facilities

Railroad Facilities

Oklahoma's railroad industry employed thousands of workers who were exposed to asbestos in locomotive insulation, brake shoes, steam pipe lagging, and railroad building materials. Major railroad repair shops and switching yards in Oklahoma City and Tulsa were significant exposure sites.

Glass Manufacturing

Oklahoma's glass manufacturing industry used asbestos in furnace insulation, protective clothing, gaskets, and mold-making materials. Workers in glass plants across the state handled asbestos-containing materials as part of daily operations involving extreme heat and molten glass processing.

Exposure Source Type of Facility Asbestos Uses Peak Exposure Era
Tinker AFB Military Aircraft Maintenance Aircraft insulation, brakes, gaskets, hangars 1941–1980s
Oklahoma Oil Refineries Petroleum Refining Pipe insulation, boilers, heat exchangers, gaskets 1920s–1980s
OG&E Power Plants Power Generation Boiler insulation, turbine casings, pipe lagging 1940s–1980s
PSO Power Plants Power Generation Boiler insulation, electrical wiring, fireproofing 1940s–1980s
Fort Sill Military Installation Building insulation, heating systems, vehicle maintenance 1940s–1980s
Railroad Facilities Rail Transport & Repair Locomotive insulation, brake shoes, steam pipes 1940s–1970s
Glass Manufacturing Industrial Manufacturing Furnace insulation, gaskets, protective clothing 1940s–1970s

This is not an exhaustive list. Additional industrial facilities across Oklahoma used asbestos-containing materials. If you worked at any refinery, power plant, military base, railroad facility, or manufacturing site in Oklahoma before the mid-1980s, asbestos exposure is likely. Our attorneys maintain detailed databases of Oklahoma exposure sites and can investigate your specific work history as part of a free case evaluation.

Jobs in Oklahoma Linked to Asbestos Exposure

Certain occupations in Oklahoma's industrial and military sectors carried a dramatically higher risk of asbestos exposure. Workers in these trades handled asbestos-containing materials directly, worked in confined 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 an Oklahoma facility, mesothelioma risk is elevated.

Aircraft Maintenance Workers

Workers at Tinker AFB who maintained, repaired, and overhauled military aircraft were among the most heavily exposed in Oklahoma. Aircraft components including insulation blankets, brake pads, engine gaskets, and heat shields contained asbestos. Disassembling aircraft for depot-level maintenance released concentrated asbestos fibers in enclosed hangar environments, exposing mechanics, sheet metal workers, and inspectors to dangerous levels of airborne asbestos.

Refinery Workers & Pipefitters

Oil refinery workers across Oklahoma installed, maintained, and repaired piping systems and equipment insulated with asbestos-containing materials. Pipefitters and boilermakers who performed turnaround maintenance removed deteriorating asbestos insulation in confined spaces, releasing dense concentrations of airborne fibers. Refinery operators who worked near asbestos-insulated equipment also faced long-term cumulative exposure.

Power Plant Workers

Employees at OG&E and PSO generating stations worked with asbestos-insulated boilers, turbines, and steam systems throughout their careers. Boiler operators, maintenance crews, electricians, and turbine technicians all faced regular asbestos exposure. Power plant workers who performed maintenance on aging equipment frequently disturbed deteriorating asbestos insulation, creating hazardous airborne fiber concentrations.

Railroad Workers

Oklahoma railroad employees worked with asbestos in locomotive insulation, brake shoes, steam pipe lagging, and railroad building materials. Workers in repair shops who rebuilt locomotive engines and brake systems were especially at risk due to the concentrated exposure involved in disassembling asbestos-containing components. Brakemen, engineers, and yard workers also faced environmental exposure from asbestos brake dust and deteriorating insulation.

Insulators & Maintenance Workers

Insulators across Oklahoma's industrial facilities worked directly with asbestos-containing insulation materials, applying and removing lagging from pipes, vessels, boilers, and equipment. General maintenance workers performed repairs that frequently disturbed asbestos in walls, ceilings, pipe insulation, and equipment housings at refineries, power plants, and military installations statewide.

Glass Manufacturing Workers

Workers in Oklahoma's glass plants handled asbestos-containing materials used as furnace insulation, in protective gloves and clothing, and in gaskets and mold-making processes. The extreme heat involved in glass production made asbestos a commonly used material throughout these facilities, and workers were exposed through direct handling as well as ambient fiber release from deteriorating insulation near furnaces.

Documenting Your Oklahoma Work History

If you held any of these positions at an Oklahoma industrial facility, military base, or power plant, 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 military records, union records, Social Security earnings statements, coworker testimony, and facility records to build your case.

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Types of Mesothelioma Diagnosed in Oklahoma

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. Oklahoma's industrial and military exposure profile produces specific patterns of mesothelioma diagnosis that reflect the types and duration of asbestos contact workers experienced at the state's refineries, power plants, and military installations.

Pleural Mesothelioma (Lungs)

Pleural mesothelioma accounts for approximately 75 to 80 percent of all mesothelioma diagnoses and is the most common form seen in Oklahoma 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. Oklahoma workers who inhaled asbestos dust at refineries, power plants, Tinker AFB hangars, and railroad shops 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 in an Oklahoma industrial facility or military installation 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. 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 Oklahoma patients and their families.

Mesothelioma Treatment Centers in Oklahoma

While Oklahoma does not currently have NCI-designated mesothelioma specialty centers, patients have access to the nation’s top treatment programs. Many of these leading cancer centers accept out-of-state patients and can coordinate care with local oncologists. Below are nationally recognized mesothelioma treatment centers that serve patients from Oklahoma 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.

Oklahoma Veterans & Military Asbestos Exposure

Oklahoma has a large veteran population and is home to some of the most significant military asbestos exposure sites in the country. Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City and Fort Sill in Lawton are the two most prominent, but asbestos exposure occurred at military installations across the state. Both active-duty service members and civilian employees at these bases were exposed to asbestos-containing materials for decades.

Tinker Air Force Base — A National Asbestos Exposure Site

Tinker AFB is the largest single-site employer in Oklahoma and one of the largest aircraft maintenance depots in the world. Since its establishment in 1941, Tinker has been responsible for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of military aircraft, engines, and components. For decades, the aircraft maintained at Tinker contained asbestos in insulation blankets, brake pads, engine gaskets, heat shields, and electrical components. Workers who disassembled these aircraft for depot-level maintenance were exposed to concentrated asbestos fibers in enclosed hangar environments. Military personnel, civilian Department of Defense employees, and contractor workers were all affected.

Fort Sill and Other Oklahoma Military Installations

Fort Sill, the Army's primary field artillery training center located in Lawton, used asbestos in barracks, administrative buildings, heating plants, vehicle maintenance shops, and ammunition storage facilities. Veterans who served at Fort Sill and other Oklahoma installations during the era of peak asbestos use (1940s through 1970s) were exposed through building maintenance, vehicle repair, and general operations in asbestos-containing structures.

The legal significance of military asbestos exposure is substantial. Oklahoma veterans with mesothelioma 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
  • 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 at military installations
  • Personal Injury Lawsuits — Civil claims against asbestos product manufacturers

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 Oklahoma veterans pursue every available source of compensation simultaneously, maximizing total recovery while ensuring no filing deadlines are missed. If you are a veteran diagnosed with mesothelioma, time is critical — both the Oklahoma statute of limitations and VA filing processes have specific requirements that should be addressed promptly.

Family Members Exposed to Asbestos in Oklahoma

Asbestos exposure in Oklahoma did not stop at the refinery gate, power plant fence, or military base perimeter. 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 Oklahoma's industrial and military communities and has led to mesothelioma diagnoses in people who never worked directly with asbestos.

How Secondary Exposure Occurred

Oklahoma refinery workers, power plant employees, and Tinker AFB personnel 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.

Legal Rights of Oklahoma Families

Oklahoma 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 an Oklahoma industrial worker or military employee 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 Oklahoma 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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Oklahoma Resources

Oklahoma Comprehensive Cancer Control Program

State Resources

State-level cancer support, advocacy, and resources connecting Oklahoma 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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Free Guide: Oklahoma Asbestos Exposure & Your Legal Rights

If you or a family member worked at an Oklahoma refinery, power plant, Tinker AFB, or other industrial facility, this guide explains the legal options available to you and what steps to take after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

  • Oklahoma asbestos exposure sites and responsible companies
  • Oklahoma statute of limitations and filing deadlines
  • Which asbestos trust funds apply to Oklahoma exposure cases
  • How to document your Oklahoma work history for a legal claim
  • Veterans benefits available for military exposure cases
  • Secondary exposure rights for Oklahoma workers' families

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Steps Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma 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. Prioritize medical care. Your health comes first. Seek treatment from an oncologist experienced with mesothelioma. The Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center in Oklahoma City offers cancer treatment services, and your medical team can coordinate with specialists nationwide. Your treatment plan should be established before anything else.
  2. Document your Oklahoma work history. Write down every job you held, every facility where you worked, and every trade you performed — particularly any work at Oklahoma refineries, power plants, Tinker AFB, Fort Sill, railroad facilities, or 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.
  3. Build an exposure timeline. For each job, note the specific tasks that may have involved asbestos contact: insulation removal, pipe fitting, boiler maintenance, aircraft maintenance, 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.
  4. Contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney. The Oklahoma statute of limitations gives you 2 years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury claim. While 2 years may sound like adequate time, building a strong case requires identifying asbestos product manufacturers, gathering employment records, and filing trust fund claims — processes that benefit from starting early. Choose an attorney who focuses specifically on mesothelioma cases. 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 showing employers, union membership cards, Social Security earnings statements, military service records (DD-214), 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. Oklahoma 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.

You Do Not Have to Navigate This Alone

Our attorneys have helped families across Oklahoma and the nation 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. 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.

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. 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 Oklahoma Case

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Find Out What Your Oklahoma Mesothelioma Case Is Worth

If you or a family member was exposed to asbestos at an Oklahoma refinery, power plant, Tinker Air Force Base, or other industrial facility and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Our attorneys have decades of experience with asbestos exposure cases and will evaluate every source of compensation available to your family.

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Experienced Mesothelioma Firm Our attorneys know Oklahoma's asbestos exposure sites and the companies responsible.
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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Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma in Oklahoma

Why does Oklahoma have elevated mesothelioma risk?

Oklahoma's oil refining industry, power generation sector, military installations, railroad operations, and glass manufacturing all relied heavily on asbestos-containing materials from the 1940s through the 1980s. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, Tinker Air Force Base alone — one of the largest aircraft maintenance depots in the world — exposed thousands of military and civilian workers to asbestos insulation used in aircraft components, hangars, and maintenance facilities. Combined with refineries, power plants, and railroad shops, Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma?

Oklahoma allows 2 years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury lawsuit for mesothelioma, and 2 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. Oklahoma 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 — evidence and witnesses can become unavailable over time, and trust fund payment percentages can decline.

Were workers at Tinker Air Force Base exposed to asbestos?

Yes. Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City is one of the largest aircraft maintenance and repair depots in the world. For decades, military personnel and civilian employees worked with asbestos-containing materials in aircraft insulation, brake pads, engine gaskets, hangar construction materials, and pipe insulation throughout the base. Aircraft maintenance workers who disassembled and rebuilt planes were particularly at risk for asbestos exposure due to the concentrated fibers released during these operations in enclosed hangar spaces.

Can Oklahoma oil refinery workers file mesothelioma claims?

Yes. Oklahoma refinery workers who were exposed to asbestos 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 Oklahoma 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.

Do Oklahoma veterans qualify for additional mesothelioma benefits?

Yes. Veterans who were exposed to asbestos during military service — including those stationed at Tinker AFB, Fort Sill, or other Oklahoma installations — 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. Filing for VA benefits does not reduce or prevent compensation from civil claims. Our attorneys help Oklahoma veterans pursue all available compensation sources simultaneously.

Can family members of Oklahoma workers file mesothelioma claims?

Yes. Family members who developed mesothelioma from secondary (take-home) asbestos exposure have legal standing to file their own claims. Oklahoma industrial workers and military personnel frequently carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing, skin, and hair, unknowingly exposing spouses and children who handled contaminated work clothes. Courts recognize these secondary exposure claims, and compensation is available through the same channels — lawsuits, trust funds, and settlements.

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

Oklahoma Families Deserve Answers — and Justice

If you or someone you love was exposed to asbestos at an Oklahoma refinery, power plant, Tinker Air Force Base, or other industrial facility, do not wait. The Oklahoma statute of limitations is 2 years from diagnosis. Our attorneys are ready to fight for the compensation your family deserves.

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