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Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure in Texas

Texas is one of the highest-risk states for mesothelioma in the nation. The "Golden Triangle" — the Houston-Beaumont-Port Arthur industrial corridor — contains one of the most concentrated refinery and chemical exposure zones in the United States. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, hundreds of petrochemical facilities, shipyards, and power plants along the Texas Gulf Coast exposed thousands of workers to deadly asbestos fibers for decades. Due to a latency period of 20 to 50 years, Texas families are still being diagnosed with mesothelioma today.

Hundreds of Petrochemical Facilities
$30B+ In Trust Funds Available
2 Years Texas Statute of Limitations
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Mesothelioma Compensation for Texas Families: What Our Clients Have Recovered

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

$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.

$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.

$3,310,650 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.

$2,082,780 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.

$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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If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma after asbestos exposure, a free case review can help you understand your options. There is no cost and no obligation.

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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, EPA records

Why Texas Is a High-Risk State for Mesothelioma

Texas consistently ranks among the top states in the nation for mesothelioma deaths. The state's massive petrochemical industry, shipbuilding heritage, military installations, and power generation infrastructure created one of the most extensive asbestos exposure landscapes in the country. From the Houston Ship Channel to the Port Arthur refinery complex, from Gulf Coast shipyards to military bases across the state, asbestos was a standard industrial material in Texas for decades.

According to WikiMesothelioma.com, the Texas Gulf Coast contains one of the highest concentrations of asbestos exposure sites in the United States. Workers who built, maintained, and operated the state's refineries, chemical plants, shipyards, and power plants inhaled microscopic asbestos fibers daily, often without any protective equipment or warning about the dangers. The scale of Texas's industrial economy meant that tens of thousands of workers across multiple industries were exposed over several decades.

The peak period of asbestos use in Texas spanned from the 1940s through the early 1980s. World War II triggered a massive expansion of both shipbuilding and petrochemical production along the Gulf Coast. After the war, Texas's refinery capacity continued to grow, and asbestos remained the standard insulation material for all high-temperature industrial applications. The state's chemical manufacturing sector, power generation system, and construction industry all relied on asbestos-containing materials throughout this era.

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 in Texas refineries, shipyards, and industrial plants during the 1960s and 1970s are being diagnosed now. A pipefitter who installed asbestos insulation at a Port Arthur refinery in 1970 may only receive a mesothelioma diagnosis in 2025 or later. This long latency period is why Texas continues to produce new mesothelioma cases decades after asbestos use was curtailed.

Texas-Specific City Pages

For detailed information about asbestos exposure in specific Texas cities, visit our dedicated pages:

  • Houston — Houston Ship Channel refineries, shipyards, and industrial facilities
  • Port Arthur — Golden Triangle refineries and petrochemical plants

The Golden Triangle: Texas's Asbestos Exposure Corridor

The "Golden Triangle" — the industrial corridor connecting Houston, Beaumont, and Port Arthur along the Texas Gulf Coast — is one of the most concentrated refinery and chemical plant corridors in the world. This region is the epicenter of asbestos exposure in Texas and one of the highest-risk areas for mesothelioma in the entire United States.

Houston Ship Channel

The Houston Ship Channel is a 52-mile waterway stretching from the Port of Houston to Galveston Bay. Along its banks, dozens of refineries, chemical plants, and manufacturing facilities operated with asbestos-containing insulation for decades. Major facilities include ExxonMobil Baytown Complex, Shell Deer Park, Chevron Pasadena Refinery, Lyondell-Citgo, and Valero Houston Refinery. The Ship Channel also hosted major shipyards — Todd Shipyard and Brown Shipbuilding — where thousands of workers built and repaired vessels using asbestos insulation. For comprehensive Houston information, visit our Houston mesothelioma page.

Port Arthur & Beaumont

The Port Arthur and Beaumont area completes the Golden Triangle with its own massive concentration of refineries and chemical plants. Motiva Enterprises (formerly Texaco/Star Enterprise) operates one of the largest refineries in the United States in Port Arthur. Total Petrochemicals, Valero Port Arthur Refinery, BASF, and numerous other facilities line the Neches River industrial corridor. Beaumont adds additional refineries, including ExxonMobil Beaumont Refinery and the former Mobil Oil refinery complex. Workers across this corridor handled asbestos-containing materials daily in pipe insulation, boilers, heat exchangers, and facility infrastructure.

Galveston & Corpus Christi

Beyond the Golden Triangle, Texas's Gulf Coast industrial exposure extends to Galveston, where shipyard operations exposed workers to asbestos in ship construction and repair, and to Corpus Christi, where refineries and petrochemical facilities used asbestos insulation throughout their operations. The reach of Texas's asbestos exposure landscape covers virtually the entire Gulf Coast.

Dallas, San Antonio & Beyond

While the Gulf Coast dominates Texas's asbestos exposure profile, workers in Dallas, San Antonio, and other Texas cities were also exposed to asbestos in power plants, manufacturing facilities, military installations, and commercial buildings. Asbestos was a standard construction and industrial material throughout the state during the peak use era.

Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure in Texas

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

Refineries & Chemical Plants

Texas has more refining capacity than any other state, and virtually every refinery built before the 1980s used asbestos extensively. Pipe insulation, heat exchangers, boilers, catalytic crackers, storage tank insulation, gaskets, and valve packings all contained asbestos. Workers who performed turnaround maintenance faced the most intense exposure.

  • ExxonMobil Baytown Complex — One of the world's largest integrated refining and chemical complexes
  • Shell Deer Park — Major refinery and chemical plant on the Houston Ship Channel
  • Motiva Enterprises (Port Arthur) — One of the largest refineries in the United States
  • Valero (multiple Texas locations) — Refineries in Houston, Port Arthur, Corpus Christi, and other locations
  • Chevron Pasadena Refinery — Major refinery in the Houston industrial corridor
  • Total Petrochemicals (Port Arthur) — Petrochemical manufacturing with extensive asbestos use
  • BASF (Port Arthur/Beaumont) — Chemical manufacturing with asbestos in process equipment
  • ExxonMobil Beaumont Refinery — Large-scale refining operations in the Beaumont industrial district
  • Dow Chemical (multiple locations) — Chemical processing facilities across the Gulf Coast

Shipyards

Texas Gulf Coast shipyards were significant asbestos exposure sites, particularly during the WWII shipbuilding boom. Workers built, repaired, and maintained ships insulated with asbestos throughout their infrastructure.

  • Todd Shipyard (Houston/Galveston) — Ship construction and repair with asbestos insulation standard in all vessel work
  • Brown Shipbuilding Company (Houston) — WWII-era shipyard that built hundreds of vessels using asbestos materials

Power Plants

Texas power plants used asbestos insulation on boilers, turbines, steam pipes, and electrical components across the state.

Military Installations

Texas hosts numerous military installations where asbestos was used in buildings, aircraft maintenance facilities, shipboard environments, and base infrastructure. Bases including Fort Hood, Fort Bliss, Lackland AFB, Randolph AFB, and numerous naval facilities exposed both military personnel and civilian workers to asbestos.

Exposure Source Type of Facility Location Peak Exposure Era
ExxonMobil Baytown Refinery & Chemical Houston Ship Channel 1940s–1980s
Motiva Enterprises Refinery Port Arthur 1940s–1980s
Shell Deer Park Refinery & Chemical Houston Ship Channel 1940s–1980s
Todd Shipyard Shipbuilding & Repair Houston/Galveston 1940s–1970s
Brown Shipbuilding WWII Shipbuilding Houston Ship Channel 1942–1946
Total Petrochemicals Chemical Manufacturing Port Arthur 1940s–1980s
ExxonMobil Beaumont Refinery Beaumont 1940s–1980s
Valero Corpus Christi Refinery Corpus Christi 1940s–1980s

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

Jobs in Texas Linked to Asbestos Exposure

Certain occupations in Texas 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 a Texas facility, mesothelioma risk is elevated.

Pipefitters & Boilermakers

Pipefitters and boilermakers are among the most heavily exposed occupations in Texas. These tradespeople installed, maintained, and repaired piping systems and boilers throughout the state's refineries, chemical plants, and power plants. Asbestos-containing pipe insulation, gaskets, and packing materials were standard components. Turnaround maintenance, which required removing old asbestos insulation in confined spaces, created especially intense exposure conditions.

Insulators & Lagging Workers

Insulators worked directly with asbestos-containing insulation materials in Texas refineries and industrial facilities. They applied and removed lagging from pipes, vessels, boilers, and equipment. This occupation had the most direct and sustained contact with asbestos of any trade. In Texas's massive refinery complexes, insulators handled enormous quantities of asbestos insulation over entire careers.

Electricians & Maintenance Workers

Electricians in Texas refineries and power plants worked near 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 industrial facilities statewide.

Refinery Operators & Process Workers

Refinery operators and process workers spent entire shifts in operating units where asbestos insulation surrounded them. Although they did not install insulation directly, operators were exposed to deteriorating asbestos on aging equipment and to asbestos dust released during nearby maintenance activities. Long-term cumulative exposure across multi-decade careers was common in Texas refineries.

Shipyard Workers

Workers at Todd Shipyard and Brown Shipbuilding in the Houston-Galveston area performed tasks involving heavy asbestos exposure. Ship fitters, welders, painters, and general laborers worked in environments where asbestos insulation was installed, removed, or disturbed. Below-deck work in engine rooms and boiler rooms created concentrated exposure due to poor ventilation and confined spaces.

Construction Tradespeople

Construction workers across Texas handled asbestos-containing building materials including floor tiles, roofing, cement board, joint compound, and fireproofing spray. Workers who built the state's refineries, industrial plants, and commercial buildings during the peak asbestos era installed these materials routinely. Demolition and renovation of older structures released accumulated asbestos fibers from decades of material deterioration.

Documenting Your Texas Work History

If you held any of these positions at a Texas facility, documenting your complete work history is essential for building a mesothelioma claim. Our Texas-based attorneys help clients reconstruct their employment timeline, identify every facility where exposure occurred, and connect that 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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Based on your Texas work history, you may be connected to multiple asbestos trust funds and legal claims.

Texas refinery, shipyard, and industrial exposure cases often involve multiple facilities and asbestos product manufacturers, which can significantly increase total compensation. Complete the form below for a free, confidential case review with Texas-based attorneys who have decades of experience with Gulf Coast exposure cases.

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Types of Mesothelioma Diagnosed in Texas

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. Texas's industrial exposure profile produces specific patterns of mesothelioma diagnosis reflecting the types and duration of asbestos contact that refinery, shipyard, and industrial workers experienced.

Pleural Mesothelioma (Lungs)

Pleural mesothelioma accounts for approximately 75 to 80 percent of all mesothelioma diagnoses and is the most common form seen in Texas 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. Texas refinery workers, pipefitters, and insulators who inhaled asbestos dust over years of occupational exposure are at the highest risk. Symptoms typically include persistent chest pain, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, and pleural effusion.

Early detection significantly affects treatment options. MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is one of the nation's leading mesothelioma treatment facilities. If you worked in a Texas refinery, shipyard, 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.

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. Symptoms include abdominal pain, swelling, unexplained weight loss, and fluid accumulation. Treatment has advanced significantly with cytoreductive surgery combined with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Regardless of type, the same legal options — personal injury lawsuits, trust fund claims, and VA benefits — are available to Texas patients.

Mesothelioma Treatment Centers in Texas

Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma in Texas have access to some of the nation’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.

MD Anderson Cancer Center

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

One of the world's foremost cancer hospitals, MD Anderson is consistently ranked #1 in cancer care and operates one of the largest mesothelioma treatment programs in the nation.

Baylor College of Medicine

Houston, TX
Surgery Chemotherapy Clinical Trials Radiation

A leading academic medical center with thoracic surgery and oncology programs experienced in treating asbestos-related cancers.

UT Southwestern Medical Center

Dallas, TX NCI-Designated Cancer Center
Surgery Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Clinical Trials Radiation

Home to the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern offers advanced thoracic oncology care and mesothelioma clinical trials.

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.

Texas Veterans & Military Asbestos Exposure

Texas has one of the largest veteran populations in the country, and many Texas 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 asbestos-insulated ships and then returned to Texas to work in Gulf Coast refineries and industrial facilities.

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 contained asbestos. Veterans stationed at or transiting through Gulf Coast ports — including those in Houston, Galveston, Beaumont, and Corpus Christi — were exposed during their service.

Texas Military Installations

Texas hosts numerous military installations where asbestos was used in buildings, maintenance facilities, and housing. Fort Hood, Fort Bliss, Lackland AFB, Randolph AFB, Sheppard AFB, and numerous naval facilities all used asbestos-containing materials during construction and operations.

Dual Exposure: Military Then Industrial

Veterans who were exposed during military service and then took jobs in Texas's petrochemical industry after discharge accumulated decades of cumulative exposure. These veterans may be entitled to:

  • 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 aid and attendance needs
  • Asbestos Trust Fund Claims — Claims against manufacturers whose products were used in military and civilian facilities
  • 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 processes. Our attorneys help Texas veterans pursue every available source of compensation simultaneously. If you are a veteran diagnosed with mesothelioma, time is critical — both the Texas statute of limitations and VA filing processes have specific requirements. Call 1-800-400-1805.

Family Members Exposed to Asbestos in Texas

Asbestos exposure in Texas did not stop at the refinery gate or the shipyard fence. For decades, workers carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing, skin, hair, and personal items — unknowingly exposing their families. This secondary or take-home exposure has been documented extensively in Texas industrial communities and has led to mesothelioma diagnoses in people who never set foot in a refinery or shipyard.

How Secondary Exposure Occurred

Texas refinery workers, pipefitters, and insulators typically arrived home covered in dust that included asbestos fibers. Spouses who shook out, brushed off, and laundered contaminated work clothes released asbestos fibers into the household air. Children who greeted parents or played near contaminated clothing were also exposed. In Texas's refinery towns, where industrial employment was the primary livelihood, secondary exposure affected thousands of families over generations.

Legal Rights of Texas Families

Texas courts recognize secondary asbestos exposure as a valid basis for mesothelioma claims. Family members who developed mesothelioma from take-home exposure have the same legal right to pursue compensation as the workers themselves. If a family member of a Texas industrial worker has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and never worked directly with asbestos, secondary exposure should be investigated. Our attorneys have handled numerous Texas secondary exposure cases.

Support Groups & Resources for Texas 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.

Visit Website →

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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Texas Resources

Texas Cancer Coalition

State Resources

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

Visit Website →

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.

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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Don’t Let the Filing Window Close on Your Family

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Free Guide: Texas Asbestos Exposure & Your Legal Rights

If you or a family member worked in Texas refineries, shipyards, or industrial facilities, this guide explains the legal options available and what steps to take after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

  • Golden Triangle and Gulf Coast exposure sites and responsible companies
  • Texas 2-year statute of limitations and filing deadlines
  • Which asbestos trust funds apply to Texas refinery and industrial cases
  • How to document your Texas work history for a legal claim
  • Veterans benefits available for dual-exposure cases
  • Secondary exposure rights for Texas workers' families

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Steps Texas Families Can Take After Diagnosis

Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis is overwhelming. The following steps provide a clear, measured path forward for Texas families. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can guide you through each one.

  1. Prioritize medical care. Seek treatment from an oncologist experienced with mesothelioma. MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is one of the nation's leading mesothelioma treatment facilities. Your treatment plan should be established as a priority.
  2. Document your Texas work history. Write down every job, every facility, and every trade you performed — particularly work at Gulf Coast refineries, shipyards, power plants, or industrial sites. Include dates, job titles, employers, contractors, and coworker names.
  3. Build an exposure timeline. Note specific tasks involving asbestos: insulation work, pipe fitting, turnaround maintenance, or proximity to these activities. If you served in the military, include your service details. This timeline identifies applicable trust funds and defendants.
  4. Contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney. The Texas statute of limitations gives you 2 years from diagnosis to file. Building a strong case requires identifying manufacturers, gathering records, and filing trust fund claims — processes that benefit from starting early. Our Texas-based firm provides free consultations and works on contingency.
  5. Preserve important documents. Gather tax returns, union cards, Social Security earnings statements, military records (DD-214), medical records, and job site photographs. These support your case and help identify every compensation source.
  6. Understand your compensation options. Texas mesothelioma patients may receive compensation from personal injury lawsuits, asbestos trust funds (over $30 billion available nationally), workers' compensation, and VA benefits for veterans. Your attorney should pursue all applicable claims simultaneously.

You Do Not Have to Navigate This Alone

Our Texas-based attorneys have helped hundreds of families through the legal process after a mesothelioma diagnosis. We handle every aspect of the legal case so you can focus on your health and family. The consultation is free, there is no obligation, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation. 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 Texas and the nation. As a Texas-based attorney, Paul has deep firsthand knowledge of the state's refinery, shipyard, and industrial exposure sites — from the Houston Ship Channel to the Port Arthur-Beaumont corridor.

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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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. Based in Texas, Rod's expertise in complex litigation — including multi-district asbestos cases, trust fund claims, and trial proceedings — ensures that every Texas client receives the strongest possible representation.

30+ Years in Practice
Princeton University Graduate
$2B+ Recovered for Clients
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Find Out What Your Texas Mesothelioma Case Is Worth

If you or a family member was exposed to asbestos at a Texas refinery, shipyard, power plant, or industrial facility and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Our Texas-based attorneys have decades of experience with Gulf Coast exposure cases and will evaluate every source of compensation available to your family.

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Texas-Based Firm Our attorneys are based in Texas and know the Golden Triangle exposure sites firsthand.
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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Cities & Towns in Texas

Select a city below for detailed local asbestos exposure site information, Texas-specific legal resources, and free case evaluations.

Houston

The Houston Ship Channel is one of America's most concentrated asbestos exposure corridors, with dozens of refineries, chemical plants, and shipyards that operated with asbestos insulation for decades.

View Houston Resources

Beaumont

Beaumont anchors the Golden Triangle with the ExxonMobil Beaumont refinery, Goodyear chemical plant, DuPont/Invista, and Entergy power stations — all of which relied on asbestos-containing materials for decades.

View Beaumont Resources

Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi's petrochemical refineries, Naval Air Station, and chemical plants including Flint Hills Resources, Citgo, Valero, and Celanese made this Coastal Bend city a significant asbestos exposure zone.

View Corpus Christi Resources

Galveston

Galveston's history as a Gulf Coast shipping hub and shipbuilding center left a legacy of widespread asbestos exposure through Todd Shipyard Galveston, the Port of Galveston, and offshore oil support facilities.

View Galveston Resources

Port Arthur

Port Arthur sits at the heart of one of the most concentrated refinery corridors in the United States, home to the largest oil refinery in North America and massive petrochemical operations that relied on asbestos insulation.

View Port Arthur Resources
FAQ answers reviewed by legal team:

Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma in Texas

Why does Texas have so many mesothelioma cases?

Texas consistently ranks among the top states for mesothelioma deaths due to its massive petrochemical industry, shipbuilding history, and military installations. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, the Golden Triangle corridor — Houston, Beaumont, and Port Arthur — contains one of the highest concentrations of refineries and chemical plants in the world. The Houston Ship Channel alone has dozens of refineries, and the Port Arthur/Beaumont industrial complex adds dozens more. Combined with shipyards, power plants, and military facilities, Texas workers faced occupational asbestos exposure across multiple industries for decades.

What is the Golden Triangle and why is it significant for mesothelioma?

The Golden Triangle refers to the Houston-Beaumont-Port Arthur industrial corridor along the Texas Gulf Coast. This region contains one of the most concentrated refinery and chemical plant corridors in the United States. Hundreds of petrochemical facilities used asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and building materials extensively from the 1940s through the 1980s. Workers who built, maintained, and operated these facilities were exposed daily, often without protection. For detailed information, visit our Houston and Port Arthur pages.

What is the statute of limitations for mesothelioma in Texas?

Texas 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. Texas applies a discovery rule, meaning the clock starts when the disease is diagnosed, not when exposure occurred. Given mesothelioma's 20-to-50-year latency period, this distinction is critical. Do not wait — evidence and witnesses can become unavailable over time.

Can Texas refinery workers file mesothelioma claims?

Yes. Texas refinery workers exposed to asbestos who are later diagnosed with mesothelioma can pursue compensation through personal injury lawsuits, asbestos trust fund claims (over $30 billion available nationally), and in some cases VA benefits. Because many Texas workers were exposed at multiple refineries, they may qualify for claims against several trust funds simultaneously, increasing total recovery. Our attorneys maintain detailed records of asbestos use at specific Texas refineries.

Do Texas veterans qualify for additional mesothelioma benefits?

Yes. Veterans 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 Texas veterans experienced dual exposure: first during military service, then in post-service refinery or industrial employment along the Gulf Coast. Our attorneys help veterans pursue all available compensation simultaneously.

How much compensation can Texas mesothelioma patients receive?

Compensation varies based on exposure history, number of responsible parties, severity of illness, and applicable trust funds. Texas cases often involve exposure at multiple refineries and industrial facilities, which can increase total recovery through multiple claims. Over $30 billion remains in asbestos trust funds nationally. While no attorney can guarantee a specific amount, Danziger & De Llano has recovered over $2 billion for mesothelioma patients and families. Call 1-800-400-1805 or submit a form above for a free case evaluation.

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

Texas Families Deserve Answers — and Justice

If you or someone you love was exposed to asbestos at a Texas refinery, shipyard, or industrial facility, do not wait. The Texas statute of limitations is 2 years from diagnosis. Our Texas-based attorneys are ready to fight for the compensation your family deserves.

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