Minnesota Mesothelioma Lawyers
Mesothelioma is a deadly disease with one known cause—asbestos exposure. With over 50 years of experience as Minnesota mesothelioma lawyers, we’re dedicated to protecting the rights of mesothelioma patients and holding those responsible for the illness accountable. At Sieben Polk P.A., our skilled asbestos attorneys have tried more asbestos cases in Minnesota than all other law firms combined. We’re at the forefront of mesothelioma lawsuits and have gotten our clients’ largest possible verdicts in Minnesota. Let us fight for you in this difficult time.
Scientists have known for decades that exposure to asbestos causes mesothelioma. 1989 the EPA attempted to ban asbestos because of its devastating health risks. A federal appeals court later overturned the ban in 1991. As a result, asbestos is still used in some products, although it is more regulated now.
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer that may not appear until decades after exposure. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, our Minnesota mesothelioma lawyers will help you understand your options. At Sieben Polk P.A., we work to hold asbestos-producing companies accountable for the harm they’ve caused. We provide consultations free of charge, and we never charge a fee unless we win.
Making Sure You Get Your Day in Court
For individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma, every day is precious. At Sieben Polk P.A., we work to ensure you get your day in court.
Although Minnesota has a special court to hear asbestos cases, it is not uncommon for the defense to try and delay your case. The defense will do this, hoping you pass away before trial. They employ this tactic to eliminate the right to recover damages for pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
Our decades of experience allow us to fight for our clients’ rights against companies and insurers seeking to deny the right to recover compensation for our clients’ day-to-day suffering. We understand the unique procedural timetables and laws governing these cases in Minnesota and get results.
Clients who retain our firm save time because we have the evidence necessary to file your case quickly, including Minnesota’s most extensive and up-to-date list of asbestos-exposure sites. Reach out today to learn more.
Experienced Mesothelioma Attorneys in Minnesota
What Is Mesothelioma?
Sieben Polk P.A. is the only mesothelioma law firm located in Minnesota litigating on behalf of asbestos-exposure victims. We have secured thousands of successful results for Minnesota and greater Midwest clients. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is important to promptly contact a Minnesota mesothelioma attorney to ensure your rights are protected.
We offer clients legal representation in a wide variety of asbestos-related matters, including:
- Mesothelioma
- Lung cancer and asbestos exposure
- Asbestosis
- Wrongful death claims
- Asbestos-related pleural disease
- Occupational asbestos exposure
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body’s internal organs, including the lungs and heart. Mesothelioma tumors are uncommon, accounting for fewer than one percent of cancer deaths worldwide.
According to the most recent statistics, about 3,000 new mesothelioma cases are diagnosed annually in the United States. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles or were exposed to talc asbestos. Its rarity, combined with its strong association with asbestos exposure, makes it a signal malignancy or an epidemiologic marker for asbestos exposure.
The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the chest cavity wall. A mesothelioma tumor that develops in this area is known as pleural mesothelioma. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. A mesothelioma tumor in the pericardium is known as pericardial mesothelioma. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity, and a tumor in this lining is known as peritoneal mesothelioma.
Asbestos Exposure in Minnesota
Because of its heat resistance and durability, asbestos has been used to make various products people use every day. When used in production, asbestos can create dust particles. When asbestos dust is breathed into the lungs or swallowed into the abdomen, mesothelioma can develop.
Common sources of asbestos exposure in Minnesota include:
- Iron mining
- Taconite mining
- Conwed products
- Power plants
- Talc products
- Oil refineries
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Paper mills
People working in manufacturing plants that produce motor vehicles and construction parts are also at a higher risk of asbestos exposure. Some products containing asbestos include brakes, insulation, cement, drywall, flooring, roofing, paints, sealants, and plastics.
If you or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos or is showing symptoms of mesothelioma, seek medical attention immediately. You may also be able to bring a mesothelioma claim to receive compensation for your medical expenses.
Most Common Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that affects the tissue surrounding a person’s internal organs. Most often, the affected tissue surrounds the lungs, but the cancer can also occur in the tissue surrounding the stomach, heart, and other internal organs.
There are several symptoms associated with mesothelioma. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Extreme fatigue and fever
- Sudden weight loss and loss of appetite
- Lumps on your chest or abdomen
- Abdominal pain or swelling
Because these symptoms mimic the flu or other common illnesses, many people can mistake the signs of mesothelioma for something else. People experiencing several of these symptoms should consult with a doctor before it is too late.
Mesothelioma FAQs
How Do I File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, you should consult with a specialized mesothelioma attorney. Your attorney will evaluate your case, gather evidence of exposure, and identify responsible parties, such as employers or manufacturers. They will then guide you through the legal process, filing the necessary documents in a Minnesota court, and either negotiate a settlement or present your case at trial.
How Long Do I Have to File My Mesothelioma Claim?
The time limit for filing a mesothelioma claim is known as the statute of limitations. In Minnesota, you have six years from diagnosis for negligence claims and four years for product liability claims. For a wrongful death claim, the statute of limitations is three years.
How Long Do Asbestos Lawsuits Take?
Minnesota has a dedicated court to handle mesothelioma cases as quickly as possible, but it can still take months or more than a year to go to trial. Once you realize you have mesothelioma, you should contact a lawyer immediately.
Can I Make a Claim Against a Bankrupt Asbestos Company?
Yes, you can still file a claim against bankrupt asbestos companies. Many companies that manufactured or used asbestos have declared bankruptcy due to the large number of asbestos-related claims filed against them.
When a company known for asbestos exposure files for bankruptcy, they’re often required to establish an asbestos trust fund. These trust funds established to ensure that current and future victims of asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, can seek compensation even if the company is no longer in business.
Our Asbestos-Exposure & Mesothelioma Attorneys
Our Minnesota mesothelioma lawyers are nationally recognized and have over 200 years of combined experience.
Michael R. Strom
Mr. Strom has been with the firm since 1985. In 2001, he recovered the largest verdict in Minnesota’s history, $8 million on behalf of a Koch Refinery employee. In 2020, Mr. Strom was awarded Plaintiff’s Product Liability Lawyer of the Year. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife and two children and is proud to be a lifelong Minnesotan.
Chad C. Alexander
Mr. Alexander has been named a rising star six times by Minnesota Law & Politics, putting him among the top two percent of Minnesota lawyers under 40 years old. He has helped Minnesota’s taconite miners and other workers get compensation for mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, diffuse pleural fibrosis, and benign pleural disease.
Benjamin E. Alberty
Mr. Alberty spent 12 years working in a union shop before he started practicing law, so he understands the issues workers face. Since 2014, he’s been representing clients in personal injury and asbestos-related cases. Mr. Alberty is dedicated to aggressively representing people who have been injured against corporations and insurance companies.
Mesothelioma Verdicts Awarded to Our Clients
Our award-winning lawyers have recovered over $840 million for Minnesotans in asbestos cases, including:
- Over $5,000,000.00 before trial for a retired Minneapolis pipe fitter
- An $8,050,000 jury verdict for a pipefitter exposed to asbestos at a refinery
- A $4,600,000 jury award for a Northern States Power Company worker
- A $4,600,000 jury award for a retired certified public accountant who worked for an asbestos insulator in the late 1950s
- A $4,000,000 verdict for a client who worked building a power plant in the 1950s
- Over $2,000,000 for a northern Iowa plastic molding business owner
- A $1,400,000 recovery for a laborer and pump mechanic at Butler Taconite and National Steel Pellet in Nashuwauk and Keewatin, Minnesota
- A $2,000,000 recovery for a local brewery power plant turbine operator
- A $1,000,000 settlement before trial for a client exposed to asbestos-containing joint compound while supervising drywall workers
- A $1,000,000 recovery for a retired Duluth-area railroad employee
- Over $1,000,000 in a wrongful death suit for an office employee exposed to asbestos during high school
- Over $1,200,000 for a former Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard airplane and helicopter mechanic
- A $3,000,000 recovery in the case of a retired Twin Cities pipefitter
Time Is of the Essence - Contact Sieben Polk Now
These cases are time-sensitive. Mesothelioma progresses quickly, and even with a special court to fast-track cases, it can still take several months to get to trial. Therefore, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible. Let us help you start now to preserve and investigate the facts that will disappear with time.
Our experienced team regularly addresses the legal needs of clients and their loved ones suffering from mesothelioma. In doing so, we understand the sensitive family dynamics involved and always place our advice and counsel within the larger context of compassion for our clients.
For the past 30 years, the Minnesota mesothelioma lawyers of Sieben Polk P.A. have been representing Minnesota mesothelioma victims. Sieben Polk P.A. is the only Minnesota law firm providing this representation. We take great pride in helping families throughout the state.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with this disease, contact the Sieben Polk P.A. mesothelioma lawyers at 651-437-3148 locally or submit your information to schedule a free consultation.
