Settlement Alerts:
  • $9,250,000 Defamation Case Win Against The New York Times 8/26
  • $6,800,000 Wrongful Death 8/26
  • $81,000,000 Children Born Addicted (as part of the trial team)
  • $18,000,000 Product Liability 12/19
  • $13,000,000 Medical Malpractice – Sexual Assault 8/23
  • $225,000 Civil Litigation 7/26
  • $50,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 7/26
  • $30,000 Medical Malpractice 7/26
  • $25,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 7/26
  • $42,690 Motor Vehicle Accident 7/26
  • $2,759,223 Opioid Litigation 6/26
  • $70,000 Medical Malpractice 6/26
  • $25,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 6/26
  • $100,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 5/26
  • $25,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 5/26
  • $420,000 Jail Litigation 5/26
  • $25,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 5/26
  • $650,000 Jail Litigation 5/26
  • $46,937 Opioid Litigation 5/26
  • $150,000 Wrongful Death – Jail Litigation 5/26
  • $285,000 Medical Malpractice 4/26
  • $25,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 3/26
  • $50,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 3/26
  • $25,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 3/26
  • $25,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 3/26
  • $50,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 3/26
  • $50,000 Personal Injury 3/26
  • $40,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 2/26
  • $50,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 2/26
  • $32,500 Motor Vehicle Accident 2/26
  • $42,500 Motor Vehicle Accident 1/26
  • $30,000 Personal Injury 1/26
  • $50,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 12/25
  • $25,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 12/25
  • $25,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 11/25
  • $77,500 Motor Vehicle Accident 11/25
  • $25,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 11/25
  • $25,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 9/25
  • $25,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 9/25
  • $26,668 Personal Injury 9/25
  • $25,000 Personal Injury 9/25
  • $97,500 Personal Injury 9/25
  • $25,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 9/25
  • $100,000 Wrongful Death – Jail Litigation 8/25
  • $100,000 Wrongful Death 7/25
  • $45,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 7/25
  • $200,000 Wrongful Death 6/25
  • $1,200,000 Wrongful Death – Jail Litigation 6/25
  • $200,000 Slip & Fall 6/25
  • $26,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 5/25
  • $800,000 Jail Litigation 5/25
  • $925,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 5/25
  • $25,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 4/25
  • $125,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 4/25
  • $700,000 Jail Litigation 4/25
  • $25,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 4/25
  • $125,000 Personal Injury 4/25
  • $20,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 2/25
  • $1,300,000 Jail Litigation 2/25
  • $210,000 Slip & Fall 2/25
  • $100,000 Motor Vehicle Accident 2/25
  • $975,000 Medical Malpractice 1/25
  • $4,000,000 Jail Litigation 1/25
View All
What Is My Case Worth?

CALL US NOW

304-355-5565
What Is My Case Worth?
5-Star Google Rating•BBB Rating: A+•West Virginia State Bar•The United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia•The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals•The United States Supreme Court•American Association for Justice•Opioid Justice Team•Trial Lawyers Care•West Virginia Association for Justice•5-Star Google Rating•BBB Rating: A+•West Virginia State Bar•The United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia•The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals•The United States Supreme Court•American Association for Justice•Opioid Justice Team•Trial Lawyers Care•West Virginia Association for Justice

Asbestos Related Mesothelioma Lawyer

Standing Up For Victims

task_01k8xe9w49ejj9vdxqyjfs2gz7_1761924784_img_2.webp

Your Guide to Asbestos and Mesothelioma Claims

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure, and West Virginia families have been hit especially hard due to the state’s long history of mining, manufacturing, power generation, and industrial work. At Stephen New & Associates in Beckley, our attorneys help workers, veterans, and their loved ones pursue compensation from the companies that produced, distributed, or used asbestos-containing products. We understand how devastating a mesothelioma diagnosis can be for an entire family, both emotionally and financially.

Asbestos manufacturers knew for decades that their products caused deadly disease, yet many continued to expose workers without warning. Today, those companies and the trust funds set up after their bankruptcies can be held accountable. Our firm investigates each client’s exposure history, identifies every potentially responsible party, and pursues every available avenue of recovery. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, we can help you understand your legal options and move forward with confidence.

Why Asbestos and Mesothelioma Representation Matters

A mesothelioma claim is unlike any other personal injury case. Exposure may have occurred decades ago, across multiple jobsites, and through dozens of products made by companies that no longer exist in their original form. Strong legal representation matters because it ensures every potential source of recovery is identified, including asbestos bankruptcy trusts, third-party product manufacturers, and premises owners. The benefits to your family are real: payment for medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and the security of knowing the companies responsible are being held accountable. Our team handles the legal burden so you can focus on treatment and time with loved ones.

Talk to a Lawyer

About Stephen New & Associates

Stephen New & Associates has spent years fighting for injured West Virginians in cases involving catastrophic injury, wrongful death, product liability, and toxic exposure. From our office in Beckley, we represent clients throughout the coalfields, the Kanawha Valley, the Eastern Panhandle, and across the state. Our attorneys understand the industries that built West Virginia: coal, chemical, steel, railroad, power, and construction, and we know the products and jobsites where asbestos was commonly used. We work alongside national co-counsel and medical specialists when appropriate, giving our clients the resources of a large firm with the personal attention of a local practice.
Schedule a Consultation
bulb.webp

Understanding Asbestos and Mesothelioma Claims

Mesothelioma cases generally fall into two categories: personal injury claims brought by the diagnosed individual and wrongful death claims brought by surviving family members. Both seek compensation from the companies that mined, manufactured, sold, or installed asbestos-containing products. Because symptoms often appear 20 to 50 years after exposure, building a case requires careful investigation into the client’s work history, military service, home environment, and even secondary exposure from a family member’s contaminated clothing.
West Virginia law sets strict deadlines for filing these claims, generally two years from the date of diagnosis or death. Recovery may come from civil lawsuits against solvent defendants, claims against asbestos bankruptcy trusts that hold billions of dollars set aside for victims, and in some cases workers’ compensation or VA benefits. Each pathway has its own rules and timelines. Our role is to coordinate every available source so your family receives the full measure of compensation the law allows.

Need More Information?

Find Out If You Have a Case

Key Terms and Glossary

Mesothelioma

A rare and aggressive cancer that develops in the thin tissue lining the lungs, abdomen, or heart, almost always caused by inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers.

Asbestos Trust Fund

A court-supervised fund created when an asbestos manufacturer files bankruptcy, holding money set aside to pay current and future victims of asbestos disease.

Latency Period

The long span of time, often 20 to 50 years, between a person’s first exposure to asbestos and the appearance of symptoms or a confirmed diagnosis.

Statute of Limitations

The legal deadline for filing a lawsuit, which in West Virginia mesothelioma cases generally runs two years from the date of diagnosis or the date of death.

PRO TIPS

Document Your Work History

Write down every job you held, the years you worked there, and the products and materials you handled. Include military service, side jobs, and any work involving insulation, gaskets, brakes, boilers, or shipyards. This information is the foundation of an asbestos claim and helps your attorney identify responsible companies.

Preserve Medical Records

Keep copies of every pathology report, imaging study, and treatment record connected to your diagnosis. Pathology confirmation of mesothelioma is the cornerstone of a successful claim and must come from a qualified physician. Sharing these records early allows your legal team to act quickly on tight filing deadlines.

Act Quickly After Diagnosis

West Virginia’s two-year statute of limitations begins running at diagnosis, and witnesses and co-workers may be difficult to locate as time passes. Contacting an attorney soon after diagnosis allows for thorough investigation while memories are fresh. Early action also gives families time to pursue trust fund recoveries that can supplement civil settlements.

Comparing Your Legal Options

When Full Legal Representation Is Needed:

Multiple Exposure Sources

Many West Virginia workers were exposed to asbestos at several jobsites over a long career, from coal mines and power plants to refineries and construction sites. Each exposure source may involve a different manufacturer, contractor, or premises owner. A full-service legal team is needed to investigate every potential defendant and pursue every available source of recovery.

Bankruptcy Trust Claims Plus Litigation

Most mesothelioma cases involve both trust fund claims and civil lawsuits against companies still in business. Coordinating these claims requires detailed knowledge of trust filing requirements, court procedures, and how settlements interact. Comprehensive representation ensures your family does not leave money on the table by missing a recovery path.

When a Narrower Approach May Be Enough:

Single Identified Exposure

In rare cases, a worker’s asbestos exposure is tied to a single product or single employer with clear documentation. When the exposure source is undisputed and the responsible company is solvent, the case may move forward more directly. Even then, an attorney should review whether additional trust claims could add to the recovery.

Workers' Compensation Only

Some clients pursue only a workers’ compensation occupational disease claim when third-party recovery is not feasible. This is a narrower path with limited benefits but can be appropriate in certain situations. An attorney can quickly evaluate whether broader civil claims should also be pursued before relying on workers’ compensation alone.

Common Circumstances We Handle

Industrial and Power Plant Workers

Boiler operators, pipefitters, electricians, and laborers at West Virginia power plants and chemical facilities were routinely exposed to asbestos insulation, gaskets, and packing. Decades later, many are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Coal Miners and Railroad Workers

Asbestos was used in mine equipment, brake linings, locomotive components, and shop facilities throughout West Virginia. Long-term miners and railroad employees often have viable claims against equipment manufacturers and product suppliers.

Veterans and Secondary Household Exposure

Navy veterans and other service members were heavily exposed to asbestos aboard ships and in military facilities. Spouses and children who washed contaminated work clothes also developed mesothelioma decades later and may have their own claims.

Stephen Transparent

Beckley Asbestos and Mesothelioma Attorney

Contact Us About Your Case

Why Choose Stephen New & Associates

Families facing mesothelioma need a law firm that understands both the medical urgency and the legal complexity of these claims. Stephen New & Associates has built its reputation by taking on difficult cases against well-funded corporate defendants and fighting for full accountability. We focus on the people behind every case, sitting down with families, explaining each step in plain language, and making sure no one feels lost in the legal process. Our team has the resources to investigate decades-old exposures and the experience to navigate the bankruptcy trust system that holds funds for asbestos victims.

We handle mesothelioma and asbestos cases on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Our attorneys travel throughout West Virginia to meet with clients in their homes or hospital rooms when needed, because we know treatment schedules do not pause for legal appointments. From our office in Beckley, we have helped clients across the state pursue meaningful recoveries that protect their families’ futures. When you call Stephen New & Associates at 304-355-5565, you reach a team committed to standing with you every step of the way.

Call 304-355-5565 for a Free Consultation

304-355-5565

People Also Search For

Mesothelioma Lawyer

Asbestos Exposure Claim

Asbestos Trust Fund

Lung Cancer Lawsuit

Wrongful Death Asbestos

Occupational Disease

Veterans Asbestos Claim

Product Liability Attorney

Related Services

Mass Torts Services

Asbestos Related Lung Cancer
Asbestos Related Mesothelioma
JUUL Vaping Lung Injuries
Lead Paint
NEC Baby Formula
Opioid Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
PetSmart Class Action
PFAS
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Roblox Gaming Sexual Harassment
Roundup
Social Media Harm
Talcum Powder
Toxic Baby Food
Uber Lyft Sexual Assault

FAQS

What is mesothelioma and what causes it?

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that affects the thin membrane lining the lungs, abdomen, or heart. It is almost always caused by inhaling or swallowing asbestos fibers, which become trapped in the body and cause cellular damage that can take decades to develop into cancer. Asbestos was widely used in West Virginia industries including coal mining, power generation, chemical manufacturing, shipbuilding, construction, and railroads. Workers, veterans, and even family members exposed to asbestos dust on work clothes have developed mesothelioma decades after their original exposure.

West Virginia generally requires that personal injury claims for asbestos disease be filed within two years of diagnosis. For wrongful death cases, the two-year clock typically begins on the date of the loved one’s passing. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your right to recover compensation. Because asbestos cases involve complex investigation into work history and product identification, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after diagnosis. Early involvement allows your legal team to preserve evidence, locate co-workers, and meet all filing deadlines in court and with bankruptcy trusts.

Yes. West Virginia law allows surviving family members to bring a wrongful death claim when a loved one has died from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease. These claims seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, funeral costs, and the loss of companionship and support the family has suffered. Wrongful death asbestos claims can still pursue both civil lawsuits and bankruptcy trust recoveries. Our firm regularly helps surviving spouses and children gather the documentation needed to bring these claims and stand up to the companies that caused their loved one’s illness.

Compensation in a mesothelioma case can include medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium for spouses. In wrongful death cases, families can also recover funeral and burial expenses and damages for the loss of their loved one’s care and companionship. In certain cases, punitive damages may also be available when a company’s conduct was particularly reckless. Recoveries can come from civil settlements, jury verdicts, and asbestos bankruptcy trust payments, often combined to provide the most complete recovery possible for your family.

When asbestos manufacturers faced overwhelming numbers of lawsuits, many filed for bankruptcy and were required to set up trust funds to pay current and future victims. These trusts collectively hold billions of dollars that can be claimed by people who were exposed to those companies’ products. Filing trust claims is a separate process from a civil lawsuit, with its own forms, deadlines, and proof requirements. Our firm handles both types of claims together so clients can pursue every available source of compensation without having to manage the paperwork themselves.

Proving exposure involves gathering detailed information about your work history, job duties, jobsites, and the products you worked around. We interview clients, co-workers, and family members and review employment records, union records, and product invoices to build a clear picture of where exposure occurred. We also work with industrial hygienists and product identification databases that track which asbestos-containing products were used at specific facilities. This evidence connects the diagnosis to the responsible manufacturers and supports both court cases and trust claims.

Yes. Veterans, especially those who served in the Navy, were heavily exposed to asbestos aboard ships, in shipyards, and in military buildings. Filing a mesothelioma claim does not affect your VA benefits, and many veterans pursue both VA disability claims and civil claims against the product manufacturers. The United States government is generally not the defendant in these cases. Instead, the lawsuits target the private companies that made and supplied the asbestos products used by the military. Our firm has experience coordinating veterans’ claims alongside civil litigation and trust fund recoveries.

Stephen New & Associates handles mesothelioma and asbestos cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing up front and owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you through a settlement, verdict, or trust claim. During your free initial consultation, we explain how the fee works and answer any questions about case costs. Our goal is to remove financial barriers so families can focus on treatment and time together while we handle the legal work.

Most clients never have to set foot in a courtroom. We come to you, whether at home, in the hospital, or by phone and video, and the majority of mesothelioma cases resolve through settlement before trial. Depositions, when needed, can often be taken at your home or another comfortable location. If a case does go to trial, we prepare clients carefully and work to minimize the burden on their health and family. Our team takes responsibility for filings, court appearances, and negotiations so you can focus on what matters most.

Mesothelioma cases are often handled on an expedited basis because of the seriousness of the illness, and many settle within several months to a year after filing. Trust fund claims can sometimes produce payments even faster, providing earlier financial relief while civil claims continue. Every case is different and depends on the number of defendants, the strength of the evidence, and the court’s schedule. We work to move cases as quickly as possible while making sure each client receives the full value of their claim.

Our Practice Areas

Comprehensive legal representation across West Virginia

Personal Injury

All Personal InjuryBirth InjuriesBoating & Jet Ski AccidentsBurn InjuriesBus AccidentsCar AccidentsCatastrophic InjuryConstruction Site InjuriesDaycare & School InjuriesDefective Medical DevicesHospital & Nursing NegligenceMedical MalpracticeMisdiagnosis & Delayed DiagnosisMotorcycle AccidentsPedestrian AccidentsProduct LiabilitySpinal Cord Injury & ParalysisSurgical ErrorsToxic Exposure & Chemical InjuriesTraumatic Brain Injury (TBI)Truck AccidentsWorkplace AccidentsWrongful Death

Mass Torts

All Mass TortsAsbestos MesotheliomaJUUL Vaping Lung InjuriesLead PaintNEC Baby FormulaPFASProton Pump InhibitorsRoblox Gaming Sexual HarassmentRoundupSocial Media HarmTalcum PowderToxic Baby FoodUber/Lyft Sexual Assault

TENORM

All TENORMCommunity ContaminationDrilling Mud & Sludge ExposureEquipment Maintenance & CleaningFilter Sock HandlingFracking Worker ExposureLandfill Worker ExposureOil & Gas Field Worker ExposurePipe Yard Worker ExposureProduced Water HandlingStorage Tank CleaningWaste Hauler Truck Driver Exposure

Insurance Law

All Insurance LawBad Faith LitigationFirst Party Property ClaimsUM/UIM Auto Claims

Civil Rights

All Civil RightsPrisoner Rights & ConditionsSection 1983 Civil Rights Claims

Legal Services