Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Attorneys in New Orleans, LA

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer that develops in the mesothelium, the thin membrane lining your lungs (pleura), abdomen (peritoneum) or heart (pericardium). In Louisiana, decades of industrial and maritime work have left communities particularly vulnerable. While modern safety rules exist, there is no known “safe” level of asbestos exposure; even brief or indirect contact can trigger disease 15 to 50 years later.

Who's at Risk in Louisiana?

Many mesothelioma patients once worked in environments where asbestos dust was widespread, including:

• Shipyards, refineries, and chemical plants in Louisiana's industrial heartland, particularly in Cancer Alley.

• Residential/commercial construction and demolition in older Louisiana buildings that still harbor asbestos-containing materials.

• Automotive repair shops (brake linings, gaskets) where asbestos use was common.

• Paper mills and insulation manufacturing, often located in industrial hubs across the state.

Family members can also face “take-home” exposure when asbestos fibers cling to clothing or tools. Many of Louisiana's older buildings, such as schools, courthouses, and parish halls, may still contain asbestos in flooring, roofing, or cement materials, putting workers and the community at risk.

Asbestos chrysotile fibers are responsible for the vast majority of asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

Asbestos Exposure: Louisiana's Legacy

Asbestos has been mined and widely used commercially since the late 19th century, and in Louisiana, its use in industrial applications such as oil drilling, refining, and chemical manufacturing has left a dangerous legacy. Since the early 1940s, millions of Americans have been exposed to asbestos dust.  Even today, the official position of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the U.S. EPA is that protections and “permissible exposure limits” required by U.S. regulations, while adequate to prevent most asbestos-other organizations, including the World Health Organization and the American Cancer Society, have noted that there is no threshold level below which there is no risk of mesothelioma.

Many building materials used in the construction of both public and domestic structures prior to the banning of asbestos may contain asbestos even today. Those performing renovation/construction work or home remodeling activities may have been exposed to asbestos dust. In some countries, the use of asbestos was not banned at the end of 1999. Related non-malignant diseases are not adequate to prevent or protect against mesothelioma.

Don't struggle with mesothelioma alone

Contact us today

Small levels of exposure can still be harmful

Mesothelioma has been known to develop even after only brief, low-level, or indirect exposures to asbestos. Despite advancements in safety protocols, many Louisianians living and working in the shadow of Cancer Alley have been unknowingly exposed to asbestos. The ultimate conclusion by the World Health Organization, the U.S. EPA, and others is that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure when it comes to developing mesothelioma.

Detecting Mesothelioma

A thorascopy (inserting a tube with a camera into the chest) can be used to acquire biopsy material and allows for the draining of the pleural cavity to relieve pressure and prevent more fluid from accumulating and pressing on the lung. Unfortunately, despite treatment with chemotherapy, radiation, or sometimes surgery, mesothelioma generally carries a poor prognosis.

Exposure to asbestos is the most common risk factor for mesothelioma, and it is the only recognized cause by many health and environmental organizations around the world. In the United States, asbestos is considered the major cause of malignant mesothelioma and has been considered “indisputably” associated with the development of mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure exists in almost all cases of mesothelioma.

Why The Cheek Law Firm is Your Cancer Ally

Facing mesothelioma is overwhelming, emotionally, physically and financially. At The Cheek Law Firm, we don't just file papers; we partner with you every step of the way:

• Local Expertise: We've litigated major asbestos cases across Louisiana parishes, applying the Civil Napoleonic Code to secure maximum compensation.

• Deep Community Ties: Our relationships with medical experts, industry witnesses and support organizations ensure your case is built on the strongest possible foundation.

• Compassionate Guidance: From day one, our Cancer Ally program assigns you a dedicated advocate who coordinates medical care referrals, handles paperwork and explains your legal options in plain language.

• Proven Results: Led by founding member Lindsey Cheek, we've recovered millions for victims and their families.

If you or a loved one is suffering from mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure in Louisiana, contact The Cheek Law Firm today for a free consultation. We'll fight for the justice you deserve.