Indianapolis Asbestos Lawyer

Helping injured clients in Indianapolis pursue full recovery in asbestos litigation matters.

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another illness linked to asbestos exposure, an attorney can help you identify the parties responsible for the exposure and pursue compensation for the harm you have suffered. Asbestos-related diseases often appear decades after the initial exposure, which creates unique challenges in both the medical and legal aspects of a claim. If you need an Indianapolis, IN asbestos lawyer, contact our office for a free consultation.

Asbestos Lawyer Indianapolis, IN

An asbestos case arises when a person develops a serious illness after inhaling or ingesting microscopic asbestos fibers, typically through occupational exposure or contact with asbestos-containing materials in a building, vehicle, or industrial setting. Asbestos was widely used across American industry throughout much of the twentieth century because of its resistance to heat, fire, and chemical corrosion. Manufacturers incorporated it into insulation, roofing materials, brake pads, floor tiles, pipe fittings, and dozens of other products.

The danger of asbestos was not widely acknowledged until the late 1970s. By that point, millions of workers and their families had already been exposed. The fibers, once inhaled, lodge permanently in lung tissue and can take 20 to 50 years before causing symptoms. That long latency period is one of the defining characteristics of asbestos litigation and one of the reasons these cases require an attorney with specific experience in this area of law.

Types of Asbestos Cases We Handle in Indianapolis

Asbestos exposure in Indianapolis, IN has affected workers across a wide range of industries and settings. Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers handles claims in the following categories:

• Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart after exposure to asbestos fibers. It is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma cases often involve claims against multiple manufacturers and employers whose products or jobsite conditions contributed to the exposure.

• Asbestosis. Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibers, which produce scarring in the lung tissue and progressively restrict the ability to breathe. Workers in construction, shipbuilding, manufacturing, and automotive repair are among those most frequently diagnosed.

• Asbestos-related lung cancer. Asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of developing lung cancer, particularly when combined with smoking. These cases require establishing a direct connection between the specific asbestos exposure and the cancer diagnosis, which often involves detailed occupational and medical history.

• Workplace asbestos exposure. Indiana workers in power plants, refineries, steel mills, shipyards, and construction sites were routinely exposed to asbestos-containing materials throughout the mid-twentieth century. Many of these workers were never warned about the dangers. Claims may be brought against employers, product manufacturers, premises owners, or any combination of responsible parties.

• Secondary asbestos exposure. Family members of asbestos workers have developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases after handling contaminated work clothing or living in homes where asbestos fibers were carried in on skin, hair, or equipment. These claims, sometimes called “take-home” exposure cases, present their own set of evidentiary requirements.

• Asbestos in buildings. Buildings constructed before 1980 frequently contain asbestos in insulation, ceiling tiles, floor tiles, and pipe coverings. Renovation, demolition, or deterioration can release fibers into the air. Occupants and maintenance workers who develop asbestos-related illnesses may have claims against building owners, contractors, or the manufacturers of the materials involved.

• Asbestos trust fund claims. Many companies responsible for asbestos exposure have filed for bankruptcy and established trust funds to compensate victims. Navigating these trusts requires familiarity with each fund’s filing requirements, documentation standards, and payment schedules.

• Wrongful death. When asbestos-related disease takes a life, the surviving family may be entitled to bring a wrongful death claim. Indiana’s wrongful death statutes set specific rules about who can file and what damages are available.

Why Choose Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers as My Asbestos Lawyer in Indianapolis, IN?

A Record of Dedication to Plaintiff-Side Litigation

Charles P. Ward has practiced law since 1989 and holds an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America for personal injury litigation and named a Lead Counsel Rated attorney. Charles also serves as a member of the Indianapolis Inn of Court. Donald W. Ward has practiced since 1954, served as a Fellow of the Indiana Bar Foundation, and is a recipient of the Hoosier Freedom Award. He previously served as Deputy Corporation Counsel for the City of Indianapolis and as Vice-President of the Indianapolis Bar Association.

Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers has helped clients recover millions of dollars in personal injury and asbestos-related matters. Our personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis, IN, handles these cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we secure compensation for you.

What Is Important to Understand About an Asbestos Case?

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Asbestos Cases

Asbestos litigation involves diseases that are expensive to treat and that often shorten the life of the person diagnosed. The compensation available in an asbestos case reflects the severity of these conditions. Damages generally include:

• Medical expenses for treatment, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, medications, and palliative care

• Lost income and reduced earning capacity resulting from the illness

• Pain and suffering endured as a result of the disease and its treatment

• Loss of companionship and consortium for surviving family members in wrongful death cases

• Funeral and burial expenses when the disease proves fatal

Liability in asbestos cases is frequently shared among multiple parties. The manufacturer that produced the asbestos-containing product, the employer that required or permitted its use, the building owner that failed to disclose its presence, and the distributor or supplier can all bear responsibility. Indiana’s modified comparative fault rule under Indiana Code § 34-51-2-6 applies. If the injured party’s own fault exceeds 50 percent, recovery is barred. Under Indiana’s product liability statute, Indiana Code § 34-20-3-2 provides a specific limitations provision for asbestos-related claims: the two-year statute of limitations begins running on the date the injured person knows they have an asbestos-related disease, not from the date of exposure.

What Are Important Aspects of an Asbestos Case?

Asbestos cases require a type of investigation that does not apply to most other personal injury claims. The exposure may have occurred 30 or 40 years before the diagnosis, and the evidence connecting the two must be built carefully.

• A detailed occupational history is essential. Your attorney must identify every jobsite, employer, and product you worked with or around during the period of exposure. Co-worker testimony and employment records play a significant role.

• Medical documentation must establish both the diagnosis and its connection to asbestos exposure. Pathology reports, imaging studies, and physician opinions are central to this element.

• Product identification matters. Asbestos was present in thousands of products from hundreds of manufacturers. Determining which specific products you were exposed to dictates which defendants are named in the claim.

• Many former asbestos manufacturers have gone through bankruptcy and set up compensation trusts. Filing claims with these trusts requires meeting each fund’s specific deadlines and evidentiary standards.

According to OSHA’s asbestos overview, there is no safe level of asbestos exposure for any type of asbestos fiber, and exposures as short as a few days have caused mesothelioma in documented cases.

What Is the Asbestos Case Timeline?

The timeline of an asbestos case differs from other personal injury claims primarily because of the latency period and the number of parties typically involved.

• Medical treatment and diagnosis confirmation is the first phase. Your physician’s assessment of the type and stage of disease directly affects the value of the claim.

• Your attorney conducts a detailed investigation into your occupational and residential history to identify when, where, and how the exposure occurred.

• Claims are filed against manufacturers, employers, trust funds, or all of the above, depending on which parties are responsible and which are still solvent.

• If a lawsuit is filed, Indiana’s discovery process begins. In cases where the claimant’s health is declining, courts can grant expedited trial settings.

• Many asbestos cases resolve through settlement or trust fund payments. Others proceed to trial. The timeline varies substantially based on the number of defendants and the condition of the claimant.

What Should You Bring to Your Asbestos Consultation?

Bringing the right documentation to your first meeting helps your attorney evaluate the case efficiently. If available, gather the following:

• Your diagnosis and all related medical records, including pathology reports and imaging results

• A detailed history of your employment, including employer names, job titles, dates, and the types of materials you worked with

• Any documentation of asbestos-containing products present at your workplaces

• Military service records, if the exposure occurred during service

• Insurance and benefits information, including workers’ compensation history

During the consultation, your attorney will review the facts, identify the most likely sources of exposure, and explain the legal options available. Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers offers this consultation at no charge.

What Are Important Indiana Legal Resources for Asbestos Cases?

Indiana’s legal framework for asbestos claims includes both state statutes and federal regulations governing workplace exposure. These resources serve as a starting point:

• Indiana Code § 34-20-3-2 provides a specific statute of limitations for asbestos-related product liability claims. The two-year period begins when the injured person discovers they have an asbestos-related disease.

• Indiana Code § 34-51-2-6 establishes the modified comparative fault rule applicable to asbestos cases. Recovery is barred if the claimant’s fault exceeds 50 percent.

• The EPA asbestos regulations page provides an overview of federal laws governing asbestos use, including the Toxic Substances Control Act and the 2024 final rule banning ongoing uses of chrysotile asbestos.

• OSHA’s asbestos standards set workplace exposure limits and safety requirements for industries where workers may encounter asbestos.

• The Indiana General Assembly website provides full access to the Indiana Code, including the product liability statutes in Title 34, Article 20.

Reach Out to Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers to Schedule a Consultation

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related disease in Indianapolis, IN, Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers can evaluate your claim and explain the legal options available. We handle asbestos cases on a contingency fee basis, so there are no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Our firm understands the urgency these cases carry, and we work to move claims forward without unnecessary delay. Contact us to schedule a free case review with an Indianapolis asbestos attorney at Ward & Ward Personal Injury Lawyers.