Statute of Limitations in Texas
| Claim Type | Deadline | Clock Starts |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Injury | 2 years | Date of diagnosis |
| Wrongful Death | 2 years | Date of death |
Important: Missing the statute of limitations permanently eliminates the right to file a lawsuit. Trust fund claims generally have different (often more lenient) deadlines. Contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney immediately after diagnosis to preserve all your legal options.
Industrial Exposure History
Texas has massive asbestos exposure from the Gulf Coast petrochemical corridor — Houston Ship Channel, Deer Park, Pasadena, Texas City, Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange. Major refineries include Shell Deer Park, ExxonMobil Baytown, Marathon Texas City, Valero, and Chevron. Texas is also the home state of Danziger & De Llano, LLP, our parent firm with 30+ years of Texas asbestos litigation experience.
Key Courts for Mesothelioma Cases
- Harris County District Court (Houston)
- Jefferson County District Court (Beaumont)
- Galveston County District Court
- Dallas County District Court
Filing Considerations
Texas uses the discovery rule — statute of limitations begins at diagnosis, not exposure. Cases are typically filed in county district courts. Harris County (Houston) has experienced asbestos dockets.
How to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Texas
- Confirm your diagnosis: Obtain confirmed mesothelioma diagnosis with pathology report from a qualified physician. If diagnosed at a general oncology practice, consider a second opinion at a specialized mesothelioma center.
- Document your exposure history: Gather work records, union documents, military service records, and any evidence of asbestos exposure. Make notes of products, employers, and job sites where exposure may have occurred.
- Check the Texas statute of limitations: In Texas, you have 2 years from diagnosis for personal injury claims. Wrongful death claims have 2 years from date of death. Missing these deadlines permanently ends your right to file.
- Consult an experienced mesothelioma attorney: Free consultations are standard. Mesothelioma attorneys work on contingency — no fees unless you recover compensation. An experienced attorney identifies all eligible claims including trust funds and lawsuits.
- File claims and pursue compensation: Your attorney files the lawsuit in the appropriate Texas court and simultaneously pursues asbestos trust fund claims. VA benefits can be pursued in parallel for veterans.