A mesothelioma diagnosis changes everything. This rare and aggressive cancer, caused exclusively by asbestos exposure, carries serious legal rights that many New Mexico families do not know they have. The clock starts running the moment a diagnosis is confirmed, and the steps you take in the weeks that follow can determine whether you and your family are able to recover the full compensation you deserve.
At The Throneberry Law Group, we have helped mesothelioma victims and their families across New Mexico and throughout the country pursue justice against the companies responsible for their asbestos exposure. Our principal attorney, Michael Throneberry, has personal experience with this disease after losing his father-in-law to mesothelioma, and that loss drives our firm’s commitment to treating every client like family. We have recovered billions of dollars for those suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses, and we are ready to fight for you.
New Mexico’s Statute of Limitations for Mesothelioma Claims
New Mexico law gives mesothelioma patients three years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury lawsuit. For families who have lost a relative to the disease, there is also a three-year window from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. These deadlines are firm. Once the statute of limitations passes, the right to pursue compensation through a lawsuit is lost, and that outcome is almost always preventable with timely legal action.
Mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years, which means many patients are only now receiving diagnoses from exposures that occurred decades ago. Under New Mexico’s discovery rule, the three-year clock begins at diagnosis, not at the time of exposure, which protects patients from losing their rights before they even know they are ill. If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed, reaching out to our firm as soon as possible gives us the best opportunity to investigate your case and preserve your options.
Types of Compensation Available to New Mexico Mesothelioma Victims
There are three primary paths to financial recovery for mesothelioma patients in New Mexico, and in many cases our team can pursue more than one at the same time. Our attorneys will review your work history and medical records to identify every avenue available to you.
- Mesothelioma lawsuits: a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit filed directly against the manufacturers and distributors of asbestos-containing products responsible for your exposure. These cases do not require a connection to any particular state, and our firm handles litigation nationwide.
- Asbestos trust fund claims: many of the companies responsible for asbestos exposure have filed for bankruptcy and established trust funds to compensate victims. Over $30 billion remains available across more than 60 bankruptcy trusts, and our attorneys can file claims with multiple trusts simultaneously on your behalf.
- Veterans’ benefits: New Mexico veterans who developed mesothelioma from service-related exposure may qualify for VA disability benefits, including monthly compensation and health care. Our firm is dedicated to representing veterans, and we can help navigate the VA claims process alongside a civil lawsuit.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we obtain compensation for you. There are no upfront costs, and we will travel to meet you anywhere in New Mexico.
Asbestos Exposure Sites in New Mexico
New Mexico’s energy, mining, and military industries created widespread asbestos exposure risks throughout the 20th century. The state has over 290 documented sites linked to asbestos, and workers across a wide range of occupations were put at risk without adequate warning.
Power Plants
Power plants in New Mexico relied heavily on asbestos for decades because of the substance’s heat and fire-resistant properties. Asbestos was used to insulate pipes, boilers, turbines, and valves, and residue from those materials may still be present in aging facilities. New Mexico power plants where workers are known to have been exposed to asbestos include Albuquerque Gas & Electric Company, The Four Corners Power Plant, San Juan Powerhouse, and United Nuclear Corporation.
Oil Refineries
The oil refinery industry also favored asbestos for its durability in high-temperature environments. Oil refineries in New Mexico where workers have been exposed include Navajo Refining in Artesia and Giant Refining in Bloomfield. Workers who handled equipment, gaskets, and insulation in these facilities are at elevated risk.
Mining Operations and Military Installations
New Mexico has a long history of mining operations involving copper, uranium, and other minerals, and asbestos can naturally occur near these deposits. Workers who disturbed rock formations or handled asbestos-containing materials in mines were at serious risk of exposure. New Mexico is also home to major military installations, including Kirtland Air Force Base and Holloman Air Force Base, where asbestos was used in insulation, piping, and construction materials throughout facilities built before the 1980s. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, veterans make up a significant portion of mesothelioma cases due to widespread asbestos use across all branches of the military.
How a New Mexico Mesothelioma Lawyer Can Help You
Mesothelioma cases are legally complex, and the quality of representation you choose matters. Our attorneys investigate every detail of your exposure history, from the companies that manufactured the products you worked with, to the job sites where those products were used, to the documentation needed to build the strongest possible case. We do this work so that you and your family can focus on medical care and on each other.
Here is what you can expect when you work with The Throneberry Law Group:
A Thorough Case Investigation
We review your complete work and military history to identify every source of asbestos exposure and every company that may be held accountable. Many clients have multiple viable claims across both lawsuits and trust funds, and we pursue all of them.
Personalized Attention from Your Legal Team
Unlike large firms where clients may be passed from one paralegal to another, our team maintains direct involvement at every stage of your case. As Michael Throneberry has said, every client is treated like part of our family, and that personal investment shapes every decision we make on your behalf.
No Fees Unless We Win
We operate on a contingency basis. If we do not obtain compensation for you, you owe us nothing. We also cover all case expenses upfront, so there is no financial risk in reaching out to us.
New Mexico Cities We Serve
Our attorneys serve mesothelioma victims throughout New Mexico and will travel to meet you at a location that works for your situation. We have helped clients in Albuquerque, Farmington, Hobbs, Las Cruces, Rio Rancho, Roswell, Santa Fe, Alamogordo, Clovis, and communities across the state. We also represent veterans statewide and can coordinate with VA facilities for clients receiving treatment at the University of New Mexico Cancer Center.
Commonly Asked Questions About New Mexico Mesothelioma Attorneys
How long do I have to file a mesothelioma lawsuit in New Mexico?
New Mexico gives mesothelioma patients three years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a family member has passed away from the disease, surviving relatives have three years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. These deadlines are set by New Mexico’s statute of limitations, and missing them can permanently eliminate your right to pursue compensation. Because mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years, the state’s discovery rule starts the clock at the time of diagnosis rather than at the time of exposure, which protects victims who were unknowingly ill for years before receiving a confirmed diagnosis.
How much does it cost to hire a mesothelioma lawyer in New Mexico?
There are no upfront costs to work with The Throneberry Law Group. Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, which means our attorneys only receive payment if we obtain a settlement or award on your behalf. We also cover case expenses throughout the process, so you and your family face no financial risk by reaching out to us. A free consultation is available to help you understand your options before making any decisions.
What can I expect during the mesothelioma legal process?
Our attorneys begin by conducting a thorough review of your work history, military service records, and medical documentation to identify every source of asbestos exposure and every company that may be liable. From there, we build what is called an exposure narrative — a documented account of where and how you encountered asbestos-containing products — and file claims with the appropriate trust funds or courts. Most mesothelioma cases are resolved through settlement rather than trial, and many clients begin receiving compensation within 90 days of starting the process. We handle all filings, deadlines, and communications so that your focus can remain on your health and your family.
Can New Mexico veterans file mesothelioma claims?
Yes. Veterans who were exposed to asbestos during military service and later developed mesothelioma may be eligible for both VA disability benefits and a civil lawsuit. These two paths are not mutually exclusive — pursuing VA benefits does not prevent you from also filing a lawsuit against the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products used in your service. Our firm is dedicated to representing veterans and has experience navigating both VA claims and mesothelioma litigation. New Mexico is home to several military installations, including Kirtland Air Force Base and Holloman Air Force Base, where asbestos exposure was common in facilities built before the 1980s.
What if I’m not sure how I was exposed to asbestos?
Many clients come to us without knowing exactly when, where, or how their asbestos exposure occurred — and that is not a barrier to pursuing a claim. Our attorneys conduct a detailed investigation into your complete occupational and military history, cross-referencing known exposure sites, asbestos-containing products, and the companies that manufactured or distributed them. Exposure sources are identified through this investigative process, not through prior knowledge on your part. You do not need to have documentation of your exposure before contacting our firm; gathering that evidence is part of what we do on your behalf.
Contact Our New Mexico Mesothelioma Attorneys Today
Time is critical. With a three-year statute of limitations in New Mexico, every month that passes after a diagnosis is a month closer to losing your right to file. Our attorneys are available to speak with you and your family at no cost and with no obligation. The Throneberry Law Group serves clients nationwide and will come to you, so there is no need to travel. If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please reach out through our contact form or call us at (888) 506-1131 to get started.