Helping you understand your options after a mesothelioma diagnosis

A Hawaii mesothelioma lawyer helps identify where asbestos exposure may have occurred and what options are available to pursue compensation. Because exposure often happens years before a diagnosis, these cases usually involve looking closely at past work, environments, and product use.

At Shaheen & Gordon, we work with individuals and families in Hawaii who are dealing with a mesothelioma diagnosis and trying to understand what comes next. Call us today at (800) 451-1002 for a free consultation.

A focused approach to asbestos exposure cases in Hawaii

Mesothelioma cases are often built around events that happened years or even decades before a diagnosis. That makes them different from most injury claims, where the impact is more immediate, and the timeline is easier to trace. Shaheen & Gordon focuses on sorting through your history, identifying where exposure may have occurred, and building a case that connects the dots in a clear and supported way.

With a team of experienced trial-ready attorneys in Hawaii and across New England, we bring the resources of a larger firm to our personal, direct, case-specific approach. These cases are not handled with a one-size-fits-all strategy. Each claim is built around a client’s work history and medical circumstances.

In Hawaii, many cases are tied to military and industrial activity that has long been part of the state’s history. That context matters when identifying where and how exposure may have occurred.

Where asbestos exposure happens in Hawaii

Mesothelioma is a rare and serious cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and abdomen and is closely linked to asbestos exposure. About 3,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States, with roughly 2,500 deaths annually. In Hawaii, around 10 cases are reported each year. 

Asbestos exposure in Hawaii is often connected to military, maritime, and industrial work. Some common sources include:

• Shipyards and naval facilities, including places like the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, where asbestos was used in insulation, piping, and ship repair materials
• Military bases across the islands, where asbestos was used in buildings, equipment, and maintenance operations
• Industrial sites, such as power plants and older commercial facilities that relied on asbestos for heat resistance and safety
• Construction and renovation work, particularly in older buildings where asbestos-containing materials were still in place

Even today, asbestos can still be found in some older structures, which means exposure is not purely a thing of the past.

Consumer products and secondhand asbestos exposure

Not all asbestos exposure comes from job sites. People can be exposed through everyday products or contact with someone who worked around asbestos.

Common examples include:

• Talc-based products, including certain baby powders that have been linked to asbestos contamination in some cases
• Secondhand exposure, when asbestos fibers were brought home on clothing, tools, or equipment
• Household or building materials, where asbestos may have been present in insulation or older construction products

Because of this, identifying the source of asbestos exposure is not always straightforward. A full review of living/work environment history and product use is often needed to understand how exposure occurred.

Occupations linked to higher asbestos exposure risk

Certain jobs in Hawaii have consistently been linked to asbestos exposure. This includes shipyard workers, military personnel, construction workers, and those involved in building maintenance or repair.

Tradespeople such as electricians, pipefitters, and mechanics are also at risk due to regular contact with asbestos-containing insulation and equipment.

Even if your work history does not align with the above, you may still have been exposed to asbestos. These cases are evaluated based on the details of your work and environment over time.

What if you are not sure where exposure happened?

Many people diagnosed with mesothelioma are not sure when or where they were exposed to asbestos. That is not unusual, especially when exposure may have happened decades earlier.

Part of the process of building a mesothelioma claim is looking in-depth at your work history, locations where you lived or worked, and the types of materials you may have come into contact with. Over time, patterns can emerge that help identify likely sources of exposure.

This step can be essential, especially in cases involving multiple job sites or industries.

What legal options are available for mesothelioma cases in Hawaii

There are several ways to pursue compensation after a mesothelioma diagnosis, depending on how exposure occurred.

Some claims involve filing a lawsuit against companies that manufactured or used asbestos-containing products. Others may be handled through mesothelioma and asbestos trust funds that were created when companies filed for bankruptcy.

For veterans, VA benefits may be available if exposure occurred during military service. These benefits can include healthcare and financial support, depending on eligibility.

And in cases where a loved one has passed away, a wrongful death claim may be an option.

What compensation may be available in mesothelioma cases

A mesothelioma diagnosis often comes with expenses that build over time, not all at once. Since the disease is very aggressive and often diagnosed in its later stages, those affected often have to make difficult decisions about treatment, long-term care, travel to specialists, and financial planning. Compensation in mesothelioma cases is intended to ease these burdens. 

Compensation can cover the cost of medical treatment, like specialized care and supportive services. It can also address lost income when a diagnosis impacts a person’s ability to continue working. Beyond immediate expenses, many claims consider how the illness impacts daily life and long-term stability. This can include the need for in-home assistance and financial security for dependents. For some families, pursuing a claim is also about making sure loved ones are cared for in the years ahead. 

The amount recovered depends on the unique circumstances of each case, including the history of asbestos exposure and its impact on the individual and their loved ones.

How a Hawaii mesothelioma lawyer builds your case

Pinpointing the source of asbestos exposure is one of the core challenges of building out a mesothelioma case. The process may involve a deep dive into a client’s personal history, sometimes across multiple job sites or environments.

Instead of relying on a single record, the process often involves piecing together different sources of information. Work history, job duties, and known asbestos exposure in certain settings can all help form a clearer picture over time.

Medical records are part of that as well. They confirm the diagnosis and help connect the illness to past exposure, especially when questions come up about how the condition developed.

In some cases, outside input is needed to explain how exposure likely occurred and why it matters. That can be important when companies dispute responsibility or try to downplay their role in a person’s exposure.

Because of how much needs to be reviewed and connected, these cases tend to move at different speeds. Some progress more quickly, while others take longer, depending on the complexity of the exposure history and how the claim develops.

What clients say about working with Shaheen & Gordon

People who reach out to us are often trying to understand what comes next. Here’s what some former clients have shared about their experience: