Godley Toxic Exposure and Dangerous Industry Worker Advocates

You never saw the danger coming. For decades, the men and women of Godley went to work in the oilfields of the Barnett Shale, on the construction sites growing along Highway 171, and in the industrial hubs of Johnson County, doing the hard work that fuels the Texas economy. You were proud to provide for your family. You didn’t know that every breath you took near a drilling rig, every time you handled industrial solvents, or ogni time you cut into old insulation, you were being exposed to invisible killers. Now, years or even decades later, you or a loved one has received a devastating diagnosis—mesothelioma, leukemia, or silicosis. You feel betrayed, and you should. The corporations that manufactured these products and the employers who ran these job sites often knew about the risks and chose to remain silent.

We are Attorney 911, and we believe that no Godley worker should have their health stolen by corporate greed without a fight. Our firm, led by founding attorney Ralph Manginello and backed by former insurance defense insider Lupe Peña, provides the aggressive, scientifically-driven advocacy required to hold multi-billion-dollar defendants accountable. Ralph brings over 27 years of high-stakes litigation experience, including work on the massive $2.1 billion BP Texas City Refinery explosion litigation. He is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and has built a career taking on the biggest corporations in the world.

When you call us, you aren’t getting a call center; you’re getting a team that understands the industrial geography of North Texas, from the fracking pads of Johnson County to the railyards of nearby Fort Worth. We know that in toxic exposure cases, knowledge is the only thing the defense fears more than a jury. That is why we deploy a “nuclear” strategic advantage: Lupe Peña. Before joining us to fight for the people of Godley, Lupe worked for the other side. He was an insurance defense attorney who saw firsthand how corporate insurers evaluate, minimize, and suppress toxic exposure claims. He knows their playbook, their pressure points, and their deepest secrets. We use that insider intelligence to ensure Godley families recover every dollar they are entitled to.

If you are suffering, do not wait for the corporations to do the right thing. They won’t. You need a team that knows the science, the law, and the inner workings of the defense. Call Attorney 911 today at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we advance all costs and you pay nothing unless we win your case. Su estatus migratorio no afecta sus derechos legales—hablamos español y estamos listos para luchar por usted.

The Science of Betrayal: How Asbestos Kills at the Cellular Level

For workers in Godley who spent time in the construction trades, at older manufacturing facilities in Cleburne, or on industrial sites across Johnson County, the word “asbestos” is more than a building material—it is a life sentence. Asbestos is a microscopic mineral fiber that was used in everything from insulation and floor tiles to brake shoes and gaskets because of its extreme heat resistance. However, those same properties make it indestructible inside the human body.

When Godley workers cut, sanded, or disturbed asbestos-containing materials (ACM), they released millions of microscopic fibers into the air. These fibers, some as small as 0.5 microns, are easily inhaled. Because of their needle-like shape, they bypass the body’s natural filters in the nose and throat, traveling deep into the alveolar regions of the lungs. Once there, they can migrate through the lung tissue and lodge in the mesothelium—the thin, protective lining that surrounds the lungs (pleura), heart (pericardium), and abdomen (peritoneum).

The biological mechanism of mesothelioma is a decades-long process of cellular warfare. Your body’s immune system recognizes the fibers as foreign invaders. Macrophages, the white blood cells responsible for cleaning up debris, attempt to engulf the asbestos fibers. But the fibers are too long and too sharp. This leads to what medical science calls “frustrated phagocytosis.” The macrophages die while trying to destroy the fiber, releasing a cascade of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-1β, and reactive oxygen species (ROS).

This chronic inflammation lasts for 20 to 50 years. The constant presence of ROS causes oxidative DNA damage to the mesothelial cells. Specifically, asbestos has been shown to interfere with the p53 and BAP1 tumor suppressor genes. These genes are the “brakes” of the cell; when they are deactivated by cumulative DNA damage, the cells begin to divide uncontrollably. This is the transformation of a healthy Godley worker’s lung lining into a malignant tumor. Mesothelioma is a signature disease—it has no other known primary cause than asbestos exposure.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies all forms of asbestos as Group 1 Known Human Carcinogens. https://monographs.iarc.who.int/list-of-classifications. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) confirms that there is NO safe level of asbestos exposure. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/asbestos/asbestos-fact-sheet. Even brief, high-intensity exposure during a demolition project in Godley or a weekend automotive repair job can be enough to trigger the mutation process that results in cancer decades later.

Recognizing the Symptoms: Has Your Exposure Come Home to Roost?

Because of the 20-to-50-year latency period, many Godley residents who were exposed in the 1970s, 80s, or 90s are only now beginning to feel the effects. The early symptoms are often subtle and frequently misdiagnosed as the flu, pneumonia, or common signs of aging. However, if you have a history of working in industrial, construction, or maritime roles, you must be vigilant.

Specific warning signs of pleural mesothelioma include:

1. Persistent, dry cough that does not resolve with standard treatment.
2. Shortness of breath (dyspnea) that begins during exertion but gradually moves to rest.
3. Chest wall pain or pleuritic pain that worsens with deep breathing.
4. Unexplained weight loss and profound fatigue.
5. Night sweats and recurrent low-grade fevers.

If you are experiencing these symptoms in Godley and have an industrial work history, tell your doctor about your asbestos exposure immediately. Early detection is clinical, but for Godley families, it is also the first step in a legal case. The medical records documenting your diagnosis are the primary evidence we use to unlock compensation from bankruptcy trusts and civil lawsuits.

As Ralph Manginello explained on the Attorney 911 podcast, the “discovery rule” in Texas means that your statute of limitations for filing a claim typically does not start until you are diagnosed and learn that your illness was caused by asbestos. Even if your exposure happened 40 years ago at a Johnson County job site, your rights are likely still active today. Hear Ralph discuss these critical deadlines here: https://share.transistor.fm/s/bddc1426

Benzene Exposure in the Barnett Shale and DFW Industrial Hubs

While asbestos is the most famous toxic threat, benzene is perhaps the most pervasive in the North Texas region. Godley sits in the heart of oil and gas country. If you worked as a roughneck, a pumper, a petroleum inspector, or in any role handling crude oil or gasoline in Johnson County, you were likely exposed to benzene every single day. Benzene is a natural component of crude oil and a fundamental building block of the petrochemical industry.

Benzene is uniquely dangerous because of how your body processes it. When you inhale benzene vapors at a drilling site near Godley or a refinery in the DFW area, the chemical is rapidly absorbed into your bloodstream. In the liver, the enzyme CYP2E1 metabolizes benzene into benzene oxide. This further breaks down into highly reactive metabolites, specifically trans,trans-muconaldehyde and hydroquinone.

These metabolites have a specific affinity for your bone marrow—the “factory” where your body produces blood cells. Once in the bone marrow, they bind to the DNA of hematopoietic stem cells, causing specific chromosomal translocations, such as t(8;21) or inv(16). These mutations disrupt the normal maturation of blood cells. Instead of producing healthy red and white cells, your bone marrow starts churning out immature “blast” cells that cannot fight infection or carry oxygen.

This process directly leads to:

• Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML): A fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow.
• Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS): A pre-leukemic condition where the bone marrow fails to produce enough healthy blood cells.
• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Cancer that starts in the lymphatic system.
• Aplastic Anemia: A life-threatening condition where the body stops producing enough new blood cells.

OSHA’s current permissible exposure limit for benzene is 1 part per million (ppm) as an 8-hour time-weighted average. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1028. However, scientific research has documented leukemia risks at levels well below this limit. If you worked on an oil rig, in a refinery, or as a tank truck driver in Godley and handled “sweet” or “sour” crude without a respirator, it is almost certain you were exposed to levels far exceeding what is safe.

The Corporate Cover-Up: What the Oil Companies Knew

The link between benzene and leukemia has been known since at least the 1920s. Yet, internal documents from major oil companies revealed in prior litigation show a concerted effort to suppress this knowledge. In 2024, a Pennsylvania jury awarded $725 million against ExxonMobil—a company with a massive presence in Texas—after a worker developed AML from benzene exposure. The evidence showed the company failed to warn its workers of the risks.

At Attorney 911, we know these companies. Ralph Manginello’s experience in the BP Texas City Refinery explosion litigation ($2.1 billion case) taught him exactly how these multinational giants operate. They view Godley workers as “disposable” line items. They calculate that the profit they make by not providing safety equipment is greater than the settlements they might eventually pay to sick workers. We are here to change that math.

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome, as every case is different, but the precedent is clear: when Godley families fight back with expert legal and scientific backing, these corporations lose. If you or a loved one worked in the oilfield or at a DFW-area refinery and now has a blood cancer, call 1-888-ATTY-911. We will find out which products you used and which companies were responsible for your exposure.

Silica Dust: The “Next Asbestos” Threat to Godley Workers

In the last decade, Godley and the surrounding areas of Johnson County have seen a massive increase in hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the Barnett Shale. While this brought jobs, it also brought a surge in exposure to crystalline silica—the fine sand used as a proppant in the fracking process. At the same time, the construction boom in North Texas has led to an epidemic of silicosis among workers cutting engineered stone countertops and concrete.

Occupational medicine specialists are increasingly calling silica “the asbestos of our generation.” When high-speed saws or sand-moving equipment are used without proper water suppression, they create clouds of respirable crystalline silica. These particles are 100 times smaller than the sand you find on a beach. When inhaled, they travel deep into the lungs and cause permanent, irreversible scarring known as fibrosis.

Molecularly, silica particles cause a “cytotoxic” reaction within the lung. Alveolar macrophages engulf the silica, but the sharp edges of the silica crystals rupture the cell’s internal membranes. This releases lysosomal enzymes that kill the macrophage and trigger a self-perpetuating cycle of inflammation. Fibroblasts are recruited to the area, laying down thick layers of collagen. This turns soft, pliable lung tissue into rigid “stone-like” scar tissue.

There is no cure for silicosis. It is progressive, meaning it can continue to worsen even after you stop working with the sand or dust. In its “accelerated” form, which we are seeing in younger Godley construction and fracking workers, the disease can lead to total respiratory failure in as little as five to ten years.

OSHA updated its silica standard in 2016 to reduce the permissible exposure limit to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air. https://www.osha.gov/silica-crystalline. This move was made because the previous limit, which had been in place for decades, was proven to be inadequate to protect workers. If you were exposed to fracking sand or worked as a stone fabricator in Godley prior to 2018, you were likely breathing in silica at levels the government now recognizes as deadly.

If you have been diagnosed with silicosis or are experiencing chronic shortness of breath after working in the oilfield or construction, you may have a third-party claim against the manufacturer of the fracking sand or the equipment that failed to protect you. Workers’ compensation usually only covers a fraction of the lifetime cost of lung disease. A third-party lawsuit can provide for full lost wages, pain and suffering, and the cost of a future lung transplant if necessary. Call Attorney 911 at (888) 288-9911 for a free evaluation of your silica exposure history.

The Dual-Axis Advantage for Godley Industrial Workers

One of the most complex aspects of toxic exposure in Godley is that many workers weren’t just exposed to one thing. A career pipefitter in Johnson County might have worked with asbestos insulation in the 1980s, handled benzene-containing solvents in the 90s, and breathed in fracking sand in the 2010s. This is why you need a “dual-axis” law firm.

Most firms focus only on the substance (e.g., “we are mesothelioma lawyers”) or only on the industry (e.g., “we do refinery accidents”). We focus on BOTH. We understand that your career is a series of overlapping risks. A Godley worker with mesothelioma may also have a claim for benzene-related blood damage. A maritime worker on the Trinity River or Gulf Coast who fell off a barge might also have a latent asbestos claim from shipboard exposure.

We pursue every available pathway to compensation simultaneously:

• Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts: 60+ active funds holding $30 billion. You can file with multiple trusts at once.
• Civil Lawsuits: Against solvent (non-bankrupt) manufacturers and third-party contractors.
• Workers’ Compensation: For immediate medical coverage (though we often look for ways to bypass the “exclusive remedy” rule).
• VA Disability: For Godley veterans whose exposure occurred during military service.
• FELA Claims: For Godley’s railroad workers who are not covered by standard workers’ comp.

As Ralph Manginello explains in his guide to high-value cases, missing even one of these pathways can cost a family hundreds of thousands of dollars. We don’t leave money on the table. Watch Ralph’s breakdown of million-dollar case criteria here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d690a218

Godley Construction Accidents and Third-Party Liability

The growth along the Highway 171 corridor in Godley has brought a surge of construction activity. Commercial projects, residential developments, and infrastructure improvements mean more Godley residents are working on scaffolds and around heavy equipment. When a worker falls from a scaffold or is injured in a trench collapse in Johnson County, the employer’s first move is usually to steer them toward workers’ compensation—telling them it is their “only option.”

This is a lie. Workers’ compensation is designed to protect the employer from high-dollar lawsuits, but it does NOT protect third parties. If your fall was caused by a defective scaffold made by a different company, or if a subcontractor from another firm created a hazard on the job site, you can sue that third party for full damages.

Unlike workers’ comp, these third-party lawsuits include:

1. Full compensation for lost earning capacity: If a Godley electrician can never work in the trades again, we calculate the total value of their lost career, not just a weekly check.
2. Uncapped pain and suffering: To account for the physical agony and mental anguish of a life-altering injury.
3. Loss of consortium: To compensate the family for the impact on their relationships.
4. Punitive damages: If the third party’s conduct was grossly negligent.

OSHA’s “Fatal Four” in construction—falls, struck-by, electrocution, and caught-in/between—account for nearly 60% of all worker deaths. https://www.osha.gov/data/common-stats. If your family has lost someone on a Godley job site, we investigate the site’s OSHA history, the general contractor’s safety record, and the equipment integrity. Ralph Manginello has spent 27 years digging through safety logs and corporate memos to find the truth. We don’t just take the employer’s word for what happened; we reconstruct the scene to find out who was actually responsible.

In a verified Google review, Chad H. described Ralph as a “PIT BULL” who wouldn’t stop fighting for his family. That is the kind of representation Godley workers deserve when their livelihood is on the line. Read more about our client experiences here: https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Manginello+Law+Firm+reviews

Maritime and Jones Act Rights for North Texas Workers

While Godley is inland, many of our residents work in the maritime industry, seasonally or as a career. Whether you are working on tugs and barges on the Trinity River, on offshore rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, or in the shipyards of Galveston and Houston, your rights are covered by a powerful federal law called the Jones Act (46 U.S.C. § 30104).

If you are a seaman—generally defined as someone who spends at least 30% of their time in service of a vessel—the Jones Act allows you to sue your employer directly for negligence. This is a massive departure from the workers’ comp model. Under the Jones Act, the “causation” standard is very low. If your employer’s negligence played even the slightest part in your injury, they are liable for your full damages.

Common maritime injuries we handle for Godley residents include:

• Falls from rig floors or barge decks.
• Crush injuries from container movement.
• Toxic exposure to benzene and crude oil vapors on tankers.
• Hearing loss from sustained machinery noise.
• Drowning or near-drowning events.

Our offshore accidents guide explains these complex rights in detail. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vd_HVPtPf4. If you have been injured on the water, do not sign any documents from your employer’s insurance adjuster until you speak with us. Lupe Peña knows exactly what is in those documents—they are designed to trick you into waiving your Jones Act rights for a small maintenance and cure payment. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 first.

FELA: Protecting Godley’s Railroad Workers

The railroad is a pillar of the Johnson County economy, with major lines running nearby and many Godley residents employed by BNSF, Union Pacific, and Kansas City Southern. Railroad work is uniquely dangerous, and like maritime workers, railroaders have their own federal protection: the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA).

FELA was passed by Congress in 1908 specifically because railroads were letting workers die without compensation. Under FELA, you can sue the railroad for:

• Traumatic injuries: From yard accidents, falls from locomotives, or equipment failure.
• Occupational diseases: From asbestos in old locomotive insulation, diesel exhaust (a known carcinogen), and creosote on railway ties.

The railroads are notorious for trying to blame the worker. They’ll say you didn’t follow a safety rule or that your injury was pre-existing. As Ralph discusses in his podcast episode on partial fault, under FELA, even if you were partially responsible, you can still recover a significant portion of your damages. https://share.transistor.fm/s/b8317bf9. We have 27 years of experience taking on the railroad giants and winning.

Secondary (Take-Home) Asbestos Exposure: Protecting Godley Families

One of the most tragic aspects of the toxic exposure cases we handle in Godley is “secondary” or “take-home” exposure. For decades, workers at shipyards, refineries, and demolition sites would come home at the end of the day with their clothes covered in fine white dust. Their wives would shake out the clothes to wash them, and their children would hug them while they were still in their work gear.

That dust was often pure asbestos. Asbestos fibers are indestructible and easily transferred to household surfaces—carpets, furniture, and family cars. Today, we are seeing Godley women who never worked an industrial day in their lives being diagnosed with mesothelioma. Their only exposure was the dust brought home on their husband’s or father’s clothes.

The courts have repeatedly ruled that employers had a duty to provide laundry services and on-site showers to prevent this transfer. When they failed to do so, they became liable for the family’s health. If you lived with someone who worked in a “high-dust” trade and you have now been diagnosed with a lung condition, you have a legal right to seek compensation. You aren’t suing your loved one—you are suing the multi-billion-dollar corporation that poisoned your entire household.

The discovery rule applies here as well. For many Godley families, the clock only started ticking when they realized the connection between the workplace and the household illness. For more on how to document these historical household exposures using your cellphone, watch Ralph’s guide here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLbpzrmogTs

Exposing the Insurance Defense Playbook: Lupe Peña’s Insider Advantage

When you file a claim against a company like Johnson & Johnson, 3M, or ExxonMobil, you aren’t just fighting a company. You are fighting an insurance defense machine. They use a standard set of tactics to prevent Godley families from getting paid. Use the “Lupe Advantage” to beat them.

Tactics We Counter Everyday:

1. The “Alternative Cause” Defense: They will comb through your medical records looking for anything else to blame—smoking, family history, or even a different job. Lupe knows exactly which records they prioritize, and we prepare you for their questioning.
2. The “Statute of Limitations” Trap: They will try to argue you knew you were sick years ago and that it is too late to file. We use detailed oncology reports and the Texas discovery rule to pin down the correct legal timeline.
3. The “Bankruptcy Shield”: They will say the company is bankrupt so you can’t sue. We show you the $30 billion currently held in trust funds for exactly this reason.
4. Lowballing the Settlement: They’ll offer you a check that seems large but won’t cover six months of mesothelioma treatment. We calculate the lifetime cost of your care—often $1 million or more—before we ever talk settlement.

As Lupe explains in her deposition prep video, the defense’s goal is to make you feel like your case is weak. They want you to give up. Our goal is to prove your case is unshakable. Hear how we prepare Godley clients for these high-pressure moments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_qCwqfeRRs

Compensation: What Godley Families Can Actually Recover

When we take a toxic exposure case, we are fighting for your financial survival. A diagnosis like AML or mesothelioma doesn’t just hurt; it bankrupts. We pursue a total damage package that addresses every aspect of your loss.

Economic Recovery:

• Past and Future Medical Costs: Including specialized care at MD Anderson or UT Southwestern.
• Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: Replacing the income you would have earned for the rest of your career.
• Household Services: If you can no longer care for your home or family in Godley, we recover the cost of providing those services.

Non-Economic Recovery:

• Pain and Suffering: For the physical agony of the disease and its treatments.
• Mental Anguish: For the terror of a terminal diagnosis and the grief of lost time.
• Physical Impairment: For the loss of the ability to live an active life in Godley.

Punitive Damages:
In cases of documented corporate concealment—like the Monsanto Papers in Roundup cases or 3M’s PFAS memos—we ask the jury to award punitive damages to punish the company and prevent them from hurting other Godley families.

Average mesothelioma settlements can range from $1 million to over $2 million, but verdicts can reach as high as $966 million in extreme cases where the company’s conduct was especially egregious. Every case is unique, and past results don’t guarantee a specific check amount, but our 27 years of results show that we know how to maximize every claim.

“Ralph and his team did more in eight weeks than my previous attorney did in over a year,” wrote Christopher W. in his verified Google review. That speed is critical in toxic torts—the faster we move, the sooner your family has the resources it needs.

Why Godley Chooses Attorney 911

Godley is a tight-knit community in Johnson County that values hard work and honesty. You deserve a law firm that reflects those values.

• Texas Roots: Ralph grew up in the DFW/Houston areas and has practiced in Texas courts for nearly three decades. We aren’t out-of-state “investors” in your case.
• Bilingual Service: Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and ensures that no Godley worker is ever intimidated by a language barrier.
• Direct Access: When you call us, you speak with the team handling your case. You’ll even have Ralph’s personal contact information.
• Federal Court Admission: Many toxic exposure cases end up in federal court or multi-district litigation (MDL). Ralph is admitted to the Southern District of Texas and has the federal experience needed for these complex forums.

If you’ve been hurt at work, poisoned by a product, or are grieving a loved one, call 1-888-ATTY-911 right now. Let us be the “legal emergency” response your family needs.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions for Godley Toxic Exposure Victims

Can I file a mesothelioma claim in Godley if my exposure happened 30 years ago?

Yes. Mesothelioma has a long latency period—usually 20 to 50 years. Under the Texas “discovery rule,” the statute of limitations typically doesn’t start until you are diagnosed or should have known you had an asbestos-related illness. Even if the company you worked for in Godley is gone, you can likely recover money from their bankruptcy trust fund. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for an immediate timeline check.

Will moving forward with a legal claim affect my VA or Social Security benefits?

No. Personal injury lawsuits and trust fund claims are entirely separate from your government benefits. In fact, for veterans in Godley, we often coordinate our legal investigation with your VA PACT Act screening to build a stronger case for both. You served your country; you deserve every source of compensation available.

How much do you charge for a consultation?

Consultations at Attorney 911 are 100% free and confidential. We work on a contingency fee basis. This means we pay all the upfront costs for medical experts, industrial hygienists, and court filings. You only pay us a percentage of the final settlement or verdict we win for you. If we don’t get you money, you owe us nothing.

I’m afraid my employer in Johnson County will fire me if I file a claim.

Federal and state laws, including OSHA Section 11(c), strictly prohibit employer retaliation against workers who file safety complaints or toxic exposure claims. If you are an injured worker in Godley, you are a “protected class.” If they retaliate, we add those damages to your case. Most of our claims are against manufacturers or property owners, not just your direct boss.

How do I prove I was exposed to benzene or asbestos if I don’t have records from the 80s?

That is where our 27 years of experience come in. We maintain a database of Godley-area job sites, refineries, and product purchase orders. We can often identify the specific toxins you breathed by looking at your job title, your union records, and taking depositions from former co-workers who remember the site conditions.

Where is the best place for treatment near Godley?

Godley residents are fortunate to be near world-class treatment. For cancer related to toxic exposure, we highly recommend getting a second opinion at:

1. UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center (Dallas) — NCI-designated and an national leader in lung and blood cancers. https://utsouthwestern.edu/simmons
2. JPS Health Network (Fort Worth) — Excellent oncology and pulmonary services.
3. MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston) — The #1 ranked cancer program in the world. https://www.mdanderson.org

Getting to the right specialist isn’t just about your health; it’s about your case. The records from an NCI-designated center carry more weight with the defense and the jury.

Does immigration status matter when filing a toxic exposure claim in Godley?

Su estatus migratorio NO importa. Under the law, every worker in Texas is entitled to a safe workplace and compensation if they are poisoned by a corporate product. Attorney 911 is a “sanctuary” for your rights—your information is privileged and confidential. Lupe Peña can answer your questions in Spanish today. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.

How long does a toxic exposure case take?

Trust fund claims can often be resolved in 6 to 12 months. Full civil litigation against solvent companies can take 1 to 3 years. However, for Godley clients with a terminal diagnosis like Stage IV mesothelioma, we file for an “expedited docket” to move your case through the court system in a matter of months. We know time is the one thing we can’t get more of, so we move with maximum urgency.

What is the Jones Act 30% rule?

To be a seaman and qualify for a Jones Act lawsuit (which pays much more than workers’ comp), you must spend at least 30% of your working time in the “service of a vessel” in navigation. This includes time on barges, rigs, and riverboats. If you’re a Godley resident working near the coast, we can help you document your vessel time to qualify for seaman status.

What are the earliest signs of silicosis?

Many Godley oilfield and construction workers notice a “persistent dry cough” and a feeling of “chest tightness” that they mistake for allergies. As the scarring continues, you may feel winded just walking to your truck. If you’ve worked with sand or stone dust, get a high-resolution CT scan from a B-Reader certified radiologist. Standard X-rays often miss early-stage silicosis.

Your Fight Starts With One Call to 1-888-ATTY-911

The corporations that poisoned the workers of Godley and Johnson County spent decades building a wall of silence. They hoped you would never connect your illness to their products. They hoped you would think your cancer was “just bad luck.” They were wrong.

We have the science. We have 27 years of litigation experience. We have a former insurance defense attorney who knows their secrets. And most importantly, we have the tenacity to see your case through to the end. As Stephanie H. wrote in her 5-star review, “When I felt I had no hope or direction, they reached out and took the weight off my shoulders. I never felt so taken care of.”

That is our promise to you and your family. We will carry the legal burden so you can focus on your health and your loved ones. The money in the trust funds is finite, and the statutes of limitations are running. Don’t let another day go by without protecting your rights.

Call Attorney 911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911 or visit our primary office in Houston to begin your fight. Godley workers built this state—now let us help you build your future.

Free Consultation. No Fee Unless We Win. 24/7 Availability. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.

Attorney Ralph Manginello
Attorney Lupe Peña
Attorney 911 / The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC
Principal Office: Houston, Texas
Serving Godley, Johnson County, and all of North Texas.

Authoritative References Cited:

• OSHA Asbestos Standard (29 CFR 1910.1001) – https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1001
• IARC Group 1 Carcinogens List – https://monographs.iarc.who.int/list-of-classifications
• NCI Asbestos Fact Sheet – https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/asbestos/asbestos-fact-sheet
• OSHA Benzene Topic Page – https://www.osha.gov/benzene
• OSHA Silica General Industry Standard (29 CFR 1910.1053) – https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1053
• ATSDR Toxicological Profile for Benzene – https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp3.pdf
• EPA PFAS Information – https://www.epa.gov/pfas
• Camp Lejeune Justice Act Overview – https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/camp-lejeune-water-contamination/
• NIOSH Occupational Health Research – https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/
• Texas Department of Insurance (Workers’ Comp) – https://www.tdi.texas.gov/wc/index.html
• American Cancer Society (Lung Cancer) – https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer.html
• NCI Mesothelioma Clinical Trials – https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/clinical-trials/disease/mesothelioma
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (Benzene) – https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/benzene/index.cfm
• Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) Overview – https://railroads.dot.gov/search/node?keys=FELA
• Jones Act Statue (46 U.S.C. § 30104) – https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title46/subtitle3/chapter301&edition=prelim
• CDC Heart Disease and Toxic Exposure – https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/index.htm
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Main – https://www.osha.gov
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Main – https://www.epa.gov
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) – https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov
• World Health Organization (WHO) Environmental Health – https://www.who.int/health-topics/environmental-health