Town of New Deal Toxic Exposure & Dangerous Industry Injury Lawyers: Holding Corporations Accountable for Your Health
You didn’t know. For twenty years, maybe thirty, you walked onto job sites in the Town of New Deal and across Lubbock County, doing the hard work that built the South Plains. You worked the cotton gins, you maintained the rail lines that cut through New Deal, and you built the commercial warehouses that now line Highway 87. Nobody told you the fine white dust you breathed, the sweet-smelling solvents you used to clean parts, or the herbicides you sprayed over the Caprock would one day turn against your own body. Now, the cough won’t go away, the fatigue is bone-deep, or the doctor has said a word that changes everything: mesothelioma, leukemia, or Parkinson’s.
At Attorney 911, we believe that what happened to you wasn’t “bad luck” or an inevitable part of getting older. It was exposure. If you were an industrial worker, a farmer, or a tradesman in the Town of New Deal, you were likely exposed to substances like asbestos, benzene, and paraquat while the corporations responsible for those products knew the dangers and remained silent. We are not just a law firm; we are a specialized litigation team led by Ralph Manginello, an attorney with 27+ years of experience who was part of the history-making litigation in the BP Texas City Refinery explosion—a case that resulted in a $2.1 billion total recovery.
When you call us at 1-888-ATTY-911, you aren’t getting a call center. You are getting access to an insider’s perspective. Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, spent years on the defense side representing the very insurance companies and corporations we now sue. He knows the playbook they use to deny Town of New Deal workers their rightful compensation. Together, we use that inside intelligence to dismantle corporate defenses and maximize the value of your claim across multiple pathways—including bankruptcy trust funds, civil lawsuits, and workers’ compensation.
The Science of Betrayal: How Industry Toxins Destroy Town of New Deal Lives
Toxic exposure cases are different from any other type of personal injury. In a car wreck, the injury is immediate. In toxic torts, the injury is a slow-motion catastrophe. For the people of New Deal, these injuries often began decades ago in the cotton fields, the local gins, or the industrial facilities of Lubbock County.
The Anchor: Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure in New Deal
Asbestos is a naturally occurring silicate mineral that was used in thousands of industrial and commercial products in Town of New Deal for decades because of its heat resistance. But for the human body, it is a death sentence. Asbestos fibers are microscopic and needle-like. When you work around asbestos insulation, gaskets, or packing materials—common in the South Plains’ agricultural and industrial sectors—you inhale these fibers without knowing it.
Once inhaled, these fibers migrate into the mesothelium, the thin lining of your lungs (pleura) or abdomen (peritoneum). Unlike other dust, asbestos fibers are “biopersistent.” Your body’s immune system sends cells called macrophages to destroy the foreign particles. But the fibers are too long and sharp for the macrophages to engulf—a biological failure known as “frustrated phagocytosis.” The macrophages die trying, releasing a cascade of inflammatory cytokines (like TNF-alpha and IL-6) and reactive oxygen species (ROS).
This leads to chronic inflammation that lasts for decades. Over 15 to 50 years, this inflammation causes DNA mutations in your mesothelial cells, specifically damaging tumor suppressor genes like BAP1 and p16. When those “brakes” on cell growth fail, the cells transform into a malignant, aggressive cancer: mesothelioma.
In the Town of New Deal, workers at older cotton gins, commercial warehouses, and utility facilities were frequently exposed to asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). Because of the 20-50 year latency period, a pipefitter or maintenance worker who handled asbestos in Lubbock County in the 1970s or 80s may only be receiving a diagnosis today. If you or a loved one is facing this diagnosis, you must know that there are more than 60 active asbestos bankruptcy trust funds holding approximately $30 billion in remaining assets. We pursue these funds and file civil lawsuits simultaneously.
As Ralph Manginello explains in this video on million-dollar case criteria, toxic exposure claims like mesothelioma are uniquely valued accurately only by those who understand the long-term human cost: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmMwE7GqUFI
To understand the federal standards your employer was required to follow, you can view the OSHA Asbestos General Industry Standard (29 CFR 1910.1001) here: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1001
Benzene: The Sweet-Smelling Poison in South Plains Industry
Benzene is a fundamental industrial chemical found in crude oil and gasoline, and it is a defining hazard for anyone in Town of New Deal who worked in fuel transport, equipment maintenance, or at the various industrial plants along the rail lines. Benzene doesn’t just make you sick—it rewrites your blood at the molecular level.
When you inhale benzene vapor, your liver metabolizes it using an enzyme called CYP2E1 into a toxic metabolite known as muconaldehyde. This compound enters your bone marrow and attacks hematopoietic stem cells—the cells responsible for producing all of your blood. This damage leads to specific chromosomal translocations, such as t(8;21), which are the hallmark genetic markers of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).
For decades, companies like ExxonMobil and Shell knew about the leukemia risk associated with benzene. Despite this, the OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) remained dangerously high for years because of industry lobbying. Many Town of New Deal workers were exposed to levels that were “legal” at the time but are now recognized as lethal.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies benzene as a Group 1 known human carcinogen. You can read the IARC’s full findings on benzene here: https://publications.iarc.who.int/576
If you were exposed to benzene and have been diagnosed with a blood disorder, call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential case evaluation.
South Plains Agricultural Exposures: Roundup and Paraquat
Town of New Deal is at the heart of some of the most productive cotton-growing land in the world. But that productivity came at a high price for the applicators, farmhands, and families who were exposed to specialized herbicides.
Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease
Paraquat is aContact herbicide so toxic that a single sip can be fatal. In the fields surrounding New Deal, it was used for decades as a “burndown” agent before planting. The science now proves that chronic, low-level inhalation of paraquat particles is a primary cause of Parkinson’s Disease.
Paraquat’s chemical structure is remarkably similar to MPP+, a known neurotoxin. When inhaled, paraquat is taken up by dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra part of the brain via the dopamine transporter. Once inside the neuron, it triggers “redox cycling,” producing massive amounts of superoxide radicals that kill the brain cells. By the time a Town of New Deal farmer notices a tremor or difficulty walking, 70% or more of these critical neurons have already been destroyed.
The manufacturers of paraquat, including Syngenta and Chevron Chemical, are currently defendants in massive multidistrict litigation (MDL 3004). We help Town of New Deal residents join these national fights for local justice.
For more information on the links between pesticides and neurological disease, consult the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/parkinson/
Roundup (Glyphosate) and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Nearly every property owner and farmer in Lubbock County has handled Roundup. For years, Monsanto marketed glyphosate as “safer than table salt.” We now know, thanks to the “Monsanto Papers” revealed in litigation, that the company ghostwrote studies to hide the truth: Roundup causes Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL).
Glyphosate disrupts the gut microbiome and causes direct DNA strand breaks in human lymphocytes. IARC classified it as a “probable human carcinogen” in 2015. Juries have since awarded billions of dollars to victims, including the landmark $2.25 billion verdict in the McKivison case. If you used Roundup in Town of New Deal and were diagnosed with NHL (including subtypes like DLBCL or Follicular Lymphoma), you have a right to hold Bayer/Monsanto accountable.
Ralph Manginello discusses how the statute of limitations works for latent diseases like those caused by pesticides in this podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/bddc1426
Lupe Peña: The Insider Advantage Against Corporate Defense
When a Town of New Deal worker files a toxic exposure claim, they aren’t just fighting a company; they are fighting a multi-billion dollar insurance infrastructure. This is where Attorney 911 changes the math.
Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, is a third-generation Texan who understands the value of hard work. But more importantly, he spent years as an insurance defense lawyer. He sat in the boardrooms where these companies plotted how to deny claims. He knows how they try to “blame the victim” by citing smoking history or age. He knows how they use “junk science” experts to muddy the clinical picture.
Because Lupe crossed the aisle to join Ralph, he brings a “mole’s eye view” to our litigation. He knows exactly which documents to subpoena and which witnesses will crack under pressure. At Attorney 911, we turn the corporate defense playbook into a weapon for our clients.
As Lupe explains in our videos on deposition preparation, being ready for the defense’s tricks is 90% of the battle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_qCwqfeRRs
Town of New Deal Industrial Realities: Axis 2 Worker Injuries
While latent diseases from toxic exposure are a primary focus, Town of New Deal workers also face acute dangers in the high-risk industries that drive our regional economy.
Construction and Scaffold Falls in the Highway 87 Corridor
As the Town of New Deal expands and North Lubbock grows, construction activity has surged. This has led to an increase in catastrophic falls. Under OSHA standard 29 CFR 1926.451, employers are required to provide safe scaffolding and fall protection. When they cut corners to meet deadlines, workers pay the price with spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
If you fell on a job site, your employer likely told you that workers’ compensation is your only option. They lied. Under Texas law, if a third party (like a general contractor, a scaffold manufacturer, or a property owner) was negligent, you can file a separate personal injury claim. These third-party claims have no “caps” on damages and allow you to recover for the true extent of your pain and suffering.
Watch Ralph Manginello’s definitive guide to construction accidents to understand your rights beyond workers’ comp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqYeRjbR9PI
Cotton Gin and Agricultural Equipment Injuries
The cotton gins in and around New Deal use massive, powerful machinery—augers, presses, and belts—that present constant entanglement hazards. Traumatic amputations and crush injuries are often the result of missing safety guards or “lockout/tagout” (LOTO) violations. When a machine is defectively designed or poorly maintained, the manufacturer or the maintenance contractor can be held liable.
When heavy equipment fails, the results are life-altering. You can find OSHA’s requirements for agricultural and industrial equipment safety here: https://www.osha.gov/agricultural-operations
If you were hurt in an industrial accident in Lubbock County, call 1-888-ATTY-911. We move immediately to preserve evidence before the company can “remedy” the scene.
Multiple Pathways to Compensation
One of our primary differentiators at Attorney 911 is that we do not settle for just one paycheck. A mesothelioma patient in Town of New Deal may qualify for:
- Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts: Money set aside by companies like Johns-Manville or Owens Corning specifically to pay victims.
- A Civil Lawsuit: Suing “solvent” (non-bankrupt) defendants for full compensatory and punitive damages.
- VA Disability: For veterans who were exposed to asbestos or chemicals while in the service.
- Workers’ Compensation: Providing immediate medical benefits while the larger litigation proceeds.
By stacking these pathways, we maximize the total recovery for your family. We operate on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay nothing unless we win. We advance all costs, including the expensive medical experts and industrial hygienists required to prove your case.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, but our experience includes participation in the $2.1 billion BP refinery litigation. To hear Ralph discuss how settlements are calculated, listen to this podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/aea9f03e
Local Resources for Town of New Deal Families
If you are dealing with a toxic exposure diagnosis, your first priority is medical care. While Town of New Deal is a small community, some of the best medical care in the country is just minutes away in Lubbock.
- University Medical Center (UMC) Cancer Center: Located in Lubbock, UMC is an affiliate of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and provides comprehensive oncology services for South Plains residents. https://www.umchealthsystem.com
- Covenant Health / Joe Arrington Cancer Research Center: A leading regional center for cancer treatment and clinical trials. https://www.covenanthealth.org
- MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston): While 500 miles away, MD Anderson is the #1 cancer hospital in the world and the top destination for mesothelioma and leukemia patients from Town of New Deal. Our primary office is in Houston, allowing us to coordinate with your oncology team at the highest level. https://www.mdanderson.org
For veterans, the Lubbock VA Clinic and the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston are critical resources for PACT Act toxic exposure screenings.
Frequently Asked Questions for Town of New Deal Residents
I’ve been out of the industry for 20 years. Is it too late to file a mesothelioma claim?
In Texas, the “Discovery Rule” protects you. The statute of limitations typically does not start until you are diagnosed and learn that your disease was caused by asbestos. Because mesothelioma has a latency of up to 50 years, most claims are for exposures that happened decades ago. Don’t assume you’re too late—call us to check.
My employer in New Deal is now out of business. Who do I sue?
In many cases, we don’t need to sue the employer. We file claims against the manufacturers of the toxic products used at your site. If those manufacturers are also gone, we file against the bankruptcy trusts they were forced to establish.
Will filing a lawsuit affect my Social Security or Medicare?
Generally, no. Personal injury settlements for physical injuries are often non-taxable and do not count as “earned income” for Social Security. We work with financial planners to ensure your settlement is structured to protect your benefits.
I’m not a “lawsuit person.” Can I just file for trust fund money?
Yes. Trust fund claims are an administrative process and often do not require ever stepping into a courtroom. They provide faster compensation while we handle the “heavy lifting” of the legal fight.
¿Hablamos Español?
Sí. Lupe Peña es bilingue y entiende las raíces de nuestra comunidad en el King Ranch y a lo largo de Texas. Su estatus migratorio no afecta sus derechos legales si fue expuesto a químicos tóxicos en el trabajo.
The Time to Act is Now
The corporations that poisoned workers in Town of New Deal are not sitting still. They are lobbying for laws that cap your damages, they are filing for bankruptcy to limit their future costs, and high-value trust fund assets are being depleted every year. Every day you wait is a day they use to protect their profits at your expense.
We are ready to fight for you. Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña bring a combined expertise that few firms in Texas can match—federal court experience, former defense-side secrets, and a track record of taking on the biggest corporations in the world and winning.
Call Attorney 911 today at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. If you can’t come to us, we will come to you in Town of New Deal. You build the South Plains. Now, let us build your defense.
Attorney 911 / The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC
Principal Office: Houston, Texas. Serving New Deal, Lubbock County, and all of Texas.
Call: 1-888-ATTY-911
Disclaimer: Every case is unique. Past results do not guarantee a specific outcome in your case. This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Contact us for a consultation specific to your situation.
