SWMW Law

05/26/2026

We’re excited to share that Partner Holly L. Deihl has been named to the 2026 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list.

Super Lawyers is a nationally recognized rating service that identifies outstanding attorneys from more than 70 practice areas. Selections are made through a rigorous, multiphase process that includes peer nominations, independent research, and evaluations — with no more than 5% of attorneys in any state earning Super Lawyers status in a given year.

Congratulations, Holly! We're proud to have you on our team!

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we're thinking of all the brave men and women who served, including the many veterans we've had the privilege of representing.

Veterans are among the most at-risk populations for mesothelioma and asbestos-related disease. The military relied heavily on asbestos for decades, and those who served paid a price that continues to this day.

SWMW Law stands with veterans and their families — in the courtroom, and always. 🇺🇸

To those we've lost, and those still fighting: you are not forgotten.

05/07/2026

We are proud to announce Partner Sophie Zavaglia has been named a 2026 Women’s Justice Award winner by Missouri Lawyers Media.

For more than a decade, Sophie has dedicated her career to advocating for victims of mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases with skill, empathy, and relentless determination. Whether in the courtroom, mentoring attorneys, teaching future lawyers, or serving the community, Sophie continues to make a lasting impact.

This honor reflects not only her exceptional legal talent, but the compassion and humanity she brings to every client she represents. Congratulations, Sophie! We are proud to have you on our side.

SWMW Law is proud to announce Partner Sophie Zavaglia has been named a 2026 Women's Justice Award winner by Missouri Lawyers Media.

05/05/2026

🌶️🎉 Spicing things up at SWMW Law! 🎉🌶️

Today, our Fun Committee brought the heat with a Cinco de Mayo Salsa Showdown—and let’s just say, the competition was 🔥

Seven of our talented team members whipped up their own homemade salsas, each bringing bold flavors and serious bragging rights to the table. Employees sampled, voted, and enjoyed some refreshing Mexican soda along the way—because what’s great salsa without something to wash it down?

After some tough (and tasty) deliberation, we’re excited to congratulate our winners:
🥇 First Place: Mike Brockland
🥈 Second Place: Andrea Martinez-Salazar
🥉 Third Place: Ashley Thomas

Huge thanks to everyone who participated and made today such a fun (and delicious) celebration!

04/28/2026

We're proud to share that Partners Benjamin McIntosh and Patrick O'Brien have been named to St. Louis Magazine's 2026 St. Louis Best Lawyers list! Pat was recognized in Railroad Law and Personal Injury Litigation, while Ben earned honors in Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, and Mass Tort Litigation. Congratulations to two attorneys who bring exceptional skill — and genuine heart — to every case they handle.

SWMW Law Partners Patrick O'Brien and Benjamin McIntosh have been included in St. Louis Magazine's "2026 St. Louis Best Lawyers" list.

04/07/2026

For decades, asbestos manufacturers knew their products were deadly and chose profit over people. The legal system exists to hold those companies accountable to help victims and families access the compensation they deserve. Asbestos trust funds – established by bankrupt asbestos companies – hold billions of dollars specifically set aside for victims. Personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits have helped thousands of families find justice. You don’t have to navigate this alone, and there are no upfront costs to explore your legal options. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, we encourage you to reach out and learn what options may be available to you.

04/06/2026

U.S. military veterans make up a disproportionately large share of mesothelioma diagnoses – estimated at around 30 percent of all cases. The Navy was particularly affected, as ships were heavily insulated with asbestos throughout the mid-20th century. Shipyard workers, boiler room operators, pipefitters, and those who served in engine rooms faced some of the highest exposure levels of any occupational group. Army and Air Force veterans who worked in construction, vehicle repair, or with certain equipment were also at risk. Many veterans aren’t aware of the connection between their service and their diagnosis, or that legal options may be available to them. This week is a chance to make sure they know.

04/05/2026

If you live or work in a building constructed before 1980, there are important steps you can take. First, don’t panic – asbestos-containing materials that are in good condition and left undisturbed are generally not an immediate hazard. The danger comes when those materials are damaged, deteriorating, or disturbed. Before any renovation or demolition project, have your home or building inspected by a certified asbestos professional. Never attempt to remove suspected asbestos yourself. If you work in a trade or industry with potential exposure, know your rights under OSHA regulations and ensure your employer is following proper safety protocols.

Protection also means being informed about less obvious sources of exposure — including talc. If you regularly use talcum powder products for personal hygiene, it's worth researching the brands you use and whether they have been subject to asbestos contamination findings or litigation. When purchasing talc-based products, look for those that have been independently tested and certified asbestos-free. If you work in an industry that uses industrial talc, speak with your employer about safety protocols and testing standards for the materials you handle.

Finally, if you have any history of significant asbestos or talc exposure — through your work, your military service, a family member's occupation, or long-term use of talc-based consumer products — talk to your doctor about proactive health monitoring. Early detection can make a meaningful difference in outcomes for mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases.

04/05/2026

One of the cruelest aspects of asbestos-related disease is the latency period. Mesothelioma typically doesn’t show symptoms until 20-50 years after initial exposure. That means someone exposed on a job site in the 1970s may only be receiving a diagnosis today. Symptoms – shortness of breath, chest pain, persistent cough, fatigue – are often mistaken for less serious conditions, which leads to further delay in diagnosis. This long latency period is why awareness matters so much right now: the people being diagnosed today were exposed a generation ago, and those exposed in more recent decades may still be years away from showing symptoms.

04/04/2026

Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma, an aggressive and rare cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. But mesothelioma isn’t the only disease linked to asbestos. Asbestosis is a chronic lung condition caused by scarring of lung tissue. Lung cancer risk is significantly elevated in people with asbestos exposure, especially those who also smoked. Pleural disease – thickening of plaques on the lining of the lungs – is another common result. All of these conditions are serious, often progressive, and largely preventable. The tragedy is that they were foreseeable, and for decades, the industries that used asbestos knew about the risks and said nothing.

04/04/2026

Asbestos exposure doesn’t discriminate, but some groups face significantly higher risk. Tradespeople – electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, insulators, carpenters, and roofers – were exposed on job sites for decades, often without knowing the danger. U.S. military veterans, particularly Navy veterans who worked in shipyards or aboard ships, were exposed at extremely high rates. Even family members of workers were at risk through “take-home” exposure – asbestos fibers carried home on clothing and hair. If you or someone you love worked in any of these fields before the late 1980s, awareness of the risk is critical.

But occupational exposure is only part of the picture. Workers in industries that use industrial talc — including ceramics, paint, plastics, and rubber manufacturing — face exposure risks that often go unrecognized. And millions of everyday consumers, particularly women and children who used talcum powder products regularly for personal hygiene, may have been exposed to asbestos-contaminated talc without any awareness of the risk. Unlike traditional asbestos exposure, which was largely concentrated in specific industries, cosmetic talc reached a far broader population over generations. If you or someone you love has a history of talc product use and has since developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, or ovarian cancer, that connection is worth exploring.