Introduction
John E. Deaton left the United States Marine Corps as a Major with two service medals and years of experience as a federal prosecutor and criminal defense attorney. He then spent years trying asbestos cases for a national plaintiffs’ firm before founding the Deaton Law Firm in 2006 with one guiding principle: every client deserves to be known by name, not by case number. That ethos drives a practice dedicated exclusively to representing individuals and families affected by mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases.
Practice Areas
Mesothelioma Litigation
Mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure, is the central focus of the firm’s practice. The Deaton Law Firm represents individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma, pursuing legal claims against the corporate entities responsible for exposing workers and their families to this dangerous material. The firm handles all aspects of mesothelioma litigation, from initial case evaluation through trial.
Asbestos-Related Disease Claims
Beyond mesothelioma, asbestos exposure can cause other serious diseases. The firm represents clients suffering from the full range of asbestos-related conditions, holding negligent corporations accountable for their failure to protect workers from known hazards.
Products Liability
Asbestos cases frequently involve products liability claims against manufacturers who produced and sold asbestos-containing products without adequate warnings or safety measures. The firm brings experience in pursuing these claims across multiple jurisdictions.
Toxic Tort Litigation
Toxic tort cases involve injuries caused by exposure to dangerous substances. The firm’s concentration in asbestos litigation gives it deep knowledge of the legal and scientific issues that arise in toxic exposure cases.
Personal Injury
While the primary focus remains asbestos-related claims, the firm’s broader personal injury experience informs its approach to each case, ensuring that every avenue of recovery is explored for clients dealing with the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of their diagnoses.
Attorney Profile
John E. Deaton, Managing Partner, founded the Deaton Law Firm in 2006 after spending years as a principal trial attorney at a national plaintiffs’ firm, trying asbestos cases in New York, Rhode Island, and Connecticut against national defense lawyers and high-profile corporations. Before entering private practice, Deaton served in the United States Marine Corps, where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1994 while attending law school. During seven years of active duty, he served as a federal prosecutor and criminal defense attorney, trying dozens of jury trials. His military service earned him the Meritorious Service Medal and the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and he was selected to the rank of Major.
Deaton earned his Juris Doctor from the New England School of Law, graduating Cum Laude in 1995. He received the American Jurisprudence Award for Clinical Evidence and was selected for the law school’s National Mock Trial Team. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Eastern Michigan University in 1989.
His decision to open his own firm was driven by a belief that only a small, focused practice can provide the individual attention every asbestos client deserves, with Deaton serving as the primary trial attorney for all clients.
Location and Contact
The Deaton Law Firm is located at 450 N Broadway, East Providence, RI 02914. For Rhode Island inquiries, call (401) 351-6400. For clients outside Rhode Island, a toll-free number is available at (877) 351-9818. The firm provides free consultations for individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma and will arrange to visit clients to discuss their legal, medical, and financial rights and options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Deaton Law Firm handle cases outside Rhode Island?
Yes. The firm has experience trying asbestos cases in multiple states, including New York and Connecticut, and provides toll-free access at (877) 351-9818 for clients nationwide.
What should I do if I have been diagnosed with mesothelioma?
Contact the firm for a free consultation. The attorneys will discuss your diagnosis, potential asbestos exposure history, and legal options. The firm will arrange to visit you to discuss your case in person.
How is the Deaton Law Firm different from larger asbestos litigation firms?
The firm was founded on the principle that every client deserves individual attention. John Deaton serves as the primary trial attorney for all clients, and the small firm structure ensures that each attorney and staff member knows clients by name.
Is there a cost for the initial consultation?
No. The Deaton Law Firm provides free consultations for individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases.