John Eugene Herrick

John Herrick has spent more than 30 years representing victims of asbestos exposure suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

As a leader of the firm’s occupational disease practice, John continues to fight for the rights of those harmed by asbestos and other occupational diseases and assists in managing the firm’s asbestos litigation teams. A senior trial lawyer with years of courtroom experience, John represents individuals and families against defendants which manufactured and sold defective and unreasonably dangerous asbestos-containing products and equipment, as well as premise owners and contractors who specified and installed those products.

John has litigated asbestos cases resulting from occupational, environmental and household exposure, receiving verdicts in hundreds of matters. He also represents maritime workers who suffered asbestos exposure caused by manufacturers and suppliers, ship owners, shipbuilders and vessel designers.

In addition, John was lead trial counsel in a welding fume verdict for the plaintiff on behalf of a welder who developed manganism from exposure to welding fumes. He won the first affirmed jury verdict in the United States for a domestic, asbestos-exposed mesothelioma victim in the Marie Granski case and achieved the first verdict in the United States against SCAPA US, the former manufacturer of asbestos-containing dryer felts. John also worked as lead trial counsel in the Harlow trial group, cited as a top 100 case of the year by The National Law Journal, and litigated a personal injury case against a tobacco company for a plaintiff harmed by the use of asbestos in cigarette filters.

John is recognized as an AV rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell and frequently serves as a guest speaker at asbestos litigation-related seminars.

Awards, Accolades & Recognitions

Best Lawyers

Charleston, SC
2018 “Lawyer of the Year” Product liability litigation - plaintiffs

2015-2026 Product liability litigation - plaintiffs

The Legal 500 United States

2007, 2009-2012, 2015, 2018 Dispute resolution - product liability, mass tort and class action - toxic tort - plaintiff
*Although it endorses this lawyer, The Legal 500 United States is not a Motley Rice client.

Lawdragon

2020-2026 Lawdragon 500 Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers
Asbestos, Public Client, Toxic Exposure

Blog Posts

January 5, 2026

5 things you should know about asbestos Causes, Not Just Cases

by: John E. Herrick

September 25, 2018

Mesothelioma Awareness Day: It’s past time to save lives Causes, Not Just Cases

by: John E. Herrick

April 24, 2015

Vietnam Veterans: A long overdue welcome home Causes, Not Just Cases

by: John E. Herrick

News

April 27, 2026

How Civil Litigation Helped Build Safer Workplaces-and Why It Still Matters

by:
Jacob R. Stout

March 30, 2026

The Changing Face of Asbestos-Related Diseases

by:
Vincent L. Greene IV
Christina M. Behm