Mesothelioma Lawyers Kansas
Predominantly an agricultural state, Kansas's number of residents diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness is notably lower than the national average. According to the Environmental Working Group, at least 354 people died from exposure to asbestos in Kansas from 1979 to 2001. Shawnee County, home to Topeka, suffered the highest number of deaths at 50. Sedgwick County, home to Wichita, was second.
If you or a loved one has mesothelioma (asbestos cancer) due to asbestos exposure while working in Kansas, attorneys Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason can help. Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason are mesothelioma lawyers with over 30 years of success. We understand the stressful and complicated mesothelioma legal process. Our expert lawyers have the tools and knowledge to determine the specifics of your exposure to asbestos. We have recovered millions of dollars in settlement compensation for mesothelioma patients and their heirs, if that person has passed away. Our attorneys provide a free mesothelioma case evaluation, and there is no up front cost to you for our services.
Asbestos Exposure in Kansas
Industries in Kansas where workers may have been exposed to high levels of asbestos include oil refining, power generation, construction and asbestos mining.
Kansas has many oil refineries, and oil refinery workers were typically at high risk of asbestos exposure, prior to the late 1970s. Oil refineries are located all around the state in cities like Coffeyville, El Dorado, Independence and Kansas City. Asbestos was widely used in oil refineries to insulate equipment that operated at hot temperatures. Equipment such as furnaces, tanks, boilers, ovens, heat exchangers and pumps were lined and covered with asbestos-containing materials. Workers sometimes wore protective gear, including gloves and facemasks, made from asbestos fibers to protect them from heat-creating elements. This clothing may have put them into direct contact with dangerous asbestos fibers. When asbestos is inhaled or ingested, the thin fibers that make up this mineral can cause asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma.
Several power stations in Kansas have shown evidence of excess levels of asbestos. Asbestos exposure was virtually unavoidable in power plants built prior to 1980. Power plants used asbestos to protect equipment operated under high temperatures, such as boilers, generators and turbines. Pumps and valves were often sealed with asbestos containing gaskets, and pipes were insulated with asbestos. Power plants tended to have fireproof roof structures and floors, and asbestos was the material of choice. When floors and ceilings were repaired, asbestos dust was distributed throughout the powerhouse, putting everyone at risk for asbestos inhalation.
Another high risk industry for asbestos exposure in Kansas is construction. Before the dangers of asbestos were made public, asbestos was commonly used as a fire retardant in wallboard, insulation, roofing materials and floor tiles. When buildings are torn down or remodeled, construction workers can be exposed to friable asbestos. Proper safety procedures need to be adhered to, such as dampening asbestos-containing materials, wearing disposable protective clothing and avoiding the use of power tools. To ensure worker safety, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires an asbestos inspection before a construction project can start.
Kansas operated three asbestos mines during the 20th century. Poor ventilation and high levels of airborne asbestos particles resulted in many miners contracting asbestos-related illnesses. These mines have been closed for some time, however, and do not pose a risk to present-day Kansas’s residents.
Our Attorneys Can Help Victims of Mesothelioma in Kansas
If you or a member of your family has been affected by asbestos cancer in Kansas or any state in the U.S., contact Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason. Our mesothelioma attorneys are experts in mesothelioma cancer lawsuits. We have over thirty years of experience providing mesothelioma legal representation to clients across the United States. We offer a free case evaluation and can fly to Kansas to meet with you in person.
If you are in need of mesothelioma medical information or treatment, visit our list of Kansas mesothelioma doctors. Mesothelioma attorneys Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason are here to help.
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