Mesothelioma Lawyers West Virginia
At least 585 people died from asbestos exposure in West Virginia from 1979 to 2001, according to the Environmental Working Group. These deaths primarily centered in Kanawha County, home to Charleston. West Virginia’s primary sources of asbestos exposure are oil refineries, chemical plants and power plants.
If you or a member of your family has mesothelioma (asbestos cancer) due to asbestos exposure while working in West Virginia, attorneys Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason can help. We are mesothelioma lawyers with over 30 years of success, and we have recovered millions of dollars in settlement compensation for mesothelioma patients and their families. Our attorneys provide a free mesothelioma case evaluation, and there is no up front cost to you for our services. We can advise you throughout the entire complicated mesothelioma legal process
Asbestos Exposure in West Virginia
West Virginia has many older, heavy industries, including oil refineries, chemical plants and power plants. All are known, high-risk sources of asbestos exposure and asbestos-related diseases. West Virginia also has many historical landmarks and old buildings. Most buildings constructed prior to 1980 incorporated numerous asbestos-containing materials for insulation and fire prevention.
Oil refinery workers in West Virginia were at a particularly high risk of asbestos exposure prior to the 1980’s, since the oil refining process involves high amounts of heat and chemicals. Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) have been used in oil refineries since the industry first got its start in the mid-19th century to insulate many types of refinery equipment, including furnaces, tanks, boilers, ovens, heat exchangers and pumps.
Chemical processing plants generate high amounts of heat during the manufacturing process as well. Because industrial fires and chemical stability is always a great concern, asbestos was widely used for its insulating and fire retardant properties in chemical processing plants. Workers who maintained the processing machinery frequently had to precisely trim and fit asbestos coated metal and gaskets to size. In the cutting and grinding process, asbestos fibers could become airborne, and workers were susceptible to breathing in this toxic substance.
West Virginia has numerous older power plants. Since even the smallest fire at a power plant can cause a major disaster, asbestos was commonly used in older power stations in West Virginia and across the United States to resist heat and flame. Asbestos insulated boilers, generators, turbines and other machinery. It was also used in wires and electrical panels. When power plant equipment or facilities were repaired, dangerous asbestos fibers could be released into the air, affecting the health of utility and maintenance workers.
In all of these older heavy industries, workers who repaired and maintained equipment lined with asbestos were especially prone to asbestos fiber inhalation. Workers who came into contact with high levels of heat in their day-to-day tasks often wore protective gear, including aprons, gloves, overcoats and hoods, made from asbestos. When these materials tore or ripped, workers came into direct contact with dangerous asbestos fibers.
A large number of old, historic buildings are located in West Virginia. Nearly every building constructed before 1980 should be considered an asbestos risk. Asbestos was commonly used for building insulation, roofing materials, floor tiles and millboard. Asbestos was also used to line water pipes, HVAC ductwork, boilers and electrical conduits. Even today, construction workers can be exposed to asbestos while demolishing and renovating older buildings, unless proper precautions are taken. Safety procedures, such as dampening asbestos-containing materials, wearing disposable protective clothing and avoiding the use of power tools, should be followed when working with older buildings.
Our Attorneys Can Help Victims of Mesothelioma in West Virginia
If you or someone you love has been affected by asbestos cancer in West Virginia or any state in the U.S., contact Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason. Whether your asbestos exposure was due to working at a contaminated jobsite or because you used asbestos-containing products, our mesothelioma attorneys will give you sound, legal advice. 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 West Virginia to meet with you in person.
If you are in need of mesothelioma medical information or treatment, please visit our list of mesothelioma doctors. Our mesothelioma attorneys are here to help.
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