Workers at Empire Detroit Steel plants in Dover, New Boston, and Mansfield, Ohio were exposed to asbestos, and may develop lung diseases, including mesothelioma.
Many former workers at Ohio steel plants, including Empire Detroit and Armco Steel have been diagnosed with asbestos-related cancers, and other serious diseases. The bulk of the cases have been proven to be caused by toxic work sites managed by negligent employers in the steel industry.
The Empire-Detroit Steel plants in New Boston, Dover and Mansfield, Ohio primarily produced carbon steel, which they sold to automotive, construction and appliance companies.
The fibers from asbestos can be lodged in the lungs, which can cause permanent damage, and in some cases, tumors. Inhaled asbestos fibers can directly cause cancer and other disorders, including mesothelioma.
Nearly any worker in an Ohio steel plant could be at risk of developing serious health issues, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.
Joe Lyon is a highly-rated Ohio asbestos lawyer representing plaintiffs nationwide in a wide variety of toxic tort and mesothelioma claims. The Firm can investigate any asbestos exposure issue for Empire Detroit Steel workers in Mansfield and accepts cases on contingency fees to eliminate any financial risk for the families we represent.
Asbestos Exposure in Mansfield Empire Detroit Steel Plant
Asbestos was used in steel plants for building and machinery insulation. Countless Americans in steel plants in Ohio have been exposed to asbestos. Data from the World Health Organization show about 30 percent of deaths from occupational cancer each year could be caused by asbestos.
Asbestos was found in equipment that included the following:
• Ovens
• Hot blast stoves
• Furnaces
• Rolling mills
• Tanks
• Boilers
• Cranes
• Steam pipes
Steel plant positions commonly exposed to asbestos include:
• Pipefitters & Plumbers
• Machinists
• Boilermakers
• Welders
• Insulators
• Maintenance Crews
Asbestos Clothing
In addition to working in the buildings themselves, steel plant workers at Empire Detroit Steel were also likely exposed to asbestos through protective garments.
The asbestos clothing was meant to protect workers from extreme temperatures, though history shows the measures proved fatal in many cases. Toxic fibers within the clothing were released and possibly inhaled by workers at Empire-Detroit.
Breathing asbestos fibers into the lungs could serve as the primary source for victims who develop lung cancer and, possibly mesothelioma.
Symptoms of Mesothelioma
Cases of mesothelioma are often diagnosed 20 years or more after a person was first exposed to asbestos. By the time symptoms appear, the cancer has most likely reached a later stage.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include the following:
• Pain in the chest and rib area
• Persistent cough
• Trouble breathing
• Mysterious lumps of tissue on the chest and abdomen
• Stomach pains
• Swelling of the abdomen
• Weight loss
Compensation for Former Empire Detroit Steel Workers
Lawyers claim that asbestos manufacturers knew about potential health dangers of asbestos products but failed to warn anyone, and put profits before steel workers including Empire Detroit steel workers.
Workers at Ohio steel plants, including Armco-AK Steel, Empire Detroit Steel, LTV Steel, and Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp. have been involved in asbestos litigation for many years. Employees at the Dover, New Boston and Mansfield, Ohio steel plants may have a substantial injury claim due to the amount of asbestos products they likely were exposed.