GE ASBESTOS EXPOSURE


Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer

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Ohio Asbestos Attorney

Representing General Electric Workers with GE Asbestos, Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Claims 

Facing more than 400,000 asbestos claims, General Electric (GE) is still among the biggest targets of occupational asbestos exposure. Most GE asbestos lawsuits filed are claims of asbestos exposure from the company’s steam turbines. It is no secret that GE manufactured turbines containing asbestos, which were in turn installed in thousands of civilian and military sites across the country.

Many of the victims, who have developed asbestos-related illnesses, are Ohio residents, and either former GE Aviation production plant employees, or military veterans. There are around 16,000 General Electric employees in Ohio, more than any other state—the majority in the Cincinnati and Dayton area. General Electric has contributed a great deal to the Ohio economy.

However, the health cost, with mesothelioma and lung cancer among the most serious public health issues, is so significant that medical and legal experts question whether GE production sites are a financial boost, or a tragic development.

Joe Lyon is a highly-rated Cincinnati asbestos lawyer representing plaintiffs nationwide in a wide variety of toxic tort and GE asbestos mesothelioma claims.

Cincinnati & Dayton GE Asbestos

General Electric opened its Cincinnati, Ohio GE Aviation facility in 1946 and began producing high-powered propulsion systems for the U.S. Air Force. The company continued to produce engines for military aircraft as well as commercial airliners.

Asbestos materials were commonly used to build aircraft components, and mechanics were exposed to asbestos concealed in engines, turbines, wiring, bearings, seals and gaskets. GE Aviation production staff and military aircraft mechanics could have been exposed to asbestos while performing routine maintenance.

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Veterans at Risk of Asbestos Exposure

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), millions of Americans who served in the military were exposed to asbestos sometime in the past. Veterans account for almost a third of all mesothelioma cases in the United States.

Air Force and Naval veterans, particularly who served into the 1970s, are at high risk of developing deadly cancers and mesothelioma because of direct asbestos exposure. U.S. Air Force veterans were often exposed to asbestos in aircraft components like GE turbines, putting them at risk for developing mesothelioma and asbestosis. Welders, electricians and mechanics are among the occupations with the highest risk of deadly exposure.

GE Asbestos Exposure

Former employees who worked at GE beginning in the 1960s once described a workplace where asbestos fibers floated thick in the air, open pots of lead and mercury lined the shop floor, and huge dip tanks of varnishes and solvents (used to coat and degrease motors) produced enough to poison the entire plant. The following positions at GE were known to be at an additional risk of asbestos exposure:

•    Power plant workers
•    Consumer appliance assemblers
•    Electricians
•    Machinists
•    Maintenance repair persons
•    Insulators
•    Demolition workers

GE Products Containing Asbestos

Most claims against GE target their asbestos-laden GE Aviation turbines, however those are not the only General Electric products considered dangerous. General Electric once sold asbestos-containing wires, cables and cords under the brand name Deltabeston.

They also produced asbestos-containing ovens under the brand name Wil-Son Patent-Flex. As a manufacturer of consumer electronics and power generating equipment, General Electric used asbestos in many personal appliances and plastic molding compounds used in electrical boxes.

Mesothelioma Symptoms

Mesothelioma is difficult to diagnose because many of the symptoms are similar to those of less serious illnesses. However, early warning signs typically include the following:

•    Trouble swallowing
•    Trouble breathing
•    Persistent cough
•    Lumps on chest or abdomen
•    Excessive sweating
•    Fever
•    Fatigue

Former Ohio GE workers with known asbestos exposure should take warning signs seriously and request screening tests by a medical professional.

Occupational Exposure Lawsuits

Lawsuits have been filed by employees of companies independent of GE, though originating from asbestos exposure while installing, maintaining and insulating General Electric turbines.

Several plaintiffs are mechanics who worked regularly on GE engines, which required close contact with many asbestos-containing seals and gaskets. GE corporate representatives have admitted that certain engine seals and gaskets contained asbestos, and that the asbestos was known to break down over time.

A Pennsylvania state jury recently awarded a $7.25 million verdict to the estate of a man who died from mesothelioma after heavy asbestos exposure in products manufactured by a group of defendants, including General Electric.

Further claims against GE have been brought by government employees, steel workers, shipyard workers, as well as Naval and Air Force veterans who were exposed to GE turbines, engines and other equipment. Most of the individuals filing claims were exposed between the years 1966 and 1986.

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A Voice for Those who have suffered 

Why are these cases important?

Many experience asbestos exposure through the workplace. Workplaces may have been filled with toxic materials, and employers may have failed to warn of the serious health risks of the job. Filing a suit helps to raise the awareness of job safety.

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Questions about Ohio GE Asbestos Exposure 

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was first utilized in the early 1900s for its insulating abilities, fireproof properties, and versatility. It has been estimated that over 30 million tons of asbestos was used in the American economy in industrial yards, homes, schools, shipyards, and other workplaces.

The natural breakdown of asbestos products and subsequent sawing or cutting of the asbestos creates dust and fibers that are inhaled and can lead to mesothelioma and other severe forms of lung cancer.

Why is Asbestos Toxic?

When asbestos breaks down over time or with use, the fibers of the material can become airborne, presenting a risk of inhaling or ingesting the toxin. Asbestos is a cancer-causing agent, and those heavily exposed can develop scarring in the lungs and later develop lung cancer and mesothelioma.

What Materials Contain Asbestos?

Asbestos was widely used in piping, insulation, electrical components, machine parts, packaging, flooring, ceiling tiles, roofing, and in many building materials.

Can I File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit?

If you were exposed to asbestos at your workplace, and have developed cancer or a related illness, you are likely to qualify for compensation.

Why Did Companies Use Asbestos?

Asbestos was cheap, durable, fire-resistant and light, and was thought to be the perfect insulating material before research showed it was extremely hazardous to  the health.

Is it hard to win an asbestos case?

The success rates of settlements regarding asbestos exposure injury are quite high. It may be necessary to prove that occupational exposure is the primary cause of lung cancer or mesothelioma, though this is the job of The Lyon Firm, and we have experience in reaching large mesothelioma settlements.

Why Hire the Lyon Firm

Our Firm will help you find the answers. The Firm has the experience, resources and dedication to take on difficult and emotional cases and help our clients obtain the justice for the wrong they have suffered. 

 Experience:  Joe Lyon is an experienced Cincinnati Asbestos Lawyer. The Lyon Firm has 17 years of experience and success representing individuals and plaintiffs in all fifty states, and in a variety of complex civil litigation matters. Asbestos lawsuits can be complex and require industry experts to determine the root cause of an accident or injury. Mr. Lyon has worked with experts nationwide to assist individuals understand why an injury occurred and what can be done to improve their lives in the future. Some cases may go to a jury trial, though many others can be settled out of court.

Resources/Dedication: Mr. Lyon has worked with experts in the fields of accident reconstruction, biomechanics, epidemiology, metallurgy, pharmacology, toxicology, human factors, workplace safety, life care planning, economics, and virtually every medical discipline in successfully representing Plaintiffs across numerous areas of law. The Lyon Firm is dedicated to building the strongest cases possible for clients and their critical interests.

Results:  Mr. Lyon has obtained numerous seven and six figure results.

Your Right to Safety

Video: the Statute of Limitations for Asbestos

Asbestos can be found in factories, warehouses, hospitals, schools, homes built before 1980, construction sites, and in many military installations. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), there are 75 different jobs that can expose workers to asbestos, with those jobs primarily involving construction and manufacturing. Thousands of American workers are still exposed to asbestos each year. 

Mesothelioma is a serious illness that has been linked to asbestos exposure in medical literature. It is estimated that there will be thousands of new cases due to the latency period of 20-50 years after being first exposed to asbestos.

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The Lyon Firm aggressively, professionally, and passionately advocates for injured individuals and families against companies due to asbestos exposure.

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