WHEELING PITTSBURGH STEEL 
Asbestos Exposure


Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer

Nationwide Success

Ohio Asbestos Lawyer

representing Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel Workers in Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Claims

There is a strong possibility that former Ohio workers in the plants of Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel, were exposed to asbestos, and may develop lung diseases, including deadly cancers such as lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Like many companies in the steel industry, Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel used asbestos as an insulator on its work site because of its fire resistibility. For many years, this material went unregulated and posed terrible risks. As asbestos-containing materials aged and were replaced, asbestos fibers often were sent airborne and inhaled by many workers in the steel mill.

Asbestos fibers can be lodged in the lungs, which can cause scarring, and in many cases, tumors. Inhaled asbestos fibers can rest in the lungs for decades, causing lung cancer and other health issues, including mesothelioma. Many former workers at Wheeling-Pittsburgh steel plants at Steubenville, OH, Yorkville, OH, Mingo Junction, OH and Martins Ferry, OH have been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases.

Joe Lyon is a highly-rated Cincinnati asbestos lawyer and Ohio toxic tort attorney representing plaintiffs in Wheeling Pittsburgh Asbestos exposure and mesothelioma claims.

Asbestos Found in Several Locations on Plant Sites

In addition to working in the buildings themselves, steel mill workers at Wheeling Pittsburgh were likely exposed to asbestos through protective garments, including coats, leggings, gloves aprons, coveralls and facemasks that were meant to protect workers from extreme temperatures and from burns. The process of making metal products typically involves temperatures as high as 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Even if they were not participating in the manufacturing of steel, workers at Wheeling-Pittsburg may have been exposed to asbestos and risked developing mesothelioma from toxic building materials such as refractory bricks, floor and ceiling tiles, and liner boards. Asbestos insulation was wrapped around hot pipes, furnaces, ovens, tanks, generators, rolling mills, cranes and boilers.

Since asbestos fibers can become attached to clothes at the workplace, there is a chance of contaminating the home, putting family members at risk.

Asbestos was used in steel plants for machinery insulation in equipment including the following:

  • Ovens
  • Hot blast stoves
  • Furnaces
  • Rolling mills
  • Tanks
  • Boilers
  • Cranes
  • Steam pipes

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ABOUT THE LYON FIRM

Joseph Lyon has 17 years of experience representing individuals in complex litigation matters. He has represented individuals in every state against many of the largest companies in the world.

The Firm focuses on single-event civil cases and class actions involving corporate neglect & fraud, toxic exposure, product defects & recalls, medical malpractice, and invasion of privacy.

NO COST UNLESS WE WIN

The Firm offers contingency fees, advancing all costs of the litigation, and accepting the full financial risk, allowing our clients full access to the legal system while reducing the financial stress while they focus on their healthcare and financial needs.

Wheeling Pittsburgh Asbestos Exposure in Ohio Plants

Wheeling-Pittsburgh had large plant operations in Ohio in the following locations:

Martins Ferry, Ohio: produced galvanized sheets, galvanized roofing and accessories, corrugated culverts, and hand-dipped items. The Martins Ferry plant featured two continuous galvanizing lines where coils of steel strips were processed, galvanized, and treated.

Steubenville, Ohio: featured two blast furnaces, 11 open hearth furnaces, a blooming mill, a hot strip mill, and cold reduction mills. The Steubenville plant produced hot rolled sheets and plates and cold rolled sheets and coils.

Mingo Junction, Ohio: consisted of three blast furnaces, two Bessemer converters, a blooming mill, and auxiliary equipment. The Mingo Junction plant supplied hot metal for the open hearth furnaces at Steubenville North and Bessemer slabs for Benwood Works.

Yorkville, Ohio: The Yorkville Works facility produced electrolytic and hot-dipped tinplate, black plate, and terneplate.

Other Ohio steel plants with known asbestos on plant sites include:

  • LTV Republic Steel—Massillon, OH, Warren, OH, Canton, OH, and Niles, OH
  • US Steel Corp.—Lorain, OH
  • Armco-AK Steel—Middletown, OH
  • Youngstown Sheet &Tube—Youngstown, OH
  • Dayton Malleable Iron—Ironton, OH
  • Aluminum Smelting—Maple Heights, OH
  • Empire-Reeves/Detroit Steel Corporation—Mansfield, OH

Signs and Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Those who develop mesothelioma may not show signs of illness for a long time after their first exposure. Cases of mesothelioma are often diagnosed 30 years or more after a person was first exposed to asbestos. By the time symptoms appear, mesothelioma has most likely reached an advanced stage.

Breathing asbestos fibers into the lungs damages tissue surrounding the lungs. This could serve as the primary source for victims who develop lung cancer and, possibly mesothelioma.

Symptoms of mesothelioma can be varied, and they depend on several factors. Symptoms may 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

Occupations at Highest Risk of Exposure

There are many jobs in the metal works industry that regularly faced asbestos exposure hazards. The types of steel plant positions at Mingo Junction, Steubenville, Yorkville and Martins Ferry plants most commonly exposed to asbestos include:

  • Pipefitter & Plumber
  • Machinist
  • Boilermaker
  • Smelter
  • Welder
  • Blacksmith
  • Millwright
  • Bricklayer
  • Insulator
  • Maintenance Crews

Legal Action Following Wheeling Pittsburgh Asbestos Exposure

The legal system holds steel plants responsible for maintaining a safe work environment for workers. When companies fail to meet this responsibility, they should compensate the victims of their unsafe practice.

Many Ohio steel plants, including Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp., Armco-AK Steel and LTV Steel have been involved in asbestos litigation for exposing steel mill workers to toxic materials.

Because of the overwhelming use of asbestos in their work environments, many metalworkers affected by asbestos-related diseases have sought financial restitution through litigation. As a result, more than 60 trusts were arranged to pay victims of asbestos-related illnesses. Lawsuits contend that asbestos manufacturers knew about potential health dangers of their products as early as the 1930s and failed to warn anyone.

photo of attorney Joe Lyon
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 Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel 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 lug 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
The Statute of Limitations for Asbestos Cases

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.

Our Victories

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

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