Rouge Steel Asbestos Exposure | Mesothelioma Cancer Lawsuits
Filing Occupational Lung Cancer Claims on behalf of former Rouge Steel workers in Michigan
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Steel Plant Asbestos Cancer Lawsuits
Asbestos Attorney Investigating Toxic Exposure & Related Cancer Cases
Due to the widespread use of toxic materials at steel plants like Rouge Steel in Dearborn, Michigan, outside of Detroit, many former workers in the industry have later fallen ill with related occupational cancers like lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Asbestos was commonly used in many heavy industry applications, as it was believed to have been the perfect insulator. Asbestos is a cheap, durable, abundant and heat-resistant fiber, but it is also extremely toxic, and has strong links to lung diseases following chronic exposure.
If you or a loved one worked at Rouge Steel or the AK Steel Dearborn Works, and later get a confirmed cancer diagnosis, contact an attorney to begin filing a personal injury claim. Many former steel workers in Michigan and Ohio have filed asbestos cancer lawsuits, and have negotiated for a fair settlement. It is important to hire an experienced toxic exposure lawyer to help you acquire the best available compensation package following a work injury.
About Rouge Steel
The original Rouge Steel plant was part of the Ford Motor Company, creating an integrated manufacturing complex to produce most steel vehicle components at one location. In the 1980s, Ford divested their steel mill assets, later to be purchased in part by AK Steel, Severstal and US Steel. For years after the needs went beyond auto parts, the old Rouge Steel plant produced hot rolled band and hot rolled processed sheet, cold rolled sheet, hot dipped galvanized sheet, electro galvanized sheet, and aluminum coated boron.
The plant still operates, but at a drastically reduced capacity. Most recently, in 2020, Cleveland-Cliffs acquired AK Steel Dearborn Works, and operates the following:
- 1 Blast Furnace
- 2 Basic Oxygen Furnaces
- 2 Continuous strip casting machines
- 1 Pickling line
Why Hire The Lyon Firm?
Joe Lyon and his team of toxic exposure and product liability lawyers have 20 years of experience in the field, litigating numerous asbestos cancer cases on behalf of plaintiffs nationwide. It is critical to work with an experienced attorney with the resources and dedication to reach a fair settlement to ensure a more financially stable future for you and your family.
We work with some of the nations top occupational cancer experts, and we assume all tasks and financial risks associated with your case. Call now for a free consultation and to begin filing the proper claims.
Handling Complex Asbestos Cases
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How Are Workers Exposed to Asbestos?
Asbestos fibers will eventually become brittle and break down over time, particularly when the materials are disturbed. The fibers may then be ingested or inhaled by workers in that particular work space, and can later be at great risk for developing mesothelioma, asbestosis, esophageal cancer, colorectal cancer and lung cancer.
Secondary exposure has also been reported because many former steel plant workers dragged their work clothing back home, which may have been dusted with asbestos. Workers frequently were issued protective gear in mills that was insulated with asbestos. Asbestos gloves, aprons and masks were used in most steel mills up until safety experts deemed the material carcinogenic.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) all consider asbestos to be a cancer-causing substance.
Millwrights, pipefitters, plumbers, electricians, welders, boiler maintenance crews, machinists and many other staff members may have been at risk of occupational toxic exposure.
Rouge Steel Asbestos FAQ
If you were exposed to asbestos at your workplace, and have developed cancer or a related illness, you are likely to qualify for compensation. Your former company may have an established asbestos trust fund, and if we can prove they were negligent in protecting your safety and health, a settlement can be reached.
Asbestos is durable, fire-resistant and light, and was thought to be an effective and cheap insulating material before research showed it was extremely hazardous to the health.
- Mesothelioma
- Lung Cancer
- Esophageal Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer
- Adenocarcinoma
- Asbestosis
- Pulmonary Fibrosis
Steel and Metal Workers at Risk of Exposure
According to a series of medical studies, workers in the metals and steel industry are at an increased risk for developing asbestos-related diseases. Workers that regularly inhale asbestos fibers may eventually develop severe scarring of the lungs, and fatal diseases like asbestosis or mesothelioma.
Even family members of steel factory workers are at risk of potential second-hand exposure. Asbestos fibers may be brought home on the clothes or skin of an employee.
Health issues related to asbestos exposure often develop many years after exposure, so former steel plant workers should monitor their health for signs of an asbestos-related lung disease. About 3,000 U.S. citizens will be diagnosed with mesothelioma this year.
As a result of widespread occupational exposure to toxic substances like asbestos, many former workers are filing lawsuits to help compensate for their debilitating, and deadly illnesses.
For a typical steel mill worker, direct handling of machinery, equipment and material in steel plants expose them to large amounts the toxic materials on a daily basis.
It is estimated that asbestos was added to more than 3,000 construction products, many used in the steel industry. Employees who worked in high-temperature settings wore asbestos coats and leggings during certain production processes. Clothing such as gloves, aprons, coveralls and facemasks contained asbestos materials.
From the 1940s through the end of the 1970s, steel mills also commonly used asbestos as an insulation material. Steel mills were constructed with toxic materials in refractory bricks, floor tiles, ceiling tiles, and liner boards. Asbestos blankets, used for covering ladles, were often strewn about carelessly on the plant floors.
Asbestos was used to insulate equipment, which included the following:
- Ovens
- Hot blast stoves
- Furnaces
- Rolling mills
- Tanks
- Boilers
- Cranes
- Molding boards
- Steam Pipes
- Generators
Asbestos Verdicts & Settlements
Estate of Steve Thomas v. AK Steel Corporation, et al.
Summary: PHILADELPHIA COUNTY, Pennsylvania – Co-counsel represented the surviving spouse of a steel mill worker who developed mesothelioma after years of asbestos exposure on the job. The case resulted in a settlement exceeding $2.7 million.
Estate of William P. Bush v. AK Steel Corporation, et al.
Summary: MADISON COUNTY, Illinois – Co-counsel represented the family of a steel mill worker who suffered asbestos exposure that later led to mesothelioma. The case resulted in a settlement exceeding $2.3 million.
Asbestos Lawsuits
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Taking the first step doesn’t have to be complicated. In just a few minutes, you can share the basics of your case, and our team will guide you from there:
- It begins with a few simple questions about your situation.
- From there, a member of our legal team reviews your case.
- Together, we’ll chart the path forward, helping you take the next step toward resolution.
