U.S. Steel Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos Exposure Cancer Claims

Asbestos Cancer Lawyer Investigating U.S. Steel Asbestos Exposure

Due to the size of the company, and the number of employees, particularly before the 1980s, former US Steel workers account for a good percentage of asbestos cancer lawsuits filed against all companies in the steel industry.

It is no secret that steel mills, foundries, coke works and other related facilities used vast amounts of asbestos. Many workers even wore asbestos on their person, ostensibly to protect them from other safety hazards of the job and workplace. As it turns out, asbestos is one of the most toxic materials used in the industrial age, and thousands of former workers have fallen ill with lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma after a career in the steel industry.

Because many related lung diseases and medical conditions have a long latency period, many workers are only now diagnosed with an occupational cancer linked to asbestos exposure. Individuals and families can contact a toxic exposure attorney to weigh their legal options.

Asbestos was used in U.S. Steel mills as a common insulation material through the end of the 1970s. As a result, U.S. Steel workers were exposed to toxins potentially every day for decades.

U.S. Steel maintenance workers, machinists, pipefitters and boiler workers faced an extremely high risk of asbestos exposure in U.S. Steel mills. Welders, blacksmiths, bricklayers, millwrights and motor inspectors were also faced with asbestos on a regular basis. Regardless of the type of U.S. Steel mill worker, exposure to asbestos was likely when handling machinery, equipment and material in the process of manufacturing steel.

Asbestos insulation was used in a great deal of U.S. Steel equipment because it helped prevent fires and burns. This included ovens, hot blast stoves, furnaces, rolling mills, tanks, boilers, cranes, molding boards and steam pipes. U.S. Steel workers could inhale these asbestos fibers during the manufacturing process.

Workers in many U.S. Steel mills wore asbestos protective garments, including coats, leggings, gloves, aprons, coveralls and face masks, to protect them from extreme temperatures and from burns while working with dangerous materials.

U.S. Steel workers were also exposed to asbestos when handling asbestos blankets, refractory bricks, floor and ceiling tiles and liner boards. The Lyon Firm is investigating toxic exposure cancer cases at the following US Steel locations:

• Clairton Coke Works
• Fairless Works
• Homestead Works
• Great Lakes Works
• Dearborn Works
• Granite City Works
• Gary Works
• Mon Valley Works
• Edgar Thompson Works (Braddock, PA)
• Irvin Plant
• Fairfield Works
• Duluth Works
• Worcester Works
• Ohio Works
• Geneva Steel
• Macdonald Works
• Duquesne Works
• Ensley Works

What Kind of Damages Are Available in a Steel Manufacturing Asbestos Lawsuit?

In a steel manufacturing asbestos lawsuit, individuals who have been exposed to asbestos and subsequently developed asbestos-related diseases or health issues may be entitled to various types of damages. The specific damages available can vary depending on the circumstances of the case, the jurisdiction, and the extent of the harm suffered.

Here are some common types of damages that may be available in such lawsuits:

• Medical Expenses: Plaintiffs may be eligible to recover compensation for the costs of medical treatment, including doctor’s visits, hospitalization, surgery, medications, and ongoing healthcare expenses related to asbestos-related illnesses.
• Pain and Suffering: This category of damages is designed to compensate individuals for the physical and emotional distress they have endured due to their asbestos-related illnesses. Asbestos-related diseases can be painful and debilitating, and this compensation is meant to acknowledge that suffering.
• Lost Wages and Future Earnings: If the plaintiff was unable to work or had to reduce their working hours due to their asbestos-related illness, they may be able to seek compensation for lost wages. Additionally, if their illness is expected to reduce their future earning capacity, they may be entitled to compensation for these future earnings that have been lost.
• Punitive Damages: In cases where the defendant’s actions were particularly egregious or exhibited a wanton disregard for safety, punitive damages may be awarded. These are intended to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future.
• Funeral and Burial Expenses: In cases where the plaintiff has passed away due to an asbestos-related illness, their surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for the costs associated with their funeral and burial.

It’s important to note that the availability and extent of these damages can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case and the applicable laws in the jurisdiction.

To understand what damages may be available in your particular steel manufacturing asbestos lawsuit, it’s crucial to consult with an experienced asbestos attorney who can assess your case and provide tailored guidance.