Arkansas Mesothelioma Lawsuit & Lawyer Help

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Malignant mesothelioma is rare cancer that is diagnosed in approximately 3,000 people per year. The cause in almost all mesothelioma cases is asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma invades the thin, delicate membranes that surround the abdominal organs, lungs, heart, or testicles. The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma affecting the lungs.

Mesothelioma happens after people inhale or swallow asbestos fibers for an extended period. The invisible particles get stuck in delicate lung and other tissues and cause inflammation and scarring, which can sometimes lead to cancer. (Verywellhealth.com).

Mesothelioma is usually preventable, but some Arkansas companies used asbestos-containing materials that endangered the health of workers.

Arkansas and Asbestos Exposure

Most asbestos exposure in Arkansas occurs at work. Arkansas residents who do not work near asbestos usually have a low risk of exposure. There are only two known asbestos deposits in the state near Hot Springs and Russellville. (mesothelioma.com).

However, asbestos was used in many industries that led to higher mesothelioma rates in Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Fayetteville, and Jonesboro. Asbestos was highly valued for decades in manufacturing and industrial fields for its excellent heat and fire resistance. It also was very inexpensive to use. But those benefits came at a heavy price for many workers because they were exposed to a hazardous substance that can cause cancer.

Arkansas Sites of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos was used in many industries in Arkansas, including manufacturing, power plants, mining, military, oil refining, and more. The state also received tons of dangerous asbestos ore from the mines in Libby, Montana, which were made into asbestos-containing products by many companies in Arkansas.

Manufacturing

One of the biggest manufacturers in Arkansas for years was Reynolds Metals, which makes Reynolds Wrap Aluminum Foil. The firm first started mining in Bauxite, Arkansas, a kind of aluminum ore. The company operated factories in Arkadelphia and Malvern for years, which closed in 1985.

Asbestos was an important part of the aluminum smelting process because of the high heat needed. Other manufacturers were heavy users of asbestos, as well, including Singer, a major manufacturer of sewing machines.

Mining

Mining is not as large of an industry as some states, but there still are some open-cut and strip mining operations in Arkansas. These mines can be especially harmful to communities and residents in the area, especially if asbestos is present.

Power Plants

Until 1990, the largest provider of power in the state was Arkansas Power & Light, but there were some towns that had their own power plants, including City Water & Light in Jonesboro. Power plants often used asbestos in insulation and machinery because of the material’s high resistance to heat and electricity.

Higher Education

For years, the University of Arkansas has had issues with asbestos exposure in its facilities, including the campuses in Jonesboro and Fayetteville. Asbestos also has been a problem at Arkansas State College and the State Teachers College.

Oil Refineries

Arkansas does not have the number of oil refineries that some states have, but some have exposed employees to asbestos. These include the Helene Cotton Oil Company, Tri-State Refining Company, and Cross Oil.

Military

According to a 2013 report, Little Rock Air Force Base has buildings that contain asbestos and little has ever been done about it. The base had problems with asbestos earlier, too; in October 1994, the commander issued an emergency order to fix problems with asbestos fibers being released in the air.

Mountain Pine Pressure Treating

This site in Plainview consisted of 95 acres of land to treat wood from the 60s through the 80s. EPA declared it a Superfund site mostly because of dangerous chemicals left there used for wood treatment. Those chemicals were left in big tanks that were lined with asbestos. The dangerous mineral also was found in buildings on the property, so abatement had to be done as part of the cleanup process.

Arkansas Sites with Asbestos Exposure

Some of the entities in the state with asbestos problems include: (asbestos.com)

  • Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation
  • Fort Chaffee
  • North Little Rock Parks
  • Stuggart School District

Arkansas Asbestos Exposure Laws

Arkansas has laws regulating the disposal of asbestos that are managed by the Division of Environmental Quality. (Adeq.state.ar.us). State laws require that the owner or operator of a demolition project must have inspected the site to determine if asbestos is present. The state recommends that all large samples collected from commercial or public buildings be analyzed by a certified laboratory for the presence of asbestos.

If a contractor intends to demolish a building, even if no asbestos is known to be present, the operator is required to submit a Notice of Intent to the state at least 10 working days before the activity begins. (Adeq.state.ar.us/faqs)

Arkansas Mesothelioma Attorneys

Many workers in the state’s manufacturing, industrial, and power companies were exposed to asbestos over the years. Some of them developed mesothelioma. If you were exposed to asbestos and have pleural mesothelioma, please speak to one of the Arkansas mesothelioma attorneys below.

Odom Law Firm

161 West Van Asche Loop

Fayetteville, Arkansas, 72703

(866) 935-2070

www.odomfirm.com

Odom Law Firm has safeguarded the rights of injured people in Northwest Arkansas for more than 35 years. Their mesothelioma compensation attorneys have seen the devastating effects of mesothelioma and know the health and financial complications that can accompany this disease. Talk to the Odom Law Firm today to determine if you are eligible for mesothelioma compensation.


Rainwater, Holt & Sexton Injury Lawyers

801 Technology Drive

Little Rock, Arkansas, 72223

(800) 767-4815

www.callrainwater.com

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma in Arkansas, it is important to know that you could be entitled to compensation. While you may not even know which company exposed you to asbestos, the attorneys at Rainwater, Holt & Sexton know how to find these negligent firms. They can get you the money you need from insurance coverage, bankruptcy trusts, company assets, and more.


Request Arkansas Mesothelioma Legal Help

With over $30 billion available for victims through asbestos bankruptcy trust funds, you are entitled to financial compensations without ever filing an asbestos, lung cancer or mesothelioma lawsuit. You need legal representation to get started. Mesothelioma & lung cancer victims qualify immediately. Complete the form or call us toll-free (800) 352-0871 immediately.