Mesothelioma is a terrible cancer caused by asbestos exposure. It is aggressive, difficult to treat cancer that can affect the lungs, abdomen, heart, and testicles. The most common form of the disease is pleural mesothelioma. (URMC.Rochester.edu).
According to the American Cancer Society, there are approximately 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed each year. It is rare cancer but is one of the deadliest ones. Most mesothelioma victims live a year or less, although combination treatments are starting to extend life expectancy in some patients. (Cancer.org)
Mississippi and Asbestos Exposure
Mississippi’s prime location on the Gulf of Mexico makes it very popular for oil refinery companies and shipyards, two industries that are known for using asbestos-containing products that harm workers. Chemical plants, power plants, and manufacturing plants in the state are other major sources of asbestos in Mississippi.
The destruction of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 in Mississippi left a lot of wreckage that may have been tainted with asbestos, which may have exposed residents, cleanup crews, and first responders to the dangerous carcinogen. A jury in the state awarded $322 million in an asbestos verdict but it was overturned.
Some of the occupations where workers are at higher risk of asbestos exposure in Mississippi are:
- Boiler operators
- Carpenters
- Chemical workers
- Demolition workers
- Dockworkers
- Gasfitters
- Electricians
- Oil refinery workers
- Welders
- Shipyard workers
- Electrical plant operators
The Armstrong Cork Company has a major flooring manufacturing plant in Jackson that is on several watch lists for mesothelioma cases. The firm went into bankruptcy in 2000 after it was hounded by hundreds of asbestos-related claims that would be more than the future value of the company. It did come out of bankruptcy protection in 2006. It set up the Armstrong World Industries Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust as part of the reorganization.
Mississippi hotels and public buildings also are known sources of asbestos exposure for workers in remodeling and maintenance. Many of these buildings were constructed before the 1960s and asbestos use was common. For instance, in 2017, employees were unknowingly exposed to the toxin in asbestos construction materials at a Hilton Hotel located in Fondren. They were not told that asbestos was present. Nor were they provided required protective equipment.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
The major cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. Invisible particles of asbestos are blown into the air when the toxic material is present, which are breathed in or swallowed by workers. The particles lodge in the lungs or abdominal organs and can eventually lead to cancer after many years. While most people who are exposed to asbestos will not get asbestos cancer, those who do usually die within a year or two. (Cancer.org).
Mississippi Sites of Asbestos Exposure
Some of the industries that have exposed countless workers to asbestos in Mississippi are: (mesothelioma.com)
Oil and Gas
The coastline of this state is small compared to others, but it still plays a big role in the oil industry. Oil and gas production started there in 1903, and since then, Mississippi is one of the biggest producers of oil and gas in the United States. Because of the high amounts of asbestos used in oil and gas production, corporations such as Hess Oil & Chemical, Southland Oil, and Grenada Oil Company exposed many workers to asbestos.
Power Plants
Power plants are always a fire risk, and asbestos was common on pipes, electrical conduits, and mechanical parts. The Grand Gulf Nuclear Power Plant, Gulf Power Plant,and Jack Watson Powerhouse are all major power companies that have contained asbestos in their properties.
Shipbuilding
Workers employed in shipping and shipbuilding have a higher asbestos exposure risk than the general public. Asbestos was used heavily in the industry from the late 1930s to the 1970s in shipbuilding. Ingalls Shipbuilding and the Naval Station at Pascagoula are known to have exposed workers to asbestos.
Chemical Production
Another excellent property of asbestos is its chemical resistance. This feature makes it useful in chemical processing work. But people who worked in chemical plants with asbestos in them faced serious cancer risks. Some of the firms that are known to have used asbestos are Mississippi Chemical, Spencer Chemical Company, and Vicksburg Chemical Company.
Paper and Lumber
At least 60% of the state is covered in forests, so Mississippi is the home of many lumber and paper companies. Both industries have been heavy users of asbestos in their machinery, and many vehicles that transport, wood, paper, and lumber have asbestos in gaskets, brakes and other parts. Some corporations that exposed millers, sawyers and other employees to asbestos include Hudson Hardwood Flooring Company, St. Regis Paper Company, and Georgia Pacific Pulp & Paper.
Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi
Mississippi was one of the states seriously affected by Hurricane Katrina. The Category 4 hurricane destroyed coastal areas in and around Biloxi on August 29. 2005. It washed away many casino boats and moved others miles away. Floodwaters destroyed hundreds of homes and wrecked others to the point that cleanup was hazardous.
Many of the homes and buildings that were damaged were decades old, so there were concerns about asbestos being present in the wreckage. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) watched asbestos levels that were found in the debris and in dust particles. These levels were not found to be hazardous.
The aftermath of the hurricane had state and local officials saying that more information needed to be put out about the dangers of asbestos exposure among homeowners, volunteers, business owners, and rescue personnel.
Mississippi Mesothelioma Attorneys
Many workers in Mississippi’s oil, industrial, textile and manufacturing economy were exposed to asbestos and developed mesothelioma. If you think you were exposed to asbestos and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma in Mississippi, it is recommended that you speak to one of the skilled mesothelioma attorneys below.
Clapper, Patti, Schweizer & Mason
1127 Gran Ave. #6
Novato CA 94945
(800) 440-4262
www.mesothelioma-attorney.com
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma and worked in Mississippi, this law firm has 30 years of compassionate experience helping families in your difficult situation. This firm is experienced in specializing in asbestos-related diseases. Only attorneys with years of experience working in asbestos litigation can get you the best mesothelioma compensation and make the process as easy as possible for your family.
Porter Malouf, P.A.
825 Ridgewood Road
Ridgeland MS 39157
(866) 957-1173
www.portermalouf.com
Porter Malouf, P.A. has represented dozens of people who have been exposed to asbestos in this state and developed mesothelioma. The firm has achieved large verdicts and settlements in many areas of personal injury, including asbestos and mesothelioma. This firm obtained one of the biggest asbestos-related personal injury verdicts in the county – $150,000,000.
Cumbest, Cumbest, Hunter & McCormick
729 Watts Avenue
Pascagoula, MS 39567
(866) 461-1591
www.cchmlawyers.com
This law firm specializes in asbestos exposure and mesothelioma cases in Mississippi, so you know that your case is in the best legal hands possible. When you retain the firm of Cumbest, Cumbest, Hunter & McCormick, you know that you are dealing with a national mesothelioma law firm that has the experience and resources to ensure you the best compensation possible.
Top Cities in Mississippi with Asbestos Exposure
| Jackson city | 173,514 |
| Gulfport city | 67,793 |
| Southaven city | 48,982 |
| Hattiesburg city | 45,989 |
| Biloxi city | 44,054 |
| Meridian city | 41,148 |
| Tupelo city | 34,546 |
| Greenville city | 34,400 |
| Olive Branch city | 33,484 |
| Horn Lake city | 26,066 |
| Clinton city | 25,216 |
| Pearl city | 25,092 |
| Madison city | 24,149 |
| Ridgeland city | 24,047 |
| Starkville city | 23,888 |
| Vicksburg city | 23,856 |
| Columbus city | 23,640 |
| Pascagoula city | 22,392 |
| Brandon city | 21,705 |
| Oxford city | 18,916 |
| Gautier city | 18,572 |
| Laurel city | 18,540 |
| Clarksdale city | 17,962 |
| Ocean Springs city | 17,442 |
| Natchez city | 15,792 |
| Greenwood city | 15,205 |
| Long Beach city | 14,792 |
| Corinth city | 14,573 |
| Hernando city | 14,090 |
| Moss Point city | 13,704 |
