Malignant mesothelioma is aggressive cancer that affects the lung, abdominal, or heart lining. Almost all cases of mesothelioma are caused by extended exposure to asbestos, which often occurs in many manufacturing and industrial occupations.
Asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma as tiny asbestos particles are inhaled into the lungs or swallowed. The dangerous shards lodge in sensitive organ linings and can eventually cause cancer is some people.
There are 3,000 new cases reported every year. While the cancer is rare, it is one of the deadliest, with most patients not living a year. (Cancer.org)
Missouri and Asbestos Exposure
Most asbestos exposure in Missouri happens on the job. Residents in the state generally have a low risk of getting mesothelioma. (asbestos.com)
Missouri’s economy has been driven by heavy industry for more than a century, with large numbers of workers being exposed to asbestos for decades. Most of those employees worked in the chemical and manufacturing industries so popular in Missouri.
Also, miners in the Lead Belt in the southeast part of the state have had asbestos exposure risks when digging for or handling mineral ore.
Missouri Sites of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos was often used in Missouri manufacturing, automotive production, mining, brewing, and more.
Manufacturing
Missouri was long the home of several heavy manufacturers that produced dangerous asbestos-containing materials. One was GAF Corporation, which was later known as Ruberoid. It ran a plant in St. Louis that made asbestos roofing products. Those asbestos products put workers, construction workers, and consumers at high risk of asbestos exposure. (mesothelioma.com)
Another big asbestos product manufacturer was CertainTeed, which had a facility near GAF and made cement pipe mixed with asbestos. While this plant shut down in 1980, both companies unsafely disposed of their dangerous asbestos waste along Maline Creek. There have been some cleanup efforts by local government, but much of the asbestos remains to this day.
Automotive
Many automotive parts, such as brake linings, still use small levels of asbestos today, putting workers at risk in vehicle assembly plants. For example, the Mack Truck assembly facility in Joplin is known to have asbestos-containing parts that employees handled. Some of these were brake linings and gaskets.
Mining
Several mines in the state have been known to contain asbestos. One is located in the Mark Twain National Forest, as well as a manganese mine and copper mine in Astoria. While the workers in these mines were not looking for asbestos most of the time, their work could have disturbed asbestos deposits, which could have endangered their health.
Brewing Companies
Some big brewing companies have facilities in Missouri going back more than 100 years. Unfortunately, asbestos was often used in the building of their equipment and facilities.
Any employees that were called in for maintenance, as well as the brewers themselves, were at risk of exposure to asbestos. Some of the companies with asbestos problems are Columbia, Empire, and MK Goetze.
Municipal Buildings
Asbestos exposure has also damaged the health of employees at Missouri public buildings. Most often, the health risk was because of poor asbestos abatement procedures during the renovations.
In November 2011, a worker at Jackson County Courthouse received a $10 million settlement because she developed mesothelioma after a major renovation project at the courthouse. This was the biggest asbestos settlement in state history.
There also are schools in Missouri that may have exposed teachers and students to asbestos. One of them is Hickory Hills School in Springfield.
Missouri Job Sites With Asbestos Exposure
Some of the sites and companies in the state that are known to have asbestos problems include:
- CertainTeed Corporation
- The Armour Road Site
- Union Electric Company
- Ford Motor Company
- Chrysler Corporation
- General Motors Corporation
- Anheuser-Busch Brewery
- Kansas Power & Light
- Standard Oil Refinery
Missouri Asbestos Exposure Laws
The Department of Natural Resources administers asbestos abatement laws in Missouri. Their website states that if the demolition or renovation of a structure involves more than 160 sq. feet, 260 linear feet, or 35 cubic feet of regulated asbestos-containing materials, the removal is regulated by the Department.
For projects under these guidelines, it is required that a Missouri registered contractor and certified asbestos abatement workers handle the project. (DNR.MO.gov)
Missouri Mesothelioma Attorneys
Many workers in Missouri were exposed to asbestos and developed mesothelioma from working in heavy industry and manufacturing professions. If you have mesothelioma, please talk to one of the skilled mesothelioma attorneys below.
Mogab & Hughs Attorneys, P.C.
701 Market Street, Suite 1510
St. Louis, Missouri, 63101
(314) 241-4477
www.mogabandhughes.com
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is important to speak as soon as possible with an experienced Missouri mesothelioma attorney. This is a complex area of the law and Mogab & Hughes have the skill and experience to get you the compensation you deserve.
Brown & Crouppen Law Firm
211 North Broadway, #1600
St. Louis, Missouri, 63102
(877) 908-0551
www.brownandcrouppen.com
Brown & Crouppen understand that people with asbestos cancer have been harmed by companies who neglected to protect them in the workplace. Many companies in Missouri knew for decades that asbestos exposure could kill people, but they still used these dangerous materials. Talk to these attorneys today to see if you can qualify for mesothelioma compensation.
Hullverson Law Firm
1010 Market Street, Suite 1480
St. Louis, Missouri, 63101
(314) 802-4928
www.hullverson.com
The Hullverson law firm is experienced in personal injury and product liability cases, such as asbestos exposure. They completely prepare each case as if it will go all the way to trial. While most cases settle out of court, their attorneys have the skill and knowledge to go to trial to obtain as much mesothelioma compensation for you as possible.
Request Immediate 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.
