Vermont Mesothelioma Lawsuit & Lawyer Help

Views: 397

Mesothelioma is a rare but devastating cancer that affects the lining of the lung, abdomen, and heart. It is almost always caused by occupational asbestos exposure. When tiny asbestos particles become airborne, they can be swallowed or inhaled. They get stuck in delicate body tissues and can eventually lead to cancer as much as 40 or 50 years later.

Approximately 80% of asbestos cases are pleural mesothelioma in the lungs, and approximately 10% are peritoneal mesothelioma in the abdomen. Mesothelioma has a five-year survival rate of only 5-10%. (Cancer.org).

Vermont and Asbestos Exposure

Most asbestos exposure in Vermont occurs on the job. Usually, people who do not work in occupations with asbestos exposure have a low risk of disease.

But Vermont did have an asbestos mine near Mount Belvidere that was a major supplier to the entire US. It is possible both workers and residents in the area may have been heavily exposed to asbestos. (Asbestos.com)

Vermont Sites of Asbestos Exposure

If you worked in one of the industries below before the 1980s, you may have been heavily exposed to asbestos. (mesothelioma.com)

Mining

Asbestos mining at Belvidere Mountain near Eden and Lowell was a major source of asbestos exposure. Workers fo the New England Asbestos Mining and Milling Company and Vermont Product Corporation may have been exposed by mining, transporting, and processing asbestos. Belvidere Mountain asbestos mines were some of the first to open in the United States, but they were the last to close in 1993.

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources started an investigation into the mines in 2004. They were worried about the erosion of dangerous materials that could get into nearby wetlands and streams. But medical studies have not shown an elevated mesothelioma risk for people who live in the towns close to the mines.

Still, Vermont filed a lawsuit against the mine, and an asbestos lawsuit settlement was reached in 2013 for the owner of the mine to help with cleanup of asbestos waste materials left behind after the mine closed.

Windsor Mine also has been in the news lately because it was a major talc supplier to Johnson & Johnson. Companie documents from the 1970s suggest that talc from the mine contained chrysotile asbestos. Some long-time users of J&J Baby Powder allege that asbestos exposure caused them to develop mesothelioma or ovarian cancer.

Power Plants

Boilers and generators in power plants create tremendous amounts of heat that can lead to fires that endanger both workers and equipment. That is why asbestos was used so often in the construction of power plants in Vermont.

Asbestos also was used in protective clothing for workers. Some of the power plants in the state that put workers at risk are the Vermont Electric Power Company and Montpelier and Barre Light and Power Company.

Paper Mills

The paper industry in Vermont often used asbestos-containing materials in their buildings and equipment. Machinery such as drying machines and sandpaper backing would frequently contain asbestos.

Like many older structures in the state, older paper mills likely have asbestos somewhere in their walls. Some of the companies that exposed paper mill workers to asbestos were Green Mountain Paper and White Mountain Paper Company.

Vermont Job Sites with Asbestos Exposure

Some of the Vermont companies and entities that exposed workers to asbestos include:

  • White Mountain Paper Company
  • Green Mountain Paper
  • Vermont Electric Power Company
  • International Paper Company
  • Black Cat Textiles

Vermont Asbestos Exposure Laws

The Department of Health in Vermont is in charge of setting and enforcing regulations regarding asbestos abatement procedures, contractors, notifications and disposal methods. The Outreach Program within the department is intended to educate the public about asbestos state and federal laws, including the ones issued by the EPA.

The Department of Health also features an Enforcement and Compliance Inspection program that manages demolition and renovation projects involving asbestos.

Proper disposal of asbestos is managed under the state’s Solid Waste Management Rules. If the materials must be gotten rid of, a certified contractor must pick up and take the waste to an approved landfill. (Healthvermont.gov)

Despite these efforts, asbestos exposure has continued to occur in the state in recent years. In 2008, a real estate developer paid a $15,000 fine for asbestos exposure violations during a demolition. Approximately 75,000 pounds of debris containing asbestos was released into the air.

In 2014, EPA records show that several asbestos violations occurred during an asbestos removal project at the  Waterbury State Office Complex. NCM was one of seven companies on the job that failed to seal the removed hazardous materials and spray them with water to stop fibers from entering the air.

Documents show the firm’s negligence caused workers to be exposed to asbestos. But the Department of Labor did not issue citations. The EPA continues to investigate and may fine the state government.

Vermont Asbestos Attorneys

If you were exposed to asbestos in Vermont and later developed mesothelioma, you could be entitled to mesothelioma financial compensation. Please contact one the respected Vermont mesothelioma lawyers below:


Paul Frank & Collins

One Church Street

Burlington, Vermont, 05401

(802) 658-2311

www.pfclaw.com

The attorneys at Paul Frank & Collins have a strong record of success representing clients in all types of personal injury mesothelioma claims. They have the resources to quickly handle difficult cases from the initial investigation to settlement or trial. They have represented clients in asbestos injury, mesothelioma, product liability, and others. These attorneys can get you the mesothelioma compensation you deserve as well as asbestos lawsuit claims after death.


Request Vermont 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.