Hundreds of sickened individuals are in search of a West Virginia mesothelioma lawyer. Here’s why. Established as a state in 1861, West Virginia has long had a reputation as a rugged land, full of outdoor beauty that calls upon those who enjoy the vastness of nature to come and visit. It’s also been a place where hard times are not unknown.
The outlook is not good for some West Virginians, who are among the poorest of the poor in the U.S. Overall income growth in West Virginia in the last 30 years has been only 13% (about one-third of the national average of 37%). Wages of the most impoverished in the state – the bottom 1% income earners – decreased by 3%, compared to the national average, which increased 19%, reports the Economic Policy Institute.
West Virginia’s Asbestos Legacy
Coal Mining
Though asbestos was used for decades in many industries in West Virginia, it has long been the coal miners who are most at risk for developing diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis as well as other diseases like black lung.
At this time, 53 of the 55 counties in West Virginia boast active coal mines and, overall, there is a total of 117 “coal seams” – a bed of coal thick enough to be profitably mined – in the state.
The counties in which one found the most prosperous coal mines were usually the counties in which the rate of mesothelioma deaths was also the highest.
Some of the mines and mine-related industries where asbestos disease is/was abundant among workers include:
- Amherst Coal Company, Amberstdale
- Buffalo Coal Company, Bayard
- Academy Mine, Beckley
- Hitchman Coal and Coke, Benwood
- Blacksville Number One Mine, Blacksville
- Consol Coal Company, Buckhannon
- Kline Corp. Mines, Buckhannon
- Consolidated Coal, Capels
- Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing, Charles Town
- ACME Cabin Creek Consolidated Coal Mines/Stevens Coal Company
- And many others (See our complete listing of WV companies that used asbestos)
Coal miners usually didn’t even realize they were being exposed to asbestos dust, and even though they may have worn masks, many still inhaled tiny fibers that eventually made them sick. Sadly, mine executives knew the asbestos was toxic but did nothing to warn the miners.
That’s why many of them are now taking advantage of the services of a West Virginia mesothelioma lawyer, hoping to be compensated for their suffering.
Steel Mills
Coal mining, of course, isn’t the only reason people are searching for a West Virginia mesothelioma attorney after their cancer diagnosis. There are several other industries that used asbestos for decades, including the steel industry.
Inside a steel mill, things are HOT! That’s why asbestos was so often used in mills. Asbestos insulation kept workers from getting burned and helped avoid fires where high temperatures were involved. Many viewed the material as a life saver.
And perhaps it was, when it was in good condition. But as soon as asbestos products are manipulated in any way – cut, sawed, drilled, grinded – asbestos dust is released and can be inhaled by those working near it.
Often, workers were not given the proper gear to keep them from inhaling this toxic dust and, as such, many steel mill workers got sick with asbestos-related diseases, including aggressive mesothelioma cancer.
It’s a sad situation. These individuals – who worked so hard in difficult conditions – were only doing their job. Sadly, company executives weren’t watching out for them. As with coal miners, those in charge at the steel mills often knew that their employees were getting sick due to asbestos exposure yet they kept quiet.
Aside from the obvious dangers associated with working in a steel mill, workers – for the most part – had no idea they were inhaling hazardous dust until a cancer diagnosis was made.
Some of the biggest offenders in the steel mill industry include:
- Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel
- Weirton Steel (also known as National Steel)
- Midwest Steel
- Mountain State Steel
- U.S. Steel
- Collier Steel
- Kline Corp. Mines, Buckhannon
- And many others (See our complete listing of WV companies that used asbestos)
Other Industries
There is a long list of other industries and companies where asbestos was regularly used and where the rates of mesothelioma have been high among former and current employees. These include:
- Chemical companies
- Oil refineries
- Power plants
- Textile mills
- Tire manufacturers
- Railroad manufacturers/railroad yards
- Tool and dye companies
Most would certainly recognize the names of some of the biggest offenders regarding asbestos exposure amongst their employees.
Names like those below are often mentioned in court rooms by West Virginia mesothelioma lawyers who are trying to secure verdicts in favor of their clients.
- Owens Corning
- American Cyanamid
- Alcoa
- Western Electric
- General Electric
- Union Carbide
- 3M
- Lockheed-Martin
- Johns Manville
These are just a handful of the West Virginia companies where employees were regularly and unwittingly exposed to asbestos on-the-job.
Sadly, many who were exposed in the mid to late 20th century are just being diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma because these diseases can take decades to appear, often as much as 50 years.
As such, many of the victims of asbestos disease are advanced in years and their prognosis is not good.
Hiring a West Virginia Mesothelioma Lawyer
Mesothelioma is a horrible, aggressive form of cancer. It strikes long after exposure occurs and – in most cases – it kills rather quickly.
The victim can’t breathe, coughs incessantly, experiences serious chest pain, is fatigued, and can’t carry on with their regularly activities or tasks.
If they are still working, chances are they won’t be able to continue, resulting in a loss of income.
Given the poor prognosis for a mesothelioma patient, it’s obvious as to why many victims of the disease choose to file suit against those who were responsible for their exposure to mesothelioma – exposure that could have been avoided had company execs passed on warnings about asbestos exposure to their employees.
Many victims have had great success in hiring West Virginia mesothelioma attorneys to negotiate settlements for them, resulting in cash awards they can use to pay medical bills and secure their family’s future after they are gone.