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James F. Humphreys & Associates, L.C. has successfully represented over 15,000 individuals and families who suffered losses from diseases caused by exposure to asbestos. Other lawyers often refer clients to our law firm, trusting our knowledge to bring successful claims and lawsuits on behalf of mesothelioma and lung cancer victims. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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What You Need To Know About Asbestos
In the past, asbestos was used widely in building materials, consumer products and automotive parts. Workers in many industries from shipyards to steel plants were exposed to asbestos. A large percentage of them suffered from serious illnesses, such as mesothelioma, or died as a result of their exposure.
Federal regulations now restrict the use of asbestos, but do not outright ban its use. Under the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) restrictions in Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, employers are required to provide a workplace environment “free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.”
Pursuant to this statute, regulations have been issued concerning the use of asbestos in the workplace.
Asbestos Causes Mesothelioma
It is well documented that mesothelioma develops as a result of exposure to asbestos. Workers in various industries breathed in dust containing asbestos for years unaware of the potential consequences. The dangers of asbestos were known for decades before it was regulated. Companies that knew of the dangers, and did not alert their workers, are potentially liable for resulting injuries.
Workers may still suffer from asbestos-related illnesses due to past exposure since the symptoms of many diseases, like mesothelioma, take years to appear after asbestos exposure.
How We Can Help You
James F. Humphreys & Associates, L.C. has focused on mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cases for decades. Our attorney has helped numerous individuals and families obtain the relief they deserve to cover expenses and acknowledge their pain and suffering.
Over our many years of practice, we have developed and continue to maintain an informational database detailing the employers and manufacturers that put their employees at risk for asbestos exposure. James F. Humphreys & Associates, L.C. have represented more than 15,000 asbestos clients. In fact, many personal injury lawyers refer their clients to us, knowing that our team has the knowledge and resources they do not have, but that their clients need.
We understand our clients’ needs and that this process is difficult. We are here to assist you every step of the way until your claim has been heard and settled. No matter how long ago you or your loved one was exposed, you have a right to have your case reviewed.
The Facts About Asbestos
The law firm of James F. Humphreys & Associates, L.C. has been successfully handling cases for asbestos victims for more than 40 years. The following are facts and answers to questions we frequently share with those whom we represent:
Asbestos was lauded for its fire resistant abilities and was mined in numerous locations throughout the world, becoming very popular during the Industrial Revolution. Locomotives, the textile industry, steam engines and other manufacturing processes benefited greatly from asbestos use.
During World War II, many ships and planes were built using asbestos-containing materials. The housing and construction industry also took advantage of asbestos until the United States Congress was forced to recognize the life-threatening effects asbestos had on people and passed legislation limiting asbestos use.
The first legal cases regarding asbestos in the United States emerged in the 1930s, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that the courts were hit with large numbers of asbestos lawsuits. Even today, while certain uses of asbestos are prohibited, asbestos use is not completely banned in the United States. The last U.S. asbestos mine to close was the King City Asbestos Company (KCAC) mine in California in 2002.
Many of our clients who suffered lung damage from asbestos exposure are already deceased or retired. Successful representation in these cases involves tracing their asbestos exposure to the responsible employers and manufacturers. James F. Humphreys & Associates, L.C. maintains an extensive database of information about workplaces and products that we use to help us litigate our clients’ cases. Other lawyers often refer clients to our law firm because of our record of success.
Some workers who could have been exposed to asbestos:
- Power plant workers: Power companies used asbestos in insulation, to cover pipes and boilers, in protective clothing and blankets, and in construction products such as concrete, fireproofing, joint compounds and plaster.
- Chemical plant workers: Asbestos was commonly used in chemical plants in insulation, protective clothing, blankets and construction.
- Steel mill workers: Asbestos was widely used in insulation and molds, as well as protective clothing worn by steel mill workers.
- Electricians: Electricians may still encounter asbestos when routing electrical wires and cables through insulation in older buildings.
- Spouses and family: Spouses and family members of workers may have been exposed to asbestos fibers when washing or handling clothing worn by exposed workers.
Many power plant workers were exposed to asbestos on the job, putting them at risk for developing mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer and various cancers of the gastrointestinal tract later in life. If you or a loved one have developed an asbestos-related disease you may be entitled to compensation.
Asbestos in the Power Industry
Power companies used asbestos in insulation, to cover pipes and plumbing, in protective clothing and blankets, and in construction products such as concrete, fireproofing, joint compounds, plaster and other building materials. Asbestos may have been released from these products as they aged, or were damaged or worked on, exposing workers to the dangerous fibers.
The following list contains just some of the power plants in the West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky region where workers may have been exposed to asbestos:
- AEP Central/Philip Sporn Power Plant in New Haven, West Virginia
- Albright Power Station in Albright, West Virginia
- Beech Bottom Power Station in Beech Bottom, West Virginia
- Big Sandy Power Station in Kenova, West Virginia
- Cabin Creek Power Station in Cabin Creek, West Virginia
- Fort Martin Power Station in Maidsville, West Virginia
- Gavin Power Plant in Cheshire, Ohio
- Glasgow Power-Kanawha River Power Station in Glasgow, West Virginia
- Harrison Power Station in Haywood, West Virginia
- John Amos Power Station in Winfield, West Virginia
- Kammer Power Station in Captina, West Virginia
- Kyger Creek Power Plant in Cheshire, Ohio
- Logan Power Station in Logan, West Virginia
- Mitchell Power Station in Captina, West Virginia
- Monongahela Power Station/Rivesville Power Plant in Rivesville, West Virginia
- Mount Storm Power Station in Mount Storm, West Virginia
- Mountaineer Power Plant in New Haven, West Virginia
- Philip Sporn Power Station in Graham Station, West Virginia
- Pleasants Power Station/Willow Island Power Station in Willow Island, West Virginia
If you or a family member worked in a chemical plant, you may have been exposed to asbestos, which can cause mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer or cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. If you or a loved one developed an asbestos-related illness due to workplace exposure, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
At James F. Humphreys & Associates, L.C. we are experienced in these types of cases and we know how to get crucial evidence needed to build a strong argument on your behalf. Call us toll free or complete our online form for your free consultation.
Asbestos in Chemical Plants
In chemical plants, asbestos was commonly used in insulation, pipes and plumbing, boilers, tanks, pumps and valves, protective clothing and construction. As a result, workers may have breathed in dust containing asbestos while performing their duties.
The dangers of asbestos were known for decades before it was regulated. Companies that knew of these risks, but did not alert workers or make their products safe, may be liable for resulting injuries, even if disease symptoms don’t appear for years. Our firm represents both workers and family members of workers who have died from asbestos-related illnesses in pursuing compensation.
The following list contains just some of the power plants in the West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky region where workers may have been exposed to asbestos:
- Allied Chemical Company in Nitro, West Virginia
- Allied Chemical Plant in Moundsville, West Virginia
- Celanese Chemical in Point Pleasant, West Virginia
- Diamond Shamrock-Chemicals Inc. in Kingwood, West Virginia
- DuPont Chemical Plant in Beech Bottom, West Virginia
- Fike Chemical in Nitro, West Virginia
- General Chemical in Point Pleasant, West Virginia
- Mobay Chemical Plant-Bayer in Natrium, West Virginia
- Mobay Chemical-Miles Corp. in Natrium, West Virginia
- Monsanto Chemical in Natrium, West Virginia
- Monsanto Chemical Plant-Solutia and Monsanto Chemical in Nitro, West Virginia
- Novamont Chemical-Aristech in Kenova, West Virginia
- Occidental Chemical in Belle, West Virginia
- Pantasote Chemical in Point Pleasant, West Virginia
- PPG Industries Chemical Plant in Natrium, West Virginia
- Stauffer-AKZO Chemical in Point Pleasant, West Virginia
- Union Carbide Chemical Plants in Anmoore, Institute, Sistersville and South Charleston, West Virginia
Steel Plant workers may still suffer from asbestos-related illnesses due to past exposure. Steel workers may have been exposed to asbestos in machinery, molds, or insulation if the materials were damaged or disturbed and asbestos fibers became airborne.
The following list of some of the steel mills in the West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky region details some of the locations where workers may have been exposed to asbestos:
- ACF Industries in Huntington, West Virginia
- American Alloys-Foote Mineral-Vanadium in New Haven, West Virginia
- Blaw-Knox Rolls Foundry in Wheeling, West Virginia
- Blaw-Knox Steel in Wheeling, West Virginia
- Carnegie Steel in Charleston, West Virginia
- Connors Steel-HK Porter Steel of WV in Huntington, West Virginia
- Follansbee Steel in Follansbee, West Virginia
- Huntington Alloy Specialty Metals Plant-formerly Inco Alloys in Huntington, West Virginia
- Kaiser Aluminum in Point Pleasant, West Virginia
- Mountain State Steel Castings Foundry in Parkersburg, West Virginia
- Union Carbide-Elkem Metals in Alloy, West Virginia
- Weirton Steel in Point Pleasant, West Virginia
- Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel in Follansbee, West Virginia
- Wheeling-Pittsburgh Coke Plant-Mountain State Carbon in Follansbee, West Virginia
- Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Fabrication Plant in Beech Bottom, West Virginia
- WV Malleable Iron in Point Pleasant, West Virginia
There are several articles in the West Virginia Code concerning asbestos. For example, Chapter 16, Article 32 of the West Virginia Code finds that asbestos is a “dangerous toxic substance and harmful to the citizens of this state” and declares that anyone who handles asbestos removal must be specially licensed to do so.
People who worked with or around asbestos-containing materials are at risk for developing asbestos related disease. In addition, asbestos fibers were commonly used in building materials before the 1980s, so older homes may contain asbestos which can be released when the material is damaged or disturbed.
James F. Humphreys & Associates, L.C. is Ready to Handle Your Case
For many years, our firm has been trusted by clients across West Virginia. In even the most challenging cases, our firm's track record shows our ability to help clients secure favorable results.
