Page Updated December 16, 2025

Former Firefighter Cites Manipulation of Data in Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Page Reviewed and Edited by

Mesothelioma Attorney Paul Danziger

Firefighters face many hazards as part of their job, including the risk of malignant mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos on the job. A lawsuit filed by a Colorado man has accused several companies of conspiring to hide the dangers of the hazardous material from him when he served as a firefighter in Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, as well as when he served as a boiler operator in Nebraska City.

During much of the 20th century, firefighters were routinely exposed to asbestos through building materials, insulation, protective equipment, and machinery encountered during emergency responses and maintenance work. In many cases, these exposures occurred without adequate warnings or safety guidance, leaving firefighters unaware of the long-term health risks associated with inhaling asbestos fibers. Over time, repeated exposure could significantly increase the likelihood of developing serious asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma Lawsuit Names Several Defendants

The mesothelioma lawsuit filed by Starr Snyder names the manufacturers of numerous asbestos-contaminated products as defendants, as well as Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. He alleges that American Optical Corporation, Cleaver Brooks, Inc., DAP, Inc., Honeywell International Inc., Kaiser Gypsum Company and Mine Safety Appliances Co. LLC conspired with the insurer to change data included in a study of asbestos safety that would have served as a warning to him and to others.

According to Snyder’s lawsuit, the 1935 study examined asbestos-related health hazards at asbestos mines in Canada and the United States. He claims that the company changed scientists’ conclusions, indicating that the mineral was safe and leading him and others exposed to the material to remain unaware of its dangers. He subsequently was exposed to it and breathed in its fibers while working as a Lincoln firefighter from 1960 to 1964, as a boiler operator at a Nebraska City hospital from 1964 to 1965, as a repairman from 1965 to 1966 and as a firefighter again from 1966 to 1992.

Mesothelioma Lawsuit Points to Warnings Provided to Companies’ Own Employees

In support of his mesothelioma lawsuit, Snyder includes proof that some of the companies named in his suit warned their own employees of the dangers of asbestos, advising them against inhaling the carcinogenic material yet failing to provide those same warnings to first responders and workers like himself at risk of breathing in asbestos-contaminated fumes, smoke, dust and fibers. He is seeking compensation for the pain and suffering he has endured as well as for his anticipated early death.

Why This Case Matters for Firefighters and Other First Responders

This lawsuit raises serious concerns about how asbestos risks were communicated to firefighters and other first responders for decades. Firefighters routinely work in environments where older materials, industrial equipment, and building components may contain asbestos. When scientific data about asbestos hazards is allegedly altered or suppressed, it prevents workers from making informed decisions about their health and safety. Courts increasingly recognize that withholding or manipulating safety information may form the basis of liability when long-term illnesses such as mesothelioma develop years later.

Legal Options After Occupational Asbestos Exposure

Firefighters and other workers diagnosed with mesothelioma may have the right to pursue legal action against companies that failed to disclose known asbestos risks. Depending on the circumstances, claims may involve product liability, negligence, or failure to warn. Consulting with a qualified mesothelioma lawyer, asbestos attorney, or legal advocate experienced in occupational exposure cases can help individuals and families understand potential compensation, statutes of limitation, and available legal remedies. Each case is unique, and experienced legal counsel can help evaluate evidence, work histories, and corporate responsibility.