Columbus Mesothelioma Lawyer

An experienced Columbus mesothelioma lawyer can help you fight for justice and compensation if you have been diagnosed with an asbestos illness. Columbus has a long industrial history that includes employers and companies that exposed workers to asbestos.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. We invite you to fill out our form today for a free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information about experienced mesothelioma lawyers in Columbus, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file an asbestos trust fund claim, and much more. 

Columbus Asbestos Facts

• Columbus and Franklin County had nearly 650 deaths from mesothelioma and other rare asbestos illnesses between 1999 and 2017.
• Manufacturing of construction materials, chemicals, pesticides, and fertilizers contributed significantly to asbestos exposure in Columbus workers.
• A mineral and fertilizer processing plant outside of Columbus received shipments of asbestos-tainted vermiculite from Libby, Montana.

When Do I Need a Columbus Mesothelioma Lawyer?

You need a mesothelioma lawyer in the area if you have a diagnosis of mesothelioma or another asbestos illness. Asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma, a rare cancer. Asbestos exposure is almost always negligent, meaning the responsible companies can and should pay. Mesothelioma typically develops in the outer lining of the lungs, known as pleural mesothelioma. This cancer is not only rare but also aggressive and deadly, with no known cure.

The disease is solely caused by exposure to asbestos, a fact that underscores the critical nature of responsible handling and legal accountability. While treatments offer some hope and can improve quality of life, mesothelioma is generally terminal.

Symptoms and Onset

Symptoms might not appear until 10 to 40 years after asbestos exposure. Common signs include:

• Painful and persistent coughing
• Respiratory problems
• Dolor en el pecho
• Lumps of tissue on the chest
• Pérdida de peso inexplicable

For abdominal mesothelioma, symptoms can include abdominal pain or swelling and nausea.

No Safe Exposure Level

It is crucial to understand that no amount of asbestos exposure is safe. Even minimal contact could eventually lead to a mesothelioma diagnosis, emphasizing the importance of strict regulations and accountability for asbestos handling.

An experienced lawyer will help you understand your legal rights and will represent you in negotiations for compensation.

Mesothelioma and asbestos cases are complicated and require expertise and deep knowledge of asbestos in Columbus. Don’t settle for an offer from an insurance company when a lawyer can get you more.

How to Choose a Mesothelioma Lawyer

Hiring a lawyer for your asbestos case is important. Even more essential is choosing the right lawyer. These cases are complicated. You need an experienced lawyer who has handled and won asbestos lawsuits for similar clients.

Also look for a lawyer who is part of a larger firm. Asbestos law firms have the resources to investigate and prove your mesothelioma case. Without evidence, it’s difficult to recover damages.

The right lawyer will offer you a free initial consultation to review your case and answer questions. They should also offer you contingency payment. This means you pay nothing until they win.

What Kind of Compensation Can I Get for Mesothelioma?

Asbestos exposure is negligent, so you are entitled to compensation for the expenses of having mesothelioma. Settlement negotiations and jury awards take several factors into account when determining fair compensation:

• Gastos médicos pasados y actuales
• Estimated future medical expenses
• Travel expenses for treatment
• Home care and medical equipment
• Salarios perdidos
• Dolor y sufrimiento

Is There a Time Limit for Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in Columbus, Ohio?

Yes, there is a time limit. It is called the statute of limitations. In Ohio, you have two years from when you were diagnosed with mesothelioma to file a lawsuit. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible after your diagnosis so you don’t miss the chance to get the compensation you deserve.

Where Was I Exposed to Asbestos in Columbus?

Many industrial workplaces in and around Columbus used asbestos in the past. They put workers at risk of exposure and resulting illnesses. These are just a few examples of where Columbus residents and workers came into contact with asbestos.

Beer Breweries in Columbus

Columbus has had a strong presence in beer brewing and manufacturing since the 1850s.

German immigrants founded many breweries in Columbus, including August Wagner Breweries, Capitol Breweries, L. Hoster Brewing Company, y más.

Workers at breweries were exposed to asbestos. It was used in much of the machinery and structures of breweries. Asbestos was prized at the time for its affordability, ease of use, and resistance to heat and fire.

Owens Corning Corporation

Owens Corning is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of fiberglass, insulation, resins, shingles, and roofing products.

One of the company’s biggest achievements was the 1932 discovery of an efficient way to make glass fibers. This development made Columbus a center for manufacturing.

Thousands of Owens Corning employees worked around asbestos daily. Owens Corning used asbestos in various products, including insulation, side panels, roofing material, fiberglass, cement, and more.

In fact, Owens Corning was one of the first companies to manufacture fiberglass insulation containing asbestos.

The first lawsuit against Owens Corning over asbestos came in 1978. Two workers filed a mass lawsuit on behalf of themselves and 5,000 other former Owens Corning workers.

The plaintiffs claimed Owens Corning and other asbestos manufacturers knew and hid health risks from workers.

In 1997, another lawsuit was filed against Owens Corning in Florida when former worker, Deward Ballard, developed mesothelioma after prolonged asbestos exposure at one of the company’s work sites.

Ballard was awarded over $30 million when the jury agreed that the company hid information regarding the dangers of asbestos for more than 30 years.

In 2000, Owens Corning filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy after more than 240,000 asbestos-related lawsuits were filed against the company.

In 2006, the Owens Corning Fiberglass Asbestos Personal Injury Trust was created. The company funded the trust with $7 billion. By 2008, it had already awarded $361 million to claimants.

O.M. Scott and Sons Company

Just outside of Columbus, the O.M. Scott and Sons Company processed vermiculite. Today it is the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company that makes fertilizers and pesticides.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry reports that the site processed vermiculite, a mineral, between 1967 and 2001. During this time, it received more than 400,000 tons of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite from the mines in Libby, Montana.

The report indicates that former workers were exposed to hazardous levels of asbestos. Their families may also have been exposed.

Kroger Bakery

In 2022, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that the state would fund the cleanup of over 100 brownfield sites in the state. These included an asbestos-contaminated former bakery in Columbus.

Half Baked Holdings, LLC in Columbus received over $3 million to remediate asbestos. The location operated as a Kroger bakery for more than 90 years. Workers at that time would have been at risk of exposure to asbestos.

Other Columbus Job Sites and Buildings with Known Asbestos

Schools

• Linmoor Middle School
• Columbus St. School
• Ohio State University
• Parsons Elementary School

Hospitals

• Columbus State Hospital
• Mercy Hospital
• Mount Carmel Hospital
• Riverside Hospital
• White Cross Hospital

Asbestos Products and Chemical Works

• Asbestos Service Company
• Ashland Chemical
• GFS Chemical Company
• Momentive Chemical
• Gahanna Usalco Plant
• Ohio Chemical Services, Inc.
• Avantec
• Columbus Chemical Industries

Historic Places

• Ohio Institution for Feeble-Minded Youth
• The Hartman Hotel
• Columbus Museum of Art

Military Installations

• Rickenbacker Air Force Base/Air National Guard Base
• Ohio Army National Guard
• U.S. Army Department
• U.S. Army Reserve Center
• U.S. Navy Department
• Beightler Armory
• U.S. Defense Logistics Agency
• U.S. Defense Department

Ongoing Asbestos Exposure in Columbus, Ohio

Most workplace asbestos exposure occurred in the past, but some people are still at risk in Columbus. Many buildings were constructed with asbestos. Today, some of those buildings still contain asbestos and put residents and workers at risk of exposure.

A recent example is the Latitude Five25 apartment tower. Residents were forced to evacuate the building on Christmas Day in 2022 due to asbestos concerns and other problems.

The owner was trying to sell Latitude Five25, but the deal fell through after the incident. A court fined the owners $4.3 million and required the owners to give up the building immediately.

The Eastland Mall is another site in Columbus with asbestos issues. Currently shuttered, the mall remains abandoned, with many maintenance needs neglected. These include nearly $54,000 worth of asbestos abatement work. The current owners may demolish the building rather than remediate it.

Cancer Centers in Ohio

There are two National Cancer Center Institute (NCI) certified Cancer Centers in the state of Ohio that provide medical treatment to patients with asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma.

These facilities have qualified specialists in oncology, radiology, and surgery.

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Care Center

James Cancer Center and Solove Research Institute
300 West 10th Avenue, Suite 159
Columbus, OH 43210
(614) 293-5066
Outside Ohio, dial 1-800-293-5066

Case Comprehensive Cancer Care Center

11100 Euclid Ave., Wearn 151

Cleveland, OH 44106

(216) 844-8797

Understanding Mesothelioma: Symptoms and Characteristics

Mesothelioma is a particularly aggressive form of cancer primarily affecting the mesothelium, the thin layer of tissue covering most internal organs, but it is most common in the outer lining of the lungs. Due to its rare and lethal nature, understanding its symptoms and characteristics is crucial.

Key Characteristics

• Cause: The primary culprit behind mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. It is a fibrous mineral once commonly used in construction materials.
• Latency Period: One of the defining features of mesothelioma is its long latency period. Symptoms often surface decades—usually between 10 to 40 years—after the initial exposure to asbestos.
• Prognosis: While treatment can improve quality of life and extend survival, this cancer remains incurable and usually terminal.

Síntomas

Mesothelioma symptoms can vary based on the affected area, but some common signs include:

• Persistent Cough: This can be painful and is a frequent symptom for those with pleural mesothelioma affecting the lung lining.
• Breathing Difficulties: Respiratory issues are common, often accompanied by chest pain.
• Chest Lumps: Tissue lumps may develop in the chest area.
• Weight Loss: Unexplained and sudden weight loss can signal an underlying issue.

For those with mesothelioma in the abdomen, symptoms may manifest as:

• Abdominal Pain and Swelling: Feelings of discomfort or visible swelling in the abdomen.
• Náuseas: Persistent nausea can also be a symptom of abdominal mesothelioma.

Safety Reminder

It’s critical to remember that no level of asbestos exposure is deemed safe. Even minimal contact can eventually lead to a mesothelioma diagnosis. If you suspect any exposure, monitoring symptoms and seeking medical consultation is highly advised.

When my husband was diagnosed we had no idea what to do. Our doctor said we should reach out to an attorney to talk about compensation. After talking to several firms we found the mesothelioma lawyer center and were grateful we did. They helped with every step of the way. If you need a meso attorney then I would recommend contacting them

– Isabelle D.

Getting Legal Help in Columbus

No olvides rellenar nuestro formulario para obtener nuestro regalo gratis. Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area. If you need additional assistance, contact us 800-793-4540.