Top Fairbank mesothelioma lawyers are now helping victims of asbestos exposure fight for justice. The presence of mines, energy production sites, transportation infrastructure, and several military bases in the Fairbanks area exposed residents and workers to this harmful mineral.
If you or someone you love are a victim of mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be entitled to substantial compensation for pain, suffering, medical expenses, and more. We invite you to fill out our form today for a free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information about top Fairbanks mesothelioma lawyers, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file an asbestos trust fund claim, and much more.
Many clients begin receiving compensation in as few as 90 days, with additional checks arriving over the next year until the case is fully resolved. The timeline for mesothelioma payouts can vary based on the specifics of each case, but rest assured, our dedicated team is committed to securing the maximum compensation for you as swiftly as possible.
By starting with our Financial Compensation Packet, you gain insights into the entire process, from initial claims to the final resolution, ensuring you’re informed every step of the way.
FREE Financial Compensation Packet
- Info on law firms that will recover your HIGHEST COMPENSATION
- Learn how to get paid in 90 days
- File for your share of $30 billion in trust funds
Understanding Mesothelioma and Its Connection to Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer primarily affecting the lining of the lungs, although it can also target other organs such as the abdomen or heart. The primary cause of this disease is exposure to asbestos, a mineral once widely used for its durability and resistance to heat.
How Asbestos Leads to Mesothelioma
Asbestos fibers are microscopic and, when disturbed, can easily become airborne. Inhalation or ingestion of these fibers poses serious health risks. Once inside the body, they can embed themselves in the mesothelium—a thin layer of tissue covering most internal organs. Over decades, these fibers can trigger inflammation and genetic damage, eventually leading to cancerous growths.
The Latency and Symptoms
One of the challenges with mesothelioma is its long latency period. Symptoms often do not manifest until 20 to 50 years after the initial exposure. When they do appear, they can mirror those of other conditions, making early detection difficult. Common symptoms include chest pain, persistent cough, and difficulty breathing, which can easily be mistaken for less severe respiratory issues.
The Importance of Awareness
Understanding the risks associated with asbestos and recognizing the symptoms of mesothelioma are crucial for early diagnosis and treatment. As awareness grows, efforts to minimize exposure and improve safety standards continue, offering hope for reducing future cases of this devastating disease.
Understanding Mesothelioma Settlement Amounts
When pursuing legal action for mesothelioma, settlement amounts can vary significantly. Generally, individuals can expect average settlements that vary depending on whether the case settles outside of court or proceeds to a trial.
Typical Settlement Ranges
- Out-of-court Settlements: These typically range from $1 million to $1.4 million. This is a common path as it usually allows for quicker resolution and less stress compared to a court trial.
- Court Trial Awards: If the case goes to trial, the compensation can increase substantially, often ranging up to $11.4 million. Trials can be more unpredictable, but they may result in higher awards if the verdict is favorable.
Factors Influencing Settlement Amounts
Several elements can affect the final settlement, including:
- Severity of Illness: The extent of the illness and its impact on daily life.
- Medical Expenses: Current and anticipated medical costs.
- Lost Income: Compensation for lost wages and diminished earning capacity.
- Liability: The degree of negligence or responsibility of the defendant.
- Legal Representation: The expertise and experience of your legal team.
Each case is unique, and these figures can serve as a general guide when considering legal options for compensation related to mesothelioma.
Asbestos in Fairbanks
- Although it is one of Alaska’s largest cities, Fairbanks is relatively small. There are about two asbestos-related deaths per year in the area.
- Fairbanks has the third-highest rate of asbestos deaths in the state.
- Mining, construction, power generation, and military bases have been major sources of asbestos exposure in Fairbanks.
How Does Secondhand Asbestos Exposure Occur?
Secondhand asbestos exposure can occur in several unexpected ways, primarily affecting those who have never worked directly with asbestos. Here’s how it happens:
- Transferred Fibers: Individuals working with asbestos materials often carry microscopic fibers on their clothing, hair, and skin. When they return home, these fibers can easily transfer to furniture, carpets, and other household items.
- Contaminated Laundry: Washing clothes that have been exposed to asbestos can release fibers into the laundry area and even onto other garments. This creates a risk for anyone handling or laundering these clothes.
- Airborne Particles: Asbestos fibers can become airborne not only during work but also during routine activities, such as cleaning or shaking out contaminated clothing. These particles can then be inhaled by anyone in the vicinity, including family members.
This insidious form of exposure underscores the importance of stringent safety protocols for those who handle asbestos and the need for awareness about the risks it poses even beyond the workplace.
Early Asbestos Use in Fairbanks, Alaska
The first settlement in Fairbanks was founded in 1901 as a trading post for miners and prospectors looking for gold.
In 1903 it was incorporated and named after Charles Fairbanks, a U.S. Senator from Indiana who served as Vice President under President Theodore Roosevelt’s second Administration.
Most of the early buildings in Fairbanks were built solely with readily available materials, such as timber. These construction materials were highly flammable, and in 1906 a fire burned much of the city’s original downtown area.
The city rebounded, but later construction would include many asbestos-containing materials.
Asbestos in Military Bases
In 1939, the government built Ladd Army Airfield outside of Fairbanks. This development helped create jobs, and the influx of workers resulted in a population and economic boom.
This led to more construction with asbestos materials, but the bases themselves also contributed to the asbestos problem.
Ladd was transferred to the newly created U.S. Air Force in 1947 and tested aircraft in cold weather. Since the 1960s, the base operated as the Army’s Fort Wainwright and is currently one of Fairbanks’s largest employers.
Fort Wainwright is one of Alaska’s most contaminated work sites; in 1990, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) added Fort Wainwright to the Superfund list.
Can Veterans Receive Compensation for Mesothelioma Related to Military Service?
Yes, veterans who have developed mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure during their military service may be eligible for compensation. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers a range of benefits tailored specifically for these circumstances.
Key Benefits Available:
- Disability Compensation: Mesothelioma typically qualifies for a 100% disability rating. This means that affected veterans may receive substantial monthly compensation, potentially exceeding $3,800.
- Health Care Services: Veterans are entitled to free medical care to manage their condition and improve their quality of life.
By filing a claim with the VA, veterans can access these crucial benefits. It’s important to gather evidence of asbestos exposure during service to support the claim.
The Trans-Alaska Pipeline
Fairbanks’ largest population and economic boom resulted from creating the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) between 1974 and 1977. The pipeline crosses 800 miles of Alaska from Prudhoe Bay in the north to the port of Valdez.
The building of the pipeline and a nearby pumping station transformed Fairbanks into a boomtown.
Ongoing construction of buildings related to the pipeline and residential homes included asbestos, especially after the 1950s.
Golden Valley Power Plant
One of Fairbanks’ most contaminated job sites is the Golden Valley Electric Power Plant in nearby Healy.
During its largest economic boom, the energy production facility provided electricity to the growing Fairbanks community for decades.
It was closed in 2000 because it was heavily polluted by large amounts of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and other toxic substances, including coal dust, throughout much of the facility.
As in most power plants built before the 1980s and before the EPA’s regulation on asbestos use at job sites, Healy contained large amounts of asbestos in almost every component of the coal-fired facility.
Asbestos was used in:
- Floor tiles
- Insulation
- Roofing materials
- Boilers
- Electrical tape
- Steam pipes
- Wiring insulation
- Fire-resistant hazard suits
- Work gloves and gear
- Fire blankets
Asbestos was also used as an additive in metals used to manufacture workbenches and tables installed throughout the plant.
It could be found in heavy machinery, especially in areas that generated high temperatures and high-voltage electric currents.
The Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA) brought Healy Unit 1 back online due to the aging of other power plants in downtown Fairbanks.
Arctic Surplus Salvage Yard
Located just a few miles outside of the city, the former Arctic Surplus Salvage Yard is now a Superfund site. It was used as a public landfill and later a private salvage yard that disposed of military surplus materials.
Arctic Surplus became a Superfund site in 1990. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began cleaning the site immediately. Among many other toxins, the EPA removed 22,000 pounds of asbestos. Cleanup ended in 2006, and the site is now under long-term monitoring.
Job Sites and Businesses Associated with Asbestos Use in Fairbanks
Other buildings and workplaces where asbestos has been found in and around Fairbanks include:
Schools
- University of Alaska
Military
- Ladd Air Force Base
- Eielson Air Force Base
Additional Job Sites and Buildings
- City of Fairbanks Power Plant
- Fairbanks Exploration Company
- Fort Wainwright Utilities (manholes)
- Sea-Land of Fairbanks
- United States Smelting, Refining, and Mining Company
Occupations at Higher Risk for Asbestos Exposure
In addition to these locations, certain occupations are more susceptible to asbestos exposure due to the nature of their work. Jobs at risk include:
- Auto or aircraft mechanics
- Boilermakers
- Cabinet makers
- Carpenters
- Construction workers
- Custodial and maintenance workers
- Drywall installers
- Electricians
- Factory workers
- Firefighters
- Insulators
- Miners
- Painters
- Plumbers
- Shipyard workers
- U.S. Military service members
Even individuals who have not worked directly with asbestos can be affected through secondhand exposure. This risk highlights the importance of awareness and preventive measures in both occupational and non-occupational settings.
Why Do I Need a Fairbanks Mesothelioma Lawyer?
If you have mesothelioma, you were most likely negligently exposed to asbestos. This means you can hold companies accountable for damages. By filing a lawsuit or making a claim with an asbestos trust fund, you can get the compensation you need for medical care and other expenses.
You may be entitled to compensation, but asbestos lawsuits are complicated. You need an experienced mesothelioma lawyer and a firm with national reach. They can best represent you, prove your asbestos exposure, and maximize your compensation.
In Fairbanks, if you’re considering filing a mesothelioma lawsuit, it’s crucial to understand the relevant time limits. The law imposes a statute of limitations of two years for filing such claims. This period can start from when the diagnosis is confirmed or, in the case of a deceased victim, from the date of death. It’s important to act within this timeframe to pursue compensation effectively. Missing this deadline generally means you lose the opportunity to bring forth a legal claim related to mesothelioma.
Navigating a mesothelioma case can be overwhelming, but hiring the right law firm can make a significant difference—especially when budget constraints are a concern. Some legal firms specialize in mesothelioma cases and offer their services with no initial fees or out-of-pocket expenses. Here’s how they typically assist without upfront costs:
- Contingency-Fee Arrangement: These firms operate on a contingency-fee basis. This means they only receive payment if they successfully secure compensation for you. Essentially, their payment is a percentage of the settlement or awarded compensation, aligning their interests with yours.
- Risk-Free Representation: From consultations to gathering evidence and negotiating with manufacturers, these firms handle every step of the legal process. Without upfront costs, clients can focus on their health and recovery.
- Access to Resources: Firms working on contingency often have access to substantial resources and expert networks. They invest in comprehensive investigations and expert testimonies without requiring clients to bear the financial burden.
- Clear Communication: Throughout the case, they maintain transparency about potential outcomes and costs, ensuring clients understand their financial obligations only arise when their case is settled successfully.
Ultimately, such an approach allows individuals affected by mesothelioma to seek justice and potential compensation without financial barriers hindering their pursuit.
Family members can indeed pursue legal action if a relative passes away due to mesothelioma. In such cases, filing a wrongful death lawsuit is a common course of action for seeking justice and compensation.
Who Can File?
Eligible parties generally include:
- Spouses
- Children
- Parents
- Representatives of the deceased’s estate
Why File a Lawsuit?
The compensation from these lawsuits can be crucial. It may help cover outstanding medical bills, funeral and burial costs, and any lost income that the deceased provided. Additionally, it can provide financial relief and a sense of justice for the family’s loss.
Filing a wrongful death lawsuit is not just about financial compensation, though. It’s also a way to hold accountable those responsible for exposing the deceased to asbestos, which is a key cause of mesothelioma.
How to File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Fairbanks
Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit isn’t just about seeking justice; it’s about navigating a structured legal process to get compensation for exposure to harmful asbestos. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you understand how it works in Fairbanks:
Step 1: Initiate Contact
- Reach out for a consultation: Begin by contacting a qualified asbestos attorney for a free case evaluation. This can often be done via phone or through an online contact form.
Step 2: Case Assessment
- Case evaluation: If your case is viable, the attorney will delve into your work history, pinpointing asbestos exposure sites and establishing medical diagnoses linked to asbestos.
Step 3: Evidence Gathering
- Compiling evidence: Your legal team will gather critical evidence, including employment records and medical documentation, to build a strong case.
Step 4: Filing the Lawsuit
- Legal claim submission: Your attorney will file the lawsuit in the appropriate jurisdiction within Fairbanks, Alaska, targeting the parties responsible for your asbestos exposure.
Step 5: Negotiation and Settlement
- Pursue a settlement: The primary goal is often to negotiate a fair settlement. A significant majority of mesothelioma cases resolve via settlements outside of court, sparing clients from lengthy trials.
Step 6: Trial Proceeding
- Court trial: In cases where a settlement isn’t achieved, your attorney will represent you in court. This involves presenting your case before a judge and jury, advocating for a favorable verdict.
By following these steps, you can embark on the path toward securing compensation for your mesothelioma diagnosis, guided by experienced legal professionals who understand the intricacies of Fairbanks, Alaska’s legal landscape.
How Does a Law Firm Gather Evidence for a Mesothelioma Case?
Building a mesothelioma case requires a meticulous approach to gathering evidence, especially since asbestos exposure often occurs decades before any diagnosis. Here’s how law firms tackle this challenge:
1. Historical Exposure Investigation
The first step involves diving into the history of asbestos exposure. This can mean digging back 20-50 years to identify potential sources. Lawyers often work with medical and occupational experts to trace exposure paths that may not be immediately obvious.
2. Compiling Extensive Databases
Experienced law firms have often amassed years of data related to asbestos:
- Documenting Exposure Locations: Firms maintain detailed records of known sites where asbestos exposure was likely, such as specific factories or shipyards.
- Cataloging Products: They compile lists of products historically known to contain asbestos, which can be crucial in identifying potential exposure.
- Investigating Responsible Companies: By tracking historical business records, a firm can pinpoint companies that might have used or manufactured asbestos-containing materials.
3. Utilizing Expert Networks
Law firms collaborate with industrial hygienists, medical professionals, and historians to corroborate evidence and provide credible testimony. This professional network helps to reconstruct the likely scenarios of exposure.
4. Legal Research and Case Building
The gathered evidence is then used to craft a compelling legal narrative. This involves:
- Document Review: Scrutinizing employment records, medical documentation, and more.
- Legal Precedents: Leveraging previous court rulings on similar cases to strengthen the claim.
By combining historical data, expert testimony, and entrepreneurial investigation, law firms strive to unearth the full extent of asbestos exposure and identify those responsible, laying the groundwork for a robust legal case.
Mesothelioma Treatment in Fairbanks
If you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, getting proper medical care from qualified physicians is important.
Choose a physician and cancer center specializing in mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses.
The Fairbanks Memorial Hospital’s J. Michael Carroll Cancer Center provides comprehensive, innovative treatment for people living with cancer, including those who suffer from an asbestos-related disease.
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital & Denali Center
1650 Cowles St.
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 452-8181
Paul at Mesothelioma Lawyer Center provided outstanding support when my family faced a mesothelioma diagnosis. From the start, his professionalism and genuine care were evident. Paul explained every step of the legal process with patience and empathy.
–Patrick M
His meticulous attention to detail and expertise ensured our case was handled swiftly and efficiently. What truly impressed us was Paul’s responsiveness—he was always quick to reply and kept us well-informed throughout.
I highly recommend Mesothelioma Lawyer Center.
Getting Legal Help in Fairbanks and Additional Information
If you have mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and much more. Don’t forget to fill out our form to get our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area.
