Fairbanks Mesothelioma Lawyer

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. 

Early Asbestos Use

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 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 it is currently one of Fairbanks’s largest employers.

Fort Wainwright is one of the most contaminated work sites in Alaska; in 1990, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) added Fort Wainwright to the Superfund list.

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 the most contaminated job sites around Fairbanks is the Golden Valley Electric Power Plant in nearby Healy.

For decades, the energy production facility provided electricity to the growing Fairbanks community during its largest economic boom.

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.

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

Medical Help in Fairbanks

If you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, it’s important to get proper medical care from qualified physicians.

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

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.