Although Idaho is home to naturally-occurring asbestos sites in the Rocky Mountain areas, the health risks, diseases, and deaths associated with asbestos come primarily from the industrial and agricultural industries in the state. It ranks 35th in the nation for asbestos-related deaths. Victims and their families are fighting for justice and working with mesothelioma lawyers.
If you or someone you love suffers from mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may qualify for substantial compensation. Fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the top mesothelioma lawyers in Idaho, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and more.
We are pleased to offer assistance to asbestos victims and their families in all areas of Idaho, including:
Boise, Nampa, Meridian, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Caldwel,l Coeur d’Alen,e Twin Falls, Lewiston, Post Falls, Rexburg, Moscow, Eagle, Kuna, Ammon, Chubbuck, Mountain Home, Hayden, Blackfoot, Garden City, Jerome, Burley, Hailey, Sandpoint, Payette, Rathdrum, Star, Emmett, Middleton, Rupert, Weiser, Preston, Fruitland, Shelley, American Falls, Buhl, Rigby, Gooding, St. Anthony, Kimberly, Mountain Home AFB, Heyburn, Fort Hall, Grangeville, Orofino, Salmon, Soda Springs, McCall, Lincoln, Wendell, Ketchum, Homedale, Filer, Montpelier, Bonners Ferry, Dalton Gardens, St. Maries, Bellevue, Hidden Spring, Kellogg, Malad City, Parma, Spirit Lake, Aberdeen, Victor, Iona, Priest River, Moreland, Driggs, Pinehurst, Wilder, Osburn, New Plymouth, Shoshone, Robie Creek, Sun Valley, Sugar City, Kamiah, Marsing, Glenns Ferry, Hansen, Pau,l Lapwai, Ucon, Ponderay, Challis, Ashton, Tyhee, Plummer, Riverside, Genesee, Cottonwood, Arco, Arbon Valley, Cascade, Grace, Troy, Greenleaf, Inkom, Hagerman, Council, and more.
Idaho Asbestos Facts
- From 1999 to 2013 there were 1,075 asbestos-related deaths in the state.
- There were more mesothelioma deaths and illnesses than deaths caused by asbestosis statewide.
- Yet, in rural areas, there were more asbestosis deaths.
- The majority of asbestos-related deaths in Idaho were in Des Moines and Boise and the outlying areas of both cities.
Where Was Asbestos Used in Idaho?
Many industries in the state used asbestos for decades. It was used in equipment, fireproofing materials, brakes and clutches in cars, and construction materials. Some examples of specific companies that used asbestos and exposed Idaho workers include:
- The Western States Equipment Company, a large machinery company, was once so reliant on asbestos in equipments and products, that it continued to use dangerous mineral even after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned its use. This resulted in significant harm to workers and a series of lawsuits. Murray Burns, a former employee, developed malignant mesothelioma after working at Western States from 1970-1972. He sued the company for damages.
- Another company, Monsanto Co., has faced many lawsuits after former workers were exposed to asbestos. Monsanto Co. and its branch facilities were well-known for exposing workers to toxic substances. By 2003, over 500 lawsuits had been filed against the company.
Many other business in Idaho have been associated with asbestos, including the following:
- Zinn Industrial Supply
- Westinghouse Sponsors Warehouse
- Tra Sponsors Warehouse
- Potlatch Corporation
- Robison Dist Company
- Sullivan Mining Company
- National Reactor Testing Station
- Bunker Hill Smelter
- Ira Sponsors Warehouse
- Western Steel
- Utah Idaho Sugar Company
- National Reactor Testing Station
- Terminal Ice & Cold Storage
- College of Idaho
- Carnation Milk Products Company
- Amalgamated Sugar Company
- Boise Cascade Corporation
- Bonner County Courthouse
- Clover Club Foods
- Fluor Corporation
- Lodge Brothers and Bullet Pawnshop
- Intermountain Gas Company
- Northwest Roads Company
- Plateau Supplies Company
- Southern Industries Piping
- Union Pacific Railroad
- Westvaco Mineral Production
- Yanke Machine Shop
- Northwest Roads Company
- Clover Club Foods
What Are Idaho’s Asbestos Laws?
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality is responsible for the state’s asbestos laws and regulations:
- The state of Idaho regulates asbestos abatement according to the Tier 1 Air Quality Operating Permit, which mandates that a permit must be applied for and approved before asbestos abatement can begin.
- Tier 1 only applies to abatement projects that are typically from huge industrial sources and require a massive cleanup. Smaller projects are exempt from the Tier 1 permit.
- Idaho follows the EPA regulations for asbestos abatement regarding repair, demolition, construction, and/or renovation of both public and private buildings.
- Workers must be certified asbestos technicians before beginning any asbestos abatement project, and must send in a written abatement plan to the state before beginning.
- For Tier 1 projects, written notice must be sent to an Asbestos Compliance Analyst first.
- Workers must always follow the proper hygienic procedures after working around asbestos.
For more in-depth information on Idaho asbestos laws, contact the DEQ state office at 208-373-0502.
Getting Medical Help in Idaho
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos illness, seek treatment from doctors who have specialized knowledge in dealing with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) designates and recommends the best cancer treatment centers across the country.
Although there are currently no NCI-designated cancer centers in Idaho, the closest center, located in Portland, Oregon, is the NCI-designated Knight Cancer Institute.
The Challenges of Filing Asbestos Lawsuits in Idaho
Even though there have been hundreds of mesothelioma deaths and illnesses, Idaho doesn’t have separate laws for asbestos-related lawsuits. Every lawsuit filed for asbestos-related deaths and/or illnesses is considered a personal injury lawsuit.
The statute of limitations for personal injury therefore applies to asbestos cases and Idaho is strict about this time limit. For example, in the Brennan Vs. Owens-Corning Fiberglass Corporation case in 2000, a lung cancer victim filed a lawsuit against her previous employer.
A doctor confirmed her lung cancer was indeed caused by asbestos exposure. In October of 1994, she filed the lawsuit, but since the lawsuit was filed three months after the two-year statute of limitations, her case was dismissed.
In addition to the statute of limitations in Idaho, there is also a cap on the maximum amount of damages a victim can receive. The total amount a victim can receive in Idaho is currently $250,000.
Idaho Statute of Limitations on Mesothelioma and Asbestos Cases
- Idaho Code § 5-201 et seq., which implements personal injury statutes, also applies to the statute of limitations for asbestos cases in Idaho.
- Plaintiffs must file their lawsuit within two years of discovering the disease, or within two years of the victim’s date of death for asbestos-related wrongful death lawsuits.
- Although there isn’t a specific statute in regards to asbestos lawsuits, the personal injury statutes of limitations are strictly adhered to when plaintiffs file an asbestos-related lawsuit.
Getting Legal Assistance in Idaho
Remember, if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may qualify for significant compensation. Get our free Financial Compensation Packet for information on the top mesothelioma and asbestos lawyers in your area. For questions and assistance, feel free to contact us at 800-793-4540.
