Many industries and workplaces in Pennsylvania have used asbestos over the years and caused thousands of cases of exposure. Many of those workers developed mesothelioma and other related illnesses. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help you get compensation if you were negligently exposed to asbestos anywhere in the state.
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 top mesothelioma lawyers in Pennsylvania, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a mesothelioma or asbestos trust fund claim, and much more.
We assist asbestos victims and their families in all areas of Pennsylvania, including:
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, Reading, Upper Darby, Scranton, Bensalem, Lancaster,Lower Merion, Bethlehem, Abington, Bristol Township, Millcreek Township, Harrisburg, Haverford, Lower Paxton, Altoona, Middletown Township, York City, Hempfield Township, Penn Hills, State College, Wilkes, Barre, Northampton Township, Manheim Township, Cheltenham, Norristown, Falls Township, Chester,Mount Lebanon, Warminster, Lower Makefield, Bethel Park, Radnor, Lower Macungie, Ross Township, Ridley, North Huntingdon, Tredyffrin, Williamsport, Cranberry Township, McCandless, Shaler, Upper Merion, Monroeville, Hampden, York Township, Plum Borough, Spring Township, Whitehall Township, Easton, Springettsbury, Horsham, Upper Dublin, Exeter Township, Lower Providence, Lebanon, Montgomery Township, Hazleton, Moon, Derry Township, Susquehanna Township, Springfield Township, Upper Moreland, Swatara Township, Bethlehem Township, East Hempfield, Warrington Township, Marple, New Castle,West Goshen, Unity, Pottstown, Upper Providence Township, Peters Township, Upper Macungie, Dover Township, East Pennsboro, Palmer, Johnstown, Coolbaugh, Chambersburg, West Mifflin, Buckingham Township, Murrysville, Manor Township, Penn Township, Baldwin Borough, Muhlenberg, McKeesport, Springfield Township, Bethlehem, Newtown Township, South Whitehall, Upper St. Clair, Stroud, Whitpain, Lower Southampton, West Manchester.
Facts about Asbestos Use in Pennsylvania
- By the mid-1800s, Pennsylvania’s economy was largely industrial. Industrial workplaces have been the biggest users of asbestos.
- Factories, railroads, and textile mills contributed to the industrialization of Pennsylvania, making the state one of the biggest economic powerhouses in the pre-Civil War U.S. From 1861 until the mid-20th century.
- The industrialized economy and strong growth in Pennsylvania over the years has had a serious impact on worker exposure to asbestos, with most workplaces using it.
- In recent years, Pennsylvania has consistently ranked in the top five or ten states for deaths related to asbestos and mesothelioma.
- Exposure caused 1,675 mesothelioma-related deaths from 1999 to 2008.
- Another 322 people died from other asbestos illnesses.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that Pennsylvania’s mesothelioma death rate is 20.8 per 1 million residents.
Which Industries Used the Most Asbestos in Pennsylvania?
As a state long dependent on heavy industry, Pennsylvania has been home to a number of types of workplaces that used asbestos and contributed to exposure of workers.
Mining
While Pennsylvania is best known for coal mining, there have been several asbestos mines in the state. No longer mined today, asbestos occurs naturally in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Workers extracted large amounts of the minerals before the industry shut down. This put workers and residents in the area at risk. Crocidolite is one of the most dangerous types of asbestos, and it was a major product of Pennsylvania asbestos mines.
Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding and shipping have long been important industries in Pennsylvania. Several major shipyards still operate in the state on the Delaware estuary and Lake Erie:
- Penn Shipbuilding
- Bethlehem Steel Shipyard
- Key Highway Shipyard
- The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
- Sun Shipbuilding
From the 1930s through the 1970s, shipbuilders used asbestos in almost every component and material. Any ship or shipyard workers during those times, and even after, could have been exposed.
Military Bases
Military bases of all types also used asbestos. The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, for instance, likely caused exposure in a number of seamen and other workers because of the heavy use of asbestos on navy ships.
Three other bases may have also caused exposure:
- Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg
- Tobyhanna Army Depot
- Carlisle Barracks
- Joint Reserve Base (JRB) at Willow Grove – Now closed
All of these military facilities operated during the period of peak use of asbestos materials. Many of the men and women stationed there faced the risk of exposure to asbestos fibers.
Plants and Factories
Industrial factories like steel plants, manufacturing facilities, and power stations used asbestos materials. The mineral provided unparalleled heat and fire insulation. Asbestos contamination has been found and documented at Alcoa Aluminum, Bethlehem Steel, Electralloy, Ling-Temco Vought (LTV), and U.S. Steel (USX).
What Are the Asbestos Laws in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania state legislature responded to the dangers of asbestos by passing the Pennsylvania Asbestos Occupations Accreditation Act of 1990. It gives the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) responsibility for regulating the removal, collection, and disposal of ACMs from public and commercial buildings.
- The state’s Department of Labor and Industry enforces the law.
- It says that any person planning an asbestos reduction or abatement project must notify the department at least five days before beginning.
- Pennsylvania’s asbestos abatement rules also follow the federal guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They require any person planning to remove and dispose of asbestos in a public or commercial building notify the agency in advance.
- The EPA guidelines also require that only certified, trained asbestos workers handle asbestos materials.
- Pennsylvania bans non-certified individuals from jobs involving asbestos, including workers, supervisors, project designers, inspectors, planners and contractors.
What is the Pennsylvania Statute of Limitations on Asbestos Lawsuits?
The 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 5501 et seq. is the personal injury statute of limitations for the state of Pennsylvania. It applies to mesothelioma cases.
When filing a mesothelioma or asbestos lawsuit, you must do so within two years of the discovery of the asbestos-related illness.
Asbestos-related wrongful death lawsuits follow the same statute. They must be be filed within two years of the victim’s death.
Pennsylvania Asbestos Legal Assistance
Keep in mind that if you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Don’t forget to fill out our form to get our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the leading asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area. For additional assistance, contact us at 800-793-4540.
