Contact an experienced Pittsburgh mesothelioma lawyer if you worked with asbestos or have a related illness. Pittsburgh’s steel industry used asbestos for many years to protect against heat and fire. Asbestos exposure resulted in deadly diseases, like mesothelioma, in some workers.
If you or a loved one have been injured in Pittsburgh and has mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be entitled to compensation. Fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the experienced mesothelioma lawyers in Pittsburgh, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and more.
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
Pittsburgh Asbestos Facts
- Pennsylvania saw over 17,000 asbestos-related deaths between 1999 and 2017.
- The highest number of asbestos deaths during that time was in Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh, with 1,969.
- Pittsburgh’s long history with steel was a major factor in exposing workers and residents to asbestos.
Asbestos and Mesothelioma in Pittsburgh, PA
Many industries and workplaces in Pittsburgh used asbestos. Asbestos is a natural mineral that was once prized for its ability to insulate and resist heat and fire. No longer used very much today, it was heavily used in construction, manufacturing, and many industrial workplaces throughout the 1900s.
Workers who handled or worked near asbestos were at risk of inhaling its tiny fibers. Inside the body, these fibers cause tissue inflammation and cell damage.
In some people, the damage caused by asbestos fibers leads to illnesses, including:
- Pleural mesothelioma
- Peritoneal mesothelioma
- Asbestosis
- Lung cancer
Who Is at Risk for Mesothelioma in Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh’s industrial legacy has left thousands of workers at risk. If you worked in environments such as factories, manufacturing plants, steel mills, power plants, or refineries, you might have been exposed to asbestos. Construction sites and older buildings also pose significant risks, particularly for those involved in renovations without prior asbestos checks.
Beyond workplaces, older homes in Pittsburgh may contain asbestos. While most exposure occurs on the job, the risk extends to residential areas. Renovating or finding decaying asbestos materials in these homes could potentially lead to exposure.
Understanding these risks is crucial, as asbestos exposure can have serious health consequences. Identifying potential exposure sources in both occupational and residential settings can help in taking necessary precautions.
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, but it is almost always caused by asbestos exposure. It most often develops around the lungs (pleural) and causes symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pains. Mesothelioma is a devastating illness. It is an aggressive cancer with a poor prognosis.
Do I Need a Pittsburgh Mesothelioma Lawyer?
If you have a diagnosis of mesothelioma, you need to talk to a lawyer. Mesothelioma is almost always caused by negligent asbestos exposure. Companies that exposed you to asbestos without warnings or adequate protections can be held liable for expenses related to your illness.
Recovering compensation for these costs is the main reason people sue for mesothelioma. To do so successfully, you need an experienced asbestos attorney guiding you.
With the right guidance, there are multiple avenues to explore:
- Contact Asbestos Trusts: These trusts exist to offer compensation to victims of asbestos exposure. An attorney can help you access these funds, which can cover medical bills and other related expenses.
- Negotiate a Settlement: Often, cases are resolved through settlements. An experienced attorney will negotiate on your behalf to ensure you receive a fair amount without the need for a prolonged trial.
- File a Lawsuit for Wrongful Death: If a family member has tragically passed away due to asbestos exposure, you might consider filing a wrongful death lawsuit. This can secure compensation for loss and provide some financial relief during a difficult time.
Each of these outcomes requires strategic legal action, underscoring the importance of having skilled legal representation by your side.
What Will a Mesothelioma Lawyer Do for Me?
When you hire a mesothelioma or asbestos lawyer in Pittsburgh, they will start by reviewing your case for free. If they believe you have a case, your mesothelioma lawyer can do several things to help you and your family:
- Answer all your questions and help you decide what to do next.
- Investigate your work history and find the companies responsible for your asbestos exposure.
- Build a strong case with evidence to prove you were exposed to asbestos and that this resulted in your illness.
To strengthen your case, your lawyer will:
- Investigate the Source: They will conduct a thorough investigation to find proof of where, when, and how you were exposed to asbestos. This involves gathering detailed documentation and records from your employment history and other potential exposure sites.
- Collaborate with Medical Experts: Your lawyer will connect you with medical specialists who can provide expert testimony and reports confirming that your illness was caused by asbestos exposure. This medical evidence is crucial for substantiating your claims.
- File Claims and Lawsuits: They will file a claim on your behalf with an asbestos trust fund, if applicable, and may also file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against responsible parties.
- Negotiations and Litigation: Your lawyer will negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf, but if necessary, they are prepared to litigate your case in court to secure a jury award.
- Seek Additional Benefits: If you were exposed to asbestos during military service, they can assist you in seeking and obtaining VA benefits.
By combining investigative diligence with expert medical collaboration, your lawyer ensures that all necessary evidence is compiled to build a compelling case. Whether through settlements or court verdicts, they aim to secure the compensation you deserve.
Where Was I Exposed to Asbestos in Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh is well known for the steel industry, which used a lot of asbestos. Many other industries and workplaces in the area also used asbestos and put workers at risk of exposure. These are just a few examples of where you might have been exposed.
Pittsburgh Steel Mills and Asbestos
Until the 1970s, the steel industry formed the backbone of Pittsburgh’s economy. The rapid growth of the railroad industry in the mid-19th century created a demand for steel. The proliferation of steel mills in the area earned Pittsburgh the nickname “Steel City.”
Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel (now USX) became the largest steel company in the U.S. in 1901 after Carnegie Steel merged with the Federal Steel Company and the National Steel Company.
During World War II, Pittsburgh’s steel mills produced 95% of all the steel in the U.S.
Almost every steel company in Pittsburgh has been associated with heavy asbestos use at one point in time.
The damage caused by asbestos is irreversible, but exposure dropped dramatically with the industry’s decline in the 1970s. Thousands of Pittsburgh steelworkers lost their jobs during the recession of the early 1980s.
Other Asbestos-Related Industries
Pittsburgh’s economy is strongly associated with steel, but other important industries operated here.
Coal and iron mining were the precursors to the growth of steel plants. Pittsburgh’s factories and steel mills consumed huge quantities of coal from area mines.
In the 20th Century, the city diversified its economy. Oil, food processing, shipbuilding, and power-generating companies began to operate various facilities in Pittsburgh.
These industries were heavy users of asbestos-containing materials, especially in plants and factories built before the mid-1970s and early 1980s.
Many of the employees and contractors who worked for these companies have gotten sick. Some have only recently experienced the symptoms of mesothelioma, as the disease can lie dormant for decades.
Transportation and Asbestos in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is a major transportation hub that links western Pennsylvania to the rest of the world. Three major airports are located in the Pittsburgh area and provide passenger, cargo, and general services:
- Pittsburgh International Airport
- Arnold Palmer Regional Airport
- Allegheny County Airport
Freight and passenger trains run on various railway lines connecting Pittsburgh to other East Coast and Midwest cities, including the Pittsburgh Line to Harrisburg and the Norfolk Southern Railway.
All of these transportation industries used asbestos in machinery, equipment, brakes, and other components.
Businesses Associated with Asbestos in Pittsburgh
Many other industries in Pittsburgh used asbestos, including construction, leaving many older buildings laden with the harmful mineral:
Plants
- B & W Main Tube Plant
- Bellefield Border Plant
- Central Power Plant
- City of Pittsburgh Mayview Plant
- Corning Glass Plant
- Eliza Furnace Plant
- Elrama Power Plant
- H W Oliver’s Central Power Plant
- Henry Phipps Central Power Plant
- Papercraft Plant
- Pilot Plant
- Singer Nimick Plant
- South Side Plant
- Stanwix Heating Plant
- U. S. Steel Chemical Plant
Schools
- Saint Anselm High School
- Bailey High School
- Bethel Senior High School
- Carnegie Technical School
- Chartier Valley High School
- The Ellis School
- Northview Heights Elementary School
- Old Fourth Ward School
- Penn Township Junior High School
- South Hills High School
Steel Companies
- Aliquippa Steel Company
- Amer Sheet Steel Company
- American Sheet Steel Company
- Apollo Iron Steel Company
- Bethlehem Steel Mill
- Canonsburg Iron and Steel Company
- Carbon Steel Company
- Carnegie Steel Company
- Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporation
- Clarion Steel Works
- Clinton Iron and Steel Company
- Colonial Steel Company
- Crucible Steel Company of America
- Pittsburgh Des Moines Steel
- Edgewater Steel Company
- Empire Reeves Steel Company
- Great Lakes Steel
- Hainsworth Steel Company
- Homestead Steel Works
- Illinois Steel Company
- J&L Steel Corp
- Oliver and Snyder Steel Company
- Otis Steel Company
- Park Steel Works
- Parkersburg Iron and Steel Company
- Pittsburgh Steel Foundry
- Pittsburgh Iron and Steel Engineering Company
- Pittsburgh Steel Casting Company
- Pittsburgh Steel Foundry
- Republic Iron and Steel Company
- Schoen Steel Wheel Company
- Shenango Steel
- Sharon Steel Hoop Company
- Shelby Steel Tube Company
- Shoenberger Steel Company
- Shulenberger Steel Company
- Spang Steel and Iron Company
- Standard Steel Car Company
- U.S. Steel Corporation
- Union Steel Casting
- Usx Steel Mill
- Zug Iron and Steel Company
Hospitals
- Allegheny General Hospital
- Braddock Hospital
- C. Howard Marcy State Hospital
- Elizabeth Steel Magee Hospital
- John J Kane Hospital
- Montefiore Hospital
- Passavant Hospital
- St Francis Hospital
- St Margaret’s Hospital
- St. John’s General Hospital
- West Pennsylvania Hospital
Am I Still at Risk of Being Exposed to Asbestos in Pittsburgh?
Most asbestos exposures occurred in the past, but the risk has not disappeared. This is mostly because asbestos was used so heavily in construction. Many buildings in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area contain old asbestos materials.
A recent incident in Churchill illustrates the risk. The Alleghany County Health Department fined a contractor over $1 million for illegal practices during an asbestos abatement project at the former Westinghouse headquarters. The contractor’s actions put workers and nearby residents at risk of asbestos exposure. The money paid in fines will go to Alleghany’s clean air fund.
This is not the first time asbestos has posed a threat in Pittsburgh. A poignant case involved a teacher who worked at South High School in the 1950s. Decades later, she developed mesothelioma, a severe illness linked to asbestos exposure, and subsequently passed away. Her family pursued legal action against the Pittsburgh School District and other defendants, bringing to light the lurking dangers of asbestos in older buildings.
In a significant ruling, a judge determined that the school district could not evade the lawsuit, emphasizing that employers have an obligation to maintain a reasonably safe work environment. This legal precedent underscores the critical importance of addressing asbestos risks, both in current abatement projects and in the legacy of older structures.
Together, these incidents highlight the ongoing battle against asbestos exposure in the region, reflecting both regulatory actions and personal stories that continue to bring attention to this public health issue.
Mesothelioma Treatment in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is home to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Hillman Cancer Center. It has been designated a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute.
The designation highlights the facility’s expert staff, innovative treatments, and cutting-edge research and clinical trials.
The Hillman Cancer Center is staffed by physicians and surgeons specializing in treating various cancers, including mesothelioma. The Mesothelioma Specialty Care Center works with patients with pleural or peritoneal patients.
How Much Is a Mesothelioma Claim Worth?
Compensation depends on your diagnosis, exposure history, and the type of claim. The table below shows the main paths and typical ranges.
| Claim type | What it covers | Typical range / source | Lawsuit needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asbestos trust funds | Claims paid from bankrupt asbestos manufacturers’ trust funds | $30B+ available across active trusts; each trust sets its own payout schedule | No — filed directly, often in months. Trust fund payouts → |
| Mesothelioma settlement | Negotiated recovery from solvent companies that caused the exposure | Averages ~$1M–$1.4M (varies widely by case) | Yes — a lawsuit is filed; most cases settle before trial |
| Wrongful-death claim | Filed by a surviving spouse or family after the patient has passed | Medical bills, lost income, and loss of companionship | Yes — must be filed within the state deadline. Wrongful death → |
| VA benefits | For veterans with an asbestos-related disease from military service | VA disability compensation plus health care (not a lawsuit) | No — a separate VA claim. Veterans benefits → |
Getting Legal Help in Pittsburgh
Remember, if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be entitled to substantial damages for lost wages, medical expenses, pain, suffering, and more. Don’t forget to fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area. If you need additional assistance, contact us toll-free at 800-793-4540.
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