West Virginia Mesothelioma Lawyer

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, West Virginia is among the top states in the nation for asbestos-related deaths. If you received a cancer diagnosis after asbestos exposure, contact an experienced West Virginia mesothelioma lawyer to learn about your legal options.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, keep in mind that you may be eligible for significant financial compensation. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on experienced mesothelioma attorneys in West Virginia, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more. 

We are happy to offer assistance in all cities and towns in West Virginia, such as:

Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg, Morgantown, Wheeling, Weirton, Fairmont, Martinsburg, Beckley, Clarksburg, Teays Valley, South Charleston, St. Albans, Vienna, Bluefield, Cross Lanes, Cheat Lake, Moundsville, Bridgeport, Oak Hill, Dunbar, Elkins, Nitro, Pea Ridge, Princeton, Hurricane, Buckhannon, Charles Town, Keyser, New Martinsville, Sissonville, Brookhaven, Grafton, Ranson Point, Pleasant, Westover, Weston, Barboursville, Lewisburg, Ravenswood, Summersville, Ripley, Philippi, Pleasant Valley, Shannondale, Shady Spring, Kenova, Blennerhassett, Williamson, Madison, Crab Orchard, Kingwood, Pinch, Follansbee, Williamstown, Fayetteville, Culloden, Wellsburg, Bluewell, Hinton, Hooverson Heights, Paden City, Chester, Milton, Moorefield, Inwood, Granville, White Sulphur Springs, Bethlehem, Petersburg, Winfield, Spencer, Welch, Shinnston, Shepherdstown, Mannington, Richwood, Daniels, Belington, Star City, McMechen, St. Marys, Bradley, Craigsville, Harrisville, Romney, Fairlea, Stonewood, Ronceverte, Coal City, West Liberty, Alum Creek, Logan, MacArthur, Washington, Prosperity, Montgomery, Boaz, Mount Gay-Shamrock, Nutter Fort, Mineral Wells, and more.

West Virginia Mesothelioma and Asbestos Statistics

• According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), West Virginia ranks number seven in the nation for asbestos-related fatalities, per capita, of 15.9 per million population.
• West Virginia saw 3,072 deaths related to asbestos between 1999 and 2017, with 519 of those being mesothelioma deaths.
• The majority of victims lived in Kanawha and Wood Counties.
• In the 2011 national lawsuit rankings for asbestos-related claims, West Virginia was third in the nation for the highest amount of lawsuits. Many of these cases involved multiple plaintiffs against one company.
• According to a study performed by the RAND Corporation, West Virginia is one of the top five states with the most mesothelioma lawsuits.

West Virginia Asbestos Use in Mining and Other Industries

Mining has always been an important industry in West Virginia. With over 100 coal beds, the state has employed thousands upon thousands of coal miners. These miners were at high risk for developing malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Asbestos fibers lodged in rock and dirt can become airborne during mining and can easily be inhaled or ingested by miners.

Workers were also at risk for asbestos exposure from machinery. Mining equipment, panels, welding blankets, and many other types of equipment contained asbestos.

In Nitro, West Virginia, Fike Chemical, Inc. was designated a Superfund in the 1980s. It has several asbestos hazards along with other toxins. Several parts of the facility that was once Fike Chemical, Inc. contained a massive amount of asbestos.

Other workplaces in West Virginia also posed hazards because of asbestos:

• Steel mills
• Railroad companies
• Oil refineries
• Power companies
• Public schools

There are several specific companies and workplaces that are now known to have contained asbestos and put workers at risk of exposure and illness:

Power Companies

• Albright Power Station
• Monongahela Power Company
• Beech Bottom Power Company
• Ohio Power Company
• Aep Cabin Creek Power Station
• Appalachian Electric Power Company
• Cresap Powerhouse
• Mitchell Powerhouse
• Appalachian Electric Power Company
• Glasgow Powerhouse
• Consolidated Light, Heat, and Power Company
• Fort Martin Power Station
• West Penn Power Station
• Mount Storm Power Company
• Virginia Electric Power & Light
• Rivesville Power Plant
• Allegheny Power Company
• Pleasants Power House
• Willow Island Power House

Industrial Plants

• Point Pleasant Plant
• Cabin Creek Power Plant
• Kammer Plant
• Allegheny Veneer Plant
• Steubenville Plant
• Alpheus Preparation Plant
• Kanawha River Plant
• Philip Sporn Plant
• Natrium Plant

Additional Companies

• Potomac Edison
• Electro Metallurgical Company
• Elkem Metals
• Shell Chemicals
• Beckley National Bank
• Pinecrest Hospital
• United Mine Workers Hospital
• Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel
• Belle Alkali Company
• Belle Works
• E.I. Dupont De Nemours
• Sharples Solvents Corporation
• Wheeling Coke Ovens
• Hudson Paper Company
• West Virginia Glass
• Louis Glass Company

Asbestos Laws in West Virginia

The West Virginia Division of Air Quality governs asbestos removal and disposal.

• Before there is any removal or demolition of a building, an inspection must be done to identify potential asbestos material.
• Prior to the removal of asbestos from a proposed demolition or renovation, the state requires written notice to the state division of air quality at least ten days in advance.
• Before disposal of asbestos products, the state requires a “wetted” process, where the asbestos is damp, and then sealed in an airtight container prior to disposal.
• After the asbestos products are secured, the state requires that the asbestos containers are transported to a state-approved asbestos disposal site.
• The State Bureau of Public Health’s Environmental Services has rules and regulations that require licensing and training for people involved in the inspection and removal process for asbestos.

For further information and more details regarding asbestos inspections and removal, contact the West Virginia DEP at:

• (304) 926-0499 Phone
• (304) 926-0479 Fax

Getting Treatment in West Virginia

Asbestos-related diseases are rare. Find a treatment center that specializes in these types of conditions and can offer the best treatment options.

The University of Virginia Cancer Center in the nearby state of Virginia is backed by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a comprehensive cancer treatment center. The center is recognized for its high-quality cancer care.

Always get medical checkups if you’ve ever worked around asbestos, whether you’re feeling ill or not.

In most cases, mesothelioma symptoms mimic the common cold, and victims brush it off as a minor ailment. If you’ve encountered asbestos, pay close attention to your body, and look for the following symptoms.

West Virginia Statute of Limitations on Asbestos Lawsuits

• W. Va. Code § 55-2-1 et seq. mandates that asbestos-related lawsuits must be filed within the state of West Virginia’s statute of limitations for personal injury.
• The lawsuit must be filed within two years from the date of the discovery of the asbestos-related illness or within two years from the date that the illness should have been reasonably discovered.
• In addition, the two-year statute also applies to wrongful death lawsuits, and the time period starts from the date of the victim’s death.

Getting Legal Help in West Virginia

Remember, if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may qualify for significant compensation. Remember to fill out our form to get your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on experienced asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers in your area. If you need additional assistance, contact us toll-free at 800-793-4540.