Mississippi Mesothelioma Lawyer
Unfortunately, the asbestos public health problem is still a resident in Mississippi.
Mississippi may be known as an agricultural powerhouse that birthed American blues music, but the Hospitality State was once at the center of an industry that has cost countless lives.
“The overall evidence suggests there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.”Source: National Cancer Institute (NIH)1 |
For decades, hundreds of thousands of Mississippians—from Biloxi to Corinth, and Greenville to Columbus—lived, worked, and interacted with asbestos, a potent carcinogen that can cause serious medical ailments up to and including cancer.
Today, we know that there is no “safe” level of exposure to any type of asbestos.
However, asbestos was once a mainstay of Mississippi industry, used to fireproof homes, reinforce consumer products, and protect American heroes from the elements.
While the federal Environmental Protection Agency issued its final ban on most asbestos products in the late 1980s, the long-lasting legacy of asbestos contamination continues to impact Mississippians of all ages.
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If you believe that you were exposed to asbestos, even as a child, speak to a healthcare provider about tests and screening to help diagnose lung-scarring and screen for asbestos-related diseases.
Asbestos in the Hospitality State
Asbestos is a naturally occurring category of mineral. Every type of asbestos shares certain, common characteristics, including innate resistances to heat, water, and electricity.
Since asbestos is inherently resilient, it was once prized by product manufacturers and construction companies, which used this so-called “miracle mineral” to fabricate inexpensive homes and durable goods.
While scientists suspected that asbestos could pose a health hazard as early as 1924, the asbestos industry actively suppressed adverse information, putting its profits over public health.
Mississippi, like most other states in the American Southeast, has no significant asbestos deposits of its own. However, companies across the state imported vast quantities of asbestos to use in power plants, oil refineries, and shipyards.
Nobody knows the true extent of asbestos contamination in Mississippi, but experts say that asbestos should be presumed present in any structure built before or during the 1980s.
The health risks of asbestos exposure can include:
| Mesothelioma: cancer of the mesothelium, the thin layer of tissue surrounding the body’s organs. This cancer is only known to be caused by asbestos exposure. | Lung cancer |
| Laryngeal cancer: cancer of the larynx (section of the throat called the voicebox) | Ovarian cancer |
| Stomach cancer | Colon cancer |
| Pharyngeal cancer | Asbestosis: a chronic lung disease associated with asbestos exposure |
| Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) | Atelectasis (collapsed lung) |
| Pleural effusion (collection of fluid around the lungs) | Pericardial effusion (collection of fluid around the heart) |
Asbestos Resources in Mississippi
The Mississippi State Government provides limited assistance to residents who believe that their homes, or workplaces, could be affected by asbestos.
“Generally, those who develop asbestos-related diseases show no signs of illness for a long time after exposure.”Source: National Cancer Institute (NIH)2 |
Government resources include:
Asbestos regulation and oversight.The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, or MDEQ, regulates asbestos-containing materials and removal operations.
Asbestos removal.
The MDEQ also maintains a comprehensive list of individual persons and companies licensed to perform asbestos removal and abatement services.
Smokers exposed to asbestos are up to 50 times more likely to develop lung cancer than nonsmokers who aren’t exposed.3 |
School and structural safety.
The federal Environmental Protection Agency, as well as the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, mandate that most schools be regularly inspected for asbestos.
The Asbestos Industry in Mississippi Occupational asbestos exposure is by far the leading cause of asbestos-related illnesses and fatalities.
“All forms of asbestos are carcinogenic to humans.” 4
Asbestos exposure the workplaces and industries of Mississippi
Asbestos experts believe that Mississippians who work in, or worked in, any of the following Industries could be at increased risk of asbestos exposure:
Oil and Gas:
Mississippi has a short coastline, but it is still a critical player in the oil and gas industry. Companies including Hess, Chevron, Southland Oil, and the Grenada Oil
Mississippi Companies used large quantities of asbestos-containing materials in their ordinary operations.
Asbestos has no taste or smell.
You may not know you’re breathing it.
Power Plants:
Since power plants suffer a higher-than-normal risk of structural fires, many were constructed with asbestos-based fireproofing agents. The Grand Gulf Company, Jack Watson Powerhouse, and the Gulf Plant all used asbestos in their machinery, equipment, and generators.
“The overall evidence suggests there is no safe level of asbestos exposure.”Source: National Cancer Institute (NIH)5 |
Shipbuilding:
Asbestos was found on most ships built before or during the 1970s, including United States Navy vessels. Anyone who worked on seafaring vessels, or worked in or around shipyards, could have been exposed to asbestos.
“Some asbestos fibers may bypass…your body’s natural defenses…and lodge deep within your lungs. Those fibers can remain in place for a very long time and may never be removed.”Source: American Lung Association |
Chemical Production:
Anyone who worked at Mississippi Chemical, the Spencer Chemical Company, or the Vicksburg Chemical Company may have been exposed to asbestos.
Lumber and Paper:
The Mississippi lumber and paper used asbestos for a wide range of purposes. Asbestos was used in vehicle brakes and gaskets, as well as other types of equipment.
While occupational asbestos exposure is responsible for a disproportionate number of mesothelioma and cancer diagnoses, other Mississippians—including Mississippians who never worked with or around asbestos—could also be at risk.
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| Nearly every building constructed before the mid-1980s contained asbestos products and building materials. |
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Other Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure could also occur through the following routes:
Second-hand asbestos exposure.
People who lived with former asbestos workers may have been inadvertently exposed to asbestos. When asbestos disintegrates into dust or microscopic fibers, it can attach itself to human skin, clothing, and fixed objects. Over time, people subjected to second-hand asbestos exposure could inhale massive amounts of fiber, potentially culminating in the development of serious medical conditions.
1 in 5
In studies of asbestos disease, 1 in 5 cases of asbestos exposure were caused by secondary asbestos exposure.6
Household asbestos exposure.
The E.P.A. banned most asbestos products in 1989, but it never mandated that asbestos companies remove and destroy asbestos-containing materials that had already been sold to the public. Today, most American homes built before or during the 1980s contain asbestos products.
These products pose little risk when they are left undisturbed, but any routine construction work or renovations could disturb residual asbestos.
Sharing a home or vehicle with someone wearing asbestos-tainted clothing puts you at risk of asbestos-related diseases. 7 8 9 10 11
Environmental asbestos exposure.
Environmental asbestos exposure could occur when asbestos is present in groundwater, soil, or air. When Hurricane Katrina hit Mississippi in 2005, hundreds of asbestos-containing homes were destroyed by strong winds and storm surges.
While hurricane-related asbestos exposure was identified as a cause for concern by the state and federal governments, they never measured actual environmental concentrations of asbestos after the storm.
Do You Qualify For Compensation?
Quickly and easily find out how you were exposed by searching W.A.R.D., the largest asbestos database on the planet.
FREE SEARCH >Getting Help After an Asbestos Injury
The Law Offices of Justinian C. Lane, Esq.-PLLC, are committed to providing unparalleled assistance to the victims of the Mississippi asbestos industry.
Unlike many other law firms, our attorneys have a first-hand understanding of asbestos’s most devastating effects: our founder, Justinian C. Lane, lost his father and his grandparents to asbestos-related cancers.
When his parents passed away, Justinian—like most Americans—did not know that they could claim compensation to pay off their remaining medical bills or fund a funeral.
However, now that the dangers of asbestos are accepted as a matter of fact, courts across the country have upheld the rights of the asbestos industry’s many victims.
Compensation for asbestos illness
| If you, or a loved one, have been injured by asbestos, our attorneys could help you obtain compensation from: |
A personal injury lawsuit An insurance settlement A dedicated asbestos damages fund |
| Depending on the circumstances of your asbestos claim, you could receive damages for: |
Past, present, and anticipated medical expenses Physical rehabilitation Prescription medication Experimental mesothelioma treatments Disability Emotional pain and suffering Loss of enjoyment Loss of companionship Wrongful death |
| Mississippi, like most states, does not currently cap the damages that an asbestos injury plaintiff could receive through a personal injury lawsuit or dedicated asbestos trust. However, some asbestos claims are time-sensitive. If you wait too long to contact a lawyer, your case could be automatically dismissed by the court. |
Over $30 Billion is still available (No lawsuit. No fees unless you receive money. No risk.) Stake your claim.  |
How an Experienced Asbestos Claims Lawyer Could Help You Obtain Compensation
The Law Offices of Justinian C. Lane Esq., PLLC, offers the unparalleled resources necessary to challenge the asbestos industry. We could help you:
Investigate your asbestos injury claim and identify potential sites of asbestos exposure using our Worldwide Asbestos Research Database, W.A.R.D.
AsbestosClaims.Law
At AsbestosClaims.Law, our mission to secure compensation for asbestos victims is more than professional; it’s personal.
Our founder, Justinian C. Lane, understands the devastating impacts of asbestos firsthand.
Both his grandparents and father, all asbestos workers, passed away from asbestos-induced cancers without realizing their eligibility for asbestos lawsuits or other forms of compensation.
We aim to prevent such tragic oversights by informing and guiding victims and their families through their legal options.
If you or your loved ones have suffered as a result of asbestos exposure, you could be eligible for considerable compensation. These funds could provide for medical treatments, asbestos removal services, and safeguard your health.
In addition, asbestos trusts offer compensation without the need for a lawsuit, providing a quicker, simpler path to justice.
Reach out to us at [email protected] or (206) 455-9190 for assistance with your claim. We offer compassionate listening, clear explanations, and we don’t charge a dime unless we win your case.
Beyond legal claims, we also advise on veterans’ disability, social security, and employment protection like workers’ compensation, FELA, and The Jones Act for maritime workers.
There’s no risk or cost to connect with our experienced team about your rights. Our commitment to your well-being means no fees unless you receive compensation.
| For further queries or concerns about asbestos, explore our website and YouTube page, featuring infographics, videos, and answers to common questions on asbestos-related topics. |
We’ve also introduced W.A.R.D., the Worldwide Asbestos Research Database. It’s the most comprehensive resource for asbestos-related information.
W.A.R.D. assists in pinpointing potential exposure scenarios, asbestos-containing products, and can indicate the types and potential amounts of compensation you may be entitled to receive.
Don’t delay — get in touch with us today!
1 National Cancer Institute (NIH), Asbestos Fact Sheet.
2 National Cancer Institute (NIH), Asbestos Fact Sheet.
3 Klebe, S., Leigh, J., Henderson, D.W. and Nurminen, M., 2020. Asbestos, smoking and lung cancer: an update. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(1), p.258.
4 IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. Arsenic, metals, fibres, and dusts. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans. 2012 ;100(Pt C):11-465. PMID: 23189751.
5 National Cancer Institute (NIH), Asbestos Fact Sheet.
6 Tompa E, Kalcevich C, McLeod C, Lebeau M, Song C, McLeod K, et al. The economic burden of lung cancer and mesothelioma due to occupational and para-occupational asbestos exposure. Occup Environ Med 2017; 74: 816-22.
7 Anua, S.M., Semple, S., Shakri, S.F.M., Safuan, S., Mazlan, N. and Asri, A.A.M., 2019. A review of the take-home exposure pathway of workplace hazards. International Journal of Medical Toxicology & Legal Medicine, 22(3and4), pp.13-19.
8 Ferrante, D., Bertolotti, M., Todesco, A., Mirabelli, D., Terracini, B. and Magnani, C., 2007. Cancer mortality and incidence of mesothelioma in a cohort of wives of asbestos workers in Casale Monferrato, Italy. Environmental Health Perspectives, 115(10), pp.1401-1405.
9 Miller, A., 2005. Mesothelioma in household members of asbestos‐exposed workers: 32 United States cases since 1990. American journal of industrial medicine, 47(5), pp.458-462.
10 Reid, A., Heyworth, J., De Klerk, N. and Musk, A.W., 2008. The mortality of women exposed environmentally and domestically to blue asbestos at Wittenoom, Western Australia. Occupational and environmental medicine, 65(11), pp.743-749.
11 İşten, B.H.S.T.O. and Maruziyetler, E.T., 2021. Exposures Moved from Work to Home as a Public Health Hazard.