Asbestos in the State of Mississippi
Asbestos Exposure in Mississippi
Concern about asbestos exposure can be linked to the wide varieties of industries that are affected by asbestos concerns. Asbestos was once considered the wonder mineral. It was fireproof, provided great insulation value, and was virtually indestructible. With this list of attributes it is easy to see how asbestos made its way into so many building materials. Although there is great discussion about who knew about the dangers and when, it cannot be argued that many of the materials made with asbestos were supposed to be protective gear. It is ironic that this protective material may end up killing many more people than it saved.
At Risk Occupations and Locations in Mississippi
Mississippi, given its location and the types of industries located in it, has more than its share of occupations that are at risk of asbestos exposure. In addition to the construction and power generation traders, there are two shipyards and several oil refineries that also pose a risk for asbestos exposure.
Construction workers suffered from asbestos exposure building, installing, removing and remodeling with building materials containing asbestos. Even after the EPA implemented a ban on asbestos containing products in 1978, the dangers of exposure did not end. The EPA ruling did not require that existing stocks of building material be destroyed. This means, practically speaking, than many construction jobs completed through the early 1980s could contain asbestos building materials. Another cause for concern among construction workers is that the EPA ruling allowed existing asbestos containing material to remain in place. This means that every time a contractor starts a remodeling project he must determine if the building contains asbestos and treat it accordingly.
The hazards of asbestos exposure for power plant workers and oil refinery workers both revolve around the fireproof ability of asbestos. Because both groups work around hot and flammable products, they often had protective gear made with asbestos. This asbestos clothing, if it became ripped or worn thin, could release asbestos into the air causing asbestos exposure. In addition to the protective clothing worn, many of the products used, such as wiring, conduit or drop cloths, contained asbestos to retard flame and electrical currents.
The two shipyards in Mississippi, Ingalls and the Navel Station in Pasacagoula were hotbeds of asbestos exposure. From the 1930s through the 1970s, shipbuilders used asbestos insulation in ships. Working with volume of insulation needed to insulate a Navy ship, it is easy to see how exposure to asbestos became a concern for many Navy Veterans.
Asbestos Related Deaths in Mississippi
Asbestos related diseases are generally considered to be asbestosis and mesothelioma, although asbestos exposure increases many types of cancer, including lung, throat, stomach and gall bladder cancers. Asbestosis is more common than mesothelioma, with nearly twice the cases of asbestosis that resulted in death striking the residence of Mississippi than mesothelioma. Mesothelioma, while less common, is more aggressive, with the average lifespan after diagnosis hovering around one year.
Legal Resources for Mississippi State Residents
There are a variety of lawsuits winding their way through the Mississippi courts. Some 50 cases in 2006 and 2007 alone, with a variety of defendants, including Southland Oil, Chevron, Grand Gulf Nuclear Power Plant and Garlcok, a company that manufactures seals. One interesting case that was heard in Mississippi is that of Harold's Auto Parts , Inc., et al versus Flower Mangialardi, et al. This case involved 264 plaintiffs and 137 defendants. The plaintiffs argued that they suffered asbestos exposure from 600 workplaces over a 75 year span.
The court ruling on this stated that, while class action suits were permitted, the plaintiff had to prove exposure from specific companies within specific time frames. The all inclusive nature of the lawsuit was not allowed by the Mississippi Supreme Court.
While this case shows one end of the spectrum, there are other ways to pursue justice if you have been exposed to asbestos. If you are considering filing suit against a company for exposure to asbestos you should realize that the statute of limitations for both personal injury and wrongful death are three years from the time of diagnosis.
There are a variety of avenues to take when considering a lawsuit against a company for asbestos exposure. Class action suits typically involve a group, or class, of individuals, that file suit against one company. These cases often occur when a group of employees file suit against one employer, although the class can consist of a variety of different groups. In fact you may be involved in a class action suit in which you do not know any of the other plaintiffs.
Whether you are filing suit individually or as part of a class action suit, having an experienced attorney that can answer your questions, understand your medical records, and argue your case in court will go a long way toward your success in the courtroom.
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