Alaska Mesothelioma Lawyer

Filing an Asbestos Claim in Alaska

If you have mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, an Alaska mesothelioma attorney can assess if you’re eligible and file a personal injury lawsuit or asbestos trust fund claim for you. Families who have lost a loved one to mesothelioma may be able to file a wrongful death claim. Your Alaska mesothelioma lawyer can guide you and your family and manage the legal process for you.

Key Facts About Asbestos Claims in Alaska

1. Alaska law allows 2 years from the date you discover the asbestos-related disease to file a lawsuit. 
2. For wrongful death claims in Alaska, you have 2 years from your loved one’s date of death to file a lawsuit.
3. If the exposure happened during a construction project in Alaska, you must file your claim within 10 years of completion, even if the illness is diagnosed later.
4. State laws limit liability for injuries or damages linked to the production and use of asbestos-containing gravel.

An experienced Alaska mesothelioma attorney will review the details of your case to find out if any special rules apply and help you decide on the best next steps. Your attorney will clearly communicate with you throughout the process from filing your asbestos lawsuit to negotiating a settlement or representing you in court. 

Why Hire an Alaska Mesothelioma Lawyer After Asbestos Exposure?

A lawyer who understands these cases can help you secure the compensation you deserve. It’s important to reach out soon after your diagnosis to ensure you file on time and have time to gather all of the evidence you’ll need for a successful case.

Alaska has a short deadline for filing mesothelioma claims, so acting fast helps protect your financial options. The sooner you and your attorney file, the sooner you may receive help with medical bills, lost wages and other related costs via compensation.

Alaska Mesothelioma Law Firms

If you work with an Alaska mesothelioma law firm, you’ll benefit from having attorneys who understand state court procedures and regulations. These lawyers know the local judges, court staff and how potential juries in Alaska may view asbestos cases.

Alaska asbestos law firms have teams with local insight into known exposure sites and companies linked to asbestos risks. They can help you gather evidence, track down responsible businesses and build a strong case for your claim.

Nationwide Asbestos Law Firms Outside Alaska

Alaska residents diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease may also want to consider hiring a national mesothelioma law firm for their claim. National firms are licensed to practice throughout the United States and bring extensive resources, local knowledge and strong track records of success to each case.

Working with a national firm means you gain access to attorneys who can file your lawsuit in the state or location most likely to get you the highest compensation. These firms have handled cases nationwide and have the experience to take on large corporations. They also make the process easier, traveling to meet with you or arranging virtual meetings so that you can focus on your health and family.

Asbestos Compensation in Alaska

In Alaska, many people with mesothelioma have received substantial compensation from settlements and trial verdicts. Actual payout amounts depend on several factors, including the details of your asbestos exposure and the extent of the defendant’s responsibility for your exposure.

Mesothelioma settlements usually range from $1 million to $2 million. Across the country, the average trial verdict for mesothelioma cases is $20.7 million. Top lawyers have also helped clients get 6-figure payments from asbestos trust funds. 

Top Alaska mesothelioma lawyers can also help clients determine if a bankrupt company with responsibility for your exposure has set up an asbestos trust fund. An experienced Alaska asbestos attorney will review your work history and medical records to help you file according to each trust’s specific requirements if you’re eligible.

Alaska Asbestos Laws and Regulations

Alaska has a mix of federal and state laws that regulate asbestos and aim to protect the public from exposure. Alaska Occupational Safety and Health, a division of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, is the primary state agency responsible for regulatory compliance and enforcement regarding asbestos handling, removal, certification and worker safety. 

Alaska Asbestos Laws and Regulations

• Alaska Administrative Code 8 AAC 61.600–790, Asbestos Abatement Training and Notification: Details state requirements for asbestos abatement training programs, instructor qualifications, certificate issuance, project notification, monitoring and recordkeeping for asbestos abatement activities.
• Alaska Code Title 18, Chapter 31, Asbestos: Establishes the state’s asbestos health hazard abatement program, outlines requirements for asbestos abatement in public schools and the University of Alaska. 
• Alaska Statute 18.31.200, Certification of Asbestos Workers: Requires that anyone performing asbestos abatement work be certified through a program approved by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. 
• Alaska Statute 18.31.250, Naturally Occurring Asbestos: Governs use and liability related to naturally occurring asbestos, provides immunity under certain conditions and sets requirements for civil actions involving naturally occurring asbestos.

To ensure compliance, Alaska requires the identification, safe handling and proper disposal of asbestos-containing materials during demolition and renovation projects. Most projects must be reported at least 10 days in advance and only certified professionals can perform asbestos abatement. Violations can lead to severe legal and financial penalties.

How Are People Exposed to Asbestos in Alaska?

Alaskans have faced asbestos exposure through various sources, particularly because of its widespread use in industries across the state. Processed asbestos was commonly used in commercial products like insulation, pipe and furnace wraps, roof shingles, floor tiles and textured paints.

Alaska Sites Known for Asbestos Exposure

• Alaskan Pipeline: Asbestos was present at the Alaskan Pipeline in Valdez. Asbestos-containing materials were widely used during the construction and operation of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System.
• Arctic Surplus Salvage Yard: After years of military and industrial activity, the former salvage site in Fairbanks became heavily contaminated with hazardous materials, including more than 22,000 pounds of asbestos. Cleanup efforts were completed in 2006, and the site was subsequently removed from the EPA Superfund list.
• Bonnie Brae Quarry, California Creek Mine, Lemon Creek Quarry, Treadwell Quarry and Slate Creek Asbestos: These are all known as major asbestos mining sites in the state. 
• Elmendorf Air Force Base, Ladd Air Force Base at Fairbanks and U.S. Naval Base at Kodiak: Asbestos was used extensively in aircraft, vehicle parts and building construction, putting Air Force personnel at risk of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. 
• Mountain Aviation of Sitka: The company and its manager, Mark Hackett, pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Air Act in 1998 when they improperly handled and disposed of asbestos. They hired teenagers to clean up asbestos without protective gear and disposed of it near a school. The company agreed to pay a $50,000 fine, fund medical monitoring for the teens and publish a public apology in state newspapers.

In July 2023, a federal judge dismissed Alaska’s lawsuit against the U.S. government over toxic contamination, including asbestos, on Native corporation lands transferred under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. The court ruled the government was only obligated to identify the sites and not clean them up. Some of the sites pose health risks to nearby Alaska Native communities. 

Many buildings constructed before 1980, including schools in Alaska, likely contain legacy asbestos materials. These materials require regular inspections to ensure they don’t pose a health risk. If asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed, schools may need to close temporarily to carry out proper asbestos abatement and protect students and staff from exposure.

Occupations & Industries Known for Asbestos Exposure in Alaska

Many Alaskans have faced occupational asbestos exposure in key industries such as oil, gas, mining, shipbuilding, construction and the military. Asbestos was commonly used in equipment, insulation and building materials, putting workers and often their families at risk.

Higher-Risk Jobs in Alaska

• Construction
• Electricians
• Firefighters
• Machinists
• Military personnel
• Milling
• Mining
• Oil refining
• Power generation
• Shipbuilding
• Teachers

In Alaska, companies may be held liable in court for secondary asbestos exposure, which occurs when workers unknowingly bring asbestos dust home on their clothes, skin or hair. Family members can inhale these toxic microscopic fibers without realizing the danger. This type of exposure has been linked to serious health conditions, including mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

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