There are many residents of Colorado who have developed mesothelioma cancer as a result of exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring material that can be found in various parts of Colorado, such as Aspen, Boulder, Denver and Colorado Springs. Along the San Juan Mountains, there are areas that contain amphibole asbestos, which is one of the most dangerous types of asbestos.
Asbestos in its natural state is not harmful to the human body. However, if the mineral is disturbed, the tiny fibers that are woven together can separate, forming a dust that can be easily inhaled through the mouth or nose. If inhaled, the fibers can become lodged in the lining of the chest; and overtime, can lead to severe irritation and illnesses such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.
If you lived or worked in Colorado and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related cancer, you should consider speaking with a mesothelioma lawyer. A qualified attorney can get you and your family the compensation you need to pay for the mound of medical bills, long-term treatments and other financial burdens that come with a cancer diagnosis. A financial recovery can also help you secure the financial future of your family members.
Our services are free unless we obtain a settlement or jury award for you and your family — so you have nothing to lose. To learn more, call (800) 352-0871.
Colorado Jobsites Responsible for Asbestos Exposure
In addition to the naturally occurring asbestos found in the state, Colorado residents and workers have also been put at risk for asbestos exposure by various industrial sites. Some of the major culprits include power plants such as Conoco and Ultramar-Diamond.
Due to its resistance to heat and fire, asbestos was heavily used throughout power plants in areas such as:
- In the buildings themselves: asbestos insulation was used in almost every facet of the buildings that housed the equipment, such as in the floors, the walls and ceilings.
- Inside the machinery: asbestos insulation coated the outside of the generators, boilers, steam pipes, turbines and gaskets to protect against overheating and fires.
- Electrical wiring and conduits: “Blue” crocidolite asbestos was used in this area of the power plants because it is particularly nonreactive and highly resistant to electrical current.
From the 1930s to 1970s, power plants workers were exposed to asbestos every single day. Those at the highest risk for exposure include:
- Operators
- Distributors
- Dispatchers
If you or a loved one is a current or former power plant worker that has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related cancer, you may be eligible for a significant amount of compensation. To learn more, contact mesothelioma treatment centers for a free case evaluation. Be prepared to discuss your specific work history including the dates you were employed.
Western Minerals Company Plant and Asbestos Exposure
From 1867 until 1990, the Western Minerals Company Plant in Denver processed countless tons of vermiculute ore, which contains asbestos. Some of the ore that was processed by this plant was shipped in by WR Grace Company in Libby MT, whose ore was heavily contaminated with asbestos. The Denver site processed 82,000 tons of the ore, and three other processing plants located in Florence, Lamar and Greeley processed 4000 tons of the Libby ore.
The EPA has taken recent soil samples that found asbestos still exists in some of this area, although the current owners have covered a lot of the soil with asphalt and buildings. The EPA has found that the area does not have an air contamination with asbestos. However, employees who worked here during the vermiculute processing period may have been exposed to asbestos for many years. If you used to work here during the 1960s through the early 1990s, you should be regularly examined for asbestos related diseases.
Asbestos Lawsuits in Colorado
Colorado courts have dealt with several asbestos Mesothelioma lawsuits in the last few decades. One of these cases was against Harbison Walker Refractory, which is one of Colorado’s fireproof ceramic and metal product manufacturers. Another was against John Crane Co, which is a large mechanical company. Workers who were employed at these locations developed asbestos related diseases after being exposed and did receive compensation in court.
Asbestos contamination in schools has also been the source of many lawsuits in Colorado. In 1984, the Adams Arapahoe school district filed an asbestos claim against a dozen firms that designed, manufactured and sold materials containing asbestos to construct schools in Aurora CO. Some of the companies named in these lawsuits were GAF Corp., WR Grace and Owens Corning.
The district filed the lawsuit to recover some of the costs of removing the deadly asbestos containing materials that posed health risks to teachers and students.
Jurors did award funds to the school district to pay for the abatement, but several defendants appealed. The decision later was overturned on federal court appeal because the school district did not provide enough evidence that asbestos in the schools led to injury. CO law requires proof that the claimants prove they suffered physical damages.
Mesothelioma Statistics in Colorado
There have been 421 mesothelioma deaths in this state from 1999 until 2013, and 74 deaths related to asbestosis.
Get Help: Mesothelioma Lawyer Colorado
To learn more about your right to compensation, it is important that you consult a qualified and experienced Colorado mesothelioma lawyer. These claims are highly specialized and take a certain skill set and access to specific resources. At mesothelioma treatment centers, we work the top attorneys in the nation to ensure the best possible for outcome for our clients and their families. We work with the top medical experts in the state to prove our claims and can help you secure a full financial recovery.
While some cases are best settled out of court, our lawyers are fully prepared to take your case to trial if necessary. We are not afraid to stand up to the largest corporations and their insurance companies and have a history of proven success. For more information, contact us today.
