Our Arkansas asbestos lawyers represent current and former workers and residents of the state who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos cancers. Although there are only two places in Arkansas where asbestos occurs naturally, the Hot Springs area and the Russellville area, there are several electrical plants and oil refineries, where asbestos was once heavily used, located throughout the state. Residents who live near these sites as well as those who work(ed) in them may have been exposed to toxic levels of asbestos.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring material that can lead to the development of mesothelioma (a rare and fatal form of cancer) when inhaled in large quantities or for significant periods of time. Asbestos was heavily used across several industries from the 1930s to 1970s; and thousands of workers and residents were exposed on a daily basis without knowing of the potential risks. Because many companies chose to continue to use asbestos after learning about the risks, thousands of workers have successfully filed claims.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, our lawyers may be able to help you collect a significant amount of compensation for your past, present and future damages through a Mesothelioma asbestos lawsuit. Compensation in these claims can include:
- Medical bills
- Treatments including therapies, medicines and home care
- Loss of ability to work
- Payment for a decreased quality of life
- Loss of a loved one in death cases
Every case is different; thus it is important to work with an experienced attorney who will leave no rock unturned. You may qualify to sue multiple parties for your damages and collect millions in compensation. To speak with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer about your legal options, please contact mesothelioma treatment centers today.
Workplace Exposure in Arkansas
Sites that put workers at the highest risk for exposure include oil refineries, power plants and electrical plants. For years, asbestos was used in almost every facet of these operations, due to its natural heat resistant properties. For example, to protect against fires and overheating, asbestos was found in:
- Pipes
- Insulation materials
- Roofing materials
- Siding
- Walls
- Flooring
- Boilers
- Gaskets
Arkansas is not known as much for heavy exposure to asbestos, but it still does have many jobsites where the material was present for years. Some of the common jobsites where asbestos did exist are:
- North Little Rock Parks
- Stuggart School District
- Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation
Also, several buildings near Fort Chafee were found to contain asbestos and were then torn down. The EPA has since found that it had made improper decisions that allowed these buildings to be destroyed but did not use current best practices for asbestos abatement procedures. This means that people who worked on the project or people who lived near those buildings could have been exposed to asbestos.
Further, EPA officials met in December 2011 with residents of North Little Rock to talk about possible asbestos exposure problems at a nearby site that once processed vermiculite processing center. Officials there stated contamination was present at the site and more testing was needed. The EPA determined that the facility may have processed asbestos containing materials from the Libby Mine in MT, which is well known to have mined millions of pounds of highly toxic asbestos.
Asbestos was even used in the protective clothing workers wore in these facilities. In many cases, workers carried the tiny asbestos fibers home in their clothing and shoes, exposing their families to the harmful effects as well.
While there are strict regulations against asbestos use today, workers who are still working in facilities that house asbestos materials can potentially still be at risk. The symptoms of mesothelioma and other asbestos cancers can take decades to develop, so workers exposed 50 years ago could just now be dealing with the effects.
Regulation 21 in Arkansas
This state has strict requirements related to asbestos abatement procedures, which is known as Regulation 21. It sets up standards for notifying residents and workers of asbestos materials, keeping records and the procedures and disposal systems being used to get rid of asbestos waste. This regulation is intended to protect all AR residents as structures that contain asbestos are renovated and demolished.
According to Regulation 21, any item that has more than one percent asbestos in it is subject to this regulation’s notification and removal regulations. It notes that non-friable asbestos is generally not regarded as a threat to people who live or work nearby, unless the structure is being torn down.
Friable asbestos, the regulation continues, is more likely to put deadly asbestos fibers into the air. It must be completely soaked to be removed safely. Wetting asbestos is the way to ensure that no deadly fibers escape when it is removed.
Some structures in AR are required by Regulation 21 to undergo a complete inspection and written evaluation before any renovation construction is allowed on a property that contains friable asbestos.
Get Help: Mesothelioma Lawyer Arkansas
If you or someone you love is suffering from the effects of asbestos exposure, you should consider speaking with an attorney about your right to a mesothelioma claim. You may be surprised to learn how much money you may qualify for. While a financial recovery cannot reverse the damage done, it can bring justice to your case by providing you and your family with the financial freedom you deserve.
This state does not have a strict statute of limitations in place for when you or a loved one must make an asbestos claim against a company.
Only a skilled mesothelioma lawyer can get you the full amount of compensation you deserve; thus it is important to work with someone with experience in these specific types of claims. Our lawyers not only have the skills and experience you need, we have access to the resources necessary to ensure that you will not have to pay unless we collect money on your behalf.
If you would like to find out if and how we can help you, please contact mesothelioma treatment centers today.
Legal Help Arkansas
If you have suffered exposure or cancer due to asbestos in Arkansas, contact for Arkansas Asbestos lawsuit information to learn more about your legal rights.
