Individuals and families who live (or formerly lived) in Nevada and who have been affected by asbestos exposure can contact our asbestos attorneys for help. Many Nevada workplaces and towns have been the site of dangerous asbestos exposure; a few of them are or were in:
- Apex — Harry Allen Station
- Beowave Power Plant
- Empire Farms Power Plant
- Laughlin — Mohave Power Plant
- Moapa — Reid Gardner Station
- North Valmy — Valmy Generating Station
- Fallon — Dixie Valley Power Plant, Soda Lake I and II
- Fernley — Brady Power Plant, Desert Peak Power Plant
- Las Vegas — Clark Station, Sunrise Station
- Reno — Caithness and Steamboat Power Plants
- Tonopah — Foreland Oil Refining
- Tracy-Clark — Pinon Pine Power Project, Tracy Generating Station
- Yerington — Wabuska and Fort Churchill Generating Stations
The diseases that can be caused by asbestos exposure — including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma — often take years or even decades to manifest themselves with adverse symptoms. In the 20-year period from 1979 to 1999, more than 150 Nevada residents died from asbestos cancer disease, often decades after their exposure to asbestos in the 1940s or 50s. Most of these deaths were in the Las Vegas metropolitan area and surrounding Clark County.
Occupational Exposure in Nevada
Many industries in Nevada produce electric machinery, and during the 1930s through the 1970s, asbestos was commonly used to insulate the equipment. Workers who manufactured, repaired or used the equipment may have been exposed to harmful amount of asbestos fibers.
Another leading industry in the state is the construction industry, also known for its use of asbestos in building products such as fiberboard, flooring tiles and roof shingles. Workers responsible for the construction, maintenance and repair of homes and privately owned businesses as well as historic hotels and casinos made between the 1930s and 1970s may have been exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos.
The chemical plants in Nevada, such as the former Montrose Chemical Corporation and Stauffer Management Company were also known for asbestos exposure.
The casinos in Las Vegas are also sites where asbestos exposure has occurred. In fact, some of the older casinos have been hit with violations for failing to provide workers with proper safety gear when removing or repairing asbestos materials. The Flamingo Hotel and Casino and Harrah’s Casino, for example, have both been involved in scandals involving asbestos violations.
Dangerous Operations in Nevada and Asbestos
There has not been any mining of asbestos here but large amounts of ore tainted with asbestos have been shipped to NV from other states. One of the biggest suppliers was the WR Grace Mine in Libby MT. This was a site that received major attention around the nation because it failed to warn the public and its workers of asbestos contamination and the associated, deadly health risks.
Also, three drywall companies in this state have processed more than 85,000 tons of the ore from the Libby MT mine. These are:
- US Gypsum Company
- Pabco Gypsum
- Flintkote Company
Also an unnamed refinery based in Overton NV at one time received several tons of contaminated ore from Libby MT. The EPA has visited these four sites and found less than 1% asbestos in both the air and soil. The EPA found that clean up is not needed. However, former workers at all of these firms might have been exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos.
Many construction workers at hotels and casinos, as noted above, also have been exposed to asbestos. Many of the workers on these properties may have been exposed to asbestos that was released from fiberboard, tiles and shingles.
Casinos and Asbestos in Nevada
The Flamingo Hotel has been investigated because some of the remodeling may have exposed workers and customers to asbestos dust. Also, Harrah’s Casino has been the subject of an asbestos inquiry. The casino had to pay $7000 in fines for 12 very serious asbestos violations in 2006. This was due to the hotel and casino not providing necessary protective gear.
Asbestos Litigation In Nevada
A maintenance supervisor sued Harrah’s in Las Vegas in 2009 for allegedly exposing him to asbestos dust. He sued for $10 million. He claimed that the casino was aware that there was asbestos present but did not tell workers until much of the work had been done.
The man later tested positive for asbestos in a health screening. He also worried that he may have brought asbestos home on his clothes and exposed his family to it.
There also was an asbestos lawsuit against Nevada Power by an ex-plant operator. The plaintiff worked there from 1957 until 1964. He was often involved in repairing boilers which were insulated with asbestos. This case resulted in a $2 million settlement.
Mesothelioma Lawyer Nevada
Our mesothelioma lawyers recognize the severity of asbestos exposure and have dedicated their practices to helping persons wrongfully exposed as well as their families. We know the laws specific to the state of Nevada and can help you and your family recover the maximum amount of compensation owed to you by law. Compensation may cover:
- Past, present and future medical bills
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Decreased quality of life
- Loss of economic and social support (in cases of death)
In addition to helping you recoup financial losses, we can also help you seek out the highest quality treatments to ensure you achieve the highest quality of life. To learn more about your legal rights and options, please contact our mesothelioma lawyers in Nevada today.
