Although South Dakota is a rural state, meaning there are few major industrial sites, it still has been the source of asbestos exposure through its natural-occurring asbestos deposits. There are several deposit sites located throughout the state, three of which can be found surrounding the Custer State Park.
Despite the fact that there are not major industrial sites in South Dakota, as there are in other states, there are various machine shops, mechanical repair facilities and power generation facilities where toxic levels of asbestos have been released. Asbestos can also be found in homes and commercial buildings throughout the state, as asbestos used to be a key component in building materials.
The cities where the majority of asbestos exposure has occurred are Rapid City and Sioux Falls.
Mesothelioma Lawyer South Dakota — Get Help
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos disease, you can seek help from our mesothelioma attorneys in South Dakota. Our lawyers have the knowledge, the skills and the resources necessary to get you and your family the compensation you deserve. We are familiar with the history of asbestos use and exposure throughout the state and can help you recoup damages from the companies responsible for your direct exposure.
Millions of dollars have been set aside for victims of asbestos exposure and their families, meaning you may not even have to file a lawsuit to recover compensation. Our mesothelioma lawyers will assess your work and life history to determine what companies may be responsible for your asbestos illness and will help you determine the best course of legal action. Once we determine you have a legitimate case and you decide to work with us, we will become your advocates and will make sure you and your family get the maximum amount of compensation possible.
To learn more about your right to compensation, please contact us today.
Asbestos Exposure and Power Plants
South Dakota is home to several power plants that have been major sources of asbestos exposure. Asbestos, before its harmful effects were revealed, was commonly used to protect against heat and fire. Because power plants are made up of heat-generating and friction-producing machinery, asbestos installation was heavily used to protect against overheating and fires. Day-to-day operations at the plants released fibers in the air, putting workers at risk of inhaling them.
Power plant workers who may have been put at risk of exposure include:
- Machinery operators
- System control workers
- Metal workers
- Equipment maintenance workers
Although there are strict rules regulating today’s use of the harmful mineral, utility and construction workers who work with materials that have pre-existing asbestos materials are still at risk of developing mesothelioma cancer, asbestosis and other fatal diseases.
There are landfills also located here that do accept asbestos-tainted waste materials, so if you have worked or lived near those areas, you may want to be checked out by a health care professional. These areas are:
- Belle Fourche Landfill, 606 6th Avenue, Belle Fourche, SD 57717
- Brookings Landfill, P.O. Box 270, Brookings, SD 57006
- Brown County Landfill, 13225 379th Avenue, Aberdeen, SD 57402
- Roberts County Landfill, Rural Route 2, Box 1, Sisseton, SD 57262
- Sioux Falls Landfill, 224 West 9th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57117
Also note that if you are a mechanic at any auto repair facility in South Dakota, you could be exposed regularly. Asbestos is often used in vehicles to cut down on friction and is especially common in brake and clutch parts. Workers who often work with these parts may often inhale asbestos. Also know that industrial machinery as it ages that has asbestos insulation can deteriorate over years and will release fibers.
Air Force Bases with Asbestos Problems in South Dakota
Ellsworth Air Force Base is located near Box Elder, and is the 2nd largest employer in the state. Well before the many dangers of asbestos were known, the US military used asbestos for insulation and to resist fires. Asbestos is all though this Air Force base, including buildings, vehicles, weapons and housing. The Air Force has tried to reduce exposure to asbestos through abatement and management, but workers still are at a higher risk for asbestos exposure.
Mesothelioma Statistics in South Dakota
Of a population of approximately 800,000, there were 55 deaths that were attributed to mesothelioma in the last 20 years and seven from asbestosis.
Legal Aspects of Asbestos Cases in South Dakota
If you have been around high levels of asbestos in South Dakota or just suspect that you have, you should know that the statute of limitations on these cases in this state is three years. The time begins when the mesothelioma is discovered or should have been discovered. If you think that you have been exposed, you should be examined by a qualified doctor as soon as possible.
Have You Been Exposed to Asbestos in South Dakota?
If you have a history of asbestos exposure, you should consult your physician for a full examination. If you are diagnosed with an asbestos cancer or another illness, the next step is to speak with a qualified South Dakota asbestos attorney who will help you recover financial compensation to cover medical bills including long-term treatment options.
Our mesothelioma lawyers in South Dakota also help the families of workers who have died from mesothelioma. If your loved one died as a result of asbestos exposure, we may be able to help you seek compensation for your loss. To learn more about the possibility of filing an asbestos lawsuit, contact us today.
