Montana Asbestos-Related Deaths from 1999-2017

222
Mesothelioma Deaths
152
Asbestosis Deaths
374
Total Deaths

Asbestos Exposure in Montana

While Montana does not have a large industrial background, there has been a long history of vermiculite mining near Libby, Montana that has proven to be extremely hazardous for workers, residents and individuals all over the country.

The Zonolite Company and later the W.R. Grace Company extracted vermiculite contaminated with toxic asbestos from the ground. People in the city of Libby have suffered from illnesses and even died from asbestos pollution that resulted from the mining.

The contaminated vermiculite was then sent to processing plants all over the nation exposing workers to the hazardous asbestos fibers. Lastly, products containing the asbestos tainted vermiculite were shipped to stores and used in homes across the nation.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) added the city of Libby to its Superfund National Priorities List in 2002 as a result of the asbestos contamination caused by the W.R. Grace vermiculite processing facility. The city has undergone extensive cleanup efforts and in 2014 the EPA declared the city safe.

Industrial Sites with Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos is known for its heat resistant properties and affordability. It was often used in all types of insulation. Oil refineries, chemical plants, and power plants used asbestos insulation on pipes and equipment. Asbestos-based fireproofing products were used in lumber and paper mills increasing the chance of exposure for workers in these facilities. Exposure to asbestos can lead to the development of deadly asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.

Partial list of work sites in Montana with known asbestos exposure
  • Anaconda Aluminum Plant
  • Anaconda Copper Smelter
  • ASARCO Lead Smelter
  • Western Sugar Cooperative Sugar Refinery in Billings
  • Boise Cascade Plywood Mill
  • Conoco Oil Refinery in Billings
  • General Mills Plant in Great Falls
  • Glasgow Air Force Base
  • J. Neils Lumber Mill
  • J.E. Corette Steam Plant
  • Montana-Dakota Utilities Steam Plant
  • St. Regis Paper Mill
  • Texaco Oil Refinery
  • Victor Chemical Works Phosphorus Plant
  • W.R. Grace & Company Vermiculite Mine

Statute of Limitations to File Mesothelioma Claim in Montana

There is a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit for mesothelioma that varies for each state called the statute of limitations. This means if you do not file within the time limit, you will never be able to pursue legal action or obtain compensation. It’s important that you take legal action within this time frame so you do not miss out on receiving the compensation you may deserve. Contact us here to learn more about how we can help.

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What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a deadly and rare form of malignant cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure. The most common forms of mesothelioma are: pleural and peritoneal. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the abdominal cavity.

Victims with pleural mesothelioma may have respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue. Victims with peritoneal mesothelioma may have abdominal swelling, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss.

The latency period for mesothelioma is very long. The average latency period is about 30 years, but can be shorter than 15 years or longer than 40 years. This means individuals with mesothelioma may take decades to present symptoms from the time they were exposed to asbestos.

What is asbestosis?

Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by asbestos exposure. When asbestos is inhaled the fibers irritate and scar the lining of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. The lungs become stiff and cannot expand and contract normally. Symptoms of asbestosis are shortness of breath, chest pain, and a dry, persistent cough. Like mesothelioma, the latency period for asbestosis is very long. Symptoms may not present for 10 to 40 years after asbestos exposure.

Military Asbestos Exposure

It is extremely important to know that our attorneys do not sue the military. We seek accountability from the asbestos companies that sold dangerous asbestos products to the military.

Members of all branches of the military may have been exposed to asbestos before it became more restricted in the 1970s. The U.S. military used asbestos products in many areas because of its low cost, durability, and heat resistant properties. The common use of these asbestos products put many U.S. veterans at risk of developing asbestos related diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Below is a list of the military branches and common asbestos exposure sites:

  • Navy – shipyards, boiler rooms, submarines
  • Army – barracks, shipyards, construction
  • Marine Corps – armored vehicles, barracks, ships, aircraft
  • Coast Guard – inside ships, ships, boiler rooms
  • Air Force- bases, airplanes, jets, aircraft maintenance