Wyoming Asbestos-Related Deaths from 1999-2017

116
Mesothelioma Deaths
23
Asbestosis Deaths
139
Total Deaths

Asbestos Exposure in Wyoming

Wyoming, like many states across the country, processed asbestos-contaminated vermiculite from the W.R. Grace mine in Libby, Montana. Several processing plants in Wyoming received shipments of the asbestos-tainted vermiculite. Workers in these plants handled, transported, and packaged the vermiculite directly exposing them to the deadly asbestos fibers. Inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to the development of deadly asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.

Asbestos Exposure in Refineries

Oil refineries, coal refineries, and power plants all used asbestos-containing materials at their facilities. Wyoming is home to many of these refineries. Workers at these facilities often used high-heat machinery that was insulated with asbestos. Asbestos was used in the construction of the facilities themselves and in the machinery because of its heat resistant and flame retardant properties. While asbestos helped prevent the spread of fire or dangerous heat, it put workers at high risk for asbestos exposure. Employees who worked with or repaired this equipment were likely exposed to toxic asbestos fibers.

Power Plants and Asbestos Exposure

Power plant workers faced the same asbestos exposure hazards. Power plants were often constructed with asbestos-containing materials and frequently used asbestos insulation for boilers and other high-heat equipment. Employees at these facilities should monitor their health for the development of respiratory illnesses.

Asbestos Exposure in Mining

Wyoming also operated multiple commercial asbestos mines in the state. Asbestos pulled from the mines was used in chimneys and flooring products. Miners have an extremely high risk of asbestos exposure. When miners removed asbestos from the earth, toxic fibers were released into the air in the close quarters of the mines. Inhaling the fibers placed miners and others nearby at risk for developing mesothelioma.

Partial list of work sites in Wyoming with known asbestos exposure
  • Allied Soda Ash Plant
  • Atlantic Gas
  • Atlantic Richfield
  • Bridger Power Plant
  • Conventional Power Plant
  • Dave Johnston Power Plant
  • FMC Chemical Plant
  • Frontier Oil
  • Gillette Power Plant
  • Husky Refinery
  • Jim Bridger Power Plant
  • Jim Bridger Powerhouse
  • Kemmerer Power Plant
  • Lamar River Station
  • Naughton Steam Electric Plant
  • Pacific Power & Light Company
  • Sinclair Oil Refinery
  • Standard Oil Refinery
  • Stauffer Chemical Plant
  • Texaco Refinery
  • Wheatland Powerhouse
  • Wyodec Power Plant

Statute of Limitations to File Mesothelioma Claim in Wyoming

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