Minnesota Asbestos-Related Deaths from 1999-2017
Mesothelioma Deaths
Asbestosis Deaths
Total Deaths
Asbestos Exposure in Minnesota
Mining and Asbestos
Iron ore excavating and processing is a major industry in Minnesota. However, this job greatly exposed workers to harmful asbestos fibers. Studies indicate that asbestos exposure is substantially higher for miners compared to others, and as a result mesothelioma rates are higher for miners.
Minnesota also has two areas with naturally occurring asbestos in the northeastern region of the state. If left undisturbed in its natural state the asbestos is typically harmless. However, the mining and processing of asbestos from these sites can release fibers into the air endangering the health of miners and other workers.
Industries with Asbestos Exposure
Power plants, oil refineries, paper mills, and processing plants are other job sites in Minnesota that exposed workers to asbestos. These sites typically use asbestos as insulation on high-temperature equipment. When the asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, worn down, or repaired the toxic asbestos fibers can release and become airborne. When workers breathe in the fibers they are at risk for developing asbestos-related diseases like asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Vermiculite and Asbestos
Minnesota was one of many stated that received massive shipments of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite from Libby, Montana. The vermiculite was used to produce materials like insulation and brake linings. Western Mineral Products, Inc. in Minneapolis processed the majority of the state’s contaminated vermiculite exposing hundreds of people to hazardous asbestos fibers.
Individuals who worked at or lived near the Western Mineral Products facility may have been exposed to asbestos and could be at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease. Those who lived near or worked at the facility should closely monitor their health for respiratory illnesses.
- 3M Chemical Plant
- Ashland Oil Refinery
- Blackdog Steam Plant
- Cleveland Cliffs Taconite Pellet Mill
- Conwed Asbestos Ceiling Tile Plant in Cloquet
- Fox Lake Steam Plant
- Garlock Asbestos Gasket Factory
- Great Northern Oil Refinery
- Hoerner-Waldorf Box and Paper Mill
- Hanna Mining Company
- Jones & Laughlin Steel Mill
- Koch Oil Refinery
- M&O Paper Mill
- L. Hibbard Steam Plant
- Madison Steam Plant
- Marathon Oil Refinery
- Monticello Nuclear Power Plant
- Northwest Paper Mill
- Pathfinder Steam Plant
- Prairie Island Nuclear Plant
- Rapid American Corporation
- Reserve Mining Company
- Cloud Steam Plant
- University of Minnesota
- U.S. Steel Mill
Statute of Limitations to File Mesothelioma Claim in Minnesota
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.
Call (855) 280-7664 Get Started OnlineWhat 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