North Dakota Asbestos-Related Deaths from 1999-2017

135
Mesothelioma Deaths
22
Asbestosis Deaths
157
Total Deaths

Asbestos Exposure in North Dakota

Much of the asbestos exposure in North Dakota comes from hazardous job sites. Asbestos may also be found in buildings and residences since asbestos was frequently used in many types of construction material. Dangerous asbestos exposures in North Dakota primarily occur in construction and industrial jobs. Workers in power plants, refineries, and other industrial plants were likely exposed to asbestos materials that were used to insulate pipes and machinery.

Vermiculite and Asbestos

The Robinson Insulation Plant in Minot was in operation from the 1960s to 1980s. The workers in the plant processed asbestos tainted vermiculite from Libby, Montana. Former employees of the plant were likely exposed to hazardous asbestos fibers and should monitor their health for any signs of asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Power Plants and Asbestos Exposure

Many power plants in North Dakota used asbestos materials to insulate against electricity and heat. Boilers, generators, and gaskets were often covered in asbestos insulation. Workers in these facilities may have been exposed to asbestos while operating, maintaining or repairing this equipment.

Flooding and Asbestos

The city of Minot also experienced a major flood in 2011. Many homes were destroyed by the floods leaving behind a large amount of debris. Residents and cleanup crews may have been exposed to asbestos materials that were damaged and left behind in the debris of the demolished houses.

Partial list of work sites in North Dakota with known asbestos exposure
  • American Oil Refinery
  • ANG Coal Gasification Plant
  • Coyote Power Plant
  • Dakota Public Service Steam Plant
  • Grand Forks AFB (Missile Field)
  • Great Plains Gasification Plant
  • Heskitt Station Power Plant
  • Minot Air Base
  • Signal Oil Plant
  • Standard Refinery

Statute of Limitations to File Mesothelioma Claim in North Dakota

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