Vermont Asbestos-Related Deaths from 1999-2017

108
Mesothelioma Deaths
27
Asbestosis Deaths
135
Total Deaths

Asbestos Exposure in Vermont

Mining and Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos mines in Vermont supplied asbestos across the nation until operations ended in the 1990s. Employees in these mines were likely exposed to toxic asbestos fibers while mining, transporting, and processing the mineral. Former employees at these asbestos mines should closely monitor their health for asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. A mine in Windsor, Vermont operated by Johnson & Johnson was surrounded by controversy after it was determined that it supplied asbestos tainted talc to the company. Johnson & Johnson was aware that the mine was potentially contaminated with asbestos, but failed to notify customers of the dangers of its products.

Industrial Sites with Asbestos Exposure

Paper mills, power plants, and buildings throughout Vermont used asbestos. Employees working at these facilities could be at risk of asbestos exposure which can lead to the development of asbestos-related diseases. Power plants often used asbestos materials to insulate pipes, generators, and boilers. Employees who worked with this equipment or who were responsible for the repair of this equipment were likely exposed to asbestos fibers.

Textile mills and paper mills also used asbestos products in their facilities. The yarn spinning and weaving processes in textile mills would send asbestos fibers into the air creating a health hazard for employees.

Vermiculite and Asbestos

Vermont processing plants received shipments of asbestos tainted vermiculite from the W.R. Grace Company in Libby, Montana. These plants processed vermiculite to make insulation and other products. Plant workers were at high risk of exposure since the processing procedures sent toxic asbestos fibers into the air. Inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to the development of deadly diseases like mesothelioma.

Statute of Limitations to File Mesothelioma Claim in Vermont

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