If you worked in Detroit or Michigan for a long time, there is a possibility you were exposed to asbestos at work or at home. Detroit and Michigan have long been home to many heavy industries, such as steel and car manufacturing, that often used asbestos to control heat and fire in their facilities.
Detroit and Michigan are part of the Rust Belt region of the US, which often has a higher level of asbestos exposure and a higher rate of mesothelioma than other areas. People who worked in heavy industry in Detroit up to 40 years ago may find out that they have asbestosis or mesothelioma. It can take that long for these serious health problems to form.
High-Industries for Asbestos Exposure in Detroit and Across Michigan
From 1999 to 2015, it is estimated that 1,573 Detroit and Michigan residents passed away from mesothelioma. The state has a higher than average mesothelioma mortality rate of 9.3 people per million. In addition to the heavy industry and manufacturing operations in the state, there also are nine known asbestos mines and natural deposits in Michigan. (CDC.gov)
The Upper Peninsula of this state has a higher rate of mesothelioma, but the Lower Peninsula has a higher population density and there are more mesothelioma cases.
Automobiles
Michigan and Detroit are best known for manufacturing motor vehicles, which often used a lot of asbestos in brake pads, gaskets, and clutches. Lake Michigan also has shipyards that contain high levels of asbestos.
Automobile Industry
Detroit has long been the center of the US automobile industry for more than 100 years since Henry Ford started his Ford Motor Company in that city. Car plants are often filled with asbestos and represent most of the asbestos exposure sites in the state. (mesothelioma.com)
In addition to the Ford Motor Company, other car manufacturers in the state exposed their workers to asbestos, such as GM, Chrysler, Plymouth, and the Continental Motor Company.
Steel
Detroit has many steel mills, foundries, and metalworking facilities to support the manufacturing of automobiles. Because of the great heat involved in molding, melting and tempering steel, asbestos was used in protective gear for workers and in the products and machines needed to shape the metal.
Some job sites where steelworkers were heavily exposed to asbestos included the Great Lakes Steel Mill, the Detroit Grey Iron
Foundry, National Steel, and the Michigan Steel Foundry.
Shipbuilding
Michigan is divided by Lake Michigan, and is boarded by other Great Lakes, making it the state with the most inland coastline in the US. The access to deep inland waters makes the state popular for shipbuilding. Defoe Shipyard and Eldean Shipyard are two major sites where shipbuilders were exposed to asbestos.
Power Plants
Like many others, Detroit and Michigan have had problems with exposure to asbestos in power generating operations. Facilities such as Detroit Edison, Northern Michigan Electric Cooperative, and Central Michigan Light and Power Company have heavily exposed their workers to asbestos. The state’s nuclear plants, including Cook Nuclear Power Plant, Bridgeman Nuclear Plant, and Big Rock Point Nuclear Power Plant all used asbestos often in their facilities. (asbestos.com)
Oil Refineries
Detroit and Michigan do have several oil refineries and distribution hubs that used the deadly mineral to prevent fires because of the volatile nature of oil., Some of the oil companies that exposed workers to asbestos were Citrin Oil Company, Consolidated Oil, and Marathon Oil, among others.
Defoe Shipyard
This shipyard in Bay City built approximately 150 vessels for the US Navy during World War II. After the war, it continued to build ships for the Navy, as well as large freighters that worked on the Great Lakes. During these years, the company used asbestos in its shipbuilding processes.
Detroit and Illinois Asbestos Lawsuits
There have been record-breaking asbestos lawsuits brought against the big automakers in Detroit and Michigan, but most of the trials were done in other states.
One asbestos-related lawsuit against a car manufacturer in New York netted a $53 million verdict for a brake mechanic.
In another case, a man from Michigan won $542,000 in 2010 for asbestosis that was linked to parts supplied by the McMaster-Car Supply Company. It was the first asbestos-related case to get a verdict in the state in decades.
Detroit Mesothelioma Attorney Information
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma from being exposed to asbestos, talk to one of these Detroit or Michigan asbestos attorneys below:
Flint Law Firm
1518 Willow Lawn Drive
Richmond VA 23230
(248) 236-5804
www.flintlaw.com
If you or a loved one has a mesothelioma diagnosis from asbestos exposure, the Flint Law Firm has represented thousands of clients that have received over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements. You also could be eligible if you were diagnosed with mesothelioma in Detroit or Wayne County for compensation from $30 billion in Asbestos Trust Funds.
See All Flint MI Mesothelioma Lawyers
Fieger Law
19390 W 10 Mile Road
Southfield MI 48075
(800) 294-6637
www.fiegerlaw.com
Fieger Law has an aggressive team of asbestos cancer attorneys who know how to handle complex medical lawsuits, including those involving asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. The firm has more than 165 settlements and claims of $1 million or more, so you know that you will have an effective legal advocate fighting for your rights.
Zamler, Shiffmann & Karfis Personal Injury Attorneys
23077 Greenfield Road, Suite 557
Southfield MI 48075
1-800-LAWYERS
www.zskpc.com
This Michigan asbestos law firm has spent years handling tough mesothelioma cases. Their attorneys know the manufacturers of every asbestos product that may have been involved in your asbestos exposure in Michigan. They can help you get the money you need to handle your medical bills and other financial needs.
Get Detroit Mesothelioma Legal Help
With over $30 billion available for victims through the Asbestos Trust Funds, you could be entitled to financial compensations without ever filing a lawsuit. Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer victims qualify immediately. Complete the form or call us toll-free (800) 352-0871.