The city of Spokane, Washington, was founded in 1810 and has a population of 200,000. This city has a long history of manufacturing and construction, and much of it occurred when asbestos-containing materials were used extensively. Workers and their families in Spokane may have been exposed for years to asbestos and are at risk for mesothelioma and other diseases.
Some of the companies in Spokane that are known to have exposed workers to asbestos include Alcoa, General Electric, Lincoln Bank, Spokane Airport, Veterans Administration Hospital, and Fiberglas Engineering & Supply Company.
High-Industries for Asbestos Exposure in Spokane and Washington State
From 1999 through 2015, 1,338 Washington state and Spokane residents passed away from mesothelioma. The death rate in Washington for mesothelioma is 12.2 per million and is much higher than the national average. (CDC.gov)
There are 34 known asbestos mines and deposits in the state. Kitsap and Mason counties are known to have the highest death rates from mesothelioma in the state. The counties of Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille have high mortality rates from asbestos cancer.
Asbestos
Several mountain ranges near Spokane and in Washington have high amounts of serpentine rock, which is the source of most asbestos. These include the Cascade, Okanogan and Rocky Mountain ranges. There are five asbestos mines in the northern end of the state, as well as several serpentine deposits in the middle of Washington.
Many asbestos shipments were sent to manufacturing facilities in Spokane. From 1948 through 1993, 63,600 tons of the mineral was sent to Washington state.
Shipbuilding
The NW Pacific Coast is a major hub for commercial shipping. There are large ports in Puget Sound and several other areas along the NW coastline of Washington. Cities including Seattle, Tacoma, and Vancouver have large shipyards with a long history of exposing ship and dock workers to asbestos. Some of the shipyards in the state include Kaiser Shipyard, Voyage Repair Station, and Talbott Shipyard.
Timber
For many years, the timber industry has been a key of the economy of Washington state, such as paper and paper products. Materials containing asbestos are still common in many paper and pulp mills in the state. Asbestos was used in materials and machinery in the paper production process, including in drying felts and adhesives. Some of the paper and timber companies that still operate in the state are Anderson Middleton Lumber Company, Scott Paper Company, and Weyerhauser Timber Company.
Petrochemicals
This state is the first port of call in the US for oil tankers from Alaska and is the home of several oil refineries. Petroleum is a highly flammable substance, so asbestos materials were used in most parts of oil refineries for decades, including overcoats, hoods, gloves, and fire doors.
Some of the petroleum companies that exposed workers to asbestos were BP Oil, Shell Oil, and Chevron Chemical.
Aluminum
Several mesothelioma lawsuits have been filed in Washington by former workers of several large aluminum plants. The production of aluminum is a major industry in the state. The manufacturing process requires a lot of heat and asbestos was used to shield workers and machinery from fire damage. (mesothelioma.com)
ALCOA Aluminum smelters in Wenatchee and Vancouver used a lot of asbestos. Other companies in Spokane and Washington have been problematic, as well, such as Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corporation, and Harvey Aluminum.
Bremerton Naval Shipyard
Bremerton Naval Shipyard was first a repair site, but it also started to build vessels during World War I. During World War II, it was active in repairing some vessels damaged during the Pearl Harbor attack. In recent times, the shipyard worked more often in decommissioning ships, such as nuclear-powered vessels, and performing upkeep on naval ships held in reserve. Many veterans were exposed to dangerous asbestos levels at this shipyard.
Duwamish Shipyard
This shipyard in Seattle began operations in 1939. It focused on large and small commercial ships. Duwamish Shipyard only had 200 workers at its peak, but a lot of asbestos was used in construction and repair work of vessels. Several workers from Duwamish Shipyard have filed mesothelioma lawsuits in the past decade.
Kaiser Shipyard
Kaiser Shipyard is located in Vancouver, Washington, and built more than 1,500 ships during World War II. Many men and women who built those ships were exposed to high asbestos levels, and several have been diagnosed with asbestos cancer.
Spokane and Washington Asbestos Lawsuits
A case in 2009 involved a paper mill worker who had retired many years ago. The jury in Seattle awarded him $10 million after he was diagnosed with asbestos cancer. (asbestos.com)
The man was employed by Crown Zellerbach Paper Mill. The mill, however, was not part of the asbestos lawsuit. Two manufacturers of dryer fabrics that contained asbestos that were used on paper machines were found to be negligent for not warning workers about possible asbestos exposure.
The jury found that AstenJohnson Inc.’s and Scapa Dryer Fabrics, Inc.’s products were improperly designed and did not have proper warning labels.
Washington Asbestos Attorney Information
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma in Spokane, talk to one of these Washington-based asbestos attorneys soon:
Craig Swapp & Associates
16201 E. Indiana Ave., Suite 1900
Spokane Valley, WA 99216
(800) 404-9000
www.craigswapp.com
If you developed asbestos cancer in Spokane after being exposed to the deadly mineral, you may be eligible for mesothelioma compensation for your losses. Craig Swapp & Associates has the skill and experience to get as much compensation as possible.
The Law Office of Joanne R. Werner, R.N., M.S., and J.D.
(206) 374-3118
www.jwernerlaw.com
2025 First Avenue, Suite 830
Seattle WA 97121
Attorney Joanne Werner has dedicated herself to help injured workers to get the mesothelioma compensation they deserve from irresponsible companies in Washington state. She is known as an aggressive trial attorney who has excellent legal and medical knowledge and obtains successful results for her clients.
Williams Kastner
601 Union Street
Suite 4100
Seattle WA 98101
(206) 628-6600
www.williamskastner.com
Williams Kastner attorneys are dedicated to assisting asbestos cancer victims in getting the mesothelioma compensation they need to take care of their health. Their attorneys can track down the companies that may have exposed you or your loved one to asbestos and hold them accountable.
See All Washington Mesothelioma Lawyers
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