Birmingham, Alabama, was founded in 1871 and has a population of 230,000. Over the years, many industries developed in the Birmingham area that exposed workers and residents to asbestos, which can cause mesothelioma. Some of the companies in the region that used asbestos were Birmingham Steel Corporation, Gulf State Steel Company, and Sloss Industries.
High-Industries for Asbestos Exposure in Birmingham and Alabama
From 1999 through 2015, 524 residents in Alabama died of mesothelioma. The mortality rate in Birmingham and Alabama is 9 people per one million each year. St. Clair County ranks in the top 50 counties in the United States with the highest death rates from mesothelioma, with 21 deaths per one million residents from 2000 until 2009. (CDC.gov)
Alabama has 10 known asbestos sites that were used commercially, but no mining ever occurred at those sites. But there are nine known sites of naturally occurring asbestos.
Steel
Steel and factory employees in Birmingham were exposed to vermiculite asbestos. Thousands of tons of raw asbestos was shipped to US Steel Corporation plants in Birmingham and at Zonolite exfoliation plants in Birmingham until 1981. Asbestos exposure at the Zonolite factories was high because they processed ore in ways that made a lot of asbestos dust.
Manufacturing
There are many manufacturing companies in Birmingham and Alabama generally that used asbestos for many processes because of the mineral’s high heat and chemical resistance. Companies such as Rock Wool Manufacturing in Leeds is one that exposed thousands of workers to asbestos. This company made insulation and cement that contained the deadly carcinogen.
Power Plants
Power plants used to rely a great deal on asbestos for their facilities and equipment. There were many plants in Birmingham and Alabama, such as the Colbert Steam Plant and the Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant.
Oil Refineries
There are four oil refineries located in Alabama, such as the Coastal Mobile Refinery, which used many asbestos-containing materials in the building of the facility. There also was a lot of machinery in the refinery that used asbestos to protect them against chemical processes. Many oil refinery workers in the state were put at risk. (mesothelioma.com)
Shipbuilding
Alabama has long been the home of several big shipyards and shipbuilding companies. These include the Gulf Shipyard and Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company. Asbestos was often used to build ships because of its heat resistance, affordability and heat resistance. This fact has led shipbuilders to be some of the highest risk workers to get mesothelioma.
Military
Asbestos has long been used throughout the military, such as in building construction on Army bases and Navy vessels. Military veterans are some of the highest at risk to get mesothelioma. Army bases near Birmingham such as the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville may have caused asbestos exposure to Alabama and Birmingham veterans.
Anniston Army Depot
This facility in Calhoun County provides testing, storage and refurbishment of combat vehicles. Over the years, the depot made liquid and solid wastes that contained many toxins that contaminated the groundwater and soil. This site also is contaminated by asbestos. In 1989, the EPA put the depot on the National Priorities List. The EPA and Army agreed to clean up the entire depot in 1990 to protect public health and the environment.
Alabama Drydock and Shipping Company (ADDSCO)
ADDSCO is located in Mobile and was very active during World War II. It was the largest employer in the state as it helped with production and repairs of tankers for the US Navy. Asbestos was heavily used throughout the vessels and shipyard, putting workers at high risk for mesothelioma. Even though it was a successful shipyard, it filed for bankruptcy in 2009.
Gulf Shipbuilding Company
This shipbuilding firm was located in Chickasaw after it purchased the Chickasaw Shipbuilding and Car Company in 1940. This yard was key to the Navy’s efforts in World War II and received many contracts to build destroyers. These big contracts resulted in employment for many workers in Alabama who all had a risk of getting mesothelioma.
Birmingham and Alabama Asbestos Lawsuits
There was a case filed in Texas that involved Alabama workers who developed mesothelioma. The jury awarded a $15.6 million verdict after determining the Carborundum Company acted with malice and negligence and exposed its employees to high levels of asbestos. The firm made a grinding wheel that contained asbestos-containing grinding wheels used to cut pips for a US Steel mill in Birmingham. (asbestos.com)
The workers were not given masks and they inhaled massive amounts of asbestos fibers when dust was created as the grinding wheel ran. The award came after less than an hour of deliberations and included $100 million in punitive damages.
Also, an Alabama judge in 2017 decided to award a family more than $3 million for pain and suffering medical expenses. The judge determined the wife was exposed to asbestos as she washed her husband’s clothes from work. Her husband died from asbestos-related lung cancer in 1997.
Alabama Asbestos Attorney Information
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact one of these Alabama asbestos attorneys below:
Long & Long Attorneys at Law
301 St. Louis St.
Mobile, Alabama 36602
(251) 265-9208
www.dontwaitlong.com
The personal injury attorneys at Long & Long understand the difficulties that are faced by mesothelioma victims. They understand that every asbestos cancer case is unique, so they use a personalized approach with every client. This law firm has a strong track record of results for mesothelioma clients, so talk to them today to get the mesothelioma compensation you deserve.
See Also Alabama Mesothelioma Lawyers
Cory Watson Attorneys
2131 Magnolia Ave South
Birmingham, Alabama 35205
(877) 562-0000
www.corywatson.com
The attorneys at Cory Watson Attorneys can help you if you have developed mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer or asbestosis from asbestos exposure. They are experienced attorneys who can help you get the mesothelioma compensation to which you are entitled, including medical bills and lost wages.
Keahey Law Firm
1 Independence Plaza #612
Birmingham, Alabama 35209
(800) 291-0050
www.mesohelp.com
The Keahey Law Firm can help you to qualify for a cash settlement if your work history exposed you to asbestos. The law firm will conduct extensive research to determine if the companies you worked for exposed you to asbestos. Call them today for a free consultation.
Get 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.