Arkansas Mesothelioma Lawyer
Page Written By Rod De Llano, Esquire This article has been fact checked by an experienced mesothelioma attorney. Sources of information are listed at the bottom of the article.
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Arkansas mesothelioma lawyers help residents who have been exposed to asbestos and subsequently became sick with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis. Many diagnoses came after working with or near asbestos, including the North Little Rock vermiculite processing plant.[1] If you were exposed at your work, a lawyer can help you access trusts and settlements.
Asbestos in Arkansas and Related Deaths
Between 1999 and 2017, the number of deaths in Arkansas that were related to asbestos exposure was 1,848. The areas hit hardest in the state are around Fayetteville in northwestern Arkansas and in and around Little Rock. Asbestosis accounted for 242 deaths, while 323 deaths came from mesothelioma. The remaining 1,292 deaths happened from other types of lung cancer believed to be related to asbestos exposure.[2]
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Deadly exposure to asbestos has never been widespread in Arkansas; however, there have been many incidents and locations that put people at risk and can be blamed for many of the deaths. Exposure in school buildings and industrial processing plants accounted for fatalities. Contaminated vermiculite that came from the mine in Libby, Montana, that produced asbestos-laden vermiculite for decades, also led to deaths.[3]
North Little Rock Auto Salvage
One of the worst cases of asbestos contamination and exposure occurred in North Little Rock. The site is known as the North Little Rock Auto Salvage site, and also as the Former W.R. Grace Facility. The facility was in a part of town mixed with both residential and commercial buildings. For many decades, it served as a facility for processing vermiculite. Vermiculite is a mined mineral often contaminated with asbestos.[4]
The vermiculite used at this site came from the W.R. Grace mine in Libby, Montana. It operated for decades before it was discovered that the mineral was heavily contaminated with asbestos and workers and residents in the area were being exposed to dangerous levels. The North Little Rock facility operated from 1953 to 1989 and processed over 85,000 tons of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite.[1]
Workers in the facility were exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos fibers for years, which accounts for the high rates of asbestos-related illnesses and deaths in the Little Rock area. Nearby residents and the family members of workers were exposed to a lesser degree. The concern over continuing exposure was revisited in 2011, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began an investigation into the facility.[1]
Fort Chaffee
Another city in Arkansas that has been disproportionately affected by asbestos is Fort Chaffee. The EPA reviewed concerns and found that several buildings that were demolished in the city had contained high levels of asbestos.[5] The EPA has been criticized for allowing the buildings to be demolished while using an unproven method. The method did not protect workers and others from the asbestos.
Other Sites in Arkansas Known to Contain Asbestos
In addition to significant exposure in Fort Chaffee and North Little Rock, there are other sites in Arkansas with asbestos. These sites have caused lower amounts of exposure to fewer people, but have caused harm and contributed to the illnesses and deaths of many Arkansas residents.
- Stuttgart School District, Stuttgart
- 3M Company, Little Rock
- Gerber Plant, Fort Smith
- Monsanto Chemical Company, El Dorado
- Hot Springs Electric Light Company, Hot Springs
- Vulcan Materials Company, Hot Springs
- Whirlpool, Fort Smith
- Triangle Insulation Company, Fort Smith
- Arkansas Power and Light Company, Hot Springs
- North Little Rock Parks, North Little Rock
Many other sites may have contained asbestos and may have contaminated workers and caused illness. The industries, worksites, workers most likely to have been affected include military sites, teachers working in older school buildings, construction workers, industrial plants, demolition workers, and power plant workers.
Arkansas Asbestos Regulations
The Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission Regulation 21 addresses asbestos work practices including demolitions, renovations, and licensing of workers. Through Regulation 21, the state lays out how workers who handle or abate asbestos should be trained and certified. It sets requirements for working on buildings with asbestos, including an asbestos Notice of Intent that must be filed with the state before work is done.
It also regulates how to transport asbestos and dispose of it at approved facilities safely. Regulation 21 was drafted in 1990, but it has been updated over the years. In addition to these rules, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration set requirements that must also be followed in workplaces where there may be or are known to have asbestos.[6]
Statute of Limitations
To seek justice for illness or death related to asbestos exposure, many people choose to file lawsuits either against an employer or a company that manufactured asbestos-containing products. In Arkansas, the statute of limitations is three years after an asbestos-related diagnosis. This allows for the fact that a diagnosis may not come for several years or even decades after the exposure occurred. For those family members filing wrongful death lawsuits, the statute of limitations is also three years and begins at the time of death.[7]
Working with an Arkansas Mesothelioma Lawyer
If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos while working or living in Arkansas, you have certain legal rights. Many people were exposed through no fault of their own and then faced with progressive and terminal illnesses. To file a lawsuit or seek a settlement for your illness and pain and suffering, seek the advice and guidance of an expert Arkansas mesothelioma lawyer. This legal professional understands the laws and precedents surrounding asbestos exposure in the state and can help you make a strong case. You can also rely on this expert guidance to ensure that you take all the right steps, that you make no mistakes and that you take advantage of any existing asbestos trust funds.
Page Written by Rod De Llano, Esquire
Rod De Llano was born and raised in Laredo, Texas. He graduated from Princeton University with a B.A. in Economics, and earned a law degree from the University of Texas. After working for an international law firm for several years, Rod formed a law firm dedicated to representing persons injured by exposure to asbestos products. For over 20 years, Rod has fought for persons diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. His clients have recovered over $1 billion over the years.