Alabama Paper Mill Asbestos Lawyer

Paper Mill Asbestos Attorney in Alabama, GA

Asbestos exposure at Alabama paper mills damaged generations of employees who later developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-caused illnesses. With the help of an Alabama paper mill asbestos lawyer, victims and their families can file a claim against companies that knowingly exposed workers to dangerous asbestos products.

Asbestos litigation can help workers and families seek justice and financial recovery for years of concealed asbestos exposure in mills that powered Alabama’s economy.

Hire a Paper Mill Asbestos Lawyer

Wallace & Graham, P.A., founding attorneys Mona Lisa Wallace and Bill Graham have represented Alabama paper mill workers and other industrial employees for almost 40 years.

Our investigations have found that companies continued to use asbestos products to power the machines in their factories even after knowing the dangers of asbestos. Combining legal and medical experience, our law firm is committed to helping Alabama paper mill workers and their families hold companies liable for asbestos exposure.

How Alabama Paper Mills Used Asbestos

Asbestos was used to insulate pipes, boilers, and drying equipment at Alabama’s paper mills for much of the 20th century. The material helped mills control heat without realizing its impact on employees.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that an estimated 2,669 new cases of mesothelioma were diagnosed in 2022 in the U.S., and many are linked to industrial workplaces like paper mills. Workers at paper mills in Mobile, Montgomery, Selma, and other Alabama cities worked with and around asbestos fibers without protection, leaving a legacy of disease.

Common Paper Mill Jobs Linked to Asbestos Exposure

For generations, Alabama’s paper mills have provided jobs for thousands of people in the state. The vast majority of paper mill jobs are high-risk for asbestos exposure. Employees performing repair or maintenance on high-temperature systems were most susceptible. The list includes: 

• Boilermakers insulating pipes, valves, and systems
• Maintenance mechanics working on systems with asbestos gaskets and dryers
• Electricians who worked on machines insulated with asbestos products
• Machine operators cutting, sanding, and working with asbestos paper products
• Custodians cleaning asbestos dust from the mill floors

Health Effects of Paper Mill Asbestos Exposure

The health effects of asbestos exposure in paper mills are severe and have a delayed effect. Victims are typically diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis many years after their initial exposure.

The CDC reports the rate of mesothelioma in Alabama is currently 0.6 cases per 100,000 people. While new cases have decreased, there is an ongoing concern for the state due to its long-standing history of industrial asbestos use.

Symptoms of the diseases associated with asbestos exposure, such as shortness of breath, coughing, fatigue, and chest pain, are often assumed to be side effects of physical labor in the mills. This assumption leaves many former paper mill workers in Alabama without a diagnosis or treatment.

Seeking Legal Help for Paper Mill Exposure

Filing for compensation after asbestos exposure in Alabama is a complicated process that requires an in-depth knowledge of the state’s industrial history. Mesothelioma victims living in Alabama have two years from the date of diagnosis to file a claim. It is important to file early to preserve evidence.

A paper mill asbestos lawyer can help workers establish where and how they were exposed by collecting key evidence, including:

• Records from local paper mills showing employment and maintenance activities
• Product data that identified asbestos insulation and gaskets
• Medical records documenting the diagnosis and related to workplace exposure
• Witness statements from former coworkers and supervisors

FAQs

Where Did Asbestos Exposure Occur in Alabama Paper Mills?

Workers were exposed to asbestos throughout the paper mill. Exposure was frequent in hot, high-machinery areas. Boilers, dryers, and insulation wrapped around steam lines were common sources of asbestos. Maintenance workers, electricians, and equipment operators regularly came into contact with asbestos.

Office staff and custodians were also at risk of inhaling or ingesting asbestos when it was circulated throughout the mill’s ventilation system.

What Types of Illnesses Are Linked to Paper Mill Asbestos Exposure?

Asbestos can cause a variety of illnesses. Asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer are the most common. These diseases may not manifest themselves for many years after exposure. Symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath may be chalked up to normal day-to-day wear.

Anyone who worked at an Alabama paper mill should notify their physician of possible asbestos exposure to be sure they are screened and receive early detection, if needed.

Can Family Members Be Affected by Secondhand Exposure?

In some cases, paper mill workers’ family members have experienced secondary exposure to asbestos. Fibers would attach themselves to work uniforms, shoes, and hair, and travel home from the mill each day.

Family members who were exposed secondhand can develop illnesses even though they never worked at the paper plant. Attorneys who are aware of Alabama’s industrial legacy can help families determine if secondhand exposure was a factor in a mesothelioma diagnosis and what types of compensation may be available.

How Do Attorneys Prove Asbestos Exposure in Paper Mills?

Mesothelioma victims in Alabama generally have two years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury claim. Families that have lost a loved one have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. These time frames are firm, so it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and preserve evidence.

Contact an Alabama Paper Mill Asbestos Lawyer

Alabama’s paper mill workers have been the economic backbone of the state for numerous generations. Workers had no knowledge of the hidden dangers present in their workplace during that period. The harmful effects of asbestos exposure continue today as families endure consequences and search for answers and justice.

At Wallace & Graham, P.A., our attorneys are committed to seeking justice and holding negligent companies accountable. Hire a paper mill asbestos lawyer in Alabama to begin your journey toward recovery and financial relief. Schedule a consultation today.