Lawsuits For Pittsburgh Asbestos Exposure – Westinghouse Job Sites
Westinghouse Electric Company has a long history, beginning in 1886 when George Westinghouse built the first plant made for generating alternating electrical current. Over the years, Westinghouse has manufactured many products containing asbestos, such as lightbulbs, welding rods, turbines, gaskets and cables.
Asbestos insulation was also used in Westinghouse facilities to insulate equipment involved in manufacturing these products. The presence of so much asbestos means that workers who produced these items or worked in the manufacturing floors were frequently exposed to this dangerous material.
If you were employed at a Westinghouse location that manufactured these products and are experiencing symptoms of asbestos-related disease, contact our asbestos lawyers at D’Amico Law Offices, LLC, today by calling 412-906-8180. The filing deadlines for asbestos claims are limited, so you should act quickly to seek compensation.
What To Do If You Were Exposed To Asbestos On A Westinghouse Job Site
Asbestos exposure was especially high for employees who worked in lightbulb manufacturing and power plant construction. Asbestos fibers were frequently airborne in these environments during production and during routine maintenance. Whenever insulation or wiring for the plants was removed or exposed, asbestos was in the air. Those who worked in the power plants that used Westinghouse products containing asbestos were also exposed. In Pennsylvania, there have been at least 25 such facilities ranging from coal-fired plants to nuclear facilities, such as the infamous Three Mile Island.
Because Westinghouse has been in business for so many years during a time when most workers remained with their company for 30 to 40 years, it is likely that those workers were exposed to asbestos for decades. Asbestos-linked diseases such as mesothelioma take 20 to 50 years to appear, meaning that workers who have long since retired or moved to new jobs are still at risk of illness.
There have been hundreds of asbestos claims against Westinghouse over the years, which can be used by our lawyers at D’Amico Law Offices to strengthen your case. Our professional legal team has spent years investigating and researching claims for Westinghouse workers and those who worked with the products Westinghouse sold. They have the skills and methods needed to trace your exposure to your job site and will litigate forcefully for you and your loved ones.
Why Did Westinghouse Fail?
In 2017, Westinghouse filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11. It claimed billions of dollars in cost overruns in the construction of two nuclear power plants in South Carolina and Georgia. Asbestos claims were not considered a contributing factor in the bankruptcy, so it was not forced to create an asbestos trust fund. Westinghouse chose to fight the 3,000 or so lawsuits against it individually. Westinghouse was able to reorganize in 2018 after being purchased by Brookfield Business Partners.
Due to asbestos contamination, hundreds of Westinghouse job sites across the country as well as other buildings that relied heavily on Westinghouse products in their construction have been closed. As recently as May 2022, former Westinghouse Electric facilities is still the subject of asbestos removal and remediation efforts by state governments.
The company continues to face new asbestos claims every year as former employees and people who worked closely with contaminated products develop asbestos-linked illnesses.
Can You Still Pursue A Lawsuit With Westinghouse If It Is Out Of Business?
Westinghouse stopped using asbestos in its products, but the years of exposure that many workers experienced still puts them at risk of developing diseases such as cancer. As employees became sick and were diagnosed with asbestos-linked illnesses, they sued the company for compensation. Westinghouse only faced about 3,000 lawsuits, which it litigated individually, with many lawsuits settled for the victims.
Despite the fact that the company has changed ownership and filed for bankruptcy, it is still possible to connect your illness to Westinghouse’s use of asbestos in its facilities and products. Even those who did not work directly for the company but were around its products can file a claim. For example, many Navy personnel were exposed to asbestos on the ships where they served as a result of working with Westinghouse-produced turbines and welding equipment.
Westinghouse does not have an asbestos trust fund, but those with a valid claim can still sue the company to recover damages. Our qualified asbestos exposure attorneys at D’Amico Law Offices can guide you and your family through the process of filing a lawsuit.
Our skilled lawyers are dedicated to helping victims who suffer from mesothelioma and other illnesses related to asbestos-containing workplaces. They have litigated numerous cases to win the justice and compensation that our clients deserve, including millions of dollars in settlements.
What Damages Can You Seek In An Asbestos Exposure Lawsuit Against Westinghouse?
It can take as many as 20 to 50 years for mesothelioma and other asbestos-linked diseases to develop. Victims may suffer illnesses throughout their lives that do not seem to be linked to asbestos if the exposure happened when they were younger. Because of this, when diseases such as cancer do appear, an individual may have decades of medical expenses that can be related to the exposure.
An experienced asbestos exposure lawsuit attorney will help you research and put together a full list of damages that can include items such as:
- Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional
- Past and current medical treatment
- Long-term medical care
- Hospital stays
- Surgeries related to your illness
- Home medical devices
- Medication and other products such as blood or plasma
- Lost wages
- Loss of future income
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disability or disfigurement
- Mental anguish
Mesothelioma is a disease that attacks the thin layer of tissue (mesothelium) lining most of the organs in the body. When a victim inhales or swallows fibers of asbestos, those fibers affect the nose, throat, stomach, lungs and other parts of the body. Diseases related to exposure to these fibers can include cancers of the esophagus, lungs, mouth, stomach, ovaries, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract.
Anyone who worked with Westinghouse products, such as electricians; plant workers; shipyard workers; heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) workers; or Navy veterans, may have viable claims against Westinghouse. Occupational exposure to asbestos-containing products manufactured by the company can be traced by our lawyers at D’Amico Law Offices using their extensive database of previous claims and documentation.
Finding An Experienced Asbestos Exposure Attorney For Westinghouse Job Sites
D’Amico Law Offices is an asbestos exposure law firm with skilled lawyers who are dedicated to helping victims who suffer from mesothelioma and other illnesses related to asbestos-containing workplaces. Our attorneys have litigated numerous cases to win the justice and compensation that our clients deserve, including millions of dollars in settlements.
Our qualified legal team will discuss your situation with you and work to construct a solid case that will help secure the maximum restitution for which you are eligible. Our family-run law firm offers lawyers with many years of experience in pursuing these complex cases. Contact us or call 412-906-8180 today to schedule your free consultation.
Westinghouse Asbestos Exposure FAQ
What if your asbestos exposure was caused by your employer’s negligence?
If your employer produced asbestos-containing products or bought them for your workplace, you may have a claim of negligence if they were aware of the situation but did not correct it. Working with hazardous substances such as asbestos, no matter when the company became aware of the dangers, leads to a higher risk of developing cancer.
If a company purposely manufactured products with asbestos without appropriate containment protocols, workers in those environments can pursue claims for compensation.
Does Westinghouse still exist?
Yes, Westinghouse Electric still exists and produces products for the home and commercial applications. Westinghouse Nuclear is another branch of the company that focuses on nuclear power plant construction and maintenance.
How can an asbestos exposure lawyer help you with your Westinghouse lawsuit?
Our skilled legal team at D’Amico Law Offices can examine and develop a strong case for you. Our attorneys do this by combining details of your experience with our tremendous database containing details of cases they’ve already litigated. They have spent thousands of hours pursuing and building asbestos exposure lawsuits in Pennsylvania.
They draw on every relevant kind of documentation, including:
- Work history
- Medical records
- Company records showing purchase of Westinghouse products
- Building records for power plants and other facilities
- Manufacturing plant diagrams and blueprints
- Medical literature related to mesothelioma
- Testimony from experts
- Statements from others with similar claims
State laws usually limit the payouts for workers’ compensation claims, meaning that this insurance may not cover all your costs. Filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against Westinghouse has a better chance of fully recovering the astronomical costs of cancer treatment and other expenses. With possible years of medical costs at risk, your need for financial reparation can reach into the millions of dollars. This can include providing security for your family in the event that you are unable to work or suffer an untimely death.
Reach Out To Us
Westinghouse has a proven history of fighting asbestos claims, so it is critical to engage an experienced and aggressive legal team. Large companies have access to extensive legal and financial sources that they will use to discredit your claim. You will need seasoned lawyers on your side to give you the best chance at receiving the compensation you deserve. Contact us at 412-906-8180 today to speak with an attorney about your case.