Related Topics ► Other TopicsTennessee (TN) Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Like other industrial states, Tennessee has had its fair share of problems when it comes to asbestos. Asbestos in this state hit a number of industries, including the paper and pulp industry and the electrical power industry. Today, many people are still experiencing problems due to asbestos, and some of these health conditions (like mesothelioma and asbestos) can be deadly. Learn about asbestos exposure in Tennessee if you've lived or worked in this state, and if you think you may be at risk, see a doctor right away. Keep in mind that if you are an asbestos victim, you have legal rights and should see a doctor right away.
At-Risk Occupations and Locations in Tennessee
Tennessee is home to the International Paper Company, one of the largest paper and pulp powerhouses in the world. Headquartered in Memphis, this company used asbestos in daily operations, putting millions of people at risk. The International Paper Company isn't the only problematic company in this industry. Tennessee is a hub for paper and pulp products, and a number of companies all put their employees at risk. In 2002, a study showed that 36% of those who worked in this industry for at least one year were exposed to asbestos at some point or another. Many died due to this exposure.
In addition to being a center for the paper and pulp industry, Tennessee is also home to the largest public utilities company in the Unites States. The Tennessee Valley Authority, in operation since 1933, has over 8.5 million customers. A company that size takes thousands of employees to operate, and unfortunately, many of these employees were exposed to asbestos over the years.
Power plants are at high risk for fire, simply because of the nature of the machinery operating the facilities. Because of this, asbestos seemed as though a perfect substance to use for insulation and other related materials. Asbestos is naturally heat-resistant and does not conduct an electrical current. It was used in most power plants in the state (not just at Tennessee Valley Authority facilities), and it was also used in homes and commercial buildings for electrical wiring insulation. Therefore, both employees at the plant and in the field were potentially exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos-related Deaths in Tennessee
From 1979 (around the time that the EPA began regulating asbestos) to 1999, over 650 people in Tennessee died from asbestos-related diseases. Of these deaths, around 230 were from asbestosis, which makes it hard to breath, while twice that many were from a rare form of cancers caused by asbestos called mesothelioma. The bulk of these deaths were in Davidson County, Knox County, Shelby County, Hamilton County, Sullivan County, and Blount County, although most areas of the state were affected. As industrial work was the main cause of asbestos-related deaths, most of those exposed were based in one of the state's major cities: Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, or Knoxville.
As far as mortality rate goes, Tennessee is ranked 24 in the United States as far as mesothelioma cases, with a mortality rate of about 7 per million. In addition to exposure due to working in Tennessee's paper plants and electrical power plants, those living or working near Chattanooga and Hickory were also put at risk due to public asbestos exposure in Tennessee.
Legal Resources for Tennessee Residents
Tennessee has a very short statute of limitations when it comes to personal injury cases and wrongful death cases. You must file your claim within one year of the discovery of your asbestos-related condition. One year seems like a long time, but when you're dealing with medical problems, the months can fly by. If you do not file suit within that year time period, your case will not be able to be tried. Unfortunately, that is how some major companies are winning cases in this state.
There have, however, been a number of significant asbestos-related wins in Tennessee. In 2007, for example, James Weese sued over 100 difference companies for putting him at risk during his career as a welder, pipe fitter, and laborer. He alleged that these companies, which included General Motors, Goodyear, Sears, Dow Chemicals, and U.S. Steel all sold products to him that were highly dangerous.
Tennessee's court system has also been dealing with an asbestos fiasco involving the U.S. Postal Service. In one of the state's main facilities, asbestos used in the floor tile was putting many employees at risk. OSHA and the Postal Service are still looking for the best and most safe solution to this problem, and in the meanwhile, employees are being kept safe through a number of preventative measures, including mopping.
Have you experienced asbestos exposure while living and working in Tennessee? If so, it is important to see your doctor right away, as catching a health problem early is the best way to increase your chances of survival. Many Tennessee residents were put at risk, so contact your lawyer today to find out more about your rights if you were unknowingly put in harm's way.
State Index
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