Many people seek the guidance of experienced Colorado mesothelioma lawyers because of asbestos exposure in the state. Mining, construction, and other industries in Colorado have contributed to worker asbestos exposure. Too many of these people have fallen ill or passed away from asbestos diseases.
Over $30 billion in trust funds is available to asbestos disease victims and their families. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible for a substantial amount of compensation. We invite you to fill out our form today for a free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information about experienced Colorado mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file an asbestos trust fund claim, and much more.
FREE Financial Compensation Packet
- Info on law firms that will recover your HIGHEST COMPENSATION
- Learn how to get paid in 90 days
- File for your share of $30 billion in trust funds
We help all asbestos victims and their families in every city and town in Colorado, including:
Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Fort Collins, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada, Westminster, Pueblo, Highlands Ranch, Centennial, Boulder, Greeley, Longmont, Loveland, Grand Junction, Broomfield, Castle Rock, Commerce City, Parker, Littleton, Northglenn, Brighton, Security-Widefield, Dakota Ridge, Englewood, Ken Caryl, Wheat Ridge, Pueblo, West Fountain, Lafayette, Columbine, Windsor, Evans, Erie, Louisville, Clifton, Golden, Sherrelwood, Montrose, Durango, Cañon City, Cimarron Hills, Welby, Greenwood Village, Sterling, Fort Carson, Black Forest, Lone Tree, Superior, Fruita, Steamboat Springs, Johnstown, Federal Heights, Berkley, Cherry Creek, Fort Morgan, Firestone, Castle Pines, The Pinery, Frederick, Glenwood Springs, Alamosa, Edwards, Rifle, Gunbarrel, Stonegate, Evergreen, Craig, Woodmoor, Delta, Roxborough Park, Redlands, Cortez, Fruitvale, Trinidad, Fairmount, Derby, Lamar, Fort Lupton, Woodland Park, Gleneagle, Stratmoor, La Junta, Applewood, Aspen, Wellington, Gypsum, Orchard, Mesa, Twin Lakes Cdp, Carbondale, Eagle Avon, Air Force Academy, Cherry Hills Village, Estes Park, Milliken, Sheridan, Gunnison, Monument, and more.
Colorado Asbestos Facts
- Colorado has many natural deposits of asbestos.
- There were 3,214 recorded deaths related to asbestos in the state from 1999 to 2017.
- Of those deaths, 594 were the result of mesothelioma, and 260 were from asbestosis.
- Jefferson County has seen the most asbestos-related deaths in the state, closely followed by El Paso and Denver Counties.
Do I Need a Colorado Mesothelioma Lawyer?
Mesothelioma is a devastating cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Most people diagnosed with mesothelioma were negligently exposed to asbestos at work. Inhaled asbestos fibers in the air trigger damage in the tissue around the lungs, which leads to cancer.
If you have a mesothelioma diagnosis, it is safe to assume you were exposed at work and are entitled to compensation from the companies responsible. Many Colorado companies knew about the dangers of using asbestos long before they stopped using it, putting workers at risk with no warnings.
You need a Colorado mesothelioma lawyer to represent you in a claim or lawsuit against these companies. An experienced lawyer will:
- Evaluate your case for free and answer your questions
- Investigate your exposure, where and when it occurred, and the companies responsible
- File a lawsuit against the companies to seek a settlement
- Litigate your case in court if necessary
- Maximize the compensation you get for medical and other expenses
- Help you file an asbestos trust fund claim or for veterans benefits
How Do I File a Mesothelioma Claim in Colorado?
Because asbestos exposure is usually negligent, you are probably entitled to compensation. A mesothelioma lawyer can help you take action with one or more legal actions:
File a Mesothelioma Personal Injury Lawsuit
One option is to file a personal injury lawsuit, typically against multiple companies responsible for your asbestos exposure. Your lawyer will do all the work to file the lawsuit, build a case, prove your exposure, and negotiate a fair settlement. In rare cases, these cases go to trial, where a jury determines a monetary award.
File a Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Lawsuit
If you lost a loved one to mesothelioma, a lawyer can help you file a wrongful death suit to recover damages. It follows the same steps as a personal injury case and typically ends in a settlement.
Make an Asbestos Trust Fund Claim
You cannot sue companies that went bankrupt, as many asbestos companies did. However, those companies were required to set up trust funds to compensate victims as part of the bankruptcy process. Your lawyer can determine which trusts you are eligible for and help you make a claim for compensation.
How Was I Exposed to Asbestos in Colorado?
Most people with mesothelioma encountered asbestos on the job. No single type of job or industry is responsible for all asbestos deaths. But many worksites caused exposure and resulting illnesses in all areas of Colorado.
Power Plants
Asbestos exposure in such work sites as Ft. Collins’ Rawhide Energy Station and the Estes Power Plant in Larimer County was caused by asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) like insulation and fire-retardants in facilities with high-heat operations, like power generating stations.
Government and Military Sites
The U.S. government, especially the military, heavily used asbestos. Many government facilities in Colorado, including the Army’s Ft. Carson and the Air Force’s Buckley Air Force Base (AFB) and Peterson AFB, were built using asbestos.
The U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel in Colorado Springs is undergoing restorations slated to take years to finish. More extensive asbestos than expected delayed the project. The building contains significant amounts of the mineral, and workers need more time to abate or encapsulate it all safely.
Other Industries
ACMs were also widely used by the civilian sector, especially in job sites with furnaces, steam generators, dynamos, and smelters.
Steel mills, oil refineries, and power plants built between 1930 and 1973 contained asbestos. Some specific examples of job sites known to have contained asbestos and put workers at risk of exposure include:
- Western Minerals Company asbestos processing plant in Denver
- Mountain Bell Telephone Company building in Denver
- Sedalia Copper Mine near Salida
- Conoco Oil Refinery in Grand Junction
- Grand Junction VA Medical Center
Asbestos Lingers in Colorado Buildings
Unfortunately, these sites for exposure are not all in the past. Because asbestos was used so heavily in construction, many older buildings in Colorado still put people at risk of exposure.
In early 2023, an apartment fire at the Cedar Run Apartments in Denver exposed asbestos and put residents at risk of exposure. Residents of more than 50 units were forced to find somewhere else to live.
In 2020 in Fort Collins, an office tower shut down after an asbestos incident. Asbestos materials were disturbed during a renovation project and put workers at risk.
These are just a few big examples of how people in Colorado can still be exposed to asbestos in their own homes and in commercial and public buildings.
What About Colorado’s Natural Deposits of Asbestos?
Colorado is a mountainous area rich in mineral resources, including asbestos and the amphibole variety. The fibrous minerals usually lie in the same mineral veins as coal, gold, and mined resources.
When left undisturbed, these naturally occurring asbestos minerals are relatively harmless to humans.
However, road work, development and construction, mining, and even natural disasters can expose natural asbestos. The fibers may contaminate soil, air, and water and put nearby workers and residents at risk.
Colorado Statute of Limitations on Mesothelioma and Asbestos Cases
The statute of limitations in Colorado puts a deadline on when you can file personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits:
- Statute of limitations for asbestos-related cases in Colorado fall under personal injury law: Colorado Rev. Stat. § 13-80-102 et seq.
- The plaintiffs wishing to file an asbestos-related lawsuit must do so within two years of the time of diagnosis or within two years from the date the disease should have been reasonably discovered.
- For wrongful death lawsuits, plaintiffs must file within two years of the actual death date of the victim.
Transparency in Colorado Asbestos Cases
Colorado passed the Asbestos Claims Transparency Act in 2018. The law requires that anyone filing an asbestos lawsuit disclose claims made with trusts. Any money received from a trust fund can be deducted from a jury award in a trial.
This law might limit damages recovery for some asbestos victims. An experienced lawyer can explain what it means for you and ensure you get all the compensation you are entitled to.
Colorado Asbestos Safety Laws
The Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDHPE) implemented several asbestos regulations after the hazards of asbestos fibers were made apparent by the EPA, including the following:
- Before starting any remodeling or renovation project, a licensed Colorado asbestos building inspector must first inspect the building and report the amount and location of asbestos to the state.
- A permit from the state must be granted before the removal of any asbestos from public buildings and facilities. However, private homeowners do not need a permit as long as the asbestos is only limited to your primary residence. However, asbestos should still be handled by a licensed professional.
- Landfills equipped to take asbestos must be contacted in advance for approval. Keep in mind that most landfills in Colorado will only take non-friable asbestos. Friable asbestos is only accepted at five landfills within Colorado. Each landfill has its own set of regulations, so understand the requirements when deciding which landfill to use.
- Written notification must be sent to the CDHPE before working around asbestos. This applies to all buildings, facilities, and structures, except for private residential homes. The written notification must be received at least ten days before the work is set to begin.
For more information, contact the CDHPE directly at:
- Denver County: 720-865-5474
- Jefferson County: 303-271-5714
- Pueblos County: 719-583-4982
Mesothelioma Treatment in Colorado
Colorado is home to a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center, recognized for expert treatment and cancer research:
The University of Colorado Cancer Center
1665 North Aurora Court
Aurora, Colorado 80045
(720) 848-0300
The Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora offers the most comprehensive care for mesothelioma in the state. The Lung Multidisciplinary Clinic is a group of specialists who collaborate on treatment for lung cancer and similar illnesses, like pleural mesothelioma.
The Peritoneal Cancer Multidisciplinary Clinic treats peritoneal mesothelioma. Specialists in this group offer HIPEC, the leading treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma that is not available everywhere.
Getting Legal Assistance in Colorado
Don’t forget to fill out our form to get our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area. If you have questions or need assistance, contact us toll-free at 800-793-4540.
Paul Danziger
Reviewer and EditorPaul Danziger grew up in Houston, Texas and earned a law degree from Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago. For over 25 years years he has focused on representing mesothelioma cancer victims and others hurt by asbestos exposure. Paul and his law firm have represented thousands of people diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer, recovering significant compensation for injured clients. Every client is extremely important to Paul and he will take every call from clients who want to speak with him. Paul and his law firm handle mesothelioma cases throughout the United States.
References
- American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Malignant Mesothelioma.
Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/malignant-mesothelioma.html - Environmental Working Group. (n.d.). Asbestos-Related Deaths in Colorado.
Retrieved from: http://www.asbestosnation.org/facts/asbestos-deaths/co/ - Environmental Working Group. (n.d.). Asbestos: Think Again.
Retrieved from: http://www.ewg.org/research/maps/deaths-due-asbestos-related-diseases - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). VA Western Colorado Health Care.
Retrieved from: http://www.grandjunction.va.gov/ - Boyce, D. (2021, December 5). Meticulous Restoration Underway at Air Force Academy Chapel. Air Force Times.
Retrieved from: https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2021/12/05/meticulous-restoration-underway-at-air-force-academy-chapel/ - Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. (n.d.). Asbestos.
Retrieved from: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/indoor-air-quality/asbestos - Arenas, J. (2023, January 6). Residents Wrestle with Property Management About Asbestos Contamination After Apartment Fire. CBS Colorado.
Retrieved from: https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/residents-wrestle-property-management-asbestos-contamination-apartment-fire/ - Ferrier, P. (2020, September 2). Asbestos Spill Closes Old Town Fort Collins Office Tower, Displacing Businesses, Workers. Coloradoan.
Retrieved from: https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2020/09/02/fort-collins-office-building-closed-asbestos-spill-cleanup/3451001001/ - University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. (2023, January). Lung Cancer.
Retrieved from: https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/colorado-cancer-center/for-patients-families/cancers-we-treat/lung-cancer - University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. (n.d.). Peritoneal Cancer/HIPEC.
Retrieved from: https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/surgery/divisions-centers-affiliates/surgical-oncology/patient-care/peritoneal-cancer-hipec