Asbestos victims and their families in the state are fighting for justice with the assistance of an Idaho mesothelioma lawyer. Idaho is home to naturally occurring asbestos sites in the Rocky Mountain areas, but the diseases and deaths associated with asbestos come primarily from the industrial and agricultural industries in the state.
You may qualify for substantial compensation if you or someone you love suffers from mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis. Fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the experienced mesothelioma lawyers in Idaho, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and more.
FREE Financial Compensation Packet
Info on law firms that will recover your HIGHEST COMPENSATION
Most asbestos and mesothelioma lawsuits end in settlements. A few go to trial, where a jury gives a verdict. Companies that went bankrupt set up asbestos trusts to compensate victims. These companies cannot be sued.
Veterans exposed to asbestos during their time in the service can apply for benefits. These include healthcare and monthly compensation for mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses.
How Much Is a Mesothelioma Claim Worth in Idaho?
The amount of compensation a victim gets in Idaho or any other state depends on the individual factors of the case. These include the number of defendants and their degree of negligence, the severity of the illness, and the actual expenses the victim incurred.
The average settlement amount for asbestos cases is between $1 million and $1.4 million. Asbestos trust fund claims are less, usually averaging around $180,000. Lawsuits that go to trial may result in no compensation or an amount determined by the jury.
State laws also affect the value of a claim. Idaho law caps non-economic (pain and suffering) damages at $250,000.
Do I Need an Idaho Mesothelioma Lawyer?
If you want to maximize the compensation you receive for an asbestos illness, you need the guidance of an experienced local mesothelioma lawyer. Asbestos cases are complicated. They often involve multiple companies and cross state lines.
Look for a lawyer with specific expertise and experience working on and winning asbestos cases. They should be part of a large firm with the resources available to investigate your case and gather evidence.
Where Was Asbestos Used in Idaho?
Top mesothelioma lawyers in Idaho can track down your past exposure to asbestos so you can make a case. This valuable evidence can be hard to find without the right legal team.
Idaho Companies That Used Asbestos
Many industries in the state used asbestos for decades. It is in equipment, fireproofing materials, brakes and clutches in cars, and construction materials. Some examples of specific companies that used asbestos and exposed Idaho workers include:
The Western States Equipment Company, a large machinery company, was once so reliant on asbestos in equipment and products that it continued to use dangerous mineral even after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned its use. This resulted in significant harm to workers and a series of lawsuits. Murray Burns, a former employee, developed malignant mesothelioma after working at the Western States from 1970-1972. He sued the company for damages.
Another company, Monsanto Co., has faced many lawsuits after former workers were exposed to asbestos. Monsanto Co. and its branch facilities were well-known for exposing workers to toxic substances. By 2003, over 500 lawsuits had been filed against the company.
Many other businesses in Idaho have used asbestos, including the following:
Zinn Industrial Supply
Westinghouse Sponsors Warehouse
Tra Sponsors Warehouse
Potlatch Corporation
Robison Dist Company
Sullivan Mining Company
National Reactor Testing Station
Bunker Hill Smelter
Ira Sponsors Warehouse
Western Steel
Utah Idaho Sugar Company
National Reactor Testing Station
Terminal Ice & Cold Storage
College of Idaho
Carnation Milk Products Company
Amalgamated Sugar Company
Boise Cascade Corporation
Bonner County Courthouse
Clover Club Foods
Fluor Corporation
Lodge Brothers and Bullet Pawnshop
Intermountain Gas Company
Northwest Roads Company
Plateau Supplies Company
Southern Industries Piping
Union Pacific Railroad
Westvaco Mineral Production
Yanke Machine Shop
Northwest Roads Company
Clover Club Foods
Asbestos at the Idaho Transportation Department
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently cited the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) over asbestos concerns.
The EPA found that the ITD violated asbestos regulations in a building in Rigby, Idaho. ITD used untrained workers to remove asbestos materials. ITD must pay a penalty of more than $60,000.
Natural Asbestos Deposits in Idaho
Idaho has several natural deposits of asbestos. Most have never been utilized, but at least one asbestos mine operated in the past. This mine posed a risk to workers there.
Today, the natural asbestos deposits in Idaho pose minimal risks to residents. They can become a problem when disturbed. If these areas are the sites of construction or road building, the activity can stir up asbestos fibers and expose workers and nearby residents.
What Are Idaho’s Asbestos Safety Laws?
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality is responsible for the state’s asbestos laws and regulations:
The state of Idaho regulates asbestos abatement according to the Tier 1 Air Quality Operating Permit, which mandates that a permit must be applied for and approved before asbestos abatement can begin.
Tier 1 only applies to abatement projects that are typically from huge industrial sources and require a massive cleanup. Smaller projects are exempt from the Tier 1 permit.
Idaho follows the EPA regulations for asbestos abatement regarding repair, demolition, construction, and/or renovation of both public and private buildings.
Workers must be certified asbestos technicians before beginning any asbestos abatement project and must send in a written abatement plan to the state before beginning.
For Tier 1 projects, written notice must be sent to an Asbestos Compliance Analyst first.
Workers must always follow the proper hygienic procedures after working around asbestos.
For more in-depth information on Idaho asbestos laws, contact the DEQ state office at 208-373-0502.
Getting Mesothelioma Treatment in Idaho
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos illness, seek treatment from doctors with specialized knowledge in dealing with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) designates and recommends the best cancer treatment centers nationwide.
Although there are currently no NCI-designated cancer centers in Idaho, the closest center in Portland, Oregon, is the NCI-designated Knight Cancer Institute.
Idaho Laws That Affect Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Laws regarding mesothelioma lawsuits and claims vary by state. Working with an Idaho mesothelioma lawyer is so important because they know these laws and how they could impact your case.
Even though there have been hundreds of mesothelioma deaths and illnesses, Idaho doesn’t have separate laws for asbestos-related lawsuits. Every lawsuit filed for asbestos-related deaths or illnesses is considered a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
Statute of Limitations
Therefore, the statute of limitations for personal injury applies to asbestos cases. Victims have just two years after a diagnosis of mesothelioma to file a lawsuit in Idaho. The time limit for a wrongful death lawsuit is two years from the time of death.
Idaho courts are strict about this time limit. For example, in the Brennan Vs. Owens-Corning Fiberglass Corporation case in 2000, a lung cancer victim filed a lawsuit against her previous employer.
A doctor confirmed her lung cancer was indeed caused by asbestos exposure. In October of 1994, she filed the lawsuit, but since it was three months after the two-year statute of limitations, a judge dismissed her case.
Cap on Damages
In addition to the statute of limitations in Idaho, there is also a cap on the maximum amount of non-economic damages a victim can receive. The total amount a victim can receive in Idaho is currently $250,000.
This is not for actual expenses, known as economic damages, which are not capped. The cap applies to things like pain and suffering.
These lawyers made us feel so much better about going through this terrible process. We had no idea where to begin and they helped get us all the compensation we possibly could. They were friendly understanding and very hard-working. They answered any questions we had about compensation and even medical advice
-Natalie F.
Getting Legal Assistance in Idaho
Remember, if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may qualify for significant compensation. Get our free Financial Compensation Packet for information on the top mesothelioma and asbestos lawyers in your area. For questions and assistance, feel free to contact us at 800-793-4540.
Paul 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.
Van Gosen, B.S. (2007). Reported Historic Asbestos Mines, Historic Asbestos Prospects, and Natural Asbestos Occurrences in the Rocky Mountain States of the United States (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming). U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved from: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1182/
