If you have an asbestos illness, a Gary mesothelioma lawyer can help. Before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented regulations, most industrial facilities in Gary used asbestos and exposed workers.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. We invite you to fill out our form today for a free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information about experienced mesothelioma lawyers in Gary, 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
Gary Asbestos Facts
- Gary and Lake County had the highest number of asbestos-related deaths in Indiana, with nearly 900 between 1999 and 2017.
- The steel industry has been an essential part of Gary’s economy but has also contributed to asbestos exposure and related deaths.
Steel and Asbestos
Steel has long been the heart of the Gary economy. The largest steel company there is the United States Steel Corporation. The company’s Gary facility, known as “Gary Steel Works,” has employed thousands of workers to help manufacture and produce steel.
U.S. Steel used asbestos for decades before the EPA regulations in the late 1970s. Many workers fell ill and developed serious asbestos-related diseases, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma. Some of those workers have filed successful asbestos lawsuits against the company:
- In 2003, a former U.S. Steel worker, Roby Whittington, filed a lawsuit against the company
- He worked at the Gary plant from 1950 through 1981 and was diagnosed with mesothelioma at age 70.
- After a lengthy trial, Whitington ultimately won his case and was awarded $250 million.
- The compensation covered $50 million for compensatory damages and an additional $200 million in punitive damages.
U.S. Steel did not appeal the Whittington verdict. Many other lawsuits against the company followed the case. Additional steel mills in Gary associated with heavy asbestos use include:
- Bethlehem Steel
- Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporation
- Illinois Steel Company
- Inland Steel
- Interlake Steel
- Midwest Steel Plant
- Republic Steel Corporation
- Union Drawn Steel (Republic Steel Division)
The Sheraton Hotel
While steel mills contributed significantly to asbestos exposure in Gary workers, they were not the only offenders. A 2013 renovation downtown uncovered huge amounts of asbestos in the Sheraton Hotel.
According to James Harless of the Soil and Material Engineers Inc. of Plymouth, Massachusetts, over 60,000 square feet of asbestos were found inside the hotel.
Not only were current residents at risk of inhaling the harmful fibers of asbestos, but the workers who helped build the Sheraton are in danger of developing life-threatening illnesses.
Other Job Sites Associated with Asbestos in Gary
- John Monohy & Son Sheet Metal
- American Bridge Company (Gary Plant)
- Berry Refining Company
- Methodist Hospital of Gary
- Dean H Mitchell Station
- Standard Oil Refinery
- Gary Sanitary District
- Taylor Forge
- General Refractories Company
- Industrial Combustion Engineering Inc.
- Northern Indiana Public Service Company
When Do I Need a Gary, Indiana Mesothelioma Lawyer?
If you have a mesothelioma diagnosis, you need a lawyer as soon as possible. Mesothelioma is aggressive and deadly, so don’t hesitate to reach out. Top-rated lawyers in Indiana serve many clients in Gary who were exposed to asbestos in the steel industry and other locations.
What Will a Gary Mesothelioma Lawyer Do for Me?
A mesothelioma lawyer in Gary can help you take legal action against the companies responsible for exposing you to asbestos. Mesothelioma is almost always caused by negligent asbestos exposure. You can make a claim or sue for compensation, but you need an expert lawyer to guide you.
As part of this process, the right lawyer will do several things for you:
- Review your case for free and answer your questions
- Provide options and advise you on the best one for your situation
- File a lawsuit on your behalf
- Negotiate a settlement to get you a fair amount of compensation
- Litigate your case in court if necessary
- File a claim with an asbestos trust fund, if you qualify
Mesothelioma is an expensive illness. Seeking compensation means, you can afford treatments. A mesothelioma lawyer will give you the best chance of getting compensated and will allow you to focus on your health.
How to Find a Top Gary, Indiana Mesothelioma Lawyer
Don’t settle for any lawyer. Asbestos and mesothelioma cases are complicated. They often include multiple defendants and may need to be filed in a different state.
The right lawyer specializes in asbestos lawsuits and is part of a large, national firm. They should have the resources necessary to investigate the companies that exposed you to asbestos.
They should also have proven experience working for and winning for similar clients. Finally, be sure the firm you choose offers contingency payment, so you pay no fees until they win.
Getting Treatment for Mesothelioma in Gary
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), if you’ve developed mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, you should seek a comprehensive cancer care physician with experience treating asbestos-related diseases.
The following are a few physicians near Gary that deal with asbestos illnesses and provide comprehensive cancer care:
- Dr. Michael J. Liptay, Rush University Cancer Center, 1725 W. Harrison Street, Suite 774, Chicago, IL 60612, (312) 738-3732
- Dr. Wickii Thambiah Vigneswaran, Center for Advanced Medicine, 5758 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, (855) 702-8222
- Dr. Philip D. Bonomi, Rush University Cancer Center, 1725 W. Harrison Street, Suite 1010, Chicago, IL 60612, (312) 942-5904
Nearby Chicago is also home to two excellent centers for cancer care. The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center is part of Northwestern University and is located in Chicago.
The University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center is home to a mesothelioma specialist and department. A multidisciplinary team treats mesothelioma patients with chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and other innovative treatments.
Legal Help in Gary
If you’ve been exposed to asbestos and suffer from mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be entitled to compensatory damages. 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
- Berenson, A. (2003, April 1). 2 Large Verdicts in New Asbestos Cases. The New York Times.
Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/01/business/01ASBE.html - Environmental Working Group. (n.d.). Asbestos-Related Deaths in Indiana.
Retrieved from: http://www.asbestosnation.org/facts/asbestos-deaths/in/ - Robert H. Lurie Compehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University. (2021, May 21). Malignant Mesothleioma Treatment.
Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.northwestern.edu/types-of-cancer/lung/mesothelioma.html - University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center. (n.d.). Mesothelioma.
Retrieved from: https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/cancer/types-treatments/mesothelioma?site=cancer