Many workers and residents were exposed to asbestos while working at job sites in Kalamazoo. If you received a diagnosis of an asbestos illness, like malignant mesothelioma, an experienced Kalamazoo mesothelioma lawyer could help you take legal action.
If you or a loved one have been exposed to asbestos and suffer from mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible to receive 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 Kalamazoo, 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
Kalamazoo Asbestos Facts
- Michigan experienced over 10,000 asbestos-related deaths from 1999 to 2017.
- A significant number of those deaths occurred in and around Kalamazoo.
- Kalamazoo earned the nickname “Paper City” for the number of paper mills, most of which used asbestos.
- Asbestos continues to be an issue today in older factories and schools, and other public buildings.
When Do I Need a Kalamazoo Mesothelioma Lawyer?
You need a Kalamazoo mesothelioma lawyer when you have a diagnosis of mesothelioma or another asbestos illness. Mesothelioma is caused by negligent asbestos exposure. You can hold asbestos companies accountable and liable for your expenses.
Look for a top-rated Kalamazoo mesothelioma lawyer in a larger firm. They should have the experience and resources necessary to get you the compensation you need through one or more of the following:
- Mesothelioma personal injury lawsuit
- Mesothelioma wrongful death lawsuit
- Asbestos trust fund claim
- VA benefits claim
Kalamazoo’s Industrial History with Asbestos
The expansion of America’s railroad system into the Kalamazoo area began the city’s long association with heavy industries.
When Kalamazoo gained a connection to the Michigan Central Railway, it partially contributed to an economic boom in the community.
New residents moved to the area to work in the numerous paper mills. These mills and their paper products earned Kalamazoo the nickname “Paper City.”
By the 20th Century, several new industries came to Kalamazoo, some of which still operate here:
- Electricity and power generation
- Windmill part manufacturing
- Manufacturing of musical instruments
- Beer brewing
How Was I Exposed to Asbestos in Kalamazoo?
Many of the city’s industries operated during peak asbestos use. Additionally, buildings constructed during this period used asbestos in many components, especially insulation.
Several paper mills operated in Kalamazoo and used asbestos. The mills operated boilers and other equipment at high temperatures. Asbestos materials were used to insulate pipes, boilers, and other heating equipment.
Even in the 21st Century, long after builders stopped using ACMs to construct new homes, the danger of asbestos exposure persisted.
People who live in homes built in Kalamazoo between 1930 and 1980 risk developing mesothelioma and asbestosis, especially if they disturb asbestos deposits by removing old insulation or doing renovation work.
Ongoing Asbestos Issues in Kalamazoo
Most industries now use no asbestos, but the mineral lingers in some workplaces. The city, companies, and workers are still dealing with it today.
One example is the Graphic Packaging International company. Hoping to expand its operations in Kalamazoo, Graphic Packaging faces a multi-million dollar renovation of a vacant industrial site. The project must tackle the problem of lingering asbestos in the area.
Another problem area is the vacant Rock-Tenn paper mill in nearby Otsego. The Environmental Protection Agency is just beginning the site’s cleanup process, which includes demolishing buildings and safely removing asbestos.
Residential buildings also continue to pose a threat. In 2023, the city of Kalamazoo announced it would demolish three vacant homes and two garages full of asbestos.
Kalamazoo Job Sites with Asbestos
Thousands of Kalamazoo residents were exposed to asbestos in places where they worked.
Hospitals, Churches, and Schools
- Borgess Hospital (Borgess Health)
- Bronson Methodist Hospital
- Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital
- Central High School
- Kalamazoo College
- Nazareth College
- Old Central High School (now known as the Community Education Center)
- Western Michigan University
- Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (KIA)
Paper Mills
- Allied Paper Mill
- Brown Paper Company
- Bryant Paper Mill
- Georgia Pacific Paper Mill
- International Paper Company
- Kalamazoo Paper Mill
- Monarch Papermill
- St. Regis Paper Mill
- Sutherland Paper Company
Additional Job Sites and Businesses
- American Cyanamid
- Bond Supply
- C. R. Hough & Son
- Harrow Spring Company
- Industrial Firebrick Inc.
- Kalamazoo Protection Products
- Lapekas Stone Company
- Michigan Bell Telephone
- Ruud Manufacturing Company
- Winkel Machine Co.
- Durametallic
Cancer Treatment Near Kalamazoo
The University of Michigan Health System’s Comprehensive Cancer Center in Ann Arbor is one of only 41 cancer facilities with a “Comprehensive” designation awarded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
The Center focuses on providing a range of surgical, radiation, and pharmaceutical treatments to patients with all types of cancer, including small cell, non-small cell lung cancer, and malignant mesothelioma.
University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center
1500 East Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Phone: (800) 865-1125
Legal Help in Kalamazoo and Additional Information
As previously mentioned, 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.
