Victims of asbestos exposure in the state are fighting for justice and compensation with the help of experienced Nevada mesothelioma lawyers. Several industries in Nevada, including construction and mineral processing, were associated with asbestos at job sites. Exposure has led to thousands of asbestos illnesses and deaths.
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, it’s important to note that you may qualify for substantial compensation. Fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the experienced mesothelioma lawyers in Nebraska, 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
- Learn how to get paid in 90 days
- File for your share of $30 billion in trust funds
We are happy to offer assistance in all states and cities in Nevada, including:
Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno, North Las Vegas, Paradise, Spring Valley, Sunrise, Manor, Enterprise, Sparks, Carson City, Whitney, Pahrump, Winchester, Summerlin, South Elko, Fernley, Sun Valley, Mesquite, Spanish, Springs, Boulder City, Spring Creek, Gardnerville, Ranchos, Dayton, Incline Village, Fallon, Cold Springs, Winnemucca, Laughlin, Moapa Valley, Johnson Lane, Indian Hills, Silver Springs, Gardnerville, Lemmon Valley, West Wendover, Ely, Washoe Valley, Hawthorne, Minden, Battle Mountain, Yerington, Tonopah, Nellis AFB, Carlin, Golden Valley, Kingsbury, Lovelock, Verdi, Bunkerville, Topaz, Ranch Estates, East Valley, McGill, Panaca, Mogul, Sandy Valley, Smith Valley, Jackpot, Wells, Stagecoach, Owyhee, Caliente, Ruhenstroth, Moapa Town, Grass Valley, Stateline, Beatty, Genoa, Pioche, Indian Springs, Wadsworth, Fish Springs, Round Hill Village, Ruth, Fallon Station, Alamo, Schurz, Virginia, Osino, Fort McDermitt, Eureka, Searchlight, Carter Springs, Goldfield, Nixon, Crescent Valley, Zephyr Cove, Blue Diamond, Sutcliffe, Mount Charleston, Paradise Valley, Lund, Walker Lake, Skyland, Golconda, Gerlach, Orovada, Glenbrook, Crystal Bay, Topaz Lake, Lakeridge Silver City, and more.
Nevada Asbestos Facts
- Between 1999 and 2017, more than 1,700 people in Nevada died from causes related to asbestos exposure.
- Of those deaths, 1,332 were from lung cancer, 333 from mesothelioma, and 125 from asbestosis.
- Clark County, home to Las Vegas, has had the highest number of asbestos-related deaths.
How Do Nevada Mesothelioma Lawyers Help Clients?
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you have legal rights and can seek compensation. A mesothelioma lawyer in the area will help you decide which step to take next and will handle every part of the process. They will give you the best possible chance of recovering damages.
Some of the many benefits of working with an experienced, top Nevada mesothelioma lawyer include:
- A free initial consultation to discuss your case and options
- Expert advice based on real experience with mesothelioma clients
- A team of investigators and medical experts to prove your case
- Negotiation expertise to get you the best settlement
- Litigation experience, if your case goes to trial
- Maximum compensation for all the expenses of living with mesothelioma
- Contingency payment, so you pay nothing until they win
As you look for a lawyer to represent you, keep these benefits in mind. You need a true expert in mesothelioma and asbestos cases. They should be able to come to you wherever you live in Nevada, but they should be part of a large nationwide firm.
Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit in Nevada
A mesothelioma lawsuit is a legal action suing the companies responsible for your asbestos exposure and resulting illness. If you were negligently exposed to asbestos at a Nevada workplace, you have a right to take this step and seek compensation.
The best way to file a mesothelioma or asbestos lawsuit is to find an experienced lawyer. They will file the suit and take all necessary steps to bring it to a successful conclusion. They can also tell you if you are eligible for any other types of claims:
How Much Mesothelioma Compensation Can I Get in Nevada?
Compensation in mesothelioma claims varies significantly depending on the factors in your case:
- The severity of your illness
- Past and current medical expenses
- Future expected medical expenses
- Home care costs
- Travel costs for treatment
- The degree of your pain and suffering
- The defendants involved and their liability
Most mesothelioma lawsuits end in settlements, averaging $1 million to $1.4 million. Jury awards are often much higher but are not always worth the risk. A trial can take years to resolve and could result in no compensation.
Where Was I Exposed to Asbestos in Nevada?
Many industries in the state used asbestos-containing materials in their job sites for things like insulation, fireproofing, and as a part of mineral processing:
- Between 1948 and 1993, Nevada received 484 shipments of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite from the W.R. Grace mines in Libby, Montana.
- According to the EWG, 37,213 tons of the toxic mineral entered the state.
- Workers, their families, and even nearby residents were at risk for exposure to the contaminating fibers of asbestos.
Below are just a few examples of industries and workplaces in Nevada known to have used asbestos and exposed workers.
Asbestos Use in Nevada’s Construction Boom
Tourism is one of Nevada’s most important industries. Its big resorts draw millions of people to the state each year.
To accommodate a large number of tourists, Nevada relied on the construction industry to build the hotels, casinos, and other attractions that made the state famous.
Many of the older tourist attractions in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, and Reno were built between the late 1940s and the early 1970s. This was the peak period of asbestos use in the nation.
Construction workers, plumbers, and electricians who worked in tourism were exposed to asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). This increased their chances of developing asbestosis, lung cancer, and malignant mesothelioma.
Asbestos in the Power Industry
The power-generating industry was also a significant user of asbestos and ACMs. The industry prized asbestos for its fire-retardant properties and electrical and heat insulation.
Employees at these job sites worked in an environment where it was easy to inhale or even swallow the fine asbestos fibers.
As a result, power plant workers in Nevada are a high-risk group for developing asbestosis and mesothelioma.
A former worker of Nevada Power in Las Vegas filed a lawsuit in 2005 after developing mesothelioma from working in the boiler room from 1957 to 1964.
The plaintiff sued the power company’s manufacturer, D.B. Riley, and with the help of his mesothelioma lawyer, settled for $2 million.
Some of the plants in the state known to have used asbestos include:
- Mohave Power Station, Laughlin
- Desert Peak Power Plant, Reno
- Harry Allen Power Station, Las Vegas
- Clark Station, Las Vegas
- Valmy Power House, Valmy
- Beowawe Power Plant, Beowawe
- Bradley Power Plant, Fernley
- Timet Power Plant, Henderson
- Nevada Power Company, Las Vegas
- Reid Gardner Power Plant, Moapa
- Sunrise Power Plant, Las Vegas
- Desert Peak Power Plant, Reno
- Dixie Valley Power Plant, Reno
- Empire Farms Power Plant, Reno
- Pinon Pine Power Plant, Reno
- Steamboat Power Plant, Reno
Processing Contaminated Vermiculite in Nevada
Vermiculite processing plants exposed many workers to asbestos in the past. Many of these facilities received shipments of asbestos-contaminated vermiculite from the W.R. Grace mines in Libby, Montana.
Nevada vermiculite processing plants that used contaminated minerals from Libby include:
- Flintkote
- Pabco Gypsum/Johns Manville
- U.S. Gypsum
These companies processed the vermiculite that went into drywall and other construction products. Both workers in these facilities and nearby residents were at risk of exposure to asbestos fibers.
Other Job Sites Associated with Asbestos in Nevada
Chemical Companies
- American Potash and Chemical Corporation, Henderson
- Kerr McGee Chemical Company, Henderson
- Montrose Chemical, Henderson
- Stauffer Chemical Company, Henderson
- Titanium Chemical Plant, Henderson
- Stauffer Chemical Company, Las Vegas
Military and Government
- Las Vegas County Courthouse, Las Vegas
- Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas
- Laughlin Air Force Base, Laughlin
- Steed Air Force Base, Reno
Hotels and Casinos
- Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas
- Desert Inn Hotel, Las Vegas
- Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas
- Hotel Showboat, Casino, and Lanes, Las Vegas
- MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas
- Stardust Hotel Casino, Las Vegas
- Sun Coast Resort, Las Vegas
- Tropicana Hotel, Las Vegas
- Nugget Casino, Sparks
Asbestos Exposure Is Still a Risk in Nevada
While most harmful asbestos exposure occurred years ago, the risk is not past. Nevada residents and workers can still be exposed to asbestos from a couple of important sources:
Naturally-Occurring Asbestos
Asbestos is a natural mineral that was once mined for its useful properties. Nevada has several natural deposits of asbestos that are potentially harmful to residents.
The risk occurs when activity disturbs asbestos deposits. This could happen during road building or the development of new residential areas. As a state with ongoing growth, this is a real concern.
Boulder City, outside of Las Vegas, is being developed rapidly with new roads and construction. The area has natural asbestos deposits. Experts have warned of the risks of asbestos exposure in this area of Nevada as it grows and workers disturb asbestos.
Asbestos in Nevada’s Older Buildings
Another source of ongoing asbestos exposure risk in Nevada is asbestos in older buildings. Residential, commercial, and public buildings constructed before the 1970s often contain asbestos. As the materials deteriorate or are disrupted by renovations, workers and residents are at risk of exposure.
Some of those buildings include public schools. Existing asbestos materials in schools can release fibers and expose teachers, staff, and students. In Ely, Nevada, the school district is currently seeking $60 million from the state to renovate old buildings full of asbestos and with other health hazards.
In 2022, an apartment manager in Las Vegas pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Air Act when he used untrained, unlicensed workers to renovate asbestos-containing units. He admitted to knowing about the asbestos and failing to protect workers and residents.
Nevada’s Asbestos Laws
Nevada laws protect against ongoing asbestos exposure and impact how lawsuits over past exposure proceed.
Statute of Limitations for Asbestos-Related Cases in Nevada
If you want to file a mesothelioma lawsuit in Nevada, you must do so within the statute of limitations:
- Asbestos-related lawsuits in Nevada follow the same legal guidelines for personal injury lawsuits.
- Plaintiffs must file their case within two years of the asbestos-related diagnosis or within two years in which the illness should have been discovered.
- The plaintiffs filing a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a loved one must file within two years of the victim’s death.
Comparative Negligence
Nevada has a comparative negligence rule for personal injury cases, like asbestos lawsuits. The rule states that a plaintiff cannot recover any damages if they are found to be more than 50% to blame for their own injuries.
Punitive Damages
Personal injury lawsuits award different types of damages to the plaintiff: economic, non-economic, and punitive. The first two are designed to compensate the victim for their costs. The latter is supposed to punish the defendants.
Nevada limits punitive damages in asbestos cases. The cap is three times the amount of compensatory damages.
Nevada’s Asbestos Safety Regulations
The state of Nevada has asbestos laws and regulations in place. Along with state laws, Nevada also follows the federal OSHA guidelines and the EPA regulations for asbestos abatement.
Asbestos regulations in regard to the following are covered under Chapter 18, Occupational Health and Safety, under Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) and include:
- Asbestos rules enforcement and penalties
- Regulations on the control of asbestos
- Application procedures for obtaining an asbestos license
- Rules for the proper disposal of asbestos and asbestos-containing materials (ACMs)
- Laws and regulations regarding the construction, renovation, and demolition of any public buildings containing asbestos
- Applicable fees due prior to starting an asbestos abatement project
- General safety and health regulations and guidelines while working around asbestos
- State Environmental Commission regulations in regard to asbestos
- Mandatory OSHA training rules and completion requirements
- Transportation rules when transporting asbestos to the proper waste disposal site
- Emergency asbestos laws and regulations
For more in-depth detailed information concerning all asbestos rules and regulations in Nevada, contact the Nevada Department of Business and Industry at 702-486-9020.
Getting Treatment in Nevada
When seeking treatment for asbestos-related diseases, it is important to turn to facilities that specialize in cancer. Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada (CCCN)in Summerlin provides excellent cancer care services for patients in the Las Vegas area.
CCCN was formed in 2000 when the Southwest Cancer Clinic merged with Nevada Radiation Oncology Centers. CCCN has nine treatment centers in the greater Las Vegas area, Pahrump, and Boulder City.
Legal Assistance for Nevada Asbestos Victims
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. 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
- Environmental Working Group. (n.d.). Asbestos: Think Again.
Retrieved from: http://www.ewg.org/research/maps/deaths-due-asbestos-related-diseases - Comprehensive Cancer Centers. (n.d.). About Comprehensive.
Retrieved from: https://cccnevada.com/about-cccn/ - Comprehensive Cancer Centers. (n.d.). Medical Services.
Retrieved from: http://www.cccnevada.com/medical-services/ - Environmental Working Group. (n.d.). Asbestos-Related Deaths in Nevada.
Retrieved from: http://www.asbestosnation.org/facts/asbestos-deaths/nv/ - U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2009, March). U.S. Gypsum Company, 100 1st Street, Empire, Nevada.
Retrieved from: https://files.gao.gov/special.pubs/gao-09-7sp/file255.html - U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2009, March). Pabco Gypsum/Johns-Manville/Fiberboard, Street address unknown, Apex, Nevada.
Retrieved from: https://files.gao.gov/special.pubs/gao-09-7sp/file253.html - U.S. Government Accountability Office. (2009, March). Flintkote Company Gypsum Products Division, Street address unknown, Blue Diamond, Nevada.
Retrieved from: https://files.gao.gov/special.pubs/gao-09-7sp/file254.html - Schoenmann, J. (2018, October 30). On Verge Of A Boom, Boulder City Keenly Aware Of Asbestos. Nevada Public Radio.
Retrieved from: https://knpr.org/knpr/2018-10/verge-boom-boulder-city-keenly-aware-asbestos - Davis, H. (2023, February 27). Dilapidated Schools Send Rural Nevada Officials to Legislature in Search of $60 Million. Las Vegas Sun.
Retrieved from: https://lasvegassun.com/news/2023/feb/27/dilapidated-schools-send-rural-nevada-officials-to/ - Emerson, E. (2022, March 14). Las Vegas Apartment Manager Pleads Guilty to Asbestos-Related Violations. Fox 5 KVVU.
Retrieved from: https://www.fox5vegas.com/2022/03/14/las-vegas-apartment-manager-pleads-guilty-asbestos-related-violations/