Mesothelioma Lawsuits Against Bethlehem Steel Asbestos Exposure

Mesothelioma Lawsuits Against Bethlehem Steel Asbestos Exposure

By Andrea Gressman

Recently, a man named Richard came forward with the details of his father’s death from asbestos cancer and potential asbestos exposure lawsuit. It has been reported that Richard’s father worked at Bethlehem Steel Corporation in the 1950s. Though the dangers of workplace asbestos exposure was well-known, leading to cancers like mesothelioma, and was on record, no protective gear was issued. This resulted in his death due to asbestos-related health issues.

Mesothelioma lawsuits were filed left and right against Bethlehem Steel (the second largest producer of steel) beginning in the 1970s, when workers started complaining of breathing problems. These conditions were later proven to be related to asbestos and many Bethlehem Steel workers were diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, leukemia, and other asbestos-related diseases.

In fact, leukemia claimed the life of Richard’s father. Specific causes of leukemia are unknown. However, exposure to toxic substances like asbestos is likely to be associated with the disease as well as others, like mesothelioma.

Richard met with a Bethlehem Steel representative, who reported that 15 different cancers, including asbestos mesothelioma, and about 10 asbestos-related diseases did indeed occur in workers at Bethlehem Steel.

Richard spoke with an asbestos attorney about potentially filing an asbestos lawsuit, who suggested he call the Erie County Power Company as they are affiliated with the now bankrupt Bethlehem Steel. According to the asbestos attorney, they were taking claims. More than 3,000 Bethlehem Steel asbestos lawsuits had been filed against the company.

Despite the number of families involved in mesothelioma lawsuits and asbestos lawsuits against the company, the Erie County Power Company was only taking claims from people or families who worked there between 1938 and 1942. Unfortunately for Richard, his father worked there in the ‘70s, outside of this range.

Richard’s father was 31 years old when he was diagnosed with leukemia, a cancer caused from asbestos exposure much like mesothelioma. Richard remembered how sick his father was from the asbestos and how his cancer went into remission for a time before returning and eventually taking his life. Doctors could not figure out how someone with no family history could contract cancer. Unfortunately, asbestos was never mentioned. Richard’s father died when Richard was only 11 years old.

Thousands of Mesothelioma Asbestos Lawsuits Filed

Workers claiming to have been exposed to lethal levels of asbestos filed over 3,000 asbestos lawsuits and mesothelioma lawsuits against the former Bethlehem Steel Corp. The first asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit settlement was reached in 2001.

Richard was indeed traumatized by what had happened. Losing his dad at such an early age caused him great mental anguish, plus he had undergone counseling. Richard understood that a trust fund of some sort was set up for Bethlehem Steel workers who contracted asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, leukemia and other cancers. Though the Erie Power Company sent him forms to fill out, he wanted to speak to an attorney first. There was a $150,000 asbestos lawsuit settlement offer, which according to Richard, was merely a bribe of some kind to keep the victims and families “hush, hush,” about it. That didn’t seem to set well with Richard, who went through so much mentally and emotionally as a result of losing his father at only 11 years old.

Richard’s mom stayed by her husband, even though she too was on a respirator as she had lung problems as well. Richard was unsure if her exposure to asbestos caused her cancer. Richard’s siblings can clearly remember their mother washing his father’s work clothes and this secondhand asbestos exposure could have led to her cancer, just like mesothelioma.  

Richard believes that the Bethlehem Steel trust fund was set up for the sole purpose of paying the $150,000 stipend so everyone can just move on. Bethlehem Steel would rather not get asbestos lawyers involved, instead asking everyone to file claims through the Erie Power Company. They could easily pay off the stipend, which, in effect, would cover-up or keep secret what was really happening.

Successful Mesothelioma Asbestos Lawsuit Settlements Against Bethlehem Steel

It is possible that Richard’s father did have a co-worker who was awarded a $1.3 million mesothelioma asbestos lawsuit settlement in 2010. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2009. He worked as a laborer at Bethlehem Steel from 1956 to 1971. He also worked in the same area as Richard’s father, in the Coke Oven Division of Bethlehem Steel. The hazardous conditions caused by the ovens (the emission of toxic chemicals and asbestos) were well-known and quite notorious. A large group of manufacturers and distributors of asbestos-containing products were subsequently sued on the behalf of Richard’s father’s co-worker.

A Baltimore jury awarded a $15.3 million asbestos lawsuit settlement to an elderly man of 73 years in February of 2008. He contracted terminal cancer as a result of exposure to asbestos while working at Bethlehem steel Corporation’s ship repair facility in the 1950’s.

Richard’s decision to speak with an asbestos attorney before signing any forms was a wise one, as these Bethlehem Steel asbestos settlements easily trump the paltry $150,000 offered by the Erie Power Company.

If you or your loved one was exposed to asbestos and have been diagnosed with asbestos mesothelioma or any other asbestos-related side effects, please visit the Mesothelioma Asbestos Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation page right away. Don’t settle for a mesothelioma asbestos settlement that is less than you deserve. An experienced asbestos lawyer will review your claims for free and fight for the compensation you deserve.