Champion Paper Asbestos Exposure
Reviewing Champion Paper Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Claims
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Asbestos Cancer Attorney
Representing Champion Paper Mill Workers in Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Claims
Champion International, eventually acquired by International Paper in 2000, was a large paper and wood product producer. From the 19th century it had been based in Hamilton, Ohio, then expanding to mills in Texas and North Carolina by the 1930s. At one point Champion was the largest coated paper manufacturer in the country.
Champion merged with U. S. Plywood Corp. in 1967, forming U. S. Plywood-Champion Papers Inc. The name was changed to Champion International Corp. in 1972. The firm also later merged with Hoerner-Waldorf Corporation, a large corrugated box manufacturer in 1977.
By the 1990s, environmental concerns were affecting the company’s bottom line, facing lawsuits and environmental scrutiny. Like many other paper mills, there was widespread concerns about water pollution, toxic waste byproducts of the milling process, and numerous toxic exposure claims made by former workers diagnosed with cancer.
Various positions at paper mills were at an increased risk of being exposed to asbestos, maybe none more so than the machine operators and maintenance workers. Maintenance workers inspected asbestos-insulated pipes and boilers and machinery.
Paper mills themselves were also constructed with dozens of asbestos-containing materials, so almost any worker in a warehouse could have potentially been exposed to dangerous toxins. Workers at paper mills may still be at risk of developing occupational cancer. The following tasks and positions at paper mills that may be at elevated cancer risk include:
- Cementing and gluing machine operators
- Metal and plastic cutters
- Packaging and filling machine operators
- Punching and pressing operators
- Sawing machine setters
- Textile cutting machine setters
- Welders
- Electricians
Before the 1980s, many Hoerner-Waldorf and Champion Paper workers were at a high risk of toxic exposure and thousands of workers in the paper industry have fallen ill after long terms of workplace exposure.
The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that not only are paper mill staff at risk in the past, but could still face health risks from past exposure or even new exposures.
Paper milling operations like pulping involve extremely high temperatures and thus asbestos insulation was used to mitigate fire risks.
Joe Lyon is an asbestos cancer and toxic exposure attorney reviewing Champion Paper mill asbestos exposure for workers nationwide.
Champion Paper Mill Asbestos Exposure
Thousands of individuals who worked in paper mills in the 20th century could have been exposed to toxic materials on the job. Up until the mid 1970s, paper mills were built with construction materials that contained asbestos.
Handling Complex Asbestos Cases
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Champion Paper Asbestos & Mesothelioma
The WHO and CDC now warn of the safety hazards of working in paper mills. An American Journal of Epidemiology study conducted by Johns Hopkins researchers found paper mill workers were “at increased risk of dying from lung cancer and mesothelioma, probably due to exposure to asbestos.” That is pretty conclusive about the poor safety record at many companies throughout the paper industry.
Any current or former worker in the paper industry may have been exposed to toxins at certain mills and pulping facilities. Paper mill asbestos exposure may have been more common than anyone ever thought. As a result, plaintiffs have filed numerous lawsuits and reached settlements with former employers. Legal claims have alleged that employers have been negligent for the following:
- Failing to warn paper mill staff of the presence of asbestos fibers at work sites
- Failing to comply with federal OSHA safety regulations on ventilation
- Failing to measure the amount of airborne asbestos fibers in work areas
- Failing to properly protect mill employees from toxic exposure with training and equipment
- Failing to guard against health hazards in common work areas, and allowing for a high risk of occupational illness to workers
Questions about Champion Paper Mill Asbestos Exposure
If you were exposed to asbestos at a paper mill, and have developed cancer or a related illness, you are likely reach a quick and rightful settlement after you file your claim with our lawyers.
Insulation was necessary to mitigate fire risks, and asbestos was cheap and widely available. Work safety experts only learned how toxic the material was many years after it was first introduced to factories and warehouses throughout the country.
Joe Lyon is an experienced Toxic Exposure and Asbestos Cancer Lawyer. The Lyon Firm has two decades of experience and nationwide success representing individuals. Mesothelioma and lung cancer lawsuits can be complex and require industry experts to determine the root cause of the illness. The Lyon Firm is dedicated to building the strongest cases possible for clients and their families.
Results: Mr. Lyon has obtained numerous seven and six figure asbestos settlements.
Asbestos Verdicts & Settlements
Estate of Steve Thomas v. AK Steel Corporation, et al.
Summary: PHILADELPHIA COUNTY, Pennsylvania – Co-counsel represented the surviving spouse of a steel mill worker who developed mesothelioma after years of asbestos exposure on the job. The case resulted in a settlement exceeding $2.7 million.
Estate of William P. Bush v. AK Steel Corporation, et al.
Summary: MADISON COUNTY, Illinois – Co-counsel represented the family of a steel mill worker who suffered asbestos exposure that later led to mesothelioma. The case resulted in a settlement exceeding $2.3 million.
Asbestos Lawsuits
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Taking the first step doesn’t have to be complicated. In just a few minutes, you can share the basics of your case, and our team will guide you from there:
- It begins with a few simple questions about your situation.
- From there, a member of our legal team reviews your case.
- Together, we’ll chart the path forward, helping you take the next step toward resolution.
