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PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC 
Asbestos Exposure


Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer

Nationwide Success

Asbestos Cancer Lawyer

Representing California Power Plant Workers in Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer Claims

Due to fire hazards at Pacific Gas & Electric power plants in California, asbestos insulation is likely to be found throughout facilities in piping, boilers, heaters, electric components and certain machinery on the premises.

Consequently, California power plant asbestos exposure is likely, and potentially inhaled toxic fibers, which can in turn cause serious conditions and cancers like asbestosis and mesothelioma.

Scores of former Pacific Gas & Electric power plant employees and others around the country have filed claims against former and current employers for failing to provide a safe work environment and for failing to provide proper warnings of the potential occupational risks.

Joe Lyon is a highly-rated personal injury lawyer representing plaintiffs nationwide in a wide variety of toxic tort and asbestos cancer claims.

  • Contra Costa Power Plant
  • Pittsburgh Power Plant
  • Moss Landing Power Plant
  • Martinez Power Plant
  • Potrero Station
  • Hunter’s Point Power Plant
  • Morro Bay Station

CONTACT THE LYON FIRM TODAY

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ABOUT THE LYON FIRM

Joseph Lyon has 17 years of experience representing individuals in complex litigation matters. He has represented individuals in every state against many of the largest companies in the world.

The Firm focuses on single-event civil cases and class actions involving corporate neglect & fraud, toxic exposure, product defects & recalls, medical malpractice, and invasion of privacy.

NO COST UNLESS WE WIN

The Firm offers contingency fees, advancing all costs of the litigation, and accepting the full financial risk, allowing our clients full access to the legal system while reducing the financial stress while they focus on their healthcare and financial needs.

Pacific Gas Power Plant Asbestos Risk

An elevated incidence of asbestos-related deaths have been documented in the power industry, where for many years employees worked with asbestos hazards without safety protection.

Asbestos-related deaths have been documented internationally in the power industry. According to the British Journal of Industrial Medicine, studies of asbestos insulation workers show a “higher than expected death rate due to malignant mesothelioma.”

One of the study’s subjects was a former worker of a power plant. The study concludes that even minimal exposure experienced by neighborhood or household members “may induce malignant mesothelioma.”

The study notes that the increased exposure to asbestos make many of the studied occupations at “high-risk” of later developing asbestos-associated diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.

A recent asbestos study published by the Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology concluded a vast number of employees in the power generation industry have been affected.

The study says exposure to asbestos in certain power plant occupations put workers at a high risk for developing asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. The following positions in the power industry may lead to a higher risk of exposure:

  • Insulators
  • Welders
  • Maintenance Crews
  • Boiler operators
  • Pipefitters & Plumbers
  • Machinists
  • Mechanics
  • Electricians
  • Firefighters

Asbestos Materials Used in Pacific Gas Power Plants

  • Fire-resistant clothing—gloves, aprons, masks
  • Thermal insulation
  • Fireproofing
  • Electric cable insulation
  • Electrical cloth
  • Fire blankets
  • Mesh blankets
  • Pipe coverings
  • Welder’s blankets
  • Gaskets

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has stated that there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Brief exposure can lead to serious illness. Plant workers exposed to asbestos fibers may develop scarring in the tissue surrounding the lungs.

This commonly leads to conditions such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Asbestos-related illnesses may take up to 40 years to cause noticeable symptoms, so any former worker of a California power plant should remain vigilant of any change in overall health. Mesothelioma causes signs and symptoms that may include:

  • Chest pain
  • Fatigue
  • Painful coughing
  • Trouble breathing
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Unusual lumps of tissue under the skin on chest
  • Unexplained weight loss

Nearly any worker in a Pacific Gas & Electric power plant could be at risk of developing serious health issues, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

Power Plant Lung Cancer

The large number of power plants operating in California is a concern for surrounding communities and employees. Lawyers claim power plant management knew about the deadly risks of asbestos exposure, and still failed to warn employees or provide proper safety equipment.

As a result, former employees of Pacific Gas are filing claims against employers. Any person exposed to asbestos and injured at a power plant can seek compensation for a related medical issue.

  • Contra Costa Power Plant
  • Pittsburgh Power Plant
  • Moss Landing Power Plant
  • Martinez Power Plant
  • Potrero Station
  • Hunter’s Point Power Plant
  • Morro Bay Station
photo of attorney Joe Lyon
A Voice for Those who have suffered
Why are these cases important?

Many experience asbestos exposure through the workplace. Workplaces may have been filled with toxic materials, and employers may have failed to warn of the serious health risks of the job. Filing a suit helps to raise the awareness of job safety.

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Questions about California Power Plant Asbestos Exposure

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was first utilized in the early 1900s for its insulating abilities, fireproof properties, and versatility. It has been estimated that over 30 million tons of asbestos was used in the American economy in industrial yards, homes, schools, shipyards, and other workplaces.

The natural breakdown of asbestos products and subsequent sawing or cutting of the asbestos creates dust and fibers that are inhaled and can lead to mesothelioma and other severe forms of lung cancer.

Why is Asbestos Toxic?

When asbestos breaks down over time or with use, the fibers of the material can become airborne, presenting a risk of inhaling or ingesting the toxin. Asbestos is a cancer-causing agent, and those heavily exposed can develop scarring in the lungs and later develop lung cancer and mesothelioma.

What Materials Contain Asbestos?

Asbestos was widely used in piping, insulation, electrical components, machine parts, packaging, flooring, ceiling tiles, roofing, and in many building materials.

Can I File a Mesothelioma Lawsuit?

If you were exposed to asbestos at your workplace, and have developed cancer or a related illness, you are likely to qualify for compensation. 

  • Contra Costa Power Plant
  • Pittsburgh Power Plant
  • Moss Landing Power Plant
  • Martinez Power Plant
  • Potrero Station
  • Hunter’s Point Power Plant
  • Morro Bay Station
Why Did Companies Use Asbestos?

Asbestos was cheap, durable, fire-resistant and light, and was thought to be the perfect insulating material before research showed it was extremely hazardous to the health.

Is it hard to win an asbestos case?

The success rates of settlements regarding asbestos exposure injury are quite high. It may be necessary to prove that occupational exposure is the primary cause of lung cancer or mesothelioma, though this is the job of The Lyon Firm, and we have experience in reaching large mesothelioma settlements.

Why Hire the Lyon Firm

Our Firm will help you find the answers. The Firm has the experience, resources and dedication to take on difficult and emotional cases and help our clients obtain the justice for the wrong they have suffered. 

Experience: Joe Lyon is an experienced  Asbestos Lawyer. The Lyon Firm has 19 years of experience and success representing individuals and plaintiffs in all fifty states, and in a variety of complex civil litigation matters. Asbestos lawsuits can be complex and require industry experts to determine the root cause of an accident or injury. Mr. Lyon has worked with experts nationwide to assist individuals understand why an injury occurred and what can be done to improve their lives in the future. Some cases may go to a jury trial, though many others can be settled out of court.

Resources/Dedication: The Lyon Firm is dedicated to building the strongest cases possible for clients and their critical interests.

Results: Mr. Lyon has obtained numerous seven and six figure asbestos settlements.

Your Right to Safety
The Statute of Limitations for Asbestos Cases

Asbestos can be found in homes built before 1980, construction sites, and in many military installations. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), there are 75 different jobs that can expose workers to asbestos, with those jobs primarily involving construction and manufacturing. Thousands of American workers are still exposed to asbestos each year. 

Mesothelioma is a serious illness that has been linked to asbestos exposure in medical literature. It is estimated that there will be thousands of new cases due to the latency period of 20-50 years after being first exposed to asbestos.

Our Victories

The Lyon Firm aggressively, professionally, and passionately advocates for injured individuals and families against companies due to asbestos exposure.

2,000,000

Asbestos (Mesothelioma)

1,000,000

Asbestos (Mesothelioma)