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Mesothelioma Lawyers
Michigan Mesothelioma Lawyers
The mesothelioma lawyers at the Simmons firm represent victims of mesothelioma cancer throughout the United States including the state of Michigan. We have represented thousands of families affected by mesothelioma and asbestos-related cancer and have seen the suffering it causes firsthand. The Simmons firm is dedicated to giving our clients the respect and attention they deserve, no matter where they live. If you or someone you love has mesothelioma, we will come to you. Over the past decade, we’ve represented many clients throughout Michigan including the cities of:
- Ann Arbor
- Auburn Hills
- Dearborn
- Detroit
- Flint
- Jackson
- Pontiac
- Traverse City
- Troy
As a nationwide firm, our asbestos attorneys have the resources and experience necessary to represent individuals and families against large companies in this complex area of litigation. Our firm has recovered over $3 billion in verdicts and settlements for thousands of families dealing with mesothelioma. Our lawyers have recovered $129 million for mesothelioma victims in the state of Michigan alone.*
You should know that Michigan has a unique set of laws that could impact your ability to file a claim. For example, Michigan has statute of limitation laws that restrict the time frame in which mesothelioma victims and family members can file a lawsuit. Rest assured our mesothelioma lawyers are prepared to help you understand the process for filing an asbestos lawsuit and guide you through the legal system. Contact the Simmons firm if you have a question about a potential case.
If you have mesothelioma or lung cancer due to asbestos exposure, please contact our mesothelioma lawyers for a free case evaluation.
An Introduction to Asbestos and Mesothelioma
Asbestos is a deadly mineral that has been used in thousands of products. When microscopic asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they can cause a number of diseases, including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Of the diseases caused by asbestos, mesothelioma is the most aggressive, attacking the internal lining of the lungs and abdomen. Mesothelioma typically does not develop until decades after the asbestos exposure occurred.
Asbestos in Michigan
Michigan is also home to the nation’s auto industry – an industry that has used asbestos for decades. Auto products that have contained or currently contain asbestos include:
- Brake Pads
- Brake Linings
- Clutch Components
- Valves
- Gaskets
While the EPA has raised awareness of asbestos exposure in the automotive industry within recent decades, there was very little done to protect auto workers from the dangers of asbestos prior to the late twentieth century.1 This lack of oversight in the automotive industry has led to some of the largest verdicts in asbestos case history being issued against major Michigan auto manufacturers.
Because the auto industry has used parts that contain asbestos since its inception, occupations like mechanics and auto manufacturers are often at risk for developing an asbestos-related lung cancer. If you or a loved one has worked around auto parts that contain asbestos, please let a doctor know immediately. If your doctor knows that you have a history of asbestos exposure, he will be more likely to catch early symptoms of asbestos-related diseases.
Auto workers who do contract an asbestos-related disease can contact a mesothelioma lawyer at the Simmons firm for help with their next steps.
A number of work sites throughout Michigan have been linked to asbestos exposure including:
Battle Creek
Ralston Purina Company
Post Cereal Plant
Kellogg Company
Dearborn
Ford Motor Company (Lincoln – Mercury Assembly Plant)
Kaiser Aluminum Plant
Ford “River Rouge” Automotive Plant
Detroit
Pennsylvania Salt Mill
Chevrolet Gear And Axle Plant
Chrysler Assembly Plant
Cadillac Automotive Plant
General Motors/Chevrolet Plant
Great Lakes Slab Steel Plant
Chevrolet Plant
Briggs Manufacturing Co.
Chrysler – Plymouth – Dodge Plant
Hudson Motor Car Company
Chrysler Engine Plant
River Rouge Power Plant
American Motors Nash – Kelvinator Refrigerator Plant
Chrysler Stamping Plant
General Motors Plant
Flint
Buick City Plant
Chevrolet Gear And Axle
General Motors Plant
General Motors Fisher Body Plant
Chevrolet Manufacturing Plant
Grand Rapids
General Motors Assembly Plant
Kalamazoo
Brown Paper Mill
Upjohn Plant
James River Paper Mill
Bronson Public Hospital
General Motors Transmission Plant
Saginaw
General Motors Plant
General Motors Transmission Plant
General Motors
Grey Iron Foundry
If you or a loved one has suffered from an asbestos-related disease, please contact us today for a free legal consultation.
Learn More About Mesothelioma:
» Mesothelioma Diagnosis Information
» Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit
* Please note that recovery results vary per client. The recovery amounts in each case reflect the specific facts of that case. Further, recovery amounts in past cases are not a guarantee of future results
The majority of individuals who have been exposed to asbestos encounter the so-called "magic mineral" in their line of work, often due to inadequate safety precautions. Others are exposed to asbestos indirectly when they come in contact with the clothing of a family member involved in a high-risk asbestos occupation.
Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. When microscopic asbestos dust particles becomes airborne, they can be inhaled or swallowed and can cause serious health issues.
Common work environments where a mesothelioma or cancer patient may have encountered asbestos include shipyards, oil refineries, sheet metal plants, automotive plants, construction sites, and many more. Click here to view a complete list of occupations that have been linked to asbestos exposure.
Giving Back to Mesothelioma Patients & Families
In 2010, the Simmons firm established the Simmons Mesothelioma Foundation, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting research and advancing awareness about this rare cancer. The Foundation partners with established experts and thought-leaders in the mesothelioma research field. Learn more about the Foundation's current mesothelioma research partners.
As a long-time supporter of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation and the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, the Simmons firm has an extensive history of supporting the fight against mesothelioma and cancer. The firm has also pledged over $10 million to establish the Simmons Cancer Institute at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. The institute provides extraordinary new resources to enhance treatments and implement the continuing search for a permanent cure. It is the largest single gift in the history of SIU and establishes the university as home to one of the leading cancer facilities in the United States.
Asbestos Exposure in Michigan Today
Asbestos has not yet been banned in the United States. Its use is regulated, but it is still used in products today. Asbestos has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a human carcinogen. This assessment is supported by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), both of which believe that the future use of asbestos should be banned.
The following chart shows the higher-risk occupations for malignant mesothelioma along with their corresponding Michigan employment numbers.
| Occupation | Number Employed in Michigan, 20062 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters | 15,060 |
| Mechanical engineers | 24,730 |
| Electricians | 24,000 |
| Teachers, elementary school | 41,770 |
Michigan, home to the nation’s auto industry, deals with its fair share of asbestos-related problems. Consider the following statistics:
- CDC statistics show Michigan’s age-adjusted death rate for malignant mesothelioma to be 12.1 deaths per million per year.3
- The National Cancer Institute and CDC’s state cancer profiles show Michigan’s 2006 annual incidence rate for lung and bronchus cancers was 72 deaths per 100,000. The U.S. average is 66.8 deaths per 100,000, meaning Michigan’s rate is 8% higher than the nation’s average.4
For more information about asbestos in Michigan and throughout the U.S., visit the Environmental Protection Agency's website.