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Mesothelioma Lawyers
Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Lawyers
The mesothelioma lawyers at the Simmons firm represent victims of mesothelioma cancer throughout the United States including the state of Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania, including the cities of:
- Philadelphia
- Pittsburg
- Allentown
- Bethlehem
- Chester
- Erie
- Frederickstown
- Harrisburg
- New Castle
- Valley Forge
- York
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 $105 million for mesothelioma victims in the state of Pennsylvania alone.*
You should know that Pennsylvania has a unique set of laws that could impact your ability to file a claim. For example, Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
A number of work sites throughout Pennsylvania are linked to asbestos exposure, including:
Ambridge
Armco Steel-Ambridge Works Plant
U.S. Steel Mill
Bristol
Rohm & Haas Chemical Plant
Bristol Steel Mill
Chester
Scott Paper Mill
Sun Shipbuilding Shipyard
Delta
Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station
Peach Bottom Nuclear Power Plant
Erie
Hammermill Paper Mill
General Electric Transportation Systems Locomotive Plant
Harrisburg
Pennsylvania Railroad
Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant
Leetsdale
Bethlehem Steel Mill
Bethlehem Steel Co.
Hussey Copper Plant
Philadelphia
Philadelphia Naval Yard
Heintz Manufacturing Plant
Johnsonville Naval Air & Research Center
Mathis Shipyard
National Sugar Refinery aka Jack Frost Sugar
A.P. Green Plant
Allied Chemical Plant
U.S. Naval Damage Control Training Center
General Electric Manufacturing Plant
Chevron Oil Refinery
Sun Oil (Sunoco) Refinery fka Chevron Refinery and Atlantic Refinery
Rohm & Haas Chemical Plant
Pittsburgh
Westinghouse Plant
U.S. Steel Mill
Pittsburgh Plate Glass (PPG) World Headquarters Building
United States Steel Headquarters Building
Gateway Center
American Bridge Shipyard
Armco Steel-Pittsburgh
H.J. Heinz Manufacturing Plant
J & L Steel
Golf Tower
Gulf Oil Refinery
Washington
Washington Steel Mill
Duncan & Miller Glass Plant
Jessop Specialty Steel Mill
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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania employment numbers.
| Occupation | Number Employed in Pennsylvania, 20061 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters | 1,577 |
| Mechanical engineers | 145 |
| Electricians | 1,981 |
| Teachers, elementary school | Not available |
Pennsylvania continues to be affected by mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases. Consider the following:
- CDC statistics show Pennsylvania's age-adjusted death rate for malignant mesothelioma to be between 11.5 and 23 deaths per million per year.2
- The National Cancer Institute and CDC's state cancer profiles show Pennsylvania's 2006 annual incidence rate for lung and bronchus cancers was 70 deaths per 100,000, a figure 5% higher than the 66.8 U.S. rate for the same period.3
For more information about asbestos in Pennsylvania and throughout the U.S., visit the Environmental Protection Agency's website.