Mesothelioma in East St. Louis, Illinois
East St. Louis, Illinois, is across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri. Asbestos was prominent in East St. Louis. City residents exposed to asbestos materials may be at risk of asbestos illnesses, such as mesothelioma. Those impacted by an asbestos illness can find treatment and legal resources in the area below.
Learn More About Asbestos and Mesothelioma in East St. Louis
East St. Louis, Illinois Mesothelioma Treatment
Individuals exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing an asbestos disease. Health risks include asbestosis, lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma.
Asbestos disease patients should seek care from a cancer center and mesothelioma doctor. Mesothelioma treatment can help extend patient life expectancy and improve disease prognosis.
Due to the small size of East St. Louis, patients may travel to nearby St. Louis, Missouri, for mesothelioma treatment.
Cancer Centers for Mesothelioma Serving East St. Louis, Illinois
Mesothelioma patients should seek care from a cancer center offering specialized treatment. Local hospitals may not have resources dedicated to treating mesothelioma.
East St. Louis residents can travel across the river to St. Louis, Missouri, for treatment. There, patients will find several cancer centers equipped to treat asbestos diseases.
For example, the Missouri Baptist Cancer Center offers clinical trials for mesothelioma and other rare tumors. Patients may be able to participate in trials for new and emerging treatments.
Washington University Medical Campus
Gary C. Werths Building
East St. Louis, Illinois Mesothelioma Doctors
East St. Louis mesothelioma patients can also travel to find a mesothelioma doctor to assist with treatment. Specialists have a deep understanding of the disease and its potential treatment options. They can also help ensure an accurate diagnosis.
East St. Louis, Illinois Mesothelioma Lawsuits
East St. Louis mesothelioma patients may be eligible for financial compensation. Asbestos illnesses often develop after wrongful asbestos exposure. Patients may be able to file a mesothelioma claim against the parties responsible for their exposure.
There are several avenues for mesothelioma compensation. These include trust fund claims, lawsuits and settlements. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can assist patients with choosing the best type of claim for their situation.
Finding a Lawyer or Law Firm in East St. Louis, Illinois
If you were exposed to asbestos in Illinois at a commercial, residential or military site and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to compensation. East St. Louis residents wishing to file an asbestos claim should contact a mesothelioma law firm. National and local law firms with experience in asbestos litigation can provide clients with insight. For example, states often have different asbestos regulations. These varying state laws make a lawyer with experience an asset for clients.
Law firms with experience in Illinois asbestos lawsuits include:
Deadlines for Filing Mesothelioma Lawsuits in East St. Louis, Illinois
To be eligible for financial compensation, individuals must file a claim within a certain timeframe. This is known as the statute of limitations.
Claims must be filed within 2 years after an asbestos-related diagnosis.
Claims must be filed within 2 years after an asbestos-related death.
Claims can provide patients with compensation to cover medical expenses and lost wages. Common defendants include asbestos companies and negligent employers. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer in East St. Louis can help claimants get the compensation they deserve.
Successful claims in the East St. Louis area include:
Age: 71
Occupation: Construction worker, Mechanic
Jobsites Worked at: FMC Corp. (1970 – 1989)
Settlement: ~$816,378
Asbestos Use in East St. Louis, Illinois
Asbestos was frequently used in construction materials and worksites across East St. Louis. The mineral was incorporated into many products for heat resistance, strength and fireproofing.
East St. Louis faced an economic decline after the wars of the 21st Century. In the 1990s, redevelopment began to improve the city. However, this led to demolitions, renovations and/or expansions of existing structures. These activities may disturb asbestos, potentially leading to harmful exposure.
Asbestos was prominent in industrial settings and affected many trades. For example, contractors, repairmen and other industrial workers may have experienced occupational exposure.
Asbestos exposure sites in East St. Louis include:
- CertainTeed Corporation Plant: CertainTeed produced a variety of products, including asbestos-containing cement pipes and shingles. Plant workers may have come into contact with the mineral during manufacturing, cleaning and packaging.
- East St. Louis Schools: Public schools throughout the city contained asbestos building materials. These included insulation, roofing and floor and ceiling tiles.
Many other city buildings, homes and businesses may also have contained asbestos.
| Gender | Number of Deaths |
|---|---|
| Male | 46 |
| Female | 12 |
East Saint Louis, Illinois Landmarks and Asbestos
Asbestos was frequently used in East St. Louis landmarks. Many of these buildings are now aging, causing asbestos exposure concerns.
The Spivey Building
The Spivey Building is known to contain asbestos. This structure was the first and only skyscraper in East St. Louis. Over time, the structure has begun to crumble and fall apart.
In 2002, a developer decided to renovate the building. During the renovation, asbestos was removed improperly. These actions violated federal asbestos regulations, including the Clean Air Act. Reports found the following issues:
- Workers were not provided with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Asbestos was not wetted before removal.
Both of these issues were in direct violation of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. As a result, the developer now faces legal repercussions for inadequate asbestos handling and removal.
Due to these events, the development project at the Spivey Building has halted. The building currently sits vacant and continues to deteriorate.
Broadview Hotel
The Broadview Hotel was built in 1927. The hotel is beloved in the city and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Recently, the building served as Southern Illinois University’s East St. Louis Center.
However, reports show building materials in the hotel contain asbestos. As a result, individuals who came in contact with asbestos materials at Broadview Hotel may be at risk of asbestos illnesses. Asbestos at the hotel remains a concern until contaminated materials are completely removed.
City officials have acknowledged the need for asbestos remediation. According to city statements, a plan to facilitate a large abatement project is in progress.
East Saint Louis, Illinois Jobsites Where Asbestos Exposure Occurred
- Alcoa Company
- Allied Chemical
- Aluminum Company of America
- Aluminum Ore Company
- American Manufacturing Company
- American Steel Foundry
- American Zinc Company of Illinois
- Anderson Tire Company
- Armour & Company
- C & D Design Engineering Company
- Cahokia Power Station
- Central Catholic H.S.
- Cerro Corporation
- Certain-Teed
- Charles Pfizer & Company
- City of East Saint Louis
- Creosote Forest Products Company
- E J Maag Shop
- East Saint Louis Housing Authority
- East Saint Louis Press
- East St Louis and Suburban Railway
- Elementis Pigments Inc
- General Chemical Company
- George S. Mepham Corporation
- Glass House
- Granby Mning and Smelting Company
- Hunter Packing Company
- Intercoastal Paint
- Kohler Brothers
- Lewin Mathes Company
- Lincoln Walker Painting
- Mcmahon Transfer & Storage
- Mecca Insulators
- Midwest Rubber Reclaiming Company
- Missouri Pacific Railway
- Mobil Oil Company
- Monsanto Chemical
- Nelson Morris and Company
- Obernester Glass
- Pfizer Chemical
- Pittsburgh Reduction Company
- Prestite Company
- Publicker Commercial Alcohol Company
- Republic Iron and Steel
- Sea Wall
- Shell Oil Company
- Sinclair Oil Refinery
- Socony Vacuum Oil Company
- St Clair County Gas and Electric Company
- Swift & Company
- Union Electric Light and Power Company
- Walworth Company
- Wiggins Ferry Company
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Underlying Cause of Death, 1999-2020. CDC Wonder Online Database.
City of East St. Louis. Asbestos Abatement – Broadview Hotel. February 2020.
Encyclopedia Britannica. East Saint Louis.
Holleran K. Asbestos removal from ESL schools unpaid, suit claims. Madison – St. Clair Record. June 2013.
Illinois Appellate Court – Fifth District. Jacqueline Mitchell et al., Plaintiffs-Appellees and Appellants, v. United Asbestos Corporation et al., Defendants-Appellants and Appellees. September 1981.
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Asbestos.
National Park Service. Broadview Hotel. National Register of Historic Places Program. December 2013.
Smith CP. The Spivey Building in East St. Louis is still crumbling. Will it finally get demolished? Belleville News-Democrat. March 2018.
Supreme Court of Illinois. Lewis E. et al., Appellees, v. Joseph A. Spagnolo, Superintendent of Education, et al., Appellants. April 1999.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. Asbestos Laws and Regulations. Updated April 2020.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. Former St. Louis-Area City Councilman Gets Prison for Illegally Removing Asbestos. All News Releases by Date. August 2007.
Financial Assistance for Mesothelioma Patients
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Jennifer Lucarelli
Mesothelioma Lawyer and Legal Advisor
For more than two decades, Jennifer Lucarelli has served as Legal Advisor at Mesothelioma.com. She has advocated for more than 1,000 asbestos victims, securing millions in settlements and helping them access quality medical care.
