Mesothelioma in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Asbestos was widely used during the construction, renovation and repair of schools in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Construction workers, staff and students at these schools were put at a higher risk of asbestos exposure, which can result in mesothelioma. Local mesothelioma treatment and legal resources can be found below.
Learn More About Asbestos and Mesothelioma in Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, Iowa Mesothelioma Treatment
Asbestos exposure in Iowa may have led to workers and residents developing an asbestos-related disease. Cedar Rapids residents who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma should seek treatment at specialized cancer centers. Patients can find mesothelioma treatment options in Iowa or travel to facilities in Wisconsin or Minnesota. Doctors at these facilities offer patients a personalized medical plan using cutting-edge treatment options. Patients may also be eligible to participate in clinical trials locally or out of state.
Cancer Centers for Mesothelioma Serving Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Mesothelioma patients in Cedar Rapids are within driving distance of mesothelioma cancer centers and treatment programs, including the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center in Iowa City.
Each case of mesothelioma is different, so it is important for patients to choose the right cancer center to support their individual needs. For local treatment, a short drive to the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center in Iowa City may save time and travel. Patients may also choose to travel farther for treatment.
The University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center in Madison, Wisconsin, specializes in mesothelioma. There may be mesothelioma clinical trials offered by one of the above cancer centers or at the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center in Rochester, Minnesota.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa Mesothelioma Doctors
Because of the rarity of mesothelioma, it is important for Cedar Rapids patients to seek care from a mesothelioma specialist. These specialists can create a personalized plan for each patient and optimize treatment options to help extend a patient’s life expectancy with mesothelioma. Many doctors who treat patients are also involved in mesothelioma research, which can help patients access clinical trials.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Cedar Rapids residents and workers who develop mesothelioma may be eligible for compensation. Asbestos victims have filed mesothelioma lawsuits and claims against those responsible for their exposure. Workers and residents in Cedar Rapids have filed successful asbestos lawsuits against responsible parties, resulting in financial compensation.
Finding a Lawyer or Law Firm in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Mesothelioma victims in Cedar Rapids can pursue compensation for an asbestos-related illness or injury. A law firm experienced in asbestos litigation can explain different legal avenues individuals can pursue for Iowa asbestos compensation. Attorneys will help patients determine which type of compensation they may receive based on their exposure and work history, as well as the best state to file a lawsuit in.
The following nationwide law firms have experience representing Cedar Rapids mesothelioma victims.
Deadlines for Filing Mesothelioma Lawsuits in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Lawsuits filed in Cedar Rapids must follow Iowa laws, including statutes of limitations. A statute of limitations sets the time frame a victim has to file a lawsuit. Law firms familiar with local area laws can help asbestos victims understand statutes of limitations and other laws.
Claims must be filed within 2 years after an asbestos-related diagnosis.
Claims must be filed within 2 years after an asbestos-related death.
Also, law firms familiar with asbestos use in Cedar Rapids may have information about known exposure sites in the city. Lawyers at these firms can help find the best filing option for a case and determine which companies may be at fault. They can also assess the merits of a case, pursue steps for litigation and compensation, and negotiate settlements for their client.
Examples of clients served in Cedar Rapids include:
Age: 64
Occupations: Sales, Household
Jobsites Worked at: Mealey Goss Dexter (1966 – 1967); Square D Company (1968 – 1976)
Settlement: ~$3,228,748
Age: 64
Occupations: Household, Clerk
Jobsites Worked at: Cedar Rapids Gazette (1967 – 1968); Mode O’Day (1967); Square D Company (1968 – 1974); Cedar Rapids School
Settlement: ~$3,034,949
Age: 79
Occupation: Plant worker
Jobsites Worked at: Chat & Chew (1945 – 1947); Collins Radio Company (1944); Cryovac, Inc. Sealed Air Corporation (1952); Pine Inn Cafe (1960 – 1964); Square D Company (1965 – 1967); Wayne Manufacturing Company (1972 – 2004); Weyerhaeuser Co. (1968 – 1971)
Settlement: ~$2,868,806
Age: 68
Occupation: Plant worker
Jobsite Worked at: Hanstrom Hubley (1956)
Settlement: ~$2,614,282
Asbestos Use in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Asbestos-containing materials were frequently used in the construction of various buildings in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In fact, asbestos was a common building material for many decades. Asbestos products were used in walls, floors, ceilings and roofing to insulate and fireproof the buildings.
Construction industry workers have a high risk of occupational exposure to asbestos while working with building materials. Residents, workers and students in Cedar Rapids may have been exposed to asbestos in Iowa homes, schools and other buildings. Individuals exposed to asbestos may be at risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses, including mesothelioma.
| Gender | Number of Deaths |
|---|---|
| Male | 40 |
| Female | 18 |
Asbestos Found in Schools in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Asbestos was often used in the construction of various buildings until the late 1970s. Because the mineral was in high demand for use in construction, many school buildings in Cedar Rapids contain asbestos.
Asbestos was commonly used in insulation, joint compounds, roofing shingles and ceiling and flooring tiles. Asbestos was also used for insulation and fireproofing in piping, boilers and heat systems because of the high-heat nature of the equipment.
Cedar Rapids school districts discovered improper asbestos handling had occurred during renovations in various school buildings. Students and staff at an elementary school and high school in Cedar Rapids may have been unknowingly exposed to asbestos for several months.
For example, contractors failed to properly abate asbestos while replacing carpet in the Prairie Crest Elementary School. Additionally, an asbestos abatement company was ordered to pay a penalty for asbestos removal during renovations at Washington High School in 2014 and 2015.
The construction crews that worked on the buildings are one of many occupational groups at risk of asbestos exposure. Other tradespeople who worked on these schools and may have higher risk of asbestos exposure include:
- Boiler workers
- Builders
- Contractors
- Electricians
- HVAC workers
- Insulators
- Maintenance workers
- Painters
- Pipefitters
- Plumbers
Asbestos exposure can lead to asbestos-related illnesses, including mesothelioma. Victims or their loved ones may have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. They may want to speak with mesothelioma specialists and lawyers to determine their best treatment and legal options, respectively.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa Jobsites Where Asbestos Exposure Occurred
- Cargill, Inc., Corn Starch & Syrup Plant
- Cargill, Incorporated
- Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway and Light Company
- Cedar Rapids Electric Light and Power Company
- Cedar Rapids Galvanizing Company
- Cedar Rapids Meats, Inc.
- Cedar Rapids Nuclear Powerhouse
- Cedar Rapids YMCA
- Collins Radio Company
- Douglas Company
- Downing Box Corporation
- Duane Arnold Nuclear Powerhouse
- Frank Zobac Construction Company
- IES Utilities Inc.
- Iowa Electric Light and Power Company
- Iowa Manufacturing Company
- Iowa Steel and Iron Works, Inc.
- Johnson Gas Appliance Company
- Kings Concrete Company
- Longview Fibre Company
- Merchants National Bank
- Midland Industries, Inc.
- P.M. Lattner Manufacturing Company
- Penick & Ford, Ltd.
- Peter Pan Bakers, Inc.
- Putnam Asbestos Company
- Quaker Oats Company
- Rockwell Collins
- Sheet Metal Workers Union
- St. Luke's Methodist Hospital
- Star Galvanizing Company
- Taylor Insulation Company
- Wayne Manufacturing Company
- Wilson & Co.
- Wilson Foods Corporation
- Wilson Meatpacking
Sources
Carros A. Students, staff exposed to asbestos at College Community potentially for months. KCRG. December 2021.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Underlying Cause of Death, 1999-2020. CDC Wonder Online Database.
Iowa grade schoolers may have been exposed to asbestos. AP News. December 2021.
Pyles T. Why Asbestos Still Threatens Construction Workers’ Health. EHS Today. May 2021.
Financial Assistance for Mesothelioma Patients
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.