01. Filing Claims and Lawsuits in Minnesota
Filing Mesothelioma Claims and Lawsuits in Minnesota
Workers and residents in Minnesota may have experienced asbestos exposure. As a result, these individuals can develop an asbestos disease, such as mesothelioma. Asbestos victims are often eligible to file for compensation for their diseases.
Between 1999 and 2019, 1,222 people died of mesothelioma in Minnesota.
Hundreds of major sites and employers throughout Minnesota have put unsuspecting workers at risk for exposure to asbestos. Former miners, vermiculite processing plant workers, Minneapolis community members and other Minnesota residents who receive a mesothelioma diagnosis may be entitled to compensation.
Experienced mesothelioma lawyers can help claimants gather evidence against these parties to make a successful case for compensation. Common avenues of mesothelioma compensation include lawsuits, workers’ compensation and asbestos trust fund claims.
Who Is Eligible to File a Mesothelioma Claim in Minnesota?
Former Minnesota workers and residents diagnosed with an asbestos disease may be eligible to file a claim. Family members may also be able to file on behalf of loved ones who have passed away from an asbestos disease.
Minnesota asbestos exposure can happen in a variety of ways, including in mines, vermiculite processing plants and nature.
There are natural asbestos deposits in far northeastern Minnesota. As a result, some of the state’s iron ore mines may contain asbestos-contaminated material. Miners and area residents may be at risk of asbestos exposure from the mine’s activities.
Vermiculite processing plant employees in northeastern Minneapolis may also have been exposed to asbestos. W.R. Grace and Company processed vermiculite ore from a mine in Libby, Montana, for many years at this plant. Libby vermiculite is widely known to be contaminated with asbestos. It has caused the deaths of many miners, Montana townsfolk and processing plant workers in 28 locations across the United States.
Neighborhood locals around the W.R. Grace processing plant may also have encountered asbestos. In 2012, researchers at the University of Minnesota revealed the results of a respiratory health study involving community members who lived near the facility. According to chest X-ray data, many residents developed pleural abnormalities after living near the plant, handling waste materials or playing in piles of asbestos-contaminated waste.
Minnesota residents may also have encountered asbestos in construction materials inside their houses. For instance, some vermiculite attic insulation in the state may have been contaminated with tremolite asbestos.
Minnesota residents living in the following towns and cities have filed mesothelioma lawsuits to protect their rights and seek compensation from manufacturers and distributors of asbestos:
- Alexandria, MN
- Andover, MN
- Austin, MN
- Bemidji, MN
- Bloomington, MN
- Brainerd, MN
- Brooklyn Park, MN
- Cambridge, MN
- Cannon Falls, MN
- Cloquet, MN
- Crystal, MN
- Duluth, MN
- Emily, MN
- Foley, MN
- Fridley, MN
- Garrison, MN
- Grand Marais, MN
- Grand Rapids, MN
- Hastings, MN
- Lake Elmo, MN
- Lakeville, MN
- Lino-Lakes, MN
- Mankato, MN
- Maple Grove, MN
- Menahga, MN
- Minneapolis, MN
- Minnetonka, MN
- Motley, MN
- North Branch, MN
- Plymouth, MN
- Robbinsdale, MN
- Rosemount, MN
- Roseville, MN
- Saint Paul, MN
- Shakopee, MN
- St. Paul, MN
- Stillwater, MN
- Thief River Falls, MN
- Twin Valley, MN
- Upsala, MN
- Vadnais Heights, MN
- Watkins, MN
- Welch, MN
- White Bear Lake, MN
- Winona, MN
- Woodbury, MN
Deadlines for Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in Minnesota
People who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma may be able to file a lawsuit against former employers, product manufacturers and other asbestos companies. Family members may be able to file wrongful death lawsuits if their loved ones die after developing mesothelioma.
Before proceeding with a legal claim, mesothelioma patients and family members should seek advice from an experienced lawyer. Each state has a series of rules surrounding claim timelines. These rules are called the statutes of limitations and dictate how long after an incident a claimant is eligible to file. An attorney familiar with Minnesota laws and regulations can help claimants file before the state’s statutes of limitations expire.
An experienced mesothelioma attorney can guide clients in Minnesota through the legal process. They will assist with gathering medical records, employment records and other vital evidence. If the statute of limitations has expired, they will also help clients pursue other types of compensation, including mesothelioma trust funds.
02. Minnesota Mesothelioma Law Firms
Mesothelioma Law Firms in Minnesota
Mesothelioma law firms can help Minnesota residents file a claim and receive compensation. These law firms have experience with different types of claims, including lawsuits and asbestos trust funds. Lawyers at these firms can explain an individual’s eligibility for different claim options and assist with the entire claim process.
The following law firms can help people living in Minnesota receive compensation:
A nationwide law firm will give you access to experienced attorneys who will be happy to travel to you. They will guide you through the details of your case and address any questions you have. These lawyers will assist you throughout the entire claim process.
Additionally, these law firms have years of experience, a deep knowledge of asbestos laws and access to extensive resources to build your lawsuit. With their background, the lawyers at these firms can decide which jurisdiction will provide the most favorable financial outcome for your case. Filing a lawsuit outside your state of residence may have the best outcome. Their legal teams will guide you through the whole process.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
03. Minnesota Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts
Mesothelioma & Asbestos Settlements in Minnesota
Experienced mesothelioma lawyers can help Minnesotans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma win compensation. Asbestos victims may use the awards to pay medical bills and cover lost earnings. Family members can use settlement money to pay debts, final expenses and ongoing bills after their loved ones pass away.
We have listed below a few of the verdicts and mesothelioma settlements compensating victims of asbestos exposure in Minnesota.
Mesothelioma & Asbestos Verdicts in Minnesota
Large mesothelioma verdicts have gone to Minnesota residents in recent years. Ironworkers, pipefitters, industrial laborers and veterans have all won compensation either out of court or after going to trial.
In 2008, a Minnesota court awarded a former power company worker $4.6 million. The plaintiff had handled asbestos-based products made by John Crane while working for Northern States Power Company. As a result of this exposure, the former worker developed mesothelioma.
Note: Each lawsuit is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in the future. Contact a reputable Minnesota mesothelioma lawyer to understand how much compensation you may be eligible to receive.
04. Asbestos Laws in Minnesota
Minnesota Asbestos Laws & Regulations
Federal and state laws apply to asbestos handling and removal in Minnesota. Federal laws administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) include the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). Under AHERA regulations, local authorities have to inspect schools for signs of asbestos and create asbestos management plans where the mineral is present.
According to Minnesota’s occupational safety plan, known as Minnesota OSHA (MNOSHA), building owners are responsible for the safe containment of asbestos. Building owners are responsible for informing workers about the presence of asbestos. They must also implement procedures to avoid or minimize asbestos dust during refurbishment or asbestos insulation removal procedures.
Other state asbestos-related laws, particularly those contained in the Asbestos Abatement Act, are overseen by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
Minnesota-based contractors who plan to work with asbestos have to obtain state certifications. Professionals have to track asbestos removal via the state’s MDH asbestos abatement project checklist to ensure they adhere to the state’s Asbestos Abatement Act and Rules.
These regulations exist to curb asbestos exposure and promote public health.
Find Mesothelioma Doctors, Lawyers and Asbestos Exposure Sites Near You
