Des Moines Mesothelioma Attorney

The manufacturing facilities in and around Des Moines relied heavily on vermiculite from the W.R. Grace Mine in Montana. For years, Grace shipped vermiculite insulation to companies in the Des Moines area, even though company officials knew that vermiculite was laced with dangerous asbestos. These insulation minerals often come from the same mine, and Grace cared more about making money than quality control. As a result, victims from around the country filed lawsuits, forcing the company into bankruptcy in 2011. A federal judge ordered Grace to set up a $3 billion victim compensation fund as a condition of that bankruptcy. More on Des Moines asbestos hotspots and VCF claims below.

Over 90% of available land in Iowa is farmland. For many years, manufacturers laced brake pads, clutch pads, and other mechanical parts in tractors and other agricultural machines with asbestos. Some asbestos hotspots near Des Moines include:

• John Deere Works: This 1,500-acre property has been in operation since 1946. For decades, contamination from improper waste disposal affected hundreds of workers. Older equipment contained asbestos in brake pads and linings, clutch facings, and other auto parts. Mechanics and technicians could have been exposed to airborne dust.
• Weil-McLain: Equipment sold by Weil-McLain commonly gets installed in Iowa homes or workplaces. The company’s products, including boilers, contain asbestos. Workers came into contact with the carcinogen when installing, repairing, and ripping out Weil-McLain equipment.
• Fort Dodge: The industrial city of Fort Dodge consists of over 25,000 residents. Much of the city’s job market consists of limestone and gypsum mining, drywall manufacturing, and construction. Some companies still produce products that contain the toxin, increasing the risk of exposure for Fort Dodge residents.

Additionally, Grace sent over 14,000 tons of asbestos-laced vermiculite to Ames, Sioux City, Atlantic, Council Bluffs, Sperry, Des Moines, Clive, and Cedar Rapids.

A Des Moines mesothelioma lawyer can obtain substantial compensation for these cancer victims. Usually, this compensation includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.

Additional punitive damages may be available as well if a Des Moines mesothelioma lawyer proves, by clear and convincing evidence, that the defendant intentionally disregarded a known risk.

If the responsible defendant declared bankruptcy, as was the case with the Grace Mining Company, a victim compensation fund claim might be available. VCF funds contain over $30 billion. Therefore, individuals may obtain substantial compensation if their attorneys are good negotiators.

Settlement negotiations are never court-supervised in these situations. Therefore, the Fund Administrator never has a duty to negotiate in good faith. As a result, low-ball and take-it-or-leave-it “offers” are the norm in these situations.

Only an excellent negotiator is able to obtain maximum compensation in these cases without unduly delaying the settlement process.

This process often only requires a few months, especially if the victim (or survivor) is eligible for expedited review.

Other legal options for victims include a civil claim, a workers’ compensation claim, and a VA disability claim.

A single asbestos fiber could cause mesothelioma or another serious disease that is usually fatal. For a free consultation with an experienced Des Moines mesothelioma lawyer, contact the Throneberry Law Group. We handle these claims on a nationwide basis.