Chandler has grown dramatically since its founding in the late 1800s, and so has the legacy of asbestos exposure left behind by that growth. Most residential and commercial buildings constructed in the city before 1980 contain asbestos, a mineral once prized for its resistance to heat, electricity, and sound. Workers who built those structures, as well as the servicemembers who were stationed at places like Williams Air Force Base, were routinely exposed to asbestos fibers, often without any warning of the health risks involved. Much like the tobacco industry, asbestos manufacturers spent decades concealing what they knew, leaving generations of workers to bear the consequences.
Today, Arizona ranks among the states with the highest rates of asbestos-related illness, and those affected have the right to fight back. The Throneberry Law Group are Arizona mesothelioma lawyers who advocate for Chandler residents exposed to asbestos through their work or military service, helping them pursue the compensation they need and the accountability they deserve.
Kinds of Asbestos Exposure in Chandler
Asbestos exposure in Chandler has taken many forms over the decades, and the people affected include both those who handled the material directly and those who never set foot on a job site. Direct exposure has historically been the most common concern. Facilities like Southwestern Nitro Chemical Co. in Chandler placed workers in regular contact with asbestos-containing materials, often with little to no protective equipment. Many of those individuals went on to develop mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer that is frequently misdiagnosed until the disease has significantly progressed.
Indirect exposure has also affected many Chandler families. Take-home exposure occurred when workers unknowingly carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing after shifts at local industrial sites, putting spouses and children at risk without anyone realizing it. Chandler’s growth throughout the latter half of the 20th century also means a significant number of older structures in the area still contain asbestos insulation and building materials, continuing to put demolition crews and renovation workers at risk to this day.
If any of these circumstances apply to your situation, the Throneberry Law Group can review your case, identify the responsible parties, and help you understand your legal options.
Your Claim for Damages
In most mesothelioma cases, civil claims are the preferred path forward, and Arizona’s statute of repose, which typically cuts off construction defect claims after seven years, generally does not apply. That means many Chandler victims retain the right to pursue compensation well after their exposure occurred. A successful civil claim may include economic damages such as medical expenses, as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Because asbestos manufacturers actively concealed known health risks for decades, substantial punitive damages are often available as well.
To pursue a negligence claim, an asbestos exposure attorney must typically demonstrate the defendant’s asbestos warnings fell below the accepted standard of care. Industrial hygienists and other qualified professionals are often called upon to provide that evidence. For those who may not be well-suited to a civil claim, the Throneberry Law Group also helps clients explore other avenues, including bankruptcy victim compensation funds, Social Security Disability, and VA disability benefits.
Work With An Experience Asbestos Lawyer in Mesa, AZ
Mesothelioma victims need and deserve significant compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced Chandler mesothelioma lawyer, contact the Throneberry Law Group in Arizona.
The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we start working for you.