Utah Mesothelioma Lawyer
Written by: Barrett Naman
How a Mesothelioma Lawyer in Utah Can Help
In Utah, taking legal action against organizations responsible for asbestos exposure is a complex process, especially when the opposition tries to intimidate you. But you’re not alone. An experienced Utah mesothelioma lawyer can help you navigate state laws and pursue every available avenue for compensation.
Working With Utah Mesothelioma Attorneys
- Explaining Utah lawsuit deadlines and filing rules
- Representing clients in all Utah counties
- Guiding you through trial or negotiating a fair settlement
- Identifying high-risk worksites, such as mills and commercial buildings
- Pursuing asbestos trust fund claims when they’re available
Nemeroff Law Firm combines the skill of a national team with the expertise of local attorneys. You can trust our 150 years of combined experience in successful courtroom cases and settlement negotiations.
How We Help People Facing Mesothelioma in Utah
If you or a loved one has mesothelioma, choosing a legal team is one of the most important decisions you can make. Understanding Utah asbestos laws and taking the right steps affects the strength of your case and how much compensation you receive.
The asbestos attorneys at Nemeroff Law Firm live and work in Utah. For decades, we have helped local mesothelioma patients and their families get justice and fair compensation.
Asbestos Compensation in Utah
In Utah, compensation from litigation in mesothelioma cases can cover hospital bills, ongoing treatment, therapy, nursing care and other medical costs. Families can receive compensation for lost income, helping to give families financial security.
In the U.S., settlements in mesothelioma cases average $1 million to $2 million. When possible, we also identify additional avenues for pursuing compensation, such as asbestos trust funds.
Nemeroff Law Firm’s Notable Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts
Nemeroff mesothelioma attorneys help you pursue fair compensation, tackling challenging cases. We also have a history of litigating landmark cases. For example, in Boynton v. Industrial Supply Company (2021), several large property companies tried to deny compensation for an electrician’s family members.
The businesses argued it wasn’t responsible for the wife’s mesothelioma because she had never visited their locations. But the Nemeroff Law Firm in Utah convinced the state Supreme Court that the defendants had negligently exposed the husband to asbestos fibers. The toxic fibers stuck to his clothing and indirectly hurt his family at home.
Nemeroff Law Firm’s Recent Utah Settlements and Verdicts
- $3.105 million: secured for an electrician
- $2.594 million: secured for an electrician’s spouse
- $2.461 million: secured for a mechanic
- $2.249 million: secured for a mechanic
- $2.211 million: secured for an operator
These multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements are no accident. We fight hard for our clients, and we know the Utah legal system in depth.
Filing a Mesothelioma Claim in Utah
In Utah, mesothelioma patients can sue for personal injuries. Surviving family members can also file wrongful death claims related to asbestos exposure.
Key Facts About Filing Utah Mesothelioma Claims
- Your legal options after asbestos exposure include personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims.
- Utah’s statute of limitations for any asbestos claims is 2 years, including mesothelioma lawsuits for personal injury or wrongful death.
- Utah uses modified comparative fault for compensation, where each defendant only pays their portion of the claim.
- To get the full compensation you deserve, it’s important to identify all companies responsible for your asbestos exposure and prove their negligence.
Utah’s comparative fault rules can make it harder for mesothelioma survivors to hold large companies accountable. According to this law, patients must prove that the company (or companies) was more than 50% at fault for the injury. To meet this standard, you need evidence.
Having an experienced and tenacious mesothelioma attorney at your side is an enormous relief. At Nemeroff, our team handles all of the legal processes like obtaining documents and interviewing witnesses.
Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure in Utah
During the late 1800s and much of the 1900s, most asbestos exposure in Utah happened on the job. Many workers were exposed at industrial sites like factories, oil refineries and power plants. Asbestos hotspots included Salt Lake City, Tooele, Ogden and Vernal, largely because of their mining or refining operations.
Modern asbestos exposure is an ongoing risk in Utah. The dangerous mineral was used extensively in commercial buildings, government buildings, military bases and schools built before the 1980s. More than 10,000 buildings in Utah may have asbestos.
Mines and Manufacturing
Utah is the third-largest metal producer in the country, with its copper mines alone worth more than $100 billion. Several historical mining sites have tremolite or actinolite, exposing miners directly to asbestos. Copper mining operations also used asbestos for fire prevention.
Mines in Utah
- Bingham Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company
- Daly West Mining Company
- Empire Mining Company
- Kennecott Corporation United States Smelting Refining and Mining Company
- Pack Rat Tremolite Prospect
- Geneva Steel
- Tremolite No. 1 Mine
- Utah Copper Company
- Western Gypsum
Miners, electricians and equipment repair workers came into contact with asbestos-containing parts in mining machinery. Maintenance workers had to repeatedly replace asbestos materials for fire prevention.
Petrochemical Plants
The operations at oil refineries and chemical plants require extremely high temperatures. Asbestos insulation was the go-to material for pipes, tanks and other equipment. Asbestos was also present in pump gaskets, valve parts and sealing compounds.
Oil Companies and Chemical Plants in Utah
- Chevron Salt Lake City Refinery
- Hercules Powder Company
- Inland Refining
- North Salt Lake Refinery
- Phillips Petroleum
- Silver Eagle’s Woods Cross Refinery
- Stauffer Chemical
- Tesoro Refinery
- Utah Oil Refining Company
Steamfitters and pipefitters worked with asbestos-containing materials at refineries every day. When crews cut away old asbestos insulation, the fibers affected nearby laborers.
Power Plants
Coal-fired power plants rely on high-temperature boilers, turbines and steam lines. Power stations in Emery County used asbestos insulation, fire-prevention blankets and asbestos-cement blocks.
Power Plants in Utah
- Big Sandwash Reservoir Hydro
- Bloomington Power Plant
- Castle Gate Power Plant
- Desert Power LP
- Gadsby Power Plant
- Huntington Power Plant
- Lagoon Cogeneration Facility
- Lone Peak Partners Power
- PacifiCorp
- Wasatch Energy Systems
Plant workers needed to spray asbestos on boilers and pipes. When the material lost its effectiveness, maintenance teams needed to chip it away and reapply.
Commercial, Military and Government Buildings
When construction companies built factories in the 1900s, asbestos was common in flooring, roofing, ceiling tiles and building insulation. Local courthouses, airbases and universities also had asbestos materials, and many still do.
Asbestos in Utah Buildings
- Brigham Young University in Provo
- Hunter Air Force Base
- Hunter Insulation
- J.C. Penney Building
- Metropolitan Hall of Justice in Salt Lake City
- Ogden IRS Building
- Ogden Defense Depot
- Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation
- Pace Turpin & Company
- Tooele Army Depot
- Utah Canning Company
Asbestos exposure can still put workers and nearby communities at risk. When the Broadway Hotel in Tooele burned down in 2021, the owners demolished it without following proper asbestos procedures. The toxic debris endangered surrounding families for 15 months until the EPA took action.
Occupations & Industries Known for Asbestos Exposure in Utah
Primary asbestos exposure happens when workers come into direct contact with asbestos dust. Secondary exposure can happen when asbestos fibers end up on someone’s clothing. Microscopic asbestos fibers carried home on clothing can affect family members who breathe in the fibers.
Jobs Linked to Asbestos in Utah
- Commercial and industrial maintenance workers
- Demolition workers and remodeling contractors
- Mechanics
- Painters, drywall installers, masons and carpenters
- Pipefitters and steamfitters
- Refinery workers and operating engineers
- Steel manufacturing
- Welders and electricians
Until the late 1970s, plant owners often downplayed asbestos risks or hid the dangers from workers. Corporate greed led to avoidable cases of asbestos-related illness in innocent people. For many mesothelioma patients, fair compensation is a matter of justice.
Get a Free Utah Mesothelioma Case Evaluation
Let the Mesothelioma Attorneys at Nemeroff Law Firm Help You
At Nemeroff, our dedicated team of lawyers has decades of experience. Our mesothelioma lawyers take the time to answer your questions and explain every step. Our goal is to lift the weight off your shoulders so you can focus on healing and spending time with your family.
Of course, you also want a Utah mesothelioma lawyer who wins cases. We’ve built a reputation for success that our clients appreciate. Let us help you get fair compensation.
Office Location:
Nemeroff Law Firm — Salt Lake City
5532 Lillehammer Lane
Suite 100
Park City, UT 84098
435-602-4470
Frequently Asked Questions About Utah Mesothelioma Claims
Q. How long do I have to file a mesothelioma claim in Utah?
A. You have two years to take legal action for asbestos exposure or mesothelioma. The time limit starts after you receive a diagnosis or when the court considers a “reasonable individual” would have been aware of the illness. In the case of wrongful death lawsuits, you have until the original statute of limitations expires, or one year after your loved one’s death — whichever is longer.
Q. What are the requirements for bankruptcy trust funds in Utah?
A. Trust funds are set up during an organization’s bankruptcy process, so the specific requirements can vary by company. In Utah, you generally need proof of (a) exposure to asbestos, (b) a medical diagnosis and (c) the effect of asbestos exposure on your health. A mesothelioma lawyer can help you get the necessary evidence, such as medical documents, witness statements and employment records.
Q. Why should I hire a local Utah mesothelioma attorney instead of a national firm?
When you choose an experienced mesothelioma lawyer in Utah, your case is in the hands of someone who understands state law completely, including details, challenges, overlooked opportunities and solutions. This usually means less stress and higher compensation for your family.
Q. What are trust fund claims in Utah, and how much are they worth?
When companies face bankruptcy because of asbestos lawsuits, they must establish a trust fund for future claims. Some bankruptcy trust funds hold billions of dollars. This avenue is faster, but generally with a lower settlement amount per claim. Our asbestos lawyers in Utah specialize in helping you get all possible compensation, including from trust funds.