Alaska Mesothelioma Lawyer

Asbestos is found in many Alaskan mineral deposits. This puts miners and other Alaskan workers at risk of asbestos exposure, which can cause mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases such as lung cancer. An Alaska mesothelioma lawyer can help asbestos victims access justice and compensation.

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Working With a Mesothelioma Lawyer in Alaska

Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma in Alaska can access compensation from the manufacturers of asbestos-based products.

Asbestos exposure can cause deadly illnesses, such as mesothelioma. Manufacturers knew asbestos exposure could cause life-threatening diseases, but concealed the evidence to continue making a profit.

Nearly 100 Alaskan residents died of mesothelioma from 1999 to 2017, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

You can get justice following a mesothelioma diagnosis. Work with mesothelioma lawyers in Alaska to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation.

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Alaska Mesothelioma Lawsuits

An Alaska mesothelioma attorney files lawsuits against the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products. Successful mesothelioma lawsuits force manufacturers to pay for causing harm to you or a loved one. This type of asbestos litigation often awards millions of dollars.

Your Alaska mesothelioma attorney will review the facts of your case to determine if you are eligible to file a lawsuit. Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit is free.

Mesothelioma Settlements and Verdicts in Alaska

With the right Alaska mesothelioma lawyers on your side, your lawsuit may end either in a jury verdict or a settlement.

A mesothelioma settlement resolves the case without a trial. Over 95% of mesothelioma lawsuits reach out-of-court settlements. Settlements award $1 million on average.

Lawsuits that do not reach settlements go to trial. Through a trial, a jury will determine a winner.

Mesothelioma victims typically receive between $5 million and $11.4 million from successful mesothelioma trial verdicts.

Alaska asbestos lawyers will determine if a trial or a settlement will be better in your case.

Alaska Mesothelioma Settlements Recovered by Simmons Hanly Conroy

  • $3.69 millionNavy Veteran
  • $3.64 millionWelder
  • $3.5 millionAuto Mechanic
  • $1.8 millionPipefitter

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All Simmons Hanly Conroy settlement amounts have been fact-checked and verified by our editorial team.

Statute of Limitations in Alaska

To file a mesothelioma lawsuit, it must fall within Alaska’s statutes of limitations. Statutes of limitations prevent lawsuits from being filed after a certain deadline.

Statutes of limitations vary significantly by state and each case. Alaska has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits and wrongful death claims.

Contact an Alaska mesothelioma lawyer to learn whether your lawsuit can be filed within these time limits.

Asbestos Trust Funds and Statutes of Limitations

Those who cannot file a lawsuit due to statutes of limitations can still seek compensation from asbestos trust funds.

Asbestos trusts are exempt from normal statutes of limitations because they are funded by bankrupt manufacturers. Asbestos victims must file claims within deadlines set by the trust.

An Alaska mesothelioma attorney can help victims access asbestos trust funds.

Asbestos Rules and Regulations in Alaska

State and federal governments regulate asbestos use in the state of Alaska.

The Alaska Occupational Safety and Health Division (AKOSH) regulates the safety of:

  • Non-federal employers on most military bases
  • Private contractors at National Guard facilities
  • State and other non-federal public employers working aboard ferries
  • State National Guard civilian employees

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates the safety of:

  • All shipbuilding and repair on and off water
  • Federal civilian employers on military bases
  • Federal National Guard employees
  • Off-shore oil rigs
  • Private contractors at missile defense facilities
  • Private employers working aboard ferries on navigable waters

These work sites and jobs may still expose people to asbestos even today. Older ships, military bases, oil rigs, and other work sites may contain asbestos-based products.

Work with Alaska mesothelioma lawyers to see how these regulations may affect your lawsuit.

Asbestos Sites in Alaska

Many mines and other job sites in Alaska put workers at risk of asbestos exposure.

Mining activities can put miners at risk since naturally occurring asbestos is often found in Alaska. Asbestos can also be found in buildings, factories, military installations, and homes across the state.

Examples of Alaskan asbestos sites include:

  • Alaska Insulation, Fort Greeley
  • Alaska Juneau Gold Mining Company, Juneau
  • Alaska Lumber and Pulp Company, Sitka
  • BP Oil, North Slope
  • Chugach Electric International Power Plant, Anchorage
  • City of Fairbanks Power Plant, Municipal Utilities System, Fairbanks
  • Consolidated Industrial Equipment and Supply, Fort Smith
  • Eielson Air Force Base Building 3425, Fairbanks
  • Jualin Mines Company, Juneau, Berners Bay
  • Juneau Hospital, Juneau
  • Standard Oil, Anchorage
  • Union Carbide, Kenai
  • Union Oil Company, Anchorage, Kenai, Port Nikiski
  • University of Alaska, Fairbanks

This is not a complete list. If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos at one of these job sites or another in Alaska, a Free Case Review with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help you understand your legal options.

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Alaska Veterans & VA Information

Alaska military veterans have a high risk of mesothelioma. During World War II and through the 1980s, many American military bases built in Alaska contained asbestos.

Until the 1980s, the military also used asbestos to build:

  • Airplanes
  • Navy ships
  • Vehicles

Asbestos is still present in some older military bases today.

Alaska Veterans Benefits

One-third of all mesothelioma patients are veterans. Veterans with mesothelioma can seek financial and health care benefits through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

VA benefits include:

  • Burial benefits
  • Disability compensation
  • Health care services
  • Pension plans

The VA is one of the largest providers of benefits and services for veterans suffering from mesothelioma. Several VA medical centers and offices are located in Alaska.

Veterans Benefits Administration

  • Anchorage Regional Office, Anchorage

VA Medical Centers

  • Alaska VA Healthcare System, Anchorage

Community-Based Outpatient Clinics

  • Fairbanks VA Clinic (Fort Wainwright)
  • Kenai VA Clinic (Soldotna)
  • Mat-Su VA Clinic (Wasilla)

Veterans Centers

  • Anchorage Veterans Center
  • Fairbanks Veterans Center
  • Kenai Outstation (Soldotna)
  • Wasilla Veterans Center

Veterans can learn more about these facilities by going to the official VA website (va.gov).

Veterans looking to file for VA benefits can get help from an Alaska asbestos lawyer. Mesothelioma attorneys can determine how a veteran was exposed to asbestos during military service. Veterans can then use this information to file for VA benefits with help from a Veterans Service Officer (VSO).

AML and VFW Service Offices in Alaska

VSOs are trained by the VA to help veterans access military benefits. VSOs partner with veteran organizations, such as the American Legion (AML) and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), to help as many veterans as possible.

Alaska has around 30 veterans services offices.

Anchorage

  • Disabled American Veterans
  • Marine Corps League
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars
  • Vietnam Veterans of America

Juneau

  • Vietnam Veterans of America

Fairbanks

  • Disabled American Veterans
  • Vietnam Veterans of America

Wasilla

  • Marine Corps League
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars
  • Vietnam Veterans of America

Palmer

  • Disabled American Veterans

Kodiak

  • Vietnam Veterans of America

Jasper

  • American Ex-Prisoners of War
  • Fleet Reserve Association

To file a VA benefits claim, work with an Alaskan mesothelioma law firm. Lawyers at these firms can gather details and documents to support your claim.

Connecting With a Mesothelioma Lawyer in Alaska

An Alaska mesothelioma attorney can help you access financial compensation and protect your family members’ future.

Alaska mesothelioma lawyers can:

  • Build strong cases on your behalf
  • File mesothelioma lawsuits
  • Secure compensation for you

Get a free case review to see all the ways an Alaska mesothelioma lawyer can help you.

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Attorney Melissa Crowe SchopferReviewed by:Melissa Crowe Schopfer

Partner, Simmons Hanly Conroy

  • Fact-Checked
  • Legal Editor

Melissa Crowe Schopfer is a partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy. Over the past 10 years, Melissa has worked on over 500 cases and recovered more than $100 million in settlements and trial verdicts on behalf of her clients. She has represented families impacted by mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases in almost every state.

  • Asbestos Trial Team Leader
  • Practicing Attorney for 15+ Years
  • Has Recovered Over $100 Million
Laura WrightWritten by:

Lead Editor

Laura Wright is a journalist and content strategist with more than 17 years of professional experience. She attended college at the University of Florida, graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2008. Her writing has been featured in The Gainesville Sun and other regional publications throughout Florida.

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References
  1. American Legion. “Find Service Officer Directory.” Retrieved from: https://mylegion.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Find-a-Service-Officer. Accessed on January 7, 2025.
  2. Association of Alaska School Boards. “Asbestos Compliance in Alaska.” Retrieved from: https://aasb.org/wp-content/uploads/Asbestos-Compliance-in-Alaska-w.pdf. Accessed on January 7, 2025.
  3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Malignant Mesothelioma Mortality – United States, 1999–2015.” Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6608a3.htm. Accessed on January 7, 2025.
  4. eBenefits. “Manage Your Representative for VA Claims.” Retrieved from: https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/vso-search. Accessed on January 7, 2025.
  5. Environmental Protection Agency. “EPA Actions to Protect the Public from Exposure to Asbestos.” Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/epa-actions-protect-public-exposure-asbestos. Accessed on January 7, 2025.
  6. MilitaryBases.com. “Alaska Military Bases.” Retrieved from: https://militarybases.com/Alaska/. Accessed on January 7, 2025.
  7. Reuters. “Special Report: The long, lethal shadow of asbestos.” Retrieved from: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-asbestos-lawsuits/special-report-the-long-lethal-shadow-of-asbestos-idUSBRE84A0J920120511. Accessed on January 7, 2025.
  8. United States Census Bureau. “QuickFacts.” Retrieved from: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/AK. Accessed on January 7, 2025.
  9. University of Alaska. “Naturally Occurring Asbestos in Alaska and Experiences and Policy of Other States Regarding its Use.” Retrieved from: https://scholarworks.alaska.edu/bitstream/handle/11122/7551/R.Perkins-et-al_Naturally-Occurring-Asbestos-in-AK_Final-09.09.pdf. Accessed on January 7, 2025.
  10. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. “Locations.” Retrieved from: https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/state.asp?dnum=ALL&STATE=AK. Accessed on January 7, 2025.
  11. U.S. Government Accountability Office. “Asbestos Injury Compensation: The Role and Administration of Asbestos Trusts.” Retrieved from: https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-11-819. Accessed on January 7, 2025.
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