April 18, 2024

Dow Chemical Employees: Asbestos Exposure Risk

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Asbestos
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Emily Weinberger

Legally Reviewed and Fact Checked by: Emily Weinberger , Attorney

Dow Chemical Company Asbestos Exposure Litigation in Michigan

The Dow Chemical Company, founded in 1897 in Midland, Michigan, stands as one of the world’s largest chemical companies. This American petrochemical company operates multiple Michigan facilities, including plants in Marquette and Ludington, and has employed tens of thousands of workers throughout its history. Unfortunately, many chemical plant workers at Dow facilities faced significant asbestos exposure in chemical plants, leading to devastating health consequences including mesothelioma and lung cancer.

The Michigan-based law firm Serling & Abramson, P.C. has extensive experience representing chemical plant workers with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. If you worked at a chemical company in Michigan and have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, contact us for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.

How Asbestos Exposure Occurred at Chemical Plants

Chemical plants extensively used asbestos-containing materials to protect equipment and workers from extreme heat and chemical exposure. At facilities like Dow Chemical, asbestos in chemical plants was commonly found in:

  • Boilers and furnaces for heat insulation
  • Pipes and equipment insulation
  • Extruders, ovens, and driers
  • Pumps and processing equipment
  • Building insulation throughout facilities
  • Personal protective equipment including heat-resistant gloves, bibs, and aprons

Chemical plant workers face asbestos exposure risks even today when repairing, replacing, or removing old asbestos-containing materials. When disturbed, dangerous asbestos fibers become airborne and can be inhaled, eventually reaching the most vulnerable parts of the lungs where they cause cellular damage over decades.

Recognizing Asbestos-Related Disease Symptoms

Mesothelioma Signs and Symptoms

Mesothelioma, the most serious chemical plant workers’ asbestos-related illness, is a rare cancer affecting protective tissue lining the lungs, abdomen, and chest cavity. This disease typically develops 20 to 50 years after initial exposure, with symptoms including:

  • Persistent shortness of breath
  • Fluid accumulation in lungs or abdomen (pleural effusion)
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Chest pain, particularly after physical activity
  • Abdominal pain and bowel obstruction
  • Chronic, painful coughing
  • Unusual tissue lumps under chest or abdominal skin

Lung Cancer from Asbestos Exposure

Exposure to asbestos significantly increases lung cancer risk among chemical workers. Inhaled asbestos fibers lodge permanently in lung tissue, contributing to cancer development over time. Common symptoms include:

  • Persistent or worsening cough
  • Coughing up blood
  • Chronic shortness of breath
  • Chest pain and hoarseness
  • Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss
  • Persistent fatigue and weakness
  • Recurring respiratory infections (bronchitis, pneumonia)
  • Wheezing

Important: Many asbestos-exposed workers first develop asbestosis, a non-cancerous lung scarring condition, which can appear decades before lung cancer or mesothelioma symptoms emerge.

High-Risk Trades and Occupations at Chemical Facilities

Serling & Abramson, P.C. has represented numerous Dow Chemical workers across various trades who suffered American petrochemical company asbestos exposure. Our Michigan-based firm maintains strong relationships with unions and trades throughout the state, including workers in:

  • Boiler operations and boilermaking
  • Bricklaying and masonry
  • Carpentry and millwright work
  • Crane operation
  • Electrical work
  • Insulation installation
  • Iron work and welding
  • General labor positions
  • Maritime operations
  • Mechanical maintenance
  • Pipe covering and pipefitting
  • Plastering and drywall
  • Plumbing
  • Railroad work
  • Roofing

If you worked in any of these positions at a chemical company in Michigan like Dow Chemical, you likely experienced significant asbestos exposure. Workers experiencing symptoms or already diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases should contact our experienced legal team immediately.

Comprehensive Legal Representation for Chemical Industry Workers

Serling & Abramson, P.C. dedicates our practice to helping workers across Michigan’s chemical industry pursue justice for asbestos-related illnesses. Our deep understanding of Michigan’s legal system and decades of experience have enabled us to recover significant damages and compensation for affected workers and families.

Beyond Dow Chemical employees, we’ve successfully represented workers from other major chemical companies in Michigan, including:

Secondary Asbestos Exposure Claims for Family Members

Even minimal asbestos exposure poses serious health risks, including to family members of chemical plant workers. Spouses often developed mesothelioma from handling contaminated work clothing brought home from chemical facilities.

If you’re the spouse of a chemical plant worker and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lung cancer, Serling & Abramson P.C. can help you pursue compensation. We recommend reading about the importance of early detection for mesothelioma symptoms to understand your options.

Second Disease Claims for Previously Diagnosed Workers

Many workers initially diagnosed with asbestosis from their time at chemical facilities like Dow Chemical later develop more serious conditions. Chemical plant workers with mesothelioma or lung cancer may be eligible for additional compensation through “second disease” claims, even if they previously received settlement for asbestosis.

Serling & Abramson, P.C. has extensive experience helping asbestos disease victims file successful second disease cases. Our results provide crucial compensation for ongoing medical treatment and family support. Contact us today for a free review of your case and learn how we can help you secure the justice you deserve.