Alaska Mesothelioma & Asbestos Lawyer
Legally Reviewed By: Darron E. Berquist
Managing Attorney | Mesothelioma & Asbestos
- Page Last Updated:
- April 3, 2025
Legally Reviewed By: Darron Berquist
Managing Attorney | Mesothelioma & Asbestos
- Page Last Updated:
- April 3, 2025
Asbestos use in Alaska was widespread not only due to the prevalence of manufacturing, shipbuilding, and the oil industry but also because of naturally occurring deposits throughout the state. Since 1999, at least 111 Alaskans have died from mesothelioma, the rare and aggressive cancer linked to asbestos exposure.
If you were exposed to asbestos while living or working in Alaska and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or a similar disease, the experienced Mesothelioma lawyers with The Lanier Law Firm can pursue the justice you deserve. Contact us online today for a free case evaluation.
Why Choose The Lanier Law Firm?
Our skilled mesothelioma attorneys have earned national recognition for providing award-winning legal representation and peerless service to asbestos exposure victims. We’ve recovered multi-billion dollar verdicts against major pharmaceutical companies, including more than $4.5 billion in a case linking baby powder and asbestos to ovarian cancer.
Our dedicated and talented attorneys are willing to go to whatever lengths are necessary to fearlessly stand up to the largest and most resourceful corporations in the world. We have vast experience defeating these large companies at trial.
Our success and significant case results are driven by our passion for giving our clients the individualized attention they deserve. We’re willing to travel to meet with you, and we’ll handle every aspect of your mesothelioma case while you focus on your family.
Client Testimonials
Every mesothelioma case we handle is personal to us. With a proven track record of success nationwide, our dedicated team has the experience and resources to fight for you after a mesothelioma diagnosis. But don’t just take our word for it—hear from our clients.
Where Asbestos Exposure Occurred in Alaska
Thanks to its naturally occurring deposits in the state and widespread use in many industries, many workers across Alaska were potentially exposed to asbestos. Known companies and work sites associated with asbestos exposure in Alaska include the following:
- A.C. & S Incorporated
- Alaskan Pipeline
- Anchorage International Airport
- Alaska Lumber & Pulp Co.
- Chugach Electric
- Alaska Steamship Company
- Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
- Beluga Power Station
- Captain Cook Hotel
- Chugach Electric
- Fairbanks Public Utilities
- Ketchikan Pulp Company
- R.L. Lawler, Incorporated
- Shell Oil
- Standard Oil
- Union Oil Company
When companies don’t follow asbestos laws and regulations, workers face a higher risk for exposure. Some recent examples of asbestos exposure in Alaska include the following:
- In 2021, a management company pleaded guilty to improperly renovating an old boiler room at the Northern Lights shopping center in Anchorage. The building’s owners hired a contractor who was not certified in asbestos abatement and did not inform them about the possible presence of asbestos, placing the contractor’s workers at risk of exposure.
- In 2009, Copper River Seafoods began renovating and demolishing two buildings in Anchorage without advising employees of asbestos-containing materials in the walls, ceiling, and floors. The work released chrysotile asbestos into the air inside and outside the buildings.
Arctic Surplus
The Arctic Surplus Salvage Yard site near Fairbanks was a former Department of Defense landfill used for hazardous materials for decades. In 1988, state regulators found high concentrations of metals and significant asbestos contamination. It was added to the EPA’s Superfund National Priorities List in 1990, and cleanup efforts lasted through 2005. It was successfully removed from the list in 2006.
Occupations at Risk for Asbestos Exposure
Industries such as manufacturing, shipbuilding, oil, and the military are among those most commonly associated with asbestos exposure risk.
Occupations known to have exposed workers to asbestos in Alaska include:
Asbestos’ heat-resistant properties drove much of its use in manufacturing. In Alaska, pulp mills like Ketchikan Pulp Company included asbestos in their manufacturing processes, potentially exposing workers who produced fiberboard there.
Asbestos-containing insulation was widespread in factories and power plants. The Beluga Power Station, the University of Alaska Power Plant, and others used asbestos to shield turbines, generators, gaskets, boilers, and other vital components from heat and fire.
Throughout the 20th century, construction materials frequently contained asbestos. Meanwhile, materials like gravel were often contaminated thanks to the considerable amount of naturally occurring asbestos in Alaska. These natural asbestos deposits also endangered workers in projects involving disturbing or displacing them, which dislodged deadly fibers into the air.
Home to the largest coastline in the U.S., Alaska is naturally a hub for shipyards. However, asbestos was commonly included in ship components like boilers and pipes. Those who built, repaired, or deconstructed ships at facilities like the Seward Marine Industrial Center may have been exposed to asbestos particles.
The high temperatures involved in the oil refining process prompted oil companies like Arco Chemical Company and Tesoro Alaska Company to include asbestos in several key components. Pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lining of the lungs, is prevalent among oil refinery workers exposed to asbestos.
Those serving, working, or living at facilities like Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Naval Air Facility Adak, and Kodiak Naval Station may have been exposed to asbestos because of the military’s widespread use of asbestos-containing materials for fireproofing.
Learn More About
Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit
- Are you eligible?
- What is the average settlement?
- How long will it take?
Why Should You Trust the Lanier Law Firm to Handle your Mesothelioma Case?
Options for Asbestos and Mesothelioma Compensation in Alaska
Mesothelioma lawsuits are the most common way to pursue compensation for illnesses caused by asbestos exposure in Alaska. They allow victims to seek damages from their former employers or other parties responsible for their exposure.
Meanwhile, many asbestos product manufacturers have filed for bankruptcy to shield themselves from mesothelioma liability. These bankrupt companies established asbestos trust funds to compensate asbestos-exposure victims. These trust funds can sometimes provide compensation faster with less hassle than a lawsuit.
Military veterans sickened by asbestos exposure during their service can file a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA benefits include medical treatment and monthly payments.
Asbestos Laws and Regulations in Alaska
Alaska has a two-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit following a mesothelioma diagnosis. Similarly, families must file a wrongful death lawsuit within two years of a mesothelioma-related death.
The Last Frontier also has laws limiting liability related to the production and use of asbestos-containing gravel. Additionally, lawsuits concerning injuries or deaths related to a construction project must be filed within 10 years of the project’s completion, regardless of when the injuries surface. Our knowledgeable Alaska mesothelioma lawyers can help you navigate state-specific laws and maximize your potential compensation.
Contact The Lanier Law Firm
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, our skilled Alaska mesothelioma lawyers can help you secure the compensation, justice, and peace of mind you and your family deserve. Contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation.
By submitting this form, you agree to our terms & conditions. Please read the full disclaimer
