Michigan Foundry Worker Asbestos exposure remains one of the most dangerous occupational hazards in the state’s historic iron, steel, and automotive industries. Foundry workers who spent years around high-heat equipment, furnace linings, refractory materials, molds, and contaminated dust frequently encountered asbestos without warning. These exposures have led to mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis long after the work ended.
Mesothelioma/Asbestos Legal Help – WV, MI & PA
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For decades, Michigan foundries—large and small—used asbestos throughout the workplace because it resisted heat and protected equipment from failure. Workers were rarely told of the risks. Today, the medical consequences are showing up with devastating clarity.
Where Foundry Workers Faced Asbestos in Michigan
Michigan foundries used asbestos in numerous operations, including:
• Cupola and Electric Arc Furnaces
Furnace linings, refractory brick, and insulation blankets often contained asbestos fibers that released dust during repairs and relining.
• Mold and Core Making
Some binders, additives, and insulation materials used around mold assemblies carried asbestos contamination.
• Pouring, Knockout, and Shakeout Areas
As molten metal hit asbestos-insulated surfaces and older equipment, disturbed fibers became airborne.
• Ladles, Tapholes, Runners, and Trough Systems
Asbestos insulation protected against thermal shock, meaning routine maintenance released heavy dust.
• Grinding Rooms and Finishing Departments
Dust collection systems frequently spread fibers throughout the shop floor.
Michigan workers at iron, aluminum, and steel foundries have reported exposures from the 1950s through the early 2000s.
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Diseases Linked to Foundry Asbestos Exposure
Foundry workers face elevated risks for:
- Mesothelioma
- Lung cancer
- Asbestosis
- Pleural thickening and scarring
Symptoms often appear 20–50 years after exposure.
Your Legal Options in Michigan
Michigan law allows asbestos victims—and their families—to pursue compensation through:
- Lawsuits against product manufacturers
- Asbestos bankruptcy trust claims
- Wrongful death claims
Employers are not the target of litigation in Michigan asbestos cases due to state workers’ compensation limitations, but manufacturers and suppliers remain fully liable.
With decades of experience—including handling 3,200 GM Saginaw Foundry asbestos cases from 1996–1999—I know how these exposures happened and where the evidence leads.
Call Lee Directly
If you or a loved one worked in a Michigan foundry and later developed mesothelioma or lung cancer, call me directly at 412-781-0525 or visit leewdavis.com.
You will speak with me, not an intake center.
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Frequently Asked Questions – Michigan Foundry Worker Asbestos
1. How were Michigan foundry workers exposed to asbestos?
Through furnace insulation, refractory materials, older molds, ladle insulation, and airborne dust from grinding and shakeout departments.
2. Can I file a lawsuit if the foundry no longer exists?
Yes. Claims target manufacturers of asbestos-containing products, not the employer. Many companies are bankrupt, but their trust funds still pay claims.
3. What compensation is available?
Settlements, trust fund payouts, and in some cases wrongful death compensation for families.
4. How long do I have to file?
Michigan’s statute of limitations is strict—typically three years from diagnosis. Do not delay.
Mesothelioma/Asbestos Legal Help – WV, MI & PA
Speak directly with attorney Lee W. Davis. No call centers. Free, confidential review.