Paper mills across West Virginia played a major role in the regional economy—especially in towns like Luke, Fairmont, and elsewhere in the Potomac Highlands. But for decades, workers and their families faced a hidden danger: paper mill asbestos exposure.
Used in gaskets, dryer felts, insulation, and high-heat machinery, asbestos was once considered essential to paper production. Unfortunately, it also exposed thousands of paper mill workers to deadly diseases like mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
Why Was Asbestos Used in Paper Mills?
Paper manufacturing involves high temperatures, steam pipes, pumps, turbines, and massive industrial equipment. To withstand the heat and friction, many components were made with or insulated by asbestos-containing materials. These included:
- Dryer felts and blankets
- Pipe insulation
- Pump packing
- Valve and flange gaskets
- Boiler linings
- Electrical panels
Maintenance workers, insulators, machinists, electricians, and even general laborers often came into direct contact with these materials—many without any protective gear or warning.
Secondhand and Take-Home Exposure
Not only were mill workers at risk, but their families were too. Dust from asbestos-laden clothing would be brought home—coating car seats, furniture, and laundry. Spouses and children of mill workers have developed mesothelioma decades later due to take-home exposure.
If your family member worked at a West Virginia paper mill and you later became ill, you may still have a claim. The law recognizes take-home exposure as a valid path for compensation.
Paper Mills Linked to Asbestos Use in WV
Some of the paper mills in or near West Virginia known for historic asbestos use include:
- Westvaco/Luke Mill (Luke, MD – just across the state line)
- Fairmont Box Company (Fairmont, WV)
- West Virginia Pulp & Paper Company
- Wheeling Corrugating
Whether the plant was large or small, asbestos exposure was often systemic across departments.
👉 Search Asbestos Job Sites in West Virginia
Your Legal Options After Asbestos Exposure
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, West Virginia law allows you to file a lawsuit for compensation. You may be eligible for:
- Payment of medical bills
- Lost wages or pension losses
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death damages for surviving families
Attorney Lee W. Davis has handled thousands of asbestos cases for workers across West Virginia, including those in the pulp and paper industry. With over 30 years of experience and a deep knowledge of mill job sites, he can help guide you through the legal process.
Take Action Now – Statutes of Limitations Apply
Don’t wait. West Virginia law limits the amount of time you have to file a claim. If you or someone in your family has been impacted by paper mill asbestos exposure, contact the Law Offices of Lee W. Davis, Esquire, L.L.C. for a free consultation today.
📍 Serving all of West Virginia
📞 Call 412-781-0525
📝 Or fill out our form:
Check If Your Family Was Exposed
Get your free guide instantly + a confidential case review.
🔒 100% Confidential. No obligations.