Can I still file a claim if the steel mill closed years ago?

Yes. Even if your former employer closed, asbestos trust funds and successor corporations can still be held accountable for exposure-related diseases.

Do steelworkers qualify for both lawsuits and trust fund claims?

In many cases, yes. You can pursue trust fund claims alongside a personal injury or wrongful death case depending on exposure history.

How long do I have to file a steelworker asbestos claim in Pennsylvania?

The statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of diagnosis or death, but starting earlier helps preserve critical evidence.

Pittsburgh Steelworker Lung Cancer

Fighting for Western Pennsylvania Steelworkers Exposed to Asbestos

Pittsburgh steelworker lung cancer remains one of the most devastating legacies of America’s industrial age. For decades, mill employees across Western Pennsylvania were exposed to asbestos while maintaining furnaces, repairing pipes, and rebuilding equipment. The result has been a tragic rise in lung cancer and mesothelioma among the men and women who powered Pittsburgh’s steel industry.

Attorney Lee W. Davis, licensed in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan, has represented mill workers and their families for over 30 years. From his early paralegal work in the late 1980s through landmark asbestos trials of the 1990s, he’s fought for those who built Western Pennsylvania’s steel legacy and paid the price in their health.

📞 Call (412) 781-0525 for a free consultation if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with lung cancer after working in Pittsburgh-area steel mills.

1. Asbestos and Lung Cancer in Pittsburgh’s Steel Industry

Pittsburgh’s mills were the backbone of American industry — but they were also lined with asbestos. Pipefitters, machinists, millwrights, and maintenance crews routinely handled insulation and gaskets during furnace rebuilds and boiler repairs.

Common exposure sources included:

Boiler and turbine insulation at U.S. Steel – Clairton Works and Edgar Thomson Works
Refractory brick and pipe lagging at J&L Steel – Aliquippa Works
Hot mill ductwork and casting operations at Homestead Works
Equipment maintenance and cleaning operations at Armco – Butler

Even those who never directly handled asbestos often inhaled airborne fibers from nearby crews.

👉 Search Asbestos Job Sites in Pennsylvania

2. Secondary or “Take-Home” Exposure for Families

Wives and family members of mill workers were also at risk. Workers brought asbestos dust home on their clothing, exposing family members during laundry and daily contact. These take-home asbestos cases remain a major cause of mesothelioma and lung cancer decades later.

Learn more in our related guide:

👉 West Virginia Take-Home Asbestos – Family Exposure Claims

3. Legal Options for Pittsburgh Steelworkers

If you worked in a steel mill and later developed lung cancer, several legal options may be available:

Personal-Injury Lawsuit

You may file a civil claim against the manufacturers or suppliers of asbestos-containing materials used in the mills. Pennsylvania generally allows two years from diagnosis to file.

Wrongful Death Claim

If a loved one has passed from asbestos-related cancer, surviving family members can pursue compensation through wrongful death claim for medical expenses, lost income, and funeral costs.

Asbestos Trust-Fund Claims

Many major asbestos producers declared bankruptcy but created trust funds to compensate victims. These claims can often be filed without going to court, and Lee W. Davis has helped hundreds of families recover through this process.

4. Why Choose a Local Pittsburgh Asbestos Lawyer

Hiring a local lawyer matters. National mass-tort firms often outsource cases to intake centers or out-of-state partners. Lee W. Davis personally handles every case, bringing decades of Pittsburgh-specific knowledge to identify exposures faster and prove your case with precision.

Local experience includes:

Former J&L Steel, U.S. Steel, and Allegheny Ludlum exposure mapping
Familiarity with Western Pennsylvania job-site records and union archives
Proven results in both Pennsylvania courts and asbestos trust proceedings

Your case won’t be lost in a call-center queue — it will be managed by the attorney whose name is on the door.

5. Get Legal Help Now for Pittsburgh Steelworker Lung Cancer

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with lung cancer after working in Pittsburgh’s steel industry, it’s not too late to act. Evidence fades, and witnesses retire — but the right lawyer can move quickly to secure compensation and accountability.

📞 Call (412) 781-0525 or visit leewdavis.com for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Pittsburgh asbestos lawyer.

Check If Your Family Was Exposed

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FAQs – Pittsburgh Steelworker Lung Cancer

Q: Can I still file a claim if the mill closed years ago?

Yes. Even if the company no longer exists, asbestos trust funds were established to pay future victims from defunct manufacturers.

Q: What if I was a contractor or temporary worker?

You may still qualify — liability often attaches to the product manufacturer, not the employer.

Q: How long do I have to file?

Under Pennsylvania law, the statute of limitations is two years from diagnosis or death in asbestos-related cases.

Michael Schumacher

22:42 02 May 23

Lee was an excellent representative of the legal profession. I have had other lawyers in the past and they did not respond to emails or return phone calls. Mr Davis was very attentive and responded to all calls and emails.
Mr Davis was a tremendous help for my situation. I was a defendant in a frivolous lawsuit. Lee was well prepared for our hearing and listened to my side of the lawsuit and represented me to the point he won the case for me.
I highly recommend Lee Davis for any legal issue you may have. He will be a tremendous asset to you!!!

Vicki Ann Korinko

23:47 13 Mar 23

If I could give 100 stars I would. When you need to contact an attorney you most likely are in a storm you never expected you would be in. From the first conversation I had with Lee I knew I would be in great hands; his professionalism is stellar. Mr. Davis let me speak and put my mind at ease that what I was dealing with was not right. Lee was empathetic through all the emotions that go along with a legal case. Lee was compassionate and knowledgeable and worked hard during the legal process to make sure I was up-to-date with the current standing of my case along with being available to communicate in a speedy time period even if it was just to say, "I will call back as soon as possible." Lee fought hard for me and I was impressed by his knowledge, strategy skills, his honesty and the education he provided as the case proceeded to the next phase and what I should expect. I highly recommend Mr. Davis!

Jack Sharbaugh

22:34 21 Jan 19

Lee is an extremely knowledgeable and dedicated attorney. A friend recommended Lee to my wife and me. He is very personable and made us feel at ease. He handled our business most professionally and with an obvious focus on our needs and best interest. We highly recommend him.

Kelly Ziencik

00:59 17 Jan 19

Lee Davis is an outstanding lawyer and a truly wonderful person! His experience, knowledge, and professionalism are unparalleled. I wouldn’t put my rights into the hands of any other lawyer. He is straightforward and gets results. I can’t say enough good things about him.

Daniel Jeffreys

19:52 10 Dec 18

I met Lee Davis several years ago. I had the privilege of witnessing his professionalism in a number of courtroom settings. Not only did he conduct himself with confidence and eloquence, he was thoroughly prepared to go up against multiple defendants of major corporations. He did his homework and did not settle for mediocrity, and won. Since then, I have called upon him whenever I needed legal advice, even when it seemed like I could have gone to some internet application and done it myself. There is nothing simplistic about the law and I thoroughly trust Lee to handle any legal situation. When it comes to legal matters, I have full confidence in Lee.

Steve Craig

00:58 07 Dec 18

Lee Davis exceeded our expectations in every way. He poured his heart and soul into our case. Everything he did showed his commitment to professionalism and the highest standards of jurisprudence. Lee was relentless in his pursuit of justice for our family. He was not content to settle for the lowball offers from just a few defendants. We had multiple defendants and Lee worked to maximize our settlement with each of them. Lee has my highest recommendation.