Willow Run Asbestos Exposure – GM Plant in Ypsilanti, MI

Willow Run asbestos exposure placed thousands of Michigan workers and their families at risk during the decades-long operation of the GM plant in Ypsilanti. Originally built to produce B-24 bombers in World War II, Willow Run later became one of General Motors’ largest transmission facilities—filled with asbestos-lined pipes, gaskets, and machinery that exposed countless employees to toxic dust.

How Asbestos Was Used at Willow Run

At its peak, the Willow Run facility spanned millions of square feet and employed thousands of union workers, machinists, maintenance crews, and boiler operators. Many of them were regularly exposed to asbestos in:

• Pipe insulation throughout the building’s extensive heating systems
• Gaskets and packing materials in high-temperature equipment
• Fireproof clothing and gloves used in the foundry and repair shops
• Brake linings and clutch parts during transmission assembly

These materials often degraded over time, releasing microscopic asbestos fibers into the air. Prolonged exposure to these fibers can cause mesothelioma, asbestosis, and asbestos-related lung cancer—illnesses that may appear decades later.

Take-Home Asbestos Risk for Willow Run Families

The danger wasn’t limited to the plant floor. Many Willow Run workers unknowingly carried asbestos fibers home on their clothes, boots, and lunchboxes. Spouses and children may have been exposed during laundry or simple hugs at the door—creating tragic take-home asbestos exposure cases years after GM operations shut down.

Legal Help for Willow Run Asbestos Victims

Although the GM Willow Run Plant closed in the 2010s, former workers and their families are still being diagnosed today. If you or a loved one worked at Willow Run—or lived with someone who did—and developed an asbestos-related illness, you may be eligible for compensation.

Attorney Lee W. Davis has represented over 3,000 asbestos clients since 1988. With deep knowledge of Michigan’s industrial job sites and GM plant records, he can help uncover exposure routes, access trust funds, and file claims for wrongful death or personal injury.

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Call for a Free Consultation

📞 Call (412) 781-0525 or use the form below. You don’t need to remember the exact dates or equipment—we’ll help you reconstruct the exposure history and fight for justice.

FAQs – Willow Run Asbestos Exposure

Was asbestos used throughout the entire Willow Run facility?

Yes. It was present in mechanical rooms, boiler houses, and even assembly areas via friction parts and insulation.

What if my exposure happened before GM closed the plant?

That’s common. Asbestos-related illnesses have long latency periods. Claims are still viable today.

Can families of deceased workers file claims?

Absolutely. Wrongful death claims are often pursued by estates and surviving spouses.