WV Factory Lung Cancer continues to affect former factory and industrial workers across West Virginia who unknowingly inhaled asbestos fibers, welding fumes, and chemical vapors during decades of hard labor.
Factories in Parkersburg, Weirton, Huntington, and Clarksburg once powered the state’s economy—but also exposed thousands of employees to hidden carcinogens. Over time, those exposures have led to a devastating rise in occupational lung cancer diagnoses.
👉 Search Asbestos Job sites in West Virginia
How Factory Exposure Caused Lung Cancer
Before federal safety laws took hold, asbestos was a common material inside West Virginia factories. It was used to insulate steam lines, equipment, and machinery, while chemical agents and silica dust filled the air. Workers who cut, sanded, or repaired parts released microscopic fibers and particles that became trapped in their lungs.
Years later, these workers began suffering chronic coughing, chest pain, and shortness of breath—often leading to diagnoses of lung cancer or mesothelioma long after retirement. Even non-smokers are now being diagnosed with asbestos-related cancers tied directly to factory exposure.
High-Risk Factory Jobs in West Virginia
Certain trades faced the highest levels of exposure, including:
- Maintenance mechanics and millwrights
- Pipefitters and boiler operators
- Electricians and insulators
- Foundry and furnace workers
- Chemical plant employees
West Virginia’s factories often recycled asbestos materials or used them in repair work. Poor ventilation and years of neglect left those dust fibers circulating throughout the plant, affecting everyone on shift.
Legal Options for Factory Workers
If you or a loved one developed lung cancer after working in a West Virginia factory, you may qualify for compensation through:
- Asbestos bankruptcy trust funds
- Negligence or product-liability lawsuits
- Workers’ compensation or wrongful-death claims
Attorney Lee W. Davis, based in Pittsburgh and licensed in West Virginia, has represented factory workers and their families for more than 30 years. His experience includes building the original West Virginia product-identification database still used to link asbestos materials to specific worksites.
FAQs About WV Factory Lung Cancer
What types of factories caused the most exposure?
Factories in the glass, steel, and chemical industries were especially dangerous due to asbestos insulation and metal-dust exposure.
Can lung cancer appear decades after exposure?
Yes. Asbestos-related lung cancer can take 20 to 50 years to develop, often emerging long after a worker retires.
Do I need to know exactly where I was exposed?
No. Lee W. Davis and his firm maintain extensive jobsite records across West Virginia to help identify responsible companies.
Can family members file claims?
Yes. Surviving spouses or children can pursue wrongful-death claims if a loved one’s lung cancer was linked to asbestos exposure.
Call Lee Now!
If you worked in a West Virginia factory and later developed lung cancer, don’t wait. Call (412) 781-0525 or use our contact form below to schedule a free consultation today. There are strict deadlines to file, and your family deserves answers now.
Check If Your Family Was Exposed
Get your free guide instantly + a confidential case review
🔒100% Confidential. No Obligations
Read More about Take-Home Exposure to asbestos