New Mexico Mesothelioma Lawyer

New Mexico Mesothelioma Lawyer

New Mexico Mesothelioma Lawyer

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Asbestos in New Mexico

There are six natural asbestos sites in New Mexico, none of which has ever been mined commercially. All are located in the southern portion of the state, one of those being located near Las Cruces and the rest in sparsely populated areas. The state is home to several large power plants, the most notorious of which is the facility at Four Corners. Those power generation facilities were constructed during the era when asbestos was at its peak for use in industrial products. Insulation of all types was used in the steam generation facilities, the pipes that fed those systems and in the many pumps, fittings, gaskets and seals used to assemble a mammoth power generation plant.

The Anaconda and Kennecott copper mines are known to be sites where on the job asbestos exposure occurred. There is oil refineries in Gallup and Bloomfield, all built with asbestos materials. The Kirtland Air Force Base, the White Sands Missile Base and Sandia Labs are additional asbestos hot spots for the generations of workers that have passed through them.
Mesothelioma & Asbestos Deaths in New Mexico

According to a national survey of recorded deaths attributed to asbestos related diseases, New Mexico reported 62 deaths due to asbestosis during the period 1979 – 2000. Over that same period there were between 107 and 170 deaths caused by malignant mesothelioma or asbestos-induced lung cancer. In 1999 the federal government began tracking mesothelioma deaths actively. In 2005 the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reported an additional 98 deaths from mesothelioma over the period 1999 – 2006.
Legal Rights of Mesothelioma Victims in New Mexico

The State of New Mexico Environment Department is charged with enforcing EPA and state regulations regarding asbestos abatement, disposal and employee protection. According to state law residents who have developed an asbestos related disease have three years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury suit or a product liability action. Family members who have lost someone to asbestosis or asbestos cancer have three years to file a wrongful death suit. A New Mexico asbestos lawyer can make sure that you meet all state deadlines for filing claims as well as any deadlines established by the asbestos settlement trusts.

New Mexico courts follow a modified joint and several liability method, generally apportioning financial responsibility among multiple defendants based on percentage of fault. Injured parties may recover apportioned damages even if they are partially at fault. There have been a number of asbestos lawsuits filed in New Mexico against Burlington Northern Railroad under the Federal Employees Liability Act (FELA) over asbestos exposure. In 2004 there was a suit filed against Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM) by twenty employees and former employees who alleged on the job asbestos exposure.

New Mexico Mesothelioma Lawyer