General Electric (GE), Lynn and Pittsfield, MA

Birthed by a merger between Edison General Electric company and Thomson-Houston Electric company, GE electric has since established its name as a leading manufacturer of various products ranging from aviation engines, appliances, and power generating equipment such as steam turbines.

The company uses asbestos panels to insulate most products (that give off heat), including consumer electronics like radio. It also uses asbestos to produce steam turbines that are operational in over 22000 sites in the United States.  In addition, the cables, furnaces, and wires used at GE Electric’s power plant also contain asbestos increasing the likelihood of its employees being exposed to asbestos.

In addition to GE Electric’s steam turbines, GE Electrics has produced and sold asbestos-containing wires, Delta Beston wire, and infrared ovens like the Wil-Son patent flex. Other GE Electrics asbestos-containing products include stovetops and electrical arc chutes, and you can always recognize them by the signature GE emblem.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in abundant quantities worldwide. Because of its flexibility, durability, and fire-resistant properties, asbestos has found several applications in virtually every industry, including aviation, healthcare, and power.   

However, asbestos exposure is a risk factor for an aggressive form of cancer, mesothelioma, caused by inhaling asbestos fiber (you can think of it as dust from asbestos) from areas or workplaces where asbestos products are used, such as power plants and in aviation companies.  

Asbestos exposure poses serious health risks such as mesothelioma, a form of cancer that usually affects the lungs of power plant workers. Also, aviation workers (especially aircraft mechanics) and construction workers have high-risk factors of being diagnosed with mesothelioma.   

Asbestos is used to insulate machinery and products from elevated temperatures and pressure. Over the years (dating as far back as the 1980s), asbestos has been used to increase machinery’s durability and heat resistance, explaining why asbestos is a common sight in fireproofing materials and lining machines, cables, and wires. 

In addition to increasing durability and protecting machinery from high temperatures, other applications of asbestos products in power plants include but are not limited to gaskets, boilers, lagging, fire blankets, pipe insulation, and firebricks.  Thus, even though asbestos products are primarily discouraged and discontinued, many asbestos-containing products and machinery are still operational in power plants today.

Exposure to asbestos in the aviation industry is almost similar to that of power plants. However, this time, aviation mechanics are primarily on the receiving end.  You will be amazed at the sheer number of aviation workers, especially aviation mechanics, that come down with mesothelioma or asbestosis in their retirement age or sooner. Asbestos is also used in the aviation industry as a heat resistant and fire retardant.

It is also used in making phenolic laminates, body fillers, refractory fiber felt, asbestos tubing, firewall seals, engine mounts, glue, and adhesives. Other applications of asbestos in the aviation industry include paints, engine insulation, brake assemblies, brake blocks, asbestos packing, and electrical insulation materials.

Due to the potential health risks of working with asbestos products or working in places where asbestos has been used, employers are mandated by law to ensure staff safety by complying with relevant occupational safety rules and regulations.  

Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. When asbestos fibers (asbestos in dust form) are inhaled, they may settle into the lungs of the exposed individual. The inhaled asbestos fibers can then travel to the lining of the lungs, abdomen, and other organs, where, in subsequent decades, mesothelioma develops. 

Current and former employees of General Electric who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma are eligible to file personal injury lawsuits against the employers and companies responsible for exposing them to asbestos. This is true, even if the person who was exposed has died. In this case, the family can bring a wrongful death claim on behalf of the mesothelioma patient. 

Many factors can impact your claim, including how much you or your family can recover concerning financial compensation. The companies responsible for asbestos exposure spends millions of dollars every year trying to change the law and protect their shareholders, therefore: 

• It is extremely important that you work with an attorney who specialized in asbestos and mesothelioma cases. 
• It is also essential that your attorney can show a long-standing history of success in the states and jurisdictions where your lawsuit will be filed. 

With over 400,000 asbestos claims being filed against the company and having recently paid damages worth over two million dollars in 2019 for asbestos exposure, GE Electric is no stranger to mesothelioma litigations. This is why it is so important to work with an experienced, qualified attorney with a proven track records working with asbestos and mesothelioma claims.

Some national firms claim to have hundreds of lawyers dedicated to fighting for their mesothelioma patients. Unfortunately, many clients do not realize that many of these firms are actually “clearing houses” that broker cases to local attorneys who may not have the experience or resources required to optionally handle the case.

It is also important to understand that it is common practice for personal injury lawyers to offer free consultations. Most personal injury lawyers also offer their services on a contingency fee basis, meaning they do not charge a fee unless they can recover a favorable verdict or settlement on your behalf.

When it comes to handling a General Electric job site asbestos claim, experience and resources can play a major role in determining the compensation you and your family are entitled to. Before hiring a lawyer, ask them to talk about their:

• Experience and ability to navigate a complicated asbestos case
• Access to industry resources and leading experts
• Reputation within the legal community

A good mesothelioma attorney will set realistic expectations, help you understand your options, and show a history of successful case resolutions. They will also be active and hold leadership roles in both national and local industry associations dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma.

If you are a General Electric employee who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related cancer, please contact one of our experienced lawyers today.