Many Allentown mesothelioma cases trace back to one of two industries: the truck-building operations that made the area famous, or the cement plants that once lined the Lehigh Valley. Families affected by asbestos disease may be able to recover compensation through asbestos lawsuits and bankruptcy trust claims. Michael C. Schafle, Esq., is a Philadelphia trial lawyer who handles asbestos cases on the Philadelphia docket. He represents clients throughout Pennsylvania, including in Allentown and Lehigh County.
Asbestos Exposure at Allentown Truck Plants: Risks for Assembly Workers and Mechanics
For much of the twentieth century, heavy trucks were built with parts that often contained asbestos. These included brake linings, clutch facings, and engine gaskets. Workers who machined, ground, installed, or replaced these parts could release asbestos fibers into the air. Mechanics who used compressed air to blow dust out of brake assemblies faced added risk. The EPA has issued guidance on preventing asbestos exposure among brake and clutch repair workers. Assembly line workers, mechanics, and parts handlers at the region’s truck plants, garages, and dealerships may all fit this exposure pattern.
Lehigh Valley Cement Plant Asbestos Exposure: Kilns, Insulation, and Maintenance Trades
The Lehigh Valley’s cement industry depended on kilns, and kilns ran extremely hot. In that era, high-temperature equipment was routinely insulated with asbestos materials. Plant laborers, kiln repairmen, pipefitters, and masons who kept that equipment running are often the first workers we look at. Many Allentown residents also worked at Bethlehem Steel’s massive home plant, just a few miles down the valley. Our Bethlehem Steel exposure page covers that facility, and the full Pennsylvania exposure sites index lists other worksites in the region.
Pennsylvania Mesothelioma Filing Deadlines: Why Timing Matters
Asbestos disease develops slowly. According to the National Cancer Institute, mesothelioma can take decades to appear after exposure (NCI asbestos fact sheet). A worker who left a truck plant or cement mill many years ago can still be diagnosed today. Pennsylvania law recognizes this long delay, but filing deadlines still apply and may depend on the facts of each case. Families should not wait to learn where they stand. Our statute of limitations page explains the general rules.
Types of Asbestos Compensation Available to Allentown Families
- A lawsuit against the companies that made or supplied the asbestos products involved
- Claims with asbestos bankruptcy trusts, which a U.S. Government Accountability Office report found hold billions of dollars set aside for victims
- Wrongful death and survival actions when asbestos disease has taken a loved one’s life
Many cases combine more than one of these options. A key part of an asbestos lawyer’s work is figuring out which products were present at which worksites and during which years.
Philadelphia Asbestos Attorney Serving Allentown and Lehigh County
Michael Schafle’s office is in Philadelphia, about an hour from the Lehigh Valley. He has handled cases in the city’s dedicated asbestos program for many years. Where an Allentown case is filed depends on its specific facts. The location of exposure, the companies involved, and court rules all play a role, so no one should assume a case will be filed in a particular county before the evidence is gathered. Other Pennsylvania cities he serves are listed in the Pennsylvania exposure sites index.
How to Start an Asbestos Claim: First Steps for Your Family
Write down the work history while memories are still fresh. Include employers, buildings, trades, and the names of coworkers who might remember the products used on the job. That list becomes the foundation of a claim, and putting it together costs nothing. Even a rough version helps a lawyer evaluate the case quickly.
Request a free case review to get started.
Michael Schafle also maintains a site just for Allentown families, mesotheliomalawyerallentownpa.com, with local exposure history, information about filing deadlines, and the same free case review.