If you or a loved one worked at the Summit Lake Power Station in Akron, Ohio, and received a diagnosis of mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related disease, you may qualify for legal compensation. The facility’s operations reportedly involved widespread use of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) during construction, routine maintenance, and renovation. Navigating these complex claims requires the expertise of a seasoned mesothelioma lawyer.

URGENT FILING DEADLINE WARNING: If you worked at Summit Lake Power Station, be aware that Ohio has a strict two-year statute of limitations (Iowa Code § 614.1(2)) for personal injury claims (§ 2305.10) and wrongful death claims (§ 2125.02) related to asbestos exposure. This deadline runs from the date of diagnosis or death, not the date of exposure. Do not delay – contact a qualified asbestos cancer lawyer immediately to protect your rights.

For a list of asbestos-containing products potentially present at facilities like Summit Lake Power Station, refer to the AsbestosIndex Product Crosswalk.

History of Asbestos Exposure at Summit Lake Power Station

The Summit Lake Power Station served the energy infrastructure in the Akron area. Power generation facilities historically relied on asbestos-containing materials due to asbestos’s resistance to heat, fire, and electrical conductivity. ACMs were prevalent in industrial settings from the 1930s through the late 1970s, and sometimes into the 1980s. Many workers seeking an Ohio mesothelioma settlement today may have been exposed decades ago at facilities like this.

The North American Powerhouse database (EIA Form 860 Annual Electric Generator Report) states Summit Lake Power Station operated a Babcock & Wilcox boiler, commissioned in 1916, and a General Electric steam turbine, commissioned in 1916. These primary power-generating units, associated piping, and auxiliary equipment required extensive insulation and sealing, much of which allegedly contained asbestos.

The plant likely underwent expansions, upgrades, and routine maintenance throughout its operational life. Each phase may have involved installing, repairing, or removing asbestos-containing components, potentially releasing hazardous fibers.

Why Asbestos-Containing Materials Were Used

Asbestos was incorporated into industrial products because it was inexpensive, durable, and resisted heat, fire, and chemical corrosion. In power stations like Summit Lake, these properties were critical for safe and efficient operation. Asbestos was reportedly used to:

  • Insulate High-Temperature Equipment: Boilers, steam pipes, turbines, and generators required robust insulation to prevent heat loss and protect workers. This often involved pipe covering, block insulation, and insulating cement.
  • Fireproof Structures: Asbestos was often incorporated into spray fireproofing, fire doors, and panels to protect structural steel and critical areas from fire.
  • Seal Connections: Gaskets, packing, and seals in pumps, valves, and flanges often contained asbestos to withstand high pressures and temperatures.
  • Provide Electrical Insulation: Asbestos was reportedly found in electrical panels, wiring insulation, and motor components.

Trades Allegedly Exposed to Asbestos at Summit Lake Power Station

Numerous tradespeople who worked at Summit Lake Power Station may have been exposed to asbestos fibers. These individuals often worked near asbestos-containing materials, disturbing them during their daily tasks. This could release microscopic fibers into the air. An asbestos attorney can help identify potentially exposed trades.

Trades potentially exposed include:

  • Insulators: These workers applied, removed, and repaired asbestos-containing pipe covering, block insulation, and insulating cement on boilers, pipes, and other equipment. Their work frequently involved cutting, mixing, and tearing these materials, creating dust. Union members from Heat and Frost Insulators Local 84 (Akron) may have performed such tasks.
  • Pipefitters: Pipefitters installed and maintained complex piping systems. They regularly worked with asbestos-containing gaskets, packing, and pipe insulation, especially when installing or repairing valves, flanges, and pumps. Members of UA Local 219 (Plumbers & Pipefitters), serving the Akron area, may have performed this work.
  • Boilermakers: Boilermakers constructed, maintained, and repaired the plant’s boilers. This work often involved accessing confined spaces and disturbing asbestos-containing refractory materials, boiler insulation, and gaskets. Boilermakers Local 900 (Akron) would have represented many of these workers.
  • Electricians: Electricians installed and maintained electrical systems, which sometimes included working with asbestos-insulated wiring, electrical panels, and conduit.
  • Millwrights: Millwrights installed, maintained, and repaired heavy machinery, including turbines and generators. This often involved disturbing asbestos-containing components like gaskets, packing, and insulation.
  • Laborers: Laborers often assisted other trades, performing tasks like sweeping, carrying materials, and demolition, which could have exposed them to asbestos dust.
  • Maintenance Workers: General maintenance staff, performing a variety of tasks including repairs and clean-up, could have encountered asbestos in many areas of the plant.
  • Welders: Welders often worked near or on equipment insulated or sealed with asbestos-containing materials, potentially disturbing them.
  • Operating Engineers: Those who operated the plant’s machinery may have been exposed during routine checks, minor repairs, or when equipment required more extensive maintenance involving asbestos components.

Alleged Asbestos-Containing Products Present at the Facility

Workers at Summit Lake Power Station may have encountered asbestos-containing products commonly found in power stations. These could include:

  • Pipe covering and block insulation on steam lines, boilers, and turbines
  • Gaskets and packing in pumps, valves, and flanges
  • Refractory materials in boilers and furnaces
  • Insulating cement used for sealing and repairs
  • Spray fireproofing on structural components
  • Asbestos-containing textiles, such as blankets and gloves, used for heat protection
  • Transite panels and other asbestos cement products
  • Floor tile and ceiling tile
  • Acoustical panels
  • Brake linings and clutch facings on machinery

When these materials were cut, drilled, sanded, or disturbed during maintenance, repair, or demolition, asbestos fibers could become airborne and be inhaled or ingested by workers. For specific product categories and manufacturers linked to this facility type, consult the AsbestosIndex Product Crosswalk.

Exposure to asbestos fibers causes mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Other serious diseases linked to asbestos exposure include:

  • Asbestosis: A chronic, non-cancerous lung disease from scarring of lung tissue.
  • Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure increases the risk of lung cancer, especially for smokers.
  • Ovarian Cancer: Research links asbestos exposure and ovarian cancer.
  • Laryngeal Cancer: Studies indicate a connection between asbestos exposure and laryngeal cancer.

These diseases have long latency periods; symptoms may appear 10 to 50 years after initial exposure. This makes connecting early exposures to later diagnoses challenging without expert legal assistance.

If you or a loved one worked at Summit Lake Power Station and received an asbestos-related disease diagnosis, you may have legal avenues to pursue compensation. Understanding the Ohio asbestos statute of limitations is critical for any potential asbestos lawsuit Ohio filing deadline.

  • Asbestos Trust Fund Claims: Many companies that manufactured or or used asbestos-containing products established trust funds to compensate victims. These funds were created during bankruptcy proceedings to ensure future claims could be paid. While most asbestos trusts do not have strict time limits, their assets can deplete over time, making it crucial to file promptly.
  • Civil Lawsuits: You may file a personal injury lawsuit against manufacturers documented on the AsbestosIndex Product Crosswalk for the asbestos products to which you were exposed. If a loved one passed away from an asbestos-related disease, their estate may pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. A Summit County asbestos lawsuit may be an option.
  • Trust fund claims and civil lawsuits pursued simultaneously: Pursue both types of claims concurrently to maximize potential recovery. This strategy can lead to a more comprehensive Ohio mesothelioma settlement.

Statute of Limitations for Asbestos Claims

Be aware of the statute of limitations, which sets strict deadlines for filing legal claims. In Ohio:

  • The personal injury statute of limitations for asbestos claims is typically two years from the date of diagnosis (Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10).
  • The wrongful death statute of limitations is typically two years from the date of death (Ohio Revised Code § 2125.02).

These deadlines are critical and strictly enforced. Missing them can permanently forfeit your right to pursue compensation. Act now.

Contact an Experienced Asbestos Attorney

Asbestos litigation is complex. It requires specialized knowledge. A mesothelioma lawyer or an asbestos attorney specializing in asbestos cases can:

  • Identify asbestos exposure sources at Summit Lake Power Station.
  • Gather medical records and work history documentation.
  • Determine which companies or asbestos trust funds may be liable.
  • File claims within strict legal deadlines.
  • Represent your interests in negotiations or in court, potentially in venues like the Summit County Court of Common Pleas in Akron.

Unfortunately, many of the coworkers who shared shifts with you in the earlier years of your career may no longer be reachable. Time is precious. Call today to speak with a toxic tort counsel as soon as possible after a diagnosis to help preserve crucial evidence and testimony.

Seek legal counsel without delay. Protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Data Sources

Information about facility equipment, industrial materials, and occupational records referenced on this page is drawn from publicly available sources where applicable, including:

If specific equipment or product claims in this article are sourced from a non-public database, the source is identified parenthetically within the text above.

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