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Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure in Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore was home to some of the largest industrial operations in American history, including the Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point plant that employed over 30,000 workers at its peak. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, Baltimore's combination of steel production, shipbuilding, and heavy manufacturing created one of the most heavily exposed worker populations on the East Coast. Due to a latency period of 20 to 50 years, Baltimore families are still being diagnosed with mesothelioma today from exposures that occurred decades ago.

30,000+ Workers at Sparrows Point
$30B+ In Trust Funds Available
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Mesothelioma Compensation for Baltimore Families: What Our Clients Have Recovered

If your family is facing a mesothelioma diagnosis in Baltimore, you are not alone — and compensation may be available. Below are actual amounts received by real clients of our firm, after attorneys’ fees and expenses, in mesothelioma cases involving asbestos exposure. Our attorneys represent families nationwide, including in Baltimore.

$30B+ Available in Asbestos Trust Funds
$1M – $1.4M Average Mesothelioma Settlement
$2.4M Average Trial Verdict
$2B+ Recovered for Our Clients
$6,142,500 Secondary Exposure

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a woman, age 68, who developed mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos through assisting her husband in his general contracting work and through contact with asbestos fibers on her husband's clothes.

$5,939,010 Construction / Demolition

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 46, who was exposed to asbestos while repairing boats and while doing demolition and repair of buildings damaged by fire and flooding.

$4,750,000 U.S. Navy Veteran

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 49, who was exposed to asbestos through his career in the Navy.

$3,600,450 Navy / Contractor

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 67, who was exposed through his service in the Navy and as a construction contractor on commercial and residential projects.

$3,403,890 Navy / HVAC Mechanic

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 57, who was exposed through his service in the Navy and as a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic.

$3,185,280 Paper Mill / Carpenter

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 81, who was exposed through his work at a paper mill and as a carpenter.

$2,727,900 Navy / Telecom

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 61, who was exposed through his service in the Navy and as a telephone installer and repairman.

$1,988,910 Oil Field Worker

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 50, who was exposed as an oil field worker.

$1,886,580 Secondary Exposure

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a woman, age 62, who was exposed through contact with asbestos fibers on the clothes of her husband, who worked as an electrician at a shipyard.

$1,181,250 Secondary Exposure

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a woman, age 33, who was exposed through contact with asbestos fibers on the clothes of her father, who worked at an auto plant.

All amounts shown are received by clients after attorneys’ fees and expenses. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is unique and compensation depends on individual circumstances including exposure history, diagnosis, and jurisdiction.

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Medical and legal information reviewed and updated: • Sources: Industrial records, asbestos litigation databases, OSHA reports

Why Mesothelioma Cases Occur in Baltimore

Baltimore's industrial heritage is anchored by steelmaking, shipbuilding, and power generation — three sectors where asbestos was used extensively for the better part of a century. The city's position on the Chesapeake Bay made it a natural hub for heavy industry, and its workforce paid a devastating price in asbestos-related disease. At the center of Baltimore's asbestos legacy stands the Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point plant, which at its peak was the largest steel mill in the world, spanning over 3,100 acres and employing more than 30,000 workers.

According to WikiMesothelioma.com, the Sparrows Point complex is one of the most significant single-site asbestos exposure locations in the United States, with decades of documented asbestos use in blast furnace insulation, coke ovens, pipe lagging, gaskets, and building materials throughout the facility. Workers at Sparrows Point handled and worked alongside asbestos-containing products daily, often in high-temperature environments where asbestos fibers were continuously released into the air.

Beyond Sparrows Point, Baltimore's shipyards — including the Maryland Drydock Company, Bethlehem Steel Key Highway Shipyard, and Baltimore Marine Industries — built and repaired hundreds of vessels during World War II and the decades that followed. Every ship constructed during this era contained asbestos insulation in engine rooms, boiler rooms, sleeping quarters, and throughout the superstructure. The Domino Sugar refinery, one of the largest sugar processing facilities in the world, used asbestos in its steam distribution systems and processing equipment. Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) power plants throughout the region used asbestos insulation in boilers, turbines, and electrical systems.

The 20-to-50-Year Latency Period

Mesothelioma does not appear immediately after asbestos exposure. The disease has a latency period of 20 to 50 years, meaning workers exposed at Sparrows Point, Baltimore shipyards, and industrial facilities during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s are being diagnosed now. A steelworker who maintained blast furnace insulation at Sparrows Point in 1970 may only receive a mesothelioma diagnosis in 2025 or later. This long latency period is why Baltimore continues to produce new mesothelioma cases decades after asbestos use was curtailed.

The sheer scale of Sparrows Point meant that exposure was not limited to a single department or trade. Steelworkers, maintenance crews, pipefitters, electricians, laborers, crane operators, and office workers who spent time near production areas were all at risk. Many Baltimore workers also accumulated exposure at multiple facilities — working at Sparrows Point and then at a shipyard or power plant — creating complex exposure histories that connect to multiple sources of compensation.

Baltimore's Asbestos Legacy by the Numbers

Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point operated for over 120 years, with peak asbestos use spanning from the 1940s through the 1980s. The plant's 30,000-plus workforce represents one of the largest single-site exposed populations in the country. Combined with Baltimore's shipyards, power plants, and other industrial operations, the metropolitan area's total exposed workforce numbers in the tens of thousands. Maryland consistently ranks among states with elevated mesothelioma mortality rates. If you worked at Sparrows Point or any Baltimore-area industrial facility, documenting your asbestos exposure history is a critical first step.

Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure in Baltimore

Asbestos was embedded in Baltimore's industrial infrastructure for decades. The following categories represent the most significant sources of occupational asbestos exposure in the greater Baltimore area.

Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point

Sparrows Point was the crown jewel of American steelmaking and Baltimore's largest employer for generations. The massive facility used asbestos in virtually every phase of steel production: blast furnace insulation to withstand extreme temperatures, coke oven linings, pipe lagging throughout the plant's miles of piping, gaskets in valves and flanges, and building insulation in the hundreds of structures across the 3,100-acre site. Workers who operated, maintained, and repaired this equipment were exposed to asbestos fibers daily. The plant's tin mill, plate mill, rod and wire mill, and structural mill all contained asbestos-insulated equipment that was disturbed during routine operations and maintenance.

Baltimore Shipyards

Baltimore's strategic location on the Chesapeake Bay made it a center for shipbuilding and repair, particularly during World War II. Workers who built, repaired, and maintained ships were exposed to asbestos insulation in engine rooms, boiler rooms, pipe systems, and throughout ship superstructures.

  • Maryland Drydock Company — Major ship repair facility where workers removed and replaced asbestos insulation during vessel overhauls
  • Bethlehem Steel Key Highway Shipyard — Ship construction and repair with asbestos insulation standard in all vessel work
  • Baltimore Marine Industries — Ship repair and conversion facility with documented asbestos use throughout operations

Domino Sugar Refinery

The Domino Sugar refinery at Baltimore's Inner Harbor has operated since 1922 and is one of the largest sugar refineries in the world. The facility's industrial boilers, steam distribution systems, and processing equipment used asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and packing materials throughout its history. Maintenance workers who serviced the plant's mechanical systems were exposed to asbestos during routine repair and overhaul operations.

BGE Power Plants

Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE) operated multiple power generating stations across the Baltimore metropolitan area. These coal-fired and gas-fired power plants used asbestos insulation on boilers, turbines, steam pipes, and electrical components. Maintenance workers, operators, and electricians at BGE generating stations faced regular asbestos exposure.

  • Wagner Generating Station — Major BGE power plant with asbestos in boiler insulation, turbine casings, and piping
  • Gould Street Station — Downtown Baltimore generating facility with asbestos throughout mechanical systems
  • Westport Generating Station — Power plant with documented asbestos use in insulation and electrical components
Exposure Source Type of Facility Asbestos Uses Peak Exposure Era
Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point Steel Production Blast furnace insulation, coke ovens, pipe lagging, gaskets 1940s–1980s
Maryland Drydock Ship Repair Ship insulation, boiler lagging, pipe covering 1940s–1970s
Key Highway Shipyard Shipbuilding & Repair Naval vessel insulation, engine room materials 1940s–1970s
Domino Sugar Sugar Refining Boiler insulation, steam pipes, gaskets 1940s–1980s
BGE Wagner Station Power Generation Boiler insulation, turbine casings, wiring 1940s–1980s
Western Maryland Railway Railroad Maintenance Locomotive insulation, brake shoes, building materials 1930s–1970s
Baltimore Marine Industries Ship Repair Ship insulation, mechanical systems, fireproofing 1940s–1970s
Crown Cork & Seal Can & Bottle Cap Mfg. Equipment insulation, building materials, gaskets 1940s–1970s

This is not an exhaustive list. Hundreds of additional industrial facilities across the greater Baltimore area used asbestos-containing materials. If you worked at any steel mill, shipyard, power plant, manufacturing facility, or construction site in Baltimore before the mid-1980s, asbestos exposure is likely. Our attorneys maintain detailed databases of Baltimore-area exposure sites and can investigate your specific work history as part of a free case evaluation.

Jobs in Baltimore Linked to Asbestos Exposure

Certain occupations in Baltimore's industrial sector carried a dramatically higher risk of asbestos exposure. Workers in these trades handled asbestos-containing materials directly, worked in confined spaces where asbestos fibers accumulated, or were present during activities that disturbed existing asbestos insulation. If you or a family member held any of these positions at a Baltimore-area facility, mesothelioma risk is elevated.

Steelworkers & Blast Furnace Operators

Steelworkers at Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point operated in environments where asbestos insulation surrounded blast furnaces, coke ovens, and processing equipment. The extreme temperatures of steelmaking required heat-resistant insulation, and asbestos was the material of choice for decades. Workers who operated, maintained, and repaired blast furnaces and coke ovens directly handled or worked alongside asbestos-containing materials daily, accumulating significant exposure over years of employment.

Pipefitters & Boilermakers

Pipefitters and boilermakers at Sparrows Point, Baltimore shipyards, and power plants installed, maintained, and repaired piping systems and boilers insulated with asbestos-containing materials. During maintenance operations, these tradespeople removed old asbestos insulation in confined spaces, releasing dense concentrations of airborne fibers. The miles of piping at Sparrows Point alone required constant maintenance, meaning these workers faced asbestos exposure throughout their entire careers.

Shipyard Workers

Workers at Maryland Drydock, Key Highway Shipyard, and Baltimore Marine Industries performed ship construction and repair in environments saturated with asbestos. Ship fitters, welders, painters, and general laborers all worked in areas where asbestos insulation was being installed, removed, or disturbed. Below-deck work in engine rooms and boiler rooms created especially concentrated exposure conditions due to poor ventilation and confined spaces.

Insulators & Lagging Workers

Insulators worked directly with asbestos-containing insulation materials across all of Baltimore's major industrial facilities. At Sparrows Point, they applied and removed insulation from blast furnaces, piping, and equipment. In shipyards, they insulated ship compartments. At power plants, they maintained boiler and turbine insulation. This occupation had the most direct and sustained contact with asbestos materials of any trade in Baltimore's industrial sector.

Electricians & Maintenance Workers

Electricians working at Sparrows Point, BGE power plants, and Baltimore's shipyards ran conduit and wiring through areas containing asbestos-insulated equipment. Maintenance workers performed general repairs that frequently disturbed asbestos-containing materials in walls, ceilings, pipe insulation, and equipment housings. The scale of Sparrows Point meant that maintenance crews worked across the entire facility, encountering asbestos in virtually every building and production area.

Construction & Demolition Workers

Construction workers who built and expanded Baltimore's industrial facilities handled asbestos-containing building materials including floor tiles, roofing materials, cement board, joint compound, and fireproofing spray. As older facilities have been renovated or demolished — including parts of the Sparrows Point complex — demolition workers have faced exposure to decades of accumulated asbestos materials. Drywall workers, roofers, and general construction laborers were all at risk.

Documenting Your Baltimore Work History

If you held any of these positions at a Baltimore-area industrial facility, documenting your complete work history is essential for building a mesothelioma claim. Our attorneys help clients reconstruct their employment timeline, identify every facility where exposure occurred, and connect that exposure history to specific asbestos product manufacturers and their trust funds. Even if your records are incomplete, we can use union records, Social Security earnings statements, coworker testimony, and facility records to build your case.

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Based on your Baltimore work history, you may be connected to multiple asbestos trust funds and legal claims.

Baltimore exposure cases — particularly those involving Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point — often connect to multiple trust funds and asbestos product manufacturers, which can significantly increase total compensation. Complete the form below for a free, confidential case review.

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Types of Mesothelioma Diagnosed in Baltimore

Mesothelioma develops when inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers become embedded in the lining of internal organs, causing cellular damage that leads to malignant tumor growth over decades. Baltimore's industrial exposure profile — dominated by steel production, shipbuilding, and power generation — produces specific patterns of mesothelioma diagnosis that reflect the intense and prolonged asbestos contact that these workers experienced.

Pleural Mesothelioma (Lungs)

Pleural mesothelioma accounts for approximately 75 to 80 percent of all mesothelioma diagnoses and is the most common form seen in Baltimore patients. This type develops in the pleura — the thin membrane surrounding the lungs — when inhaled asbestos fibers migrate to the pleural lining and cause chronic inflammation and eventual malignancy. Baltimore steelworkers, shipyard employees, and power plant workers who inhaled asbestos dust over months or years of occupational exposure are at the highest risk. Symptoms typically include persistent chest pain, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, and fluid buildup around the lungs (pleural effusion).

Early detection significantly affects treatment options and prognosis. If you worked at Sparrows Point, a Baltimore shipyard, or another industrial facility and are experiencing respiratory symptoms, inform your physician about your occupational asbestos exposure history. Visit our diagnosis and treatment page for more information.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma (Abdomen)

Peritoneal mesothelioma develops in the peritoneum — the lining of the abdominal cavity — and accounts for approximately 15 to 20 percent of mesothelioma diagnoses. Steelworkers and other Baltimore industrial workers who ingested asbestos fibers (often by swallowing fibers cleared from the airways) may develop this form. Symptoms include abdominal pain and swelling, unexplained weight loss, bowel changes, and fluid accumulation in the abdomen.

Treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma has advanced significantly, with cytoreductive surgery combined with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) showing improved survival rates. Regardless of the type of mesothelioma diagnosed, the same legal options — personal injury lawsuits, asbestos trust fund claims, and VA benefits for veterans — are available to Baltimore patients and their families.

Mesothelioma Treatment Centers Near Baltimore, Maryland

While Maryland does not currently have NCI-designated mesothelioma specialty centers, patients from Baltimore have access to the nation’s top treatment programs. Many of these leading centers accept out-of-state patients and offer travel assistance programs. Below are nationally recognized mesothelioma treatment centers that serve patients from Baltimore and across the country.

MD Anderson Cancer Center

Houston, TX NCI-Designated Cancer Center
Surgery Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Clinical Trials Radiation Multimodal Therapy

Ranked #1 for cancer care nationwide, MD Anderson treats mesothelioma patients from all 50 states and offers the most comprehensive mesothelioma treatment program in the country.

Brigham and Women's Hospital / Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Boston, MA NCI-Designated Cancer Center
Surgery Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Clinical Trials Radiation Multimodal Therapy

The Brigham and Dana-Farber alliance is one of the nation's leading mesothelioma treatment programs, known for pioneering surgical techniques and multimodal therapy protocols.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

New York City, NY NCI-Designated Cancer Center
Surgery Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Clinical Trials Radiation Multimodal Therapy

One of the world's most experienced cancer centers, MSK operates a dedicated mesothelioma program and extensive clinical trial portfolio for patients nationwide.

Need Help Finding a Specialist?

Our attorneys work with leading mesothelioma specialists nationwide and can help connect you with the right treatment team. Call 1-800-400-1805 for a referral.

Baltimore Veterans & Military Asbestos Exposure

Baltimore has a significant veteran population, and many of these veterans carry a unique asbestos exposure history that combines military service with post-service industrial employment. Baltimore's proximity to multiple military installations — including Fort Meade, Aberdeen Proving Ground, and the Naval Academy in Annapolis — created a pipeline of veterans who transitioned into the city's steel, shipbuilding, and manufacturing workforce.

Navy Veterans and Shipyard Exposure

The U.S. Navy used asbestos extensively in ship construction from the 1930s through the 1970s. Engine rooms, boiler rooms, mess halls, sleeping quarters, and virtually every compartment of naval vessels contained asbestos insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing materials. Veterans who served aboard Navy ships were exposed to asbestos during their service. Machinist's mates, boiler technicians, hull maintenance technicians, and enginemen faced the highest exposure levels. Many Baltimore-area veterans served at or transited through East Coast naval facilities where ships were built and repaired using asbestos-containing materials.

Dual Exposure: Military Service Followed by Steel or Shipyard Work

A pattern seen frequently in Baltimore mesothelioma cases involves veterans who were exposed to asbestos during military service and then took jobs at Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point, Baltimore shipyards, or BGE power plants after their discharge. The mechanical and trade skills gained in military service transferred directly to steelmaking and shipyard employment. This resulted in decades of cumulative asbestos exposure spanning both military and civilian careers.

The legal significance of dual exposure is substantial. Veterans with this history may be entitled to multiple sources of compensation:

  • VA Disability Compensation — Monthly tax-free benefits for service-connected mesothelioma
  • VA Healthcare — Treatment at VA medical centers at no cost for service-connected conditions
  • Special Monthly Compensation — Additional VA benefits for veterans requiring aid and attendance
  • Asbestos Trust Fund Claims — Claims against Bethlehem Steel and other trust funds
  • Personal Injury Lawsuits — Civil claims against asbestos product manufacturers and employers

Veterans: Filing VA Claims Does Not Affect Civil Claims

VA disability claims and civil mesothelioma lawsuits are separate legal processes. Filing for VA benefits does not reduce or prevent compensation from asbestos trust funds or personal injury lawsuits. Our attorneys help Baltimore-area veterans pursue every available source of compensation simultaneously, maximizing total recovery while ensuring no filing deadlines are missed. If you are a veteran diagnosed with mesothelioma, time is critical — both the Maryland statute of limitations and VA filing processes have specific requirements that should be addressed promptly.

Family Members Exposed to Asbestos in Baltimore

Asbestos exposure in Baltimore did not stop at the steel mill gate or the shipyard fence. For decades, workers carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing, skin, hair, and personal items — unknowingly exposing their families to the same deadly material they encountered at work. This pattern, known as secondary or take-home exposure, has been documented extensively in Baltimore's industrial community, particularly among families of Sparrows Point steelworkers, and has led to mesothelioma diagnoses in people who never set foot in a steel mill or shipyard.

How Secondary Exposure Occurred

Baltimore steelworkers, shipyard employees, and power plant workers typically arrived home covered in industrial dust that included asbestos fibers. Before the dangers were widely understood, standard practice was for spouses — most often wives — to shake out, brush off, and launder contaminated work clothes at home. This process released asbestos fibers into the household air, where family members inhaled them. Children who greeted parents at the door, sat in their laps, or played near contaminated clothing were also exposed. In the tight-knit communities surrounding Sparrows Point, this exposure pattern affected entire neighborhoods.

Legal Rights of Baltimore Families

Maryland courts recognize secondary asbestos exposure as a valid basis for mesothelioma claims. Family members who developed mesothelioma from take-home asbestos exposure have the same legal right to pursue compensation as the workers themselves. These claims can be filed against the companies that manufactured the asbestos products, the employers who failed to prevent fibers from leaving the workplace, and the asbestos trust funds established through bankruptcy proceedings.

If a spouse, child, or other family member of a Baltimore industrial worker has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and never worked directly with asbestos, secondary exposure should be investigated. Our attorneys have handled numerous Baltimore-area secondary exposure cases and understand the specific evidence required to establish the connection between a worker's occupational exposure and a family member's diagnosis.

Support Groups & Resources for Baltimore Families

A mesothelioma diagnosis affects the entire family. These organizations provide support, education, counseling, and practical assistance for patients and caregivers.

National Organizations

Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation

Research & Patient Support

Leading mesothelioma research foundation providing patient support, education, and peer-to-peer networking for patients and families.

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Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO)

Advocacy & Education

National advocacy organization dedicated to preventing asbestos exposure, providing support for those affected, and driving a global ban on asbestos.

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American Cancer Society

Patient Services

Comprehensive cancer support including patient navigation, local support groups, transportation assistance, lodging programs, and 24/7 helpline.

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CancerCare

Counseling & Support

Free professional counseling, support groups, educational workshops, and financial assistance programs for cancer patients and caregivers.

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Maryland Resources

Maryland Cancer Collaborative

State Resources

State-level cancer support, advocacy, and resources connecting Maryland families with local support services, financial assistance, and treatment information.

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Personalized Resource Recommendations

Our team can connect your family with support resources tailored to your specific situation — including local support groups, financial assistance programs, and caregiver resources. Call 1-800-400-1805.

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Free Guide: Baltimore Asbestos Exposure & Your Legal Rights

If you or a family member worked at Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point, a Baltimore shipyard, BGE power plant, or any Baltimore-area industrial facility, this guide explains the legal options available to you and what steps to take after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

  • Baltimore industrial exposure sites and responsible companies
  • Maryland statute of limitations and filing deadlines
  • Which asbestos trust funds apply to Sparrows Point and Baltimore cases
  • How to document your Baltimore work history for a legal claim
  • Veterans benefits available for dual-exposure cases
  • Secondary exposure rights for Baltimore workers' families

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Steps Baltimore Families Can Take After Diagnosis

Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis is overwhelming. There is a great deal to process emotionally and medically, and legal considerations add another layer of urgency. The following steps provide a clear, measured path forward for Baltimore families facing this diagnosis. None of these steps require you to have all the answers right away — an experienced mesothelioma attorney can guide you through each one.

  1. Prioritize medical care. Your health comes first. Seek treatment from an oncologist experienced with mesothelioma. Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore is one of the nation's leading cancer treatment and research institutions with specialized thoracic oncology expertise. The University of Maryland Medical Center also provides mesothelioma care. Your treatment plan should be established before anything else.
  2. Document your Baltimore work history. Write down every job you held, every facility where you worked, and every trade you performed — particularly any work at Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point, Baltimore shipyards, BGE power plants, Domino Sugar, or other industrial sites. Include dates, job titles, the names of employers and contractors, and the names of any coworkers who can confirm your presence.
  3. Build an exposure timeline. For each job, note the specific tasks that may have involved asbestos contact: blast furnace maintenance, insulation removal, pipe fitting, boiler work, ship repair, or proximity to these activities. If you served in the military, include your service branch, duty stations, and MOS or rating. This timeline will be used to identify which companies and trust funds are connected to your exposure.
  4. Contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney. The Maryland statute of limitations gives you 3 years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury claim. While 3 years may sound like adequate time, building a strong case requires identifying asbestos product manufacturers, gathering employment records, and filing trust fund claims — processes that benefit from starting early. Our firm provides free, no-obligation consultations and handles all cases on a contingency basis.
  5. Preserve important documents. Gather and safeguard any records that support your exposure history: old tax returns showing employers, union membership cards, Social Security earnings statements, military service records (DD-214), medical records, and photographs from job sites. These documents strengthen your case and help your attorney identify every applicable source of compensation.
  6. Understand your compensation options. Baltimore mesothelioma patients may be entitled to compensation from multiple sources, including personal injury lawsuits, asbestos trust funds (over $30 billion available nationally, including the Bethlehem Steel trust), workers' compensation, and VA benefits for veterans. Your attorney should evaluate every option and pursue all applicable claims simultaneously.

You Do Not Have to Navigate This Alone

Our attorneys have helped hundreds of families in the Baltimore area through the legal process after a mesothelioma diagnosis. We handle every aspect of the legal case so you can focus on your health and your family. The consultation is free, there is no obligation, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Request a free case review or call 1-800-400-1805.

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Co-Founder & Lead Attorney

Paul Danziger

Texas Bar #00788880 • Admitted 1993 • Northwestern University School of Law

Paul Danziger has spent over 30 years representing mesothelioma patients and their families across the United States. He co-founded Danziger & De Llano, LLP with the mission of providing personal attention and aggressive advocacy that asbestos victims deserve.

Before law school, Paul earned his B.B.A. and a Master's degree in Tax Accounting from the University of Texas and worked as a CPA and tax consultant in New York. His financial and legal background gives him a distinctive ability to evaluate complex mesothelioma cases and maximize compensation for his clients.

Paul has been named a Texas Super Lawyer multiple times (2006–2009, 2014–2016, 2024) and was recognized as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers. He is also the executive producer and co-writer of the film Puncture (starring Chris Evans), based on a real product liability case.

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Co-Founder & Senior Trial Attorney

Rod De Llano

Texas Bar #00786666 • Admitted 1993 • Northwestern University School of Law

Rod De Llano brings over 30 years of complex litigation experience to every mesothelioma case he handles. A Princeton University graduate with a degree in economics, Rod combines analytical rigor with a deep commitment to justice for asbestos victims and their families.

Rod and Paul Danziger have worked together since law school at Northwestern, building one of the most experienced mesothelioma practices in the country. Rod's expertise in complex litigation — including multi-district asbestos cases, trust fund claims, and trial proceedings — ensures that every client receives the strongest possible representation.

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$2B+ Recovered for Clients
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Find Out What Your Baltimore Mesothelioma Case Is Worth

If you or a family member was exposed to asbestos at Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point, a Baltimore shipyard, BGE power plant, or any industrial facility and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Our attorneys have decades of experience with steel and shipyard exposure cases and will evaluate every source of compensation available to your family.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma in Baltimore

Why does Baltimore have elevated mesothelioma risk?

Baltimore has one of the highest concentrations of asbestos exposure sites on the East Coast. The Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point plant — once the largest steel mill in the world — employed over 30,000 workers exposed to asbestos. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, Sparrows Point is one of the most significant single-site asbestos exposure locations in the United States. Combined with Baltimore's shipyards, BGE power plants, the Domino Sugar refinery, and other industrial facilities, Baltimore workers faced occupational asbestos exposure across multiple industries for decades.

How many workers were exposed to asbestos at Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point?

At its peak, Bethlehem Steel's Sparrows Point plant employed over 30,000 workers. The facility operated from 1889 through 2012 and used asbestos extensively in blast furnace insulation, coke ovens, pipe lagging, gaskets, and building materials throughout the massive 3,100-acre complex. Steelworkers, maintenance crews, pipefitters, electricians, and laborers were all exposed as a routine part of their work environment.

Can Baltimore steelworkers file mesothelioma claims?

Yes. Baltimore steelworkers — particularly those who worked at Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point — who were exposed to asbestos and later diagnosed with mesothelioma can pursue compensation through personal injury lawsuits, asbestos trust fund claims (including the Bethlehem Steel trust), and in some cases VA benefits. Multiple asbestos product manufacturers whose products were used at Sparrows Point also have active trust funds.

What is the statute of limitations for mesothelioma in Maryland?

Maryland allows 3 years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury lawsuit for mesothelioma, and 3 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. Maryland applies a discovery rule, meaning the clock starts when the disease is diagnosed, not when the asbestos exposure occurred. Do not wait to explore your legal options — evidence and witnesses can become unavailable over time.

What shipyards in Baltimore used asbestos?

Baltimore had several major shipyards where asbestos was used extensively: Maryland Drydock Company, Bethlehem Steel Key Highway Shipyard, and Baltimore Marine Industries. These facilities built and repaired ships using asbestos insulation in engine rooms, boiler rooms, pipe systems, and throughout vessel superstructures. During World War II, these shipyards operated at maximum capacity, employing thousands of workers in environments saturated with asbestos-containing materials.

Can family members of Baltimore workers file mesothelioma claims?

Yes. Family members who developed mesothelioma from secondary (take-home) asbestos exposure have legal standing to file their own claims. Baltimore steelworkers and shipyard employees frequently carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing, exposing spouses and children. Maryland courts recognize these secondary exposure claims, and compensation is available through lawsuits and trust fund claims.

How much compensation can Baltimore mesothelioma patients receive?

Compensation amounts vary based on the specifics of each case. Baltimore cases often involve exposure at Sparrows Point and additional facilities, which can increase total recovery through multiple trust fund claims and lawsuits. Over $30 billion remains in asbestos trust funds nationally. Our firm has recovered over $2 billion for mesothelioma patients and families and works to maximize every claim.

This page was last reviewed and updated on by the legal team at Danziger & De Llano, LLP.

Sources & References

  1. NCI SEER Program — Mesothelioma Cancer Stat Facts
  2. ATSDR — Toxicological Profile for Asbestos
  3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — Asbestos
  4. OSHA — Asbestos Standards and Regulations
  5. National Cancer Institute — Mesothelioma Treatment (PDQ)
  6. American Cancer Society — Malignant Mesothelioma
  7. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — Asbestos Exposure
  8. RAND Corporation — Asbestos Litigation Costs and Compensation

Baltimore Families Deserve Answers — and Justice

If you or someone you love was exposed to asbestos at Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point, a Baltimore shipyard, or any industrial facility, do not wait. The Maryland statute of limitations is 3 years from diagnosis. Our attorneys are ready to fight for the compensation your family deserves.

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