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Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure in Michigan

Michigan's automotive industry made the state an economic powerhouse — and one of America's most significant asbestos exposure corridors. For decades, Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler plants across Detroit, Flint, Dearborn, and Grand Rapids used asbestos in brake components, clutch facings, gaskets, insulation, and fireproofing. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, Michigan's industrial workers faced extensive occupational asbestos exposure across automotive, foundry, chemical, and power generation industries. Due to a latency period of 20 to 50 years, Michigan families are still being diagnosed with mesothelioma today from exposures that occurred decades ago.

Big 3 Automakers Used Asbestos
$30B+ In Trust Funds Available
3 Years MI Statute of Limitations
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Mesothelioma Compensation for Michigan Families: What Our Clients Have Recovered

If your family is facing a mesothelioma diagnosis in Michigan, 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 Michigan.

$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 Michigan

Michigan's identity was built on the automotive industry, and for decades that industry relied heavily on asbestos. Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler — the Big Three automakers — operated massive manufacturing complexes in Detroit, Flint, Dearborn, and across the state where asbestos was used in brake pads, clutch facings, gaskets, transmission components, heat shields, and facility insulation. Beyond automotive manufacturing, Michigan's foundries, chemical plants, and power plants added to the state's asbestos exposure burden.

According to WikiMesothelioma.com, Michigan's industrial workforce faced extensive occupational asbestos exposure across multiple sectors. The automotive industry alone employed hundreds of thousands of workers who handled asbestos-containing materials as part of their daily work. Assembly line workers, brake mechanics, maintenance crews, and foundry workers were all exposed to asbestos fibers during manufacturing operations, vehicle servicing, and facility maintenance.

The peak period of asbestos use in Michigan's industrial sector spanned from the 1940s through the early 1980s. During World War II, Michigan's auto plants converted to military production, manufacturing tanks, aircraft engines, and military vehicles — all of which used asbestos-containing components. After the war, automotive production resumed at scale, and asbestos remained a standard material in brake systems, clutch assemblies, and engine components through the 1970s. Dow Chemical's Midland operations and power plants throughout the state further expanded the asbestos exposure footprint.

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 Ford's Rouge Complex in Dearborn during the 1960s, or at GM's Flint assembly plants during the 1970s, are being diagnosed now. A brake mechanic who replaced asbestos brake pads at a Detroit dealership in 1970 may only receive a mesothelioma diagnosis in 2025 or later. This long latency period is why Michigan continues to produce new mesothelioma cases decades after asbestos use was reduced.

The breadth of Michigan's automotive industry also means that many workers were exposed at multiple facilities over the course of a career. An auto worker might have worked at a stamping plant, then an assembly plant, then a foundry — accumulating asbestos exposure at each facility. This multi-site exposure history is important for legal claims because it can connect a patient to multiple asbestos trust funds and multiple defendants, increasing the total compensation available.

Michigan's Asbestos Legacy by the Numbers

Michigan's Big Three automakers operated dozens of manufacturing plants across the state, and virtually all of them used asbestos-containing materials in both products and facilities. Combined with foundries in Detroit and Grand Rapids, Dow Chemical operations in Midland, and power plants throughout the state, Michigan has one of the highest concentrations of industrial asbestos exposure in the Midwest. If you worked at any automotive plant, foundry, chemical facility, or power plant in Michigan before the mid-1980s, documenting your asbestos exposure history is a critical first step.

Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure in Michigan

Asbestos was deeply embedded in Michigan's industrial infrastructure for decades. The following categories represent the most significant sources of occupational asbestos exposure across the state.

Automotive Manufacturing Plants

Michigan's automotive plants were the backbone of the state's economy and a major source of asbestos exposure. Asbestos was used in brake pads, clutch facings, gaskets, heat shields, transmission components, and facility insulation throughout the Big Three and their suppliers. Workers who manufactured, tested, and serviced these components inhaled asbestos fibers regularly.

  • Ford Rouge Complex (Dearborn) — One of the largest industrial complexes in the world; asbestos used in vehicle components, foundry operations, power plant insulation, and facility materials throughout the massive campus
  • General Motors plants (Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids) — Multiple assembly, stamping, and component plants across Michigan with asbestos in brake and clutch manufacturing, facility insulation, and maintenance materials
  • Chrysler plants (Detroit, Sterling Heights) — Assembly and component manufacturing facilities with asbestos in automotive parts and plant insulation throughout production operations
  • Automotive supplier plants — Hundreds of tier-one and tier-two suppliers across Michigan manufactured asbestos-containing brake pads, gaskets, clutch facings, and other components

Foundries

Michigan's foundry industry supported automotive manufacturing and independent metal casting operations. Foundries used asbestos in heat-resistant clothing, protective gloves, mold linings, ladle insulation, and facility fireproofing. The extreme temperatures in foundry operations made asbestos a standard material for worker protection and equipment insulation.

  • Ford Rouge Foundry (Dearborn) — One of the largest foundry operations in the country; asbestos in protective gear, mold materials, and facility insulation
  • GM Foundry Division (Flint, Saginaw) — Casting operations with asbestos in heat-resistant materials and facility insulation
  • Independent foundries (Grand Rapids, Detroit) — Metal casting operations throughout Michigan with asbestos in protective equipment and facility materials

Chemical Plants

Michigan's chemical industry added another layer of asbestos exposure to the state's industrial workforce. Chemical processing requires extensive insulation on pipes, vessels, and heat exchangers — and asbestos was the insulation material of choice for decades.

  • Dow Chemical Company (Midland) — One of the largest chemical companies in the world; asbestos used extensively in pipe insulation, boilers, heat exchangers, and processing equipment throughout the Midland complex
  • BASF (Wyandotte) — Chemical manufacturing with asbestos in processing equipment insulation and facility materials

Power Plants

Coal-fired and gas-fired power plants across Michigan used asbestos insulation on boilers, turbines, steam pipes, and electrical components. Maintenance workers, electricians, and operators at these facilities faced regular asbestos exposure.

  • Detroit Edison (now DTE Energy) generating stations — Multiple power plants across southeast Michigan with asbestos in boiler insulation, turbine casings, and electrical wiring
  • Consumers Power (now Consumers Energy) plants — Generating stations throughout Michigan with documented asbestos use in high-temperature equipment
Exposure Source Type of Facility Asbestos Uses Peak Exposure Era
Ford Rouge Complex Automotive & Foundry Brake pads, gaskets, facility insulation, foundry materials 1940s–1980s
GM Plants (Flint/Detroit) Automotive Manufacturing Brake/clutch components, plant insulation 1940s–1980s
Chrysler Plants Automotive Manufacturing Vehicle components, facility insulation 1940s–1980s
Dow Chemical (Midland) Chemical Manufacturing Pipe insulation, boilers, heat exchangers 1940s–1980s
Detroit Edison Plants Power Generation Boiler insulation, turbine casings, wiring 1940s–1980s
Michigan Foundries Metal Casting Heat-resistant gear, mold linings, facility insulation 1940s–1970s

This is not an exhaustive list. Hundreds of additional automotive, industrial, and commercial facilities across Michigan used asbestos-containing materials. If you worked at any auto plant, foundry, chemical facility, or power plant in Michigan before the mid-1980s, asbestos exposure is likely. Our attorneys maintain detailed databases of Michigan exposure sites and can investigate your specific work history as part of a free case evaluation.

Jobs in Michigan Linked to Asbestos Exposure

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

Brake Mechanics & Auto Workers

Brake mechanics are among the most heavily exposed occupations in Michigan. For decades, automotive brake pads and clutch facings contained asbestos fibers. Mechanics who removed, cleaned, and replaced brake components inhaled asbestos dust released during servicing. Assembly line workers at Ford, GM, and Chrysler plants who handled asbestos-containing parts during vehicle manufacturing were also exposed. The sheer number of brake jobs performed across Michigan dealerships and repair shops created a massive exposure population.

Foundry Workers

Foundry workers in Michigan's automotive and independent casting operations worked in extreme-heat environments where asbestos was used for personal protection and equipment insulation. Heat-resistant gloves, aprons, and blankets contained asbestos fibers. Mold linings, ladle insulation, and furnace materials also contained asbestos. When these materials degraded, asbestos fibers became airborne in the foundry environment, exposing workers throughout their shifts.

Pipefitters & Boilermakers

Pipefitters and boilermakers worked across Michigan's auto plants, chemical facilities, and power plants. These tradespeople installed, maintained, and repaired piping systems and boilers insulated with asbestos-containing materials. During maintenance shutdowns at Dow Chemical in Midland and at power plants statewide, pipefitters removed old asbestos insulation in confined spaces, releasing dense concentrations of airborne fibers.

Insulators & Maintenance Workers

Insulators in Michigan's industrial facilities worked directly with asbestos-containing insulation materials, applying and removing lagging from pipes, vessels, boilers, and equipment. Maintenance workers performed general repairs that frequently disturbed asbestos-containing materials in walls, ceilings, pipe insulation, and equipment housings throughout auto plants, power plants, and chemical facilities.

Electricians

Electricians in Michigan's auto plants, power plants, and commercial buildings worked near and around asbestos-insulated equipment daily. Running conduit and wiring through areas with deteriorating asbestos insulation released fibers into the breathing zone. Electrical panels, switchgear, and arc shields in older facilities contained asbestos-based materials that degraded over time.

Construction Tradespeople

Construction workers who built and renovated Michigan's industrial and commercial structures handled asbestos-containing building materials including floor tiles, roofing materials, cement board, joint compound, and fireproofing spray. Demolition and renovation of older factories and buildings in Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, and across the state released accumulated asbestos fibers from decades of material deterioration.

Documenting Your Michigan Work History

If you held any of these positions at a Michigan 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 Michigan work history, you may be connected to multiple asbestos trust funds and legal claims.

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Types of Mesothelioma Diagnosed in Michigan

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. Michigan's industrial exposure profile — dominated by automotive manufacturing, foundry work, and chemical processing — produces specific patterns of mesothelioma diagnosis.

Pleural Mesothelioma (Lungs)

Pleural mesothelioma accounts for approximately 75 to 80 percent of all mesothelioma diagnoses and is the most common form seen in Michigan 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. Michigan auto workers, brake mechanics, and foundry 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 in a Michigan auto plant, foundry, or 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. Asbestos fibers can reach the peritoneum through ingestion or through the lymphatic system. 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. The University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center and Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit are leading Michigan cancer treatment facilities with expertise in mesothelioma. Regardless of the type diagnosed, the same legal options — personal injury lawsuits, asbestos trust fund claims, and VA benefits for veterans — are available to Michigan patients and their families.

Mesothelioma Treatment Centers in Michigan

Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma in Michigan have access to some of the nation’s leading cancer treatment facilities. These centers offer specialized thoracic oncology programs, access to clinical trials, and multidisciplinary care teams experienced in treating asbestos-related cancers. Early evaluation at a specialized center can significantly improve treatment outcomes.

University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center

Ann Arbor, MI NCI-Designated Cancer Center
Surgery Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Clinical Trials Radiation Multimodal Therapy

The Rogel Cancer Center is an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center with a thoracic oncology program experienced in mesothelioma treatment and clinical research.

Karmanos Cancer Institute / Wayne State University

Detroit, MI NCI-Designated Cancer Center
Surgery Chemotherapy Immunotherapy Clinical Trials Radiation

Karmanos is an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center serving the Detroit metro area with specialized thoracic oncology and mesothelioma treatment programs.

Beaumont Health

Royal Oak, MI
Surgery Chemotherapy Clinical Trials Radiation

Beaumont's cancer program provides thoracic surgery and medical oncology services with experience treating asbestos-related cancers in Southeast Michigan.

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.

Michigan Veterans & Military Asbestos Exposure

Michigan has a large veteran population, and many of these veterans carry a unique asbestos exposure history that combines military service with post-service automotive and industrial employment. This dual exposure pattern is particularly common among veterans who served in the Navy or worked with military vehicles and equipment, then returned to Michigan to work in the auto industry.

Military Vehicle and Equipment Exposure

The U.S. military used asbestos extensively in vehicles, ships, aircraft, and buildings from the 1930s through the 1970s. Veterans who served as vehicle mechanics, shipboard personnel, or in construction and maintenance roles were exposed to asbestos in brake systems, clutch components, engine gaskets, and insulation. Michigan's connection to military vehicle production during World War II — when auto plants converted to tank, aircraft engine, and military vehicle manufacturing — created an additional exposure pathway.

Dual Exposure: Military Service Followed by Auto Industry Work

A pattern seen frequently in Michigan mesothelioma cases involves veterans who were exposed to asbestos during military service and then took jobs at Ford, GM, Chrysler, or their suppliers after discharge. The mechanical skills that made these veterans effective in the military were directly transferable to automotive manufacturing and repair. This resulted in decades of cumulative asbestos exposure spanning both military and civilian careers.

Veterans with dual exposure 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 the trust funds of companies whose products were used in both military equipment and Michigan auto plants
  • 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 Michigan 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 Michigan statute of limitations and VA filing processes have specific requirements that should be addressed promptly.

Family Members Exposed to Asbestos in Michigan

Asbestos exposure in Michigan did not stop at the factory gate or the plant parking lot. 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 Michigan's automotive and industrial communities and has led to mesothelioma diagnoses in people who never set foot in a factory.

How Secondary Exposure Occurred

Michigan auto workers, brake mechanics, and foundry workers typically arrived home covered in dust that included asbestos fibers. Before the dangers were widely understood, standard practice was for spouses to shake out, brush off, and launder contaminated work clothes at home. This process released asbestos fibers into the household air. Children who greeted parents at the door, sat in their laps, or played near contaminated clothing were also exposed. In communities surrounding Detroit's auto plants and Flint's manufacturing facilities, secondary exposure was especially common due to the large number of industrial workers living in surrounding neighborhoods.

Legal Rights of Michigan Families

Michigan 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 Michigan industrial worker has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and never worked directly with asbestos, secondary exposure should be investigated. Our attorneys have handled numerous 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 Michigan 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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Michigan Resources

Michigan Cancer Consortium

State Resources

State-level cancer support, advocacy, and resources connecting Michigan 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: Michigan Asbestos Exposure & Your Legal Rights

If you or a family member worked in Michigan's auto plants, foundries, or industrial facilities, this guide explains the legal options available to you and what steps to take after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

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

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Steps Michigan Families Can Take After Diagnosis

Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis is overwhelming. The following steps provide a clear, measured path forward for Michigan 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. The University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center and Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit are leading cancer treatment facilities with mesothelioma expertise. Your treatment plan should be established before anything else.
  2. Document your Michigan work history. Write down every job you held, every facility where you worked, and every trade you performed — particularly any work at Ford, GM, Chrysler, or their suppliers, Michigan foundries, Dow Chemical in Midland, or state power plants. Include dates, job titles, the names of employers and contractors, and the names of coworkers who can confirm your presence at these sites.
  3. Build an exposure timeline. For each job, note the specific tasks that may have involved asbestos contact: brake servicing, foundry work, insulation removal, pipe fitting, 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 Michigan 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 (especially UAW records), Social Security earnings statements, military service records (DD-214), medical records, and photographs from job sites.
  6. Understand your compensation options. Michigan mesothelioma patients may be entitled to compensation from multiple sources, including personal injury lawsuits, asbestos trust funds (over $30 billion available nationally), 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 families across Michigan and the nation 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.

Portrait of Paul Danziger, Co-Founder and Lead Attorney at Danziger & De Llano
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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Portrait of Rod De Llano, Co-Founder and Senior Trial Attorney at Danziger & De Llano
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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Princeton University Graduate
$2B+ Recovered for Clients
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Find Out What Your Michigan Mesothelioma Case Is Worth

If you or a family member was exposed to asbestos at a Michigan auto plant, foundry, chemical facility, or power plant and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Our attorneys have decades of experience with industrial asbestos exposure cases and will evaluate every source of compensation available to your family.

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Nationwide Representation Our attorneys represent Michigan families and handle mesothelioma cases across the country.
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Cities & Towns in Michigan

Select a city below for detailed local asbestos exposure site information, Michigan-specific legal resources, and free case evaluations.

Detroit

Detroit's automotive industry exposed hundreds of thousands of workers to asbestos at the Ford River Rouge Complex, GM Hamtramck, and Chrysler assembly lines. Asbestos was embedded in brake pads, clutch plates, gaskets, and plant insulation throughout the Motor City.

View Detroit Resources

Flint

Flint was the birthplace of General Motors, and its massive auto plants — Buick City, Chevy in the Hole, AC Spark Plug, and Fisher Body — employed tens of thousands of workers in environments where asbestos was used extensively in manufacturing and facility insulation.

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FAQ answers reviewed by legal team:

Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma in Michigan

Why does Michigan have elevated mesothelioma risk?

Michigan's automotive industry, foundries, chemical plants, and power plants used asbestos extensively for decades. Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler plants across Detroit, Flint, Dearborn, and other cities relied on asbestos in brake components, clutch facings, gaskets, insulation, and fireproofing materials. Dow Chemical in Midland and power plants statewide added to the exposure burden. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, Michigan's industrial workers faced extensive occupational asbestos exposure. The 20-to-50-year latency period means diagnoses continue today.

Did Michigan auto plants use asbestos?

Yes. Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler plants across Michigan used asbestos extensively in automotive brake pads, clutch facings, gaskets, transmission components, and facility insulation. Assembly line workers, mechanics, maintenance crews, and foundry workers at plants in Detroit, Flint, Dearborn, and other Michigan cities were exposed to asbestos fibers during manufacturing, maintenance, and brake servicing operations.

What is the statute of limitations for mesothelioma in Michigan?

Michigan 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. Michigan 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, and trust fund payment percentages can decline.

Can Michigan auto workers file mesothelioma claims?

Yes. Michigan automotive workers who were exposed to asbestos and later diagnosed with mesothelioma can pursue compensation through personal injury lawsuits against asbestos product manufacturers, claims against asbestos trust funds (over $30 billion available nationally), and in some cases VA benefits for veterans. Workers at Ford, GM, and Chrysler plants may be connected to multiple trust funds, increasing total recovery potential.

Do Michigan veterans qualify for additional benefits?

Yes. Veterans who were exposed to asbestos during military service may qualify for VA disability compensation, VA healthcare, and special monthly compensation in addition to civil lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims. Many Michigan veterans experienced dual exposure — first during military service, then in post-service automotive or industrial employment. Our attorneys help veterans pursue all available compensation sources simultaneously.

How much compensation can Michigan mesothelioma patients receive?

Compensation amounts vary based on exposure history, the number of responsible parties, severity of illness, and case-specific factors. Michigan cases involving automotive industry exposure often connect to multiple asbestos product manufacturers and their trust funds, which can increase total recovery. Over $30 billion remains in asbestos trust funds nationally. Our firm has recovered over $2 billion for mesothelioma patients and families. Call 1-800-400-1805 or submit a form above for a free evaluation.

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

Michigan Families Deserve Answers — and Justice

If you or someone you love was exposed to asbestos at a Michigan auto plant, foundry, chemical facility, or power plant, do not wait. The Michigan statute of limitations is 3 years from diagnosis. Our attorneys are ready to fight for the compensation your family deserves.

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