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Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure in Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha's economy was forged by railroads, the military, meatpacking, and power generation — industries that relied heavily on asbestos for decades. Union Pacific Railroad, the largest railroad in the United States, is headquartered here and operated maintenance facilities throughout the city where asbestos was a standard material. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, railroad workers, military personnel, and industrial employees in cities like Omaha face elevated mesothelioma risk due to decades of occupational asbestos exposure. Due to a latency period of 20 to 50 years, Omaha families are still being diagnosed with mesothelioma today from exposures that occurred decades ago.

Largest U.S. Railroad HQ (Union Pacific)
$30B+ In Trust Funds Available
4 Years Nebraska Statute of Limitations
$0 Upfront Legal Cost

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$2B+ Recovered for Clients
Medical and legal information reviewed and updated: • Sources: Railroad records, military documentation, asbestos litigation databases, OSHA reports

Why Mesothelioma Cases Occur in Omaha

Omaha's identity was built on the railroad industry, military installations, meatpacking, and power generation — four sectors where asbestos was used as a standard industrial material for decades. The city's position as a major rail hub, home to the nation's largest railroad, and a center for food processing created a concentrated pattern of occupational asbestos exposure that continues to produce mesothelioma diagnoses today.

According to WikiMesothelioma.com, workers in railroad maintenance, military installations, and industrial facilities in Midwestern cities like Omaha face elevated mesothelioma risk due to the pervasive use of asbestos across these industries. Union Pacific Railroad, headquartered in Omaha since 1862, is the largest railroad in the United States and operated extensive locomotive repair shops, maintenance facilities, and rail yards throughout the Omaha area where asbestos was used in locomotive insulation, brakes, gaskets, and building infrastructure. Offutt Air Force Base, located just south of Omaha in Bellevue, served as the headquarters of the U.S. Strategic Air Command (SAC) and used asbestos extensively in buildings, aircraft maintenance hangars, and infrastructure built from the 1940s through the 1970s.

Omaha's meatpacking district in South Omaha was one of the nation's largest, with plants operated by Swift, Armour, and Cudahy employing thousands of workers in facilities that used asbestos insulation in refrigeration systems, boiler rooms, steam pipes, and building materials. OPPD (Omaha Public Power District) operated coal-fired power plants where asbestos was used in boiler insulation, turbine casings, and pipe coverings. ConAgra Foods, headquartered in Omaha, operated food processing facilities with asbestos-insulated equipment.

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 Union Pacific shops, Offutt AFB, or South Omaha meatpacking plants during the 1960s and 1970s are being diagnosed now. A locomotive mechanic who replaced asbestos brake shoes at a Union Pacific shop in 1970 may only receive a mesothelioma diagnosis in 2025 or later. This long latency period is why Omaha continues to produce new mesothelioma cases decades after asbestos use was curtailed.

The variety of Omaha's industrial base means that many workers accumulated asbestos exposure from multiple employers over the course of a career. A pipefitter might have worked at an OPPD power plant for 10 years, then moved to maintenance work at a meatpacking plant for another decade — each employment adding to the cumulative asbestos burden. This multi-employer exposure history is important for legal claims because it can connect a patient to multiple asbestos trust funds and defendants, increasing the total compensation available.

Omaha's Asbestos Legacy by the Numbers

Union Pacific Railroad employed tens of thousands of workers in Omaha over more than a century of operations. Offutt Air Force Base housed thousands of military and civilian personnel in asbestos-containing buildings. The South Omaha meatpacking district employed thousands at its peak. Nebraska records consistent mesothelioma mortality, and Omaha's industrial concentration is a primary driver. If you worked at any major facility in the Omaha area, documenting your asbestos exposure history is a critical first step.

Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure in Omaha

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

Railroad Operations & Maintenance

Omaha was and remains one of America's most important railroad cities. The maintenance, repair, and operation of locomotives and railcars created extensive asbestos exposure for railroad workers at shops and yards throughout the city.

  • Union Pacific Railroad (Headquarters & Shops) — The largest railroad in the United States, headquartered in Omaha. Asbestos was used in locomotive insulation, brake shoes, gaskets, steam pipe lagging, and building materials at repair shops and rail yards. Workers who maintained and repaired locomotives faced daily asbestos exposure over the course of careers spanning decades.

Military Installations

Offutt Air Force Base south of Omaha was a major military installation where asbestos was used extensively in construction and aircraft maintenance.

  • Offutt Air Force Base (Bellevue) — Home of the U.S. Strategic Air Command (SAC), later U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). Asbestos was used in building insulation, aircraft maintenance hangars, heating systems, pipe insulation, and floor tiles throughout the base. Military and civilian personnel who maintained facilities and aircraft were exposed to asbestos for decades.

Meatpacking & Food Processing

South Omaha's meatpacking district was one of the largest in the nation. These facilities relied on steam and refrigeration systems that used asbestos insulation extensively.

  • Swift & Company (South Omaha) — Major meatpacking plant with asbestos in refrigeration system insulation, boiler rooms, steam pipes, and building materials.
  • Armour & Company (South Omaha) — Meatpacking operations with asbestos insulation in refrigeration, steam systems, and facility infrastructure.
  • Cudahy Packing Company (South Omaha) — Meatpacking facility with asbestos in boiler insulation, pipe coverings, and cold storage insulation.
  • ConAgra Foods (Omaha) — Food processing headquarters and operations with asbestos in facility insulation and equipment.

Power Generation

Omaha's power plants used asbestos insulation on boilers, turbines, steam pipes, and electrical components. Workers who operated and maintained these facilities faced regular asbestos exposure.

  • OPPD (Omaha Public Power District) Power Plants — Operated multiple coal-fired generating stations in the Omaha area with asbestos in boiler insulation, turbine casings, pipe coverings, and electrical wiring insulation.
Exposure Source Type of Facility Asbestos Uses Peak Exposure Era
Union Pacific Railroad Railroad Maintenance & Operations Locomotive insulation, brakes, gaskets, pipe lagging 1940s–1980s
Offutt Air Force Base Military Installation Building insulation, hangars, heating, floor tiles 1940s–1980s
Swift & Company Meatpacking Refrigeration insulation, boilers, steam pipes 1940s–1970s
Armour & Company Meatpacking Refrigeration, steam systems, facility insulation 1940s–1970s
Cudahy Packing Meatpacking Boiler insulation, pipe coverings, cold storage 1940s–1970s
OPPD Power Plants Power Generation Boilers, turbines, pipe insulation, electrical 1940s–1980s

This is not an exhaustive list. Additional industrial, commercial, and construction sites across the Omaha area used asbestos-containing materials. If you worked at any railroad, military, industrial, or construction site in Omaha before the mid-1980s, asbestos exposure is likely. Our attorneys maintain detailed databases of Omaha-area exposure sites and can investigate your specific work history as part of a free case evaluation.

Jobs in Omaha Linked to Asbestos Exposure

Certain occupations in Omaha's industrial sector carried a dramatically higher risk of asbestos exposure. If you or a family member held any of these positions at an Omaha-area facility, mesothelioma risk is elevated.

Railroad Workers & Locomotive Mechanics

Union Pacific Railroad workers are among the most heavily exposed occupation groups in Omaha. Locomotive mechanics, car repairmen, boilermakers, and shop laborers worked daily with asbestos-containing brake shoes, gaskets, insulation, and pipe lagging. Railroad machinists who rebuilt locomotives in Omaha shops removed and replaced asbestos insulation in confined spaces. Railroad workers may have additional legal options under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

Military Personnel & Base Workers

Service members and civilian employees at Offutt Air Force Base worked in buildings insulated with asbestos, maintained aircraft containing asbestos components, and operated heating and cooling systems that used asbestos materials. Aircraft mechanics, HVAC technicians, facility maintenance crews, and construction workers on the base were at particularly elevated risk due to direct contact with asbestos-containing materials.

Meatpacking & Refrigeration Workers

Workers at Swift, Armour, and Cudahy meatpacking plants in South Omaha maintained refrigeration systems, boilers, and steam distribution systems insulated with asbestos. Refrigeration mechanics, pipefitters, boiler operators, and general maintenance workers at these plants were exposed to asbestos fibers when repairing or replacing insulation on cold storage equipment, steam pipes, and boiler systems.

Power Plant Workers

Workers at OPPD generating stations operated and maintained boilers, turbines, and steam distribution systems insulated with asbestos-containing materials. Boiler operators, turbine mechanics, electricians, and maintenance crews faced regular asbestos exposure over the course of long careers at these facilities. Turnaround maintenance periods, when equipment was overhauled, created especially intense exposure conditions.

Pipefitters & Boilermakers

Pipefitters and boilermakers worked across multiple Omaha industries — railroads, power plants, meatpacking facilities — and encountered asbestos at every job site. These tradespeople installed, maintained, and repaired piping systems and boilers insulated with asbestos-containing materials, removing deteriorating insulation and fitting new asbestos pipe coverings and gaskets throughout their careers.

Construction & Demolition Tradespeople

Construction workers who built and renovated Omaha's industrial facilities, commercial buildings, and older structures handled asbestos-containing floor tiles, roofing materials, cement board, joint compound, and fireproofing spray. Demolition and renovation of older buildings released accumulated asbestos fibers, placing drywall workers, roofers, and general laborers at elevated risk.

Documenting Your Omaha Work History

If you held any of these positions at an Omaha-area 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, railroad employment records, military service records, and coworker testimony to build your case.

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Omaha exposure cases often involve multiple employers and industries — railroads, military, meatpacking, and power generation — 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 Omaha

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. Omaha's industrial exposure profile — spanning railroads, military, meatpacking, and power generation — produces patterns of mesothelioma diagnosis that reflect the types and duration of asbestos contact 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 Omaha patients. This type develops in the pleura — the thin membrane surrounding the lungs — when inhaled asbestos fibers migrate to the pleural lining. Omaha railroad workers, military personnel, and meatpacking maintenance crews who inhaled asbestos dust over months or years are at highest risk. Symptoms include persistent chest pain, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, and pleural effusion.

Early detection significantly affects treatment options and prognosis. If you worked at an Omaha-area railroad, military, or industrial facility and are experiencing respiratory symptoms, inform your physician about your asbestos exposure history. The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center provides specialized oncology care. 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. Symptoms include abdominal pain and swelling, unexplained weight loss, bowel changes, and fluid accumulation. Treatment has advanced significantly, with cytoreductive surgery combined with HIPEC showing improved survival rates. Regardless of the type diagnosed, the same legal options are available to Omaha patients and their families.

Mesothelioma Treatment Centers Near Omaha, Nebraska

While Nebraska does not currently have NCI-designated mesothelioma specialty centers, patients from Omaha 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 Omaha 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.

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Mesothelioma Compensation for Omaha Families: What Our Clients Have Recovered

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

$30B+ Available in Asbestos Trust Funds
$1M – $1.4M Average Mesothelioma Settlement
$2.4M Average Trial Verdict
$2B+ Recovered for Our Clients
$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.

$3,921,750 Navy / Construction

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a man, age 68, who was exposed through his service in the Navy, as an auto mechanic, and while working in construction.

$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.

$3,310,650 Industrial / HVAC

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 62, who was exposed while installing industrial and commercial furnaces and air conditioning units.

$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.

$2,082,780 Oil Refinery / Drywaller

Received after attorneys' fees and expenses, by a gentleman, age 81, who was exposed through his work at an oil refinery and as a drywaller.

$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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Omaha Veterans & Military Asbestos Exposure

Omaha has a significant veteran and active-duty military population, anchored by Offutt Air Force Base. Many of these veterans carry asbestos exposure histories from military service that may be compounded by post-service industrial employment in the Omaha area.

Offutt Air Force Base and Strategic Air Command

Offutt AFB served as the headquarters of the U.S. Strategic Air Command from 1948 to 1992, and now hosts U.S. Strategic Command. The base's buildings, hangars, maintenance facilities, and housing units were constructed during an era when asbestos was standard in building materials. Veterans and civilian workers who maintained aircraft, operated heating and cooling systems, performed facility maintenance, or worked in offices with deteriorating asbestos-containing materials were exposed to asbestos fibers over the course of their service or employment.

Dual Exposure: Military Service Followed by Railroad or Industrial Work

A pattern seen in Omaha mesothelioma cases involves veterans who were exposed to asbestos during military service and then took jobs at Union Pacific, meatpacking plants, OPPD power stations, or other industrial employers. This resulted in decades of cumulative exposure spanning both military and civilian careers.

Veterans with dual exposure may be entitled to multiple compensation sources:

  • VA Disability Compensation — Monthly tax-free benefits for service-connected mesothelioma
  • VA Healthcare — Treatment at the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System
  • Special Monthly Compensation — Additional VA benefits for veterans requiring aid and attendance
  • FELA Claims — Federal Employers Liability Act claims for railroad workers
  • Asbestos Trust Fund Claims — Claims against bankrupt asbestos product manufacturers
  • Personal Injury Lawsuits — Civil claims against responsible companies

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, FELA claims, or personal injury lawsuits. Our attorneys help Omaha-area veterans pursue every available source of compensation simultaneously.

Family Members Exposed to Asbestos in Omaha

Asbestos exposure in Omaha extended beyond the railroad yard and the meatpacking plant. For decades, workers carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing, skin, hair, and personal items — unknowingly exposing their families. This pattern, known as secondary or take-home exposure, has been documented in Omaha's industrial community.

How Secondary Exposure Occurred

Omaha railroad workers, meatpacking maintenance crews, and power plant operators typically arrived home carrying dust that included asbestos fibers. Spouses who laundered contaminated work clothes and children who had close contact with workers inhaled these fibers. Railroad workers in particular carried heavy contamination from locomotive shops where asbestos dust accumulated in confined spaces.

Legal Rights of Omaha Families

Nebraska courts recognize secondary asbestos exposure as a valid basis for mesothelioma claims. Family members who developed mesothelioma from take-home exposure have the same legal right to pursue compensation as the workers themselves. If a family member of an Omaha industrial worker has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and never worked directly with asbestos, secondary exposure should be investigated.

Support Groups & Resources for Omaha 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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Nebraska Resources

Nebraska Cancer Coalition

State Resources

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

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Personalized Resource Recommendations

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Statutes of limitations can be as short as 1 year. Find out if your family’s filing window is still open.

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Free Guide: Omaha Asbestos Exposure & Your Legal Rights

If you or a family member worked at Union Pacific, Offutt AFB, South Omaha meatpacking plants, or other Omaha industrial facilities, this guide explains the legal options available to you.

  • Omaha railroad, military, and industrial exposure sites
  • Nebraska statute of limitations and filing deadlines
  • FELA claims for railroad workers
  • How to document your Omaha work history for a legal claim
  • Veterans benefits available for Offutt AFB personnel
  • Secondary exposure rights for Omaha workers' families

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Steps Omaha Families Can Take After Diagnosis

Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis is overwhelming. The following steps provide a clear path forward for Omaha families facing this diagnosis.

  1. Prioritize medical care. Your health comes first. The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center at UNMC in Omaha provides specialized oncology care. Your treatment plan should be established before anything else.
  2. Document your Omaha work history. Write down every job you held, every facility where you worked, and every trade you performed — particularly work at Union Pacific, Offutt AFB, meatpacking plants, OPPD, or other industrial sites. Include dates, job titles, and coworker names.
  3. Build an exposure timeline. Note specific tasks involving asbestos: locomotive maintenance, insulation work, refrigeration repair, boiler maintenance, or proximity to these activities. Include military service details if applicable.
  4. Contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney. Nebraska allows 4 years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury claim. Railroad workers may have additional options under FELA. Our firm provides free, no-obligation consultations and handles all cases on a contingency basis.
  5. Preserve important documents. Gather old tax returns, union cards, Social Security earnings statements, railroad employment records, military records (DD-214), medical records, and any photographs from job sites.
  6. Understand your compensation options. Omaha patients may be entitled to compensation from personal injury lawsuits, asbestos trust funds, FELA railroad claims, workers' compensation, and VA benefits for veterans.

You Do Not Have to Navigate This Alone

Our attorneys have helped families across the country through the legal process after a mesothelioma diagnosis, including cases involving Omaha railroad and industrial exposure. We handle every aspect of the legal case so you can focus on your health and your family. 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.

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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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Find Out What Your Omaha Mesothelioma Case Is Worth

If you or a family member was exposed to asbestos at Union Pacific Railroad, Offutt Air Force Base, a South Omaha meatpacking plant, an OPPD power station, or any other Omaha industrial facility and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to significant compensation.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma in Omaha

Why does Omaha have elevated mesothelioma risk?

Omaha's industrial identity was built on railroads, military operations, meatpacking, and power generation — all industries that used asbestos extensively. Union Pacific Railroad operated locomotive shops where asbestos was standard. Offutt Air Force Base used asbestos in buildings and aircraft facilities. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, these concentrated industrial operations create elevated mesothelioma risk for workers and their families. The 20-to-50-year latency period means new diagnoses continue today.

What is the statute of limitations for mesothelioma in Nebraska?

Nebraska allows 4 years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury lawsuit for mesothelioma, and 2 years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim. Nebraska applies a discovery rule, so the clock starts at diagnosis, not at exposure. While 4 years provides reasonable time, patients should not delay building their case.

Can Union Pacific Railroad workers file mesothelioma claims?

Yes. Union Pacific workers may have claims under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), which provides a different legal framework than standard personal injury cases. FELA allows railroad employees to sue their employer for negligence. Additionally, asbestos trust fund claims and other legal avenues may be available.

Do Offutt Air Force Base veterans qualify for mesothelioma benefits?

Yes. Veterans who served at Offutt AFB may qualify for VA disability compensation, VA healthcare, and special monthly compensation. Offutt used asbestos extensively in buildings, hangars, and infrastructure. Veterans may also pursue civil claims against asbestos product manufacturers — these are separate from VA benefits.

Were Omaha meatpacking workers exposed to asbestos?

Yes. Swift, Armour, and Cudahy meatpacking plants in South Omaha used asbestos in refrigeration insulation, boiler rooms, steam pipes, and building materials. Workers who maintained these systems were regularly exposed to asbestos fibers.

Can family members of Omaha workers file mesothelioma claims?

Yes. Family members who developed mesothelioma from secondary (take-home) asbestos exposure may file their own claims. Nebraska courts recognize secondary exposure claims, and compensation is available through lawsuits, trust funds, and settlements.

How much compensation can Omaha mesothelioma patients receive?

Compensation varies based on exposure history, responsible parties, severity of illness, and applicable trust funds. Omaha cases often involve multiple exposure sources, increasing total recovery. Over $30 billion remains in asbestos trust funds nationally. Our firm has recovered over $2 billion for mesothelioma patients and works to maximize every claim.

How do I find a mesothelioma lawyer for my Omaha case?

Look for attorneys experienced with mesothelioma, Nebraska law, and FELA railroad claims who work on a contingency fee basis. Danziger & De Llano has over 30 years of experience nationwide. Call 1-800-400-1805 or submit a form above for a free consultation.

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

Omaha Families Deserve Answers — and Justice

If you or someone you love was exposed to asbestos at Union Pacific Railroad, Offutt Air Force Base, a South Omaha meatpacking plant, or any other Omaha industrial facility, do not wait. The Nebraska statute of limitations is 4 years from diagnosis. Our attorneys are ready to fight for the compensation your family deserves.

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