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Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure in South Dakota

South Dakota's mining industry, military installations, and industrial facilities exposed workers to asbestos for decades. The Homestake Gold Mine in Lead — one of the deepest and longest-operating gold mines in the Western Hemisphere — used asbestos-containing materials throughout its underground operations. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, occupational asbestos exposure at mines, military bases like Ellsworth AFB, power plants, and cement manufacturing facilities continues to produce mesothelioma diagnoses in South Dakota families today, 20 to 50 years after initial exposure.

126 Years Homestake Mine Operations
$30B+ In Trust Funds Available
3 Years SD Statute of Limitations
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Mesothelioma Compensation for South Dakota Families: What Our Clients Have Recovered

If your family is facing a mesothelioma diagnosis in South Dakota, 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 South Dakota.

$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.

$3,921,750 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.

$3,600,450 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.

$3,310,650 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.

$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.

$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.

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: Mining records, military facility reports, OSHA databases, asbestos litigation records

Why Mesothelioma Cases Occur in South Dakota

South Dakota may not appear on many lists of high-risk asbestos states, but its mining heritage, military installations, and industrial infrastructure created significant asbestos exposure for thousands of workers over several decades. The state's asbestos legacy is concentrated in specific industries and locations — most notably the Homestake Gold Mine in Lead, South Dakota, which operated from 1876 to 2002 and was one of the largest and deepest gold mines in the Western Hemisphere.

According to WikiMesothelioma.com, occupational asbestos exposure in South Dakota occurred primarily in mining operations, military facilities, power generation plants, and cement manufacturing. Asbestos was used extensively in these industries for insulation, fireproofing, brake systems, gaskets, and building materials. Workers who built, maintained, and operated these facilities inhaled microscopic asbestos fibers regularly, often without any protective equipment or adequate warning about the dangers.

The peak period of asbestos use in South Dakota's industrial sector extended from the 1940s through the early 1980s. During this era, asbestos-containing materials were considered essential for managing heat, fire risk, and friction in mining equipment, power generation systems, and military infrastructure. The underground environment of the Homestake Mine created particularly concentrated exposure conditions, as asbestos fibers released from equipment insulation and brake systems accumulated in confined tunnels with limited ventilation.

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 the Homestake Mine, Ellsworth Air Force Base, or South Dakota power plants during the 1960s and 1970s are being diagnosed now. A miner who operated heavy equipment with asbestos brake linings in the Homestake Mine during the 1970s may only receive a mesothelioma diagnosis in 2025 or later. This long latency period is why South Dakota continues to produce new mesothelioma cases decades after asbestos use was curtailed.

The geographic concentration of exposure in South Dakota also means that certain communities — particularly Lead, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls — have higher rates of mesothelioma diagnosis than might be expected for a state of this population size. Documenting your work history at these specific facilities is a critical first step in pursuing compensation.

South Dakota's Asbestos Legacy

The Homestake Gold Mine operated for 126 years and employed thousands of workers across multiple generations. Asbestos was present in mine equipment insulation, brake systems, pipe coverings, and surface buildings. Combined with asbestos exposure at Ellsworth Air Force Base, regional power plants, and cement manufacturing facilities, South Dakota workers across multiple industries and communities were affected. If you worked at any of these facilities, documenting your asbestos exposure history is a critical first step toward pursuing the compensation you may deserve.

Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure in South Dakota

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

Mining Operations

Mining is the most significant source of occupational asbestos exposure in South Dakota. The underground mining environment created particularly hazardous conditions because asbestos fibers released from equipment insulation, brake systems, and building materials accumulated in poorly ventilated tunnels and shafts.

  • Homestake Gold Mine (Lead, SD) — Operated from 1876 to 2002; one of the deepest gold mines in the world at over 8,000 feet. Asbestos was used in equipment insulation, brake linings on hoisting machinery, pipe coverings throughout underground workings, gaskets in pumping systems, and building materials in surface facilities. Underground miners, maintenance crews, and surface workers all experienced asbestos exposure.
  • Other Mining Operations — Additional gold, silver, and aggregate mining operations throughout the Black Hills used asbestos-containing equipment and building materials during their operational periods.

Military Installations

South Dakota's military installations used asbestos extensively in construction, heating systems, aircraft maintenance facilities, and base housing. Both military personnel and civilian workers at these installations were exposed to asbestos during construction, maintenance, and renovation activities.

  • Ellsworth Air Force Base (Rapid City) — Home to B-1B Lancer bombers; asbestos was used in base buildings, aircraft hangars, maintenance facilities, housing, heating systems, and insulation throughout the installation. Military personnel and civilian base workers faced exposure during routine maintenance and renovation of older structures.

Power Plants

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

  • Big Stone Power Plant — Coal-fired generating station near Milbank with asbestos in boiler insulation, turbine casings, and piping systems
  • Other Regional Power Facilities — Multiple smaller generating stations and substations across South Dakota used asbestos-containing insulation, switchgear, and building materials

Cement Manufacturing

Cement manufacturing involves extremely high temperatures, making asbestos insulation essential during the peak asbestos era. South Dakota cement plants used asbestos in kiln insulation, pipe coverings, and building materials throughout their facilities.

  • Rapid City Cement Plants — Cement manufacturing facilities in the Rapid City area used asbestos insulation in rotary kilns, pre-heaters, and throughout high-temperature processing equipment
Exposure Source Type of Facility Asbestos Uses Peak Exposure Era
Homestake Gold Mine Underground Gold Mining Equipment insulation, brakes, pipe coverings, gaskets 1940s–1980s
Ellsworth AFB Military Installation Building insulation, hangars, heating systems, housing 1940s–1980s
Big Stone Power Plant Power Generation Boiler insulation, turbine casings, piping 1970s–1980s
Rapid City Cement Plants Cement Manufacturing Kiln insulation, pipe coverings, building materials 1940s–1980s

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

Jobs in South Dakota Linked to Asbestos Exposure

Certain occupations in South Dakota 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 South Dakota facility, mesothelioma risk is elevated.

Underground Miners

Underground miners at the Homestake Gold Mine and other South Dakota mining operations faced some of the most concentrated asbestos exposure in the state. The confined underground environment meant that asbestos fibers released from equipment insulation, brake linings, and pipe coverings accumulated in tunnels with limited ventilation. Miners who drilled, blasted, and transported ore worked in close proximity to these materials daily over entire careers.

Mine Maintenance Workers

Maintenance workers who serviced mining equipment handled asbestos-containing brake linings, gaskets, insulation blankets, and pipe coverings as part of their regular duties. Replacing worn brake shoes on hoisting equipment, re-insulating pipes in underground workings, and servicing pumping systems all involved direct contact with asbestos materials. These workers often performed repairs in confined underground spaces where airborne fiber concentrations were highest.

Military Personnel & Base Workers

Military personnel stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base and civilian employees who maintained base facilities were exposed to asbestos in buildings, hangars, housing, and heating systems. Aircraft maintenance crews worked in hangars insulated with asbestos, and building maintenance workers disturbed asbestos-containing materials during routine repairs and renovations to aging base infrastructure.

Power Plant Workers

Workers at South Dakota power plants maintained boilers, turbines, and steam systems insulated with asbestos. Boiler operators, turbine mechanics, pipefitters, and electricians at generating stations like Big Stone Power Plant faced regular asbestos exposure. Turnaround and maintenance shutdowns, which required removing and replacing deteriorating insulation, created especially concentrated exposure conditions.

Cement Plant Workers

Cement manufacturing workers operated and maintained kilns, pre-heaters, and other high-temperature processing equipment insulated with asbestos. The extreme temperatures involved in cement production made asbestos insulation essential, and workers who installed, maintained, or removed this insulation were directly exposed to asbestos fibers. Kiln operators, maintenance mechanics, and laborers at cement plants all faced elevated risk.

Construction & Trades Workers

Construction tradespeople who built and maintained South Dakota's industrial and commercial buildings handled asbestos-containing materials including insulation, floor tiles, roofing materials, joint compound, and cement board. Workers involved in demolition and renovation of older structures released accumulated asbestos fibers from decades of material deterioration. Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians who worked in older buildings also faced exposure.

Documenting Your South Dakota Work History

If you held any of these positions at a South Dakota 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 employment records, Social Security earnings statements, coworker testimony, and facility records to build your case.

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Types of Mesothelioma Diagnosed in South Dakota

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. South Dakota's exposure profile — dominated by mining, military, and industrial settings — produces specific patterns of mesothelioma diagnosis that reflect the types 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 South Dakota 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. South Dakota miners who inhaled asbestos dust in confined underground spaces, military personnel exposed to deteriorating asbestos insulation on base, and power plant workers who maintained asbestos-insulated equipment 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 a South Dakota mine, military installation, 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 about the diagnostic process and available treatment approaches.

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 compared to earlier treatment methods. 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 South Dakota patients and their families.

Mesothelioma Treatment Centers in South Dakota

While South Dakota does not currently have NCI-designated mesothelioma specialty centers, patients have access to the nation’s top treatment programs. Many of these leading cancer centers accept out-of-state patients and can coordinate care with local oncologists. Below are nationally recognized mesothelioma treatment centers that serve patients from South Dakota 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.

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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.

South Dakota Veterans & Military Asbestos Exposure

South Dakota has a proud military tradition, with Ellsworth Air Force Base serving as a major military installation since 1942. Military personnel stationed at Ellsworth and civilian workers who maintained base facilities were exposed to asbestos in a variety of settings. Additionally, many South Dakota veterans served in other branches and were exposed to asbestos at installations across the country and aboard Navy vessels before returning to South Dakota.

Ellsworth Air Force Base

Ellsworth AFB near Rapid City has been an active military installation for over 80 years. During the peak asbestos era, asbestos-containing materials were used extensively in base construction: building insulation, floor tiles, roofing materials, heating system components, aircraft hangars, and maintenance facilities. Airmen, maintenance crews, and civilian employees who worked in or renovated these structures were exposed to asbestos fibers during their duties. As base buildings aged and asbestos-containing materials deteriorated, the risk of fiber release increased.

Veterans with Multi-Source Exposure

Many South Dakota veterans experienced asbestos exposure during military service at various installations and then returned to civilian employment in South Dakota's mining, power generation, or industrial sectors. This dual exposure pattern is common and legally significant. 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 the trust funds of companies whose products were used in military and civilian facilities
  • 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 South Dakota 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 South Dakota statute of limitations and VA filing processes have specific requirements that should be addressed promptly.

Family Members Exposed to Asbestos in South Dakota

Asbestos exposure in South Dakota did not stop at the mine entrance or the base gate. 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 in South Dakota's mining and military communities and has led to mesothelioma diagnoses in people who never worked directly with asbestos.

How Secondary Exposure Occurred

South Dakota miners, military personnel, and industrial 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, where family members inhaled them. Children who greeted parents, sat in their laps, or played near contaminated clothing were also exposed. In mining communities like Lead, where the Homestake Mine was the primary employer, entire families and neighborhoods were affected by take-home asbestos exposure.

Legal Rights of South Dakota Families

Family members who developed mesothelioma from take-home asbestos exposure have the legal right to pursue compensation. 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 family member of a South Dakota worker has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and never worked directly with asbestos, secondary exposure should be investigated. Our attorneys 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 South Dakota 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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South Dakota Resources

South Dakota Comprehensive Cancer Control Program

State Resources

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

If you or a family member worked in South Dakota's mines, military bases, power plants, or industrial facilities, this guide explains the legal options available to you and what steps to take after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

  • South Dakota exposure sites including Homestake Gold Mine and Ellsworth AFB
  • South Dakota statute of limitations and filing deadlines
  • Which asbestos trust funds apply to South Dakota mining and industrial cases
  • How to document your South Dakota work history for a legal claim
  • Veterans benefits available for military exposure cases
  • Secondary exposure rights for South Dakota workers' families

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Steps South Dakota 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 South Dakota 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. While South Dakota has capable medical facilities, specialized mesothelioma treatment centers in larger metropolitan areas may offer additional options. Your treatment plan should be established before anything else.
  2. Document your South Dakota work history. Write down every job you held, every facility where you worked, and every trade you performed — particularly any work at the Homestake Gold Mine, Ellsworth AFB, power plants, or industrial facilities. Include dates, job titles, the names of employers and contractors, and the names of any 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: underground mining, equipment maintenance, brake replacement, insulation work, 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 South Dakota statute of limitations gives you 3 years from the date of diagnosis to file a personal injury claim. While 3 years provides more time than some states, building a strong case requires identifying asbestos product manufacturers, gathering employment records, and filing trust fund claims — processes that benefit from starting early. Choose an attorney who focuses specifically on mesothelioma cases. 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. South Dakota 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 the United States navigate the legal process after a mesothelioma diagnosis, including cases involving South Dakota mining and military exposure. 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, including cases involving South Dakota mining and military exposure. 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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Super Lawyers Multiple Years
Top 100 National Trial Lawyers
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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.

30+ Years in Practice
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Find Out What Your South Dakota Mesothelioma Case Is Worth

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

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Nationwide Representation We represent mesothelioma patients across the country, including South Dakota cases.
Over 30 Years of Experience Our attorneys have recovered over $2 billion for mesothelioma patients and families.
Fast Results Trust fund claims can resolve in as few as 90 days. We move quickly for our clients.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Mesothelioma in South Dakota

Why does South Dakota have mesothelioma cases?

South Dakota has mesothelioma cases primarily due to its mining industry, military installations, power plants, and cement manufacturing facilities. The Homestake Gold Mine in Lead, South Dakota — one of the deepest and longest-operating gold mines in the Western Hemisphere — used asbestos-containing materials in equipment insulation, brake systems, and underground infrastructure for decades. According to WikiMesothelioma.com, occupational asbestos exposure at mines, military bases, and industrial facilities continues to produce mesothelioma diagnoses decades after the initial exposure. Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City also exposed military personnel and civilian workers to asbestos in buildings, hangars, and maintenance facilities.

Was asbestos used at the Homestake Gold Mine in Lead, South Dakota?

Yes. The Homestake Gold Mine used asbestos-containing materials extensively throughout its 126 years of operation (1876–2002). Asbestos was present in equipment insulation, brake linings on mining machinery, pipe coverings in underground tunnels, gaskets in pumping systems, and building materials in surface facilities. Workers who operated and maintained mining equipment in confined underground spaces faced concentrated asbestos exposure. The mine's depth (over 8,000 feet) and the limited ventilation in underground workings meant that asbestos fibers released during routine operations accumulated in the breathing zone of miners and maintenance crews.

What is the statute of limitations for mesothelioma in South Dakota?

South Dakota 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. South Dakota applies a discovery rule, meaning the clock starts when the disease is diagnosed, not when the asbestos exposure occurred. While 3 years provides more time than some states, building a thorough case requires identifying asbestos product manufacturers, gathering employment records, and filing trust fund claims. Do not wait to explore your legal options — evidence and witnesses can become unavailable over time.

Can Ellsworth Air Force Base workers file mesothelioma claims?

Yes. Both military personnel and civilian workers who were exposed to asbestos at Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City may file mesothelioma claims. Asbestos was used in base buildings, aircraft hangars, maintenance facilities, housing, and heating systems. Military veterans may also qualify for VA disability compensation, VA healthcare, and special monthly compensation — in addition to civil lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims. Filing VA claims does not reduce or prevent compensation from civil claims.

How much compensation can South Dakota mesothelioma patients receive?

Compensation amounts vary based on exposure history, the number of responsible parties, severity of illness, and which asbestos trust funds apply. South Dakota cases involving mining, military, or industrial exposure may connect to multiple trust funds and defendants, which can increase total recovery. Over $30 billion remains in asbestos trust funds nationally. While no attorney can guarantee a specific amount, our firm has recovered over $2 billion for mesothelioma patients and families and works to maximize every claim.

Can family members of South Dakota workers file mesothelioma claims?

Yes. Family members who developed mesothelioma from secondary (take-home) asbestos exposure have legal standing to file their own claims. South Dakota mining and industrial workers often carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing, skin, and hair, unknowingly exposing spouses and children who handled contaminated work clothes. In mining communities like Lead, where the Homestake Mine was the primary employer, secondary exposure affected entire families. Compensation is available through lawsuits, trust funds, and settlements.

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

South Dakota Families Deserve Answers — and Justice

If you or someone you love was exposed to asbestos at a South Dakota mine, military base, power plant, or industrial facility, do not wait. The South Dakota statute of limitations is 3 years from diagnosis. Our attorneys are ready to fight for the compensation your family deserves.

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