De Pere Energy Center, Wisconsin: Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Legal Claims

The De Pere Energy Center in De Pere, Wisconsin, reportedly began operations in 1976. Like many industrial facilities built or expanded before the 1980s, asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are alleged to have been used throughout its construction and operation. If you or a loved one worked at the De Pere Energy Center and developed mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related disease, you may qualify for legal compensation. A skilled mesothelioma lawyer Wisconsin can help you understand your rights. Wisconsin residents can pursue claims against asbestos trust funds simultaneously with civil lawsuits.

URGENT WARNING: In Wisconsin, the statute of limitations for asbestos-related personal injury claims is generally 3 years from the date of diagnosis (Wis. Stat. § 893.54). For wrongful death claims, the deadline is also generally 3 years from the date of death (Wis. Stat. § 895.04). Missing these critical deadlines can permanently bar your right to compensation. Immediate action is essential.

Consult the AsbestosIndex Product Crosswalk for information on product manufacturers alleged to have supplied asbestos-containing materials to facilities like De Pere Energy Center.

History of Asbestos Use and Exposure at De Pere Energy Center

The De Pere Energy Center, a natural gas-fired power plant, features a General Electric TC4F26 steam turbine and a Riley Stoker boiler, both commissioned in 1976. Asbestos was widely used in industrial settings during this period, including at other major Wisconsin industrial sites such as Allen-Bradley in Milwaukee, Allis-Chalmers in West Allis, Falk Corporation in Milwaukee, and A.O. Smith in Milwaukee. Its heat resistance, electrical insulation properties, and durability made it ideal for power generation facilities with high temperatures and electrical concerns, increasing the potential for asbestos exposure Wisconsin.

Asbestos-containing materials were reportedly incorporated into various components of the De Pere Energy Center during its construction and maintenance. This widespread use was standard industry practice. Manufacturers did not fully disclose or understand the severe health risks of asbestos exposure until much later.

Trades Reportedly Exposed to Asbestos at De Pere Energy Center

Numerous tradespeople working at the De Pere Energy Center may have been exposed to asbestos fibers. Work involving the installation, maintenance, repair, or removal of asbestos-containing materials could have released microscopic asbestos fibers into the air. Inhaled or ingested, these fibers can cause serious health issues decades later. If you were among these workers, an asbestos attorney Wisconsin can evaluate your case.

Trades potentially at risk of asbestos exposure at the De Pere Energy Center include:

  • Insulators: Reportedly handled and applied pipe covering, block insulation, and insulating cement around boilers, turbines, pipes, and other hot surfaces. Heat and Frost Insulators Local 19 (Milwaukee) members may have performed this work throughout Wisconsin, including at facilities like De Pere.
  • Pipefitters: Frequently worked with gaskets, packing, and various forms of insulation on piping systems. UA Local 601 (Pipefitters of Wisconsin) or UA Local 400 (Plumbers, Pipefitters, and HVACR Service Technicians, serving Northeast Wisconsin) members may have been involved.
  • Boilermakers: Responsible for the construction, maintenance, and repair of boilers. This often involved refractory materials, insulation, and gaskets. Boilermakers Local 107 (Milwaukee) members may have performed this work at power plants and industrial sites across Wisconsin.
  • Electricians: May have encountered asbestos in electrical panels, wiring insulation, and conduit, particularly in older systems. IBEW Local 494 (Milwaukee) or IBEW Local 158 (Green Bay) represents electricians in the region.
  • Millwrights: Allegedly installed and maintained machinery. This work could have disturbed asbestos-containing gaskets, packing, and insulation, similar to work performed at other Wisconsin heavy industries.
  • Maintenance Workers: Allegedly disturbed asbestos-containing materials during tasks like replacing worn parts or routine inspections.
  • Laborers: Often assisted various trades, potentially handling or working near asbestos-containing debris and materials.
  • Welders: Reportedly worked near insulated pipes and equipment, potentially disturbing nearby ACMs.
  • Operating Engineers: Operated and monitored plant machinery. They may have been exposed to asbestos fibers released from equipment.

Visit our unions page for more information on union trades and asbestos exposure.

Asbestos-Containing Product Categories Allegedly Present at De Pere Energy Center

Based on industry practices of the era, the following categories of asbestos-containing materials are alleged to have been present at the De Pere Energy Center, consistent with use at other Wisconsin industrial facilities:

  • Pipe Covering: Used extensively on steam lines and hot water pipes throughout the facility.
  • Block Insulation: Applied to the Riley Stoker boiler, tanks, and other large heated surfaces.
  • Gaskets and Packing: Found in pumps, valves, flanges, and other mechanical equipment, including components of the General Electric steam turbine. These created seals.
  • Refractory Materials: Used in boiler linings and furnaces to withstand high temperatures.
  • Insulating Cement: Applied as a finish coat over other insulation materials or for patching.
  • Asbestos Cloth and Blankets: Used for various high-temperature applications and as protective coverings.
  • Transite Panels: Often used for wall panels, fume hoods, or electrical components due to fire-resistant properties.
  • Floor Tiles and Mastics: Older flooring materials sometimes contained asbestos.
  • Acoustical Panels: May have been present in control rooms or administrative areas.

Refer to the AsbestosIndex Product Crosswalk for a list of specific product manufacturers alleged to have supplied asbestos-containing materials to facilities like De Pere Energy Center.

Diseases Caused by Asbestos Exposure

Exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to several severe and often fatal diseases. These diseases typically have long latency periods; symptoms may not appear for decades after initial exposure. These diseases include:

  • Mesothelioma: A rare, aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs (pleural), abdomen (peritoneal), or heart (pericardial). No known safe level of asbestos exposure exists for mesothelioma.
  • Asbestosis: A chronic, non-cancerous lung disease. It results from inhaled asbestos fibers, leading to scarring of lung tissue and impaired breathing.
  • Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of developing lung cancer, especially in individuals who also smoke.
  • Ovarian Cancer: Recent research links asbestos exposure to an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
  • Laryngeal Cancer: Some studies suggest a connection between asbestos exposure and laryngeal cancer.

If you or a loved one worked at the De Pere Energy Center and received an asbestos-related disease diagnosis, seek legal guidance promptly from a Milwaukee County asbestos lawsuit attorney.

Workers and their families affected by asbestos exposure at the De Pere Energy Center have several legal avenues for compensation. An experienced asbestos cancer lawyer Milwaukee can advise on the best path to a potential Wisconsin mesothelioma settlement.

  • Asbestos Trust Fund Claims: Many asbestos manufacturers declared bankruptcy to manage liabilities. They established trust funds to compensate current and future victims. An asbestos trust fund Wisconsin attorney can help you navigate these claims.
  • Civil Lawsuits: Victims may file personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits against the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products responsible for their exposure. Such lawsuits are often filed in Wisconsin venues like the Milwaukee County Circuit Court or Dane County Circuit Court (Madison).

Trust fund claims and civil lawsuits can be pursued simultaneously.

Wisconsin Asbestos Statute of Limitations for Asbestos Claims

In Wisconsin, the Wisconsin asbestos statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those related to asbestos exposure, is generally 3 years from the date the injury was discovered or should have been discovered (Wis. Stat. § 893.54). For wrongful death claims, the statute of limitations is also generally 3 years from the date of death (Wis. Stat. § 895.04). These deadlines are critical. Missing them can forfeit your right to pursue compensation. This is why understanding the asbestos lawsuit Wisconsin filing deadline is crucial. Immediate action is advised.

Contact an Experienced Asbestos Attorney Today

Unfortunately, many of the coworkers who shared shifts with you in the earlier years of your career may no longer be reachable. Time is precious when pursuing asbestos claims, and gathering evidence and witness testimony can become more challenging over time. An experienced asbestos attorney or toxic tort counsel can help navigate these complexities and ensure your claim is filed within the appropriate timeframe, potentially in Wisconsin venues such as the Milwaukee County Circuit Court.

If you or a family member worked at the De Pere Energy Center and received a diagnosis of mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related disease, act now. Call an attorney specializing in asbestos litigation today to discuss your legal rights and options. Your health and future depend on timely action.

Data Sources

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

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

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