From 1945 to 1982, Hershey Chocolate extensively used asbestos products. While this was a common industrial practice at that time, it exposed workers and their families to serious health risks. Individuals employed at Hershey Chocolate in Oakdale, California during this period who later developed an asbestos-related illness were likely exposed there.
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Compensation may be available for former Hershey Chocolate CA workers exposed to
asbestos from 1945 to 1982 and later diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease.
Asbestos Exposure: 1945 to 1982
Location: Oakdale, CA
Asbestos Trust Funds: 5
Available Claims: YES
For over 38 years, Hershey Chocolate in Oakdale utilized asbestos extensively in various products. Records from asbestos trust funds associated with Hershey Chocolate show the use of products such as pipe insulation and pipe coverings, millboard, panelboard and misc. building materials, asbestos blankets, cloth, ropes and textiles, raw asbestos fibers and misc., boiler and high-temp equipment insulation, fireproofing materials and sprays, joint compounds, insulating cements, adhesives and mastics, roofing and siding shingles, coatings and sealants.
The following list contains asbestos products identified in claims against the Babcock & Wilcox, Eagle-Picher, Western MacArthur ND, Owens Corning, Owens Corning/Fibreboard asbestos trust fund(s) linked to exposure at Hershey Chocolate in Oakdale, California:
Important Note: This list may not be complete and may not include all asbestos-containing products used at the Hershey Chocolate in Oakdale, CA. The specific products used likely varied over time.
Due to the extensive use of asbestos at Hershey Chocolate, employees working in the following positions were exposed to a significant risk of developing asbestos-related diseases:
Important Note: This list is derived from trust fund data associated with asbestos exposure claims, focusing on products manufactured or supplied by companies related to relevant trust funds. It identifies occupations known to have used these types of products at Hershey Chocolate in Oakdale, California. This list may not be exhaustive regarding all high-risk jobs at this location.
Asbestos was used in thousands of products: It was commonly found in building materials (like insulation, roofing, flooring, and siding), automotive parts (like brakes and clutches), and even some textiles.
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Hershey Chocolate in Oakdale, California employees were directly exposed to asbestos throughout their employment, particularly between 1945 and 1982, when asbestos was heavily used. Asbestos fibers, microscopic and easily inhaled, are incredibly durable. Once inhaled, they can lodge in the lungs and other organs. The body struggles to remove these fibers, leading to chronic inflammation and scarring. For those who worked at Hershey Chocolate, this process significantly increased the risk of severe and often fatal asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and various pleural conditions.
Asbestos exposure extended beyond the Hershey Chocolate in Oakdale. Workers often unknowingly carried asbestos dust home on their clothing, skin, hair, and tools. This resulted in secondary, or “take-home,” exposure for family members residing in Oakdale and surrounding communities. Even low levels of asbestos exposure can be harmful, and these diseases often have a long latency period, sometimes appearing decades after the initial exposure, leaving families devastated years after a loved one worked at Hershey Chocolate.
The eligibility requirements for filing asbestos claims vary depending on the specific trust fund related to Hershey Chocolate in Oakdale, CA. Generally, claimants must provide:
Important Note: Each asbestos trust fund has specific criteria, claim forms, and procedures.
Approximately 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. This number has remained relatively stable in recent years after decades of increase following widespread asbestos use.
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The table below provides information from the official websites of trust fund(s) that may compensate individuals exposed to asbestos at Hershey Chocolate in Oakdale who have developed related diseases. The payment percentages listed are based on individual claim review*
| Trust Fund Name | Ratio | Mesothelioma | Lung Cancer | Asbestosis |
| Babcock & Wilcox | 6.3% | $400,000 | $150,000 | $10,000 |
| Eagle-Picher | 35.0% | $6,500 | $2,000 | $400 |
| Western MacArthur ND | 51.1% | $117,087 | $44,777 | $12,000 |
| Owens Corning | 5.9% | $650,000 | $150,000 | $35,000 |
| Owens Corning/Fibreboard | 4.4% | $450,000 | $90,000 | $21,000 |
Average settlements for asbestos-related diseases linked to exposure at the Hershey Chocolate site in Oakdale, CA, can vary significantly. For claims against companies responsible for the exposure (civil defendants), settlements might range from approximately $28,633 and $1,712,982. The specific amount awarded depends on factors such as the severity of the disease, the claimant’s medical history, and details of their employment at Hershey Chocolate, including job duties and duration of exposure.
The average mesothelioma settlement after asbestos exposure at the Hershey Chocolate
in Oakdale, CA is between:
$523,920 and $1,712,982
The average lung cancer settlement after asbestos exposure at the Hershey Chocolate in Oakdale, CA is
between:
$140,971 and $340,971
The average asbestosis settlement after asbestos exposure at the Hershey Chocolate
in Oakdale, CA is between:
$28,633 and $88,086
Calculate your potential asbestos settlement if you or a family member were exposed to asbestos at Hershey Chocolate, Oakdale, CA between 1945 and 1982.
Individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and certain pleural diseases may be eligible for compensation if their illness can be linked to asbestos exposure at Hershey Chocolate in Oakdale facility between 1945 and 1982. Each asbestos trust fund has specific medical criteria that must be met.
Yes, it’s possible. Family members of Hershey Chocolate workers may have been exposed to asbestos fibers brought home on the worker’s clothing, hair, or tools. This is known as secondhand exposure. If you have developed an asbestos-related disease and can demonstrate a connection to a family member’s employment at Hershey Chocolate in Oakdale facility, you may be eligible to file a claim.
Yes, in many cases, you can file a claim on behalf of a deceased family member who passed away from an asbestos-related disease linked to their employment at Hershey Chocolate in Oakdale facility between 1945 and 1982. These are often referred to as wrongful death claims. Eligibility and the specific process can vary depending on the state’s laws and the specific asbestos trust fund involved. It’s crucial to be aware that wrongful death claims have their own statutes of limitations, which are deadlines for filing. These deadlines can be different from the deadlines for personal injury claims and often start from the date of death.
Asbestos trust funds were established by bankrupt companies that were found liable for asbestos exposure. These funds have specific criteria for eligibility and offer predetermined compensation amounts. A lawsuit, on the other hand, is filed against a company that is still operational. Settlements for lawsuits can vary widely and may be higher, but they often take longer to resolve. In the case of Hershey Chocolate in Oakdale, claims may be made through both lawsuits and trust funds, depending on the specific circumstances.
The deadline for filing an asbestos claim related to Hershey Chocolate exposure in Oakdale, called the statute of limitations, varies by state and claim type (personal injury or wrongful death). In California, for instance, you typically have 1 year(s) from diagnosis for personal injury claims and 1 year(s) from death for wrongful death claims. However, these deadlines can vary. You can also use our Asbestos Claims Calculator for a preliminary assessment. Note that each asbestos trust fund may have its specific filing deadlines.
If you’ve been affected by asbestos exposure at the Hershey Chocolate in Oakdale, CA, we’re here to help. Our counselors provide support for any related legal concerns. You are not alone – contact us today.
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