Asbestos at White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces, New Mexico (1945-1982)

From 1945 to 1982, White Sands Missile Range 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 White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces, New Mexico during this period who later developed an asbestos-related illness were likely exposed there.

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White Sands Missile Range Asbestos Exposure in Las Cruces, NMNew Mexico Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure from 1945-1982 Compensation may be available for former White Sands Missile Range NM workers exposed to asbestos from 1945 to 1982 and later diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease.
White Sands Missile Range Asbestos Facts
  • Asbestos Exposure Years

    Asbestos Exposure: 1945 to 1982

  • Asbestos Exposure Location

    Location: Las Cruces, NM

  • Asbestos Trust Funds

    Asbestos Trust Funds: 2

  • Available Claims & Settlements

    Available Claims: YES

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Asbestos at White Sands Missile Range

For over 38 years, White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces utilized asbestos extensively in various products. Records from asbestos trust funds associated with White Sands Missile Range show the use of products such as pipe insulation and pipe coverings, millboard, panelboard and misc. building materials, raw asbestos fibers and misc., 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 Burns and Roe, Owens Corning/Fibreboard asbestos trust fund(s) linked to exposure at White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces, New Mexico:

Burns and Roe

Owens Corning/Fibreboard

Important Note: This list may not be complete and may not include all asbestos-containing products used at the White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces, NM. The specific products used likely varied over time.


High-Risk Asbestos Exposure Jobs at White Sands Missile Range

Due to the extensive use of asbestos at White Sands Missile Range, 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 White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces, New Mexico. This list may not be exhaustive regarding all high-risk jobs at this location.


White Sands Missile Range, Las Cruces, NM Asbestos Facts

Asbestos Exposure Consequences

White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces, New Mexico 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 White Sands Missile Range, this process significantly increased the risk of severe and often fatal asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and various pleural conditions.

Secondary Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure extended beyond the White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces. 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 Las Cruces 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 White Sands Missile Range.


Filing Asbestos Claims After Exposure at White Sands Missile Range

The eligibility requirements for filing asbestos claims vary depending on the specific trust fund related to White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces, NM. Generally, claimants must provide:

  • Proof of exposure: Evidence of exposure to asbestos-containing products manufactured or used by White Sands Missile Range at its Las Cruces facility between 1945 and 1982.
  • Diagnosis: Medical documentation confirming a diagnosis of a qualifying asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis.
  • Causation: Evidence demonstrating a connection between the diagnosed disease and the asbestos exposure at White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces.

Important Note: Each asbestos trust fund has specific criteria, claim forms, and procedures.

Mesothelioma Facts

Asbestos Claims and Trust Funds related to White Sands Missile Range

The table below provides information from the official websites of trust fund(s) that may compensate individuals exposed to asbestos at White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces who have developed related diseases. The payment percentages listed are based on individual claim review*

Trust Fund NameRatioMesotheliomaLung CancerAsbestosis
Burns and Roe36.87%$500,000$200,000$15,000
Owens Corning/Fibreboard4.4%$450,000$90,000$21,000

Average Settlement Ranges by Type of Asbestos-Related Disease

Average settlements for asbestos-related diseases linked to exposure at the White Sands Missile Range site in Las Cruces, NM, can vary significantly. For claims against companies responsible for the exposure (civil defendants), settlements might range from approximately $24,474 and $1,771,676. 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 White Sands Missile Range, including job duties and duration of exposure.

MESOTHELIOMA

The average mesothelioma settlement after asbestos exposure at the White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces, NM is between:
$582,614 and $1,771,676

LUNG CANCER

The average lung cancer settlement after asbestos exposure at the White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces, NM is between:
$172,829 and $372,829

ASBESTOSIS

The average asbestosis settlement after asbestos exposure at the White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces, NM is between:
$24,474 and $83,927

Asbestos Claims Calculator
White Sands Missile Range, Las Cruces, NM

Calculate your potential asbestos settlement if you or a family member were exposed to asbestos at White Sands Missile Range, Las Cruces, NM between 1945 and 1982.

White Sands Missile Range Asbestos Claims Calculator
Las Cruces, NM

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Frequently Asked Questions about White Sands Missile Range Asbestos Exposure

Which Asbestos Diseases Qualify for White Sands Missile Range Claims?

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 White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces facility between 1945 and 1982. Each asbestos trust fund has specific medical criteria that must be met.

Can Family Members File Claims for Secondhand Exposure?

Yes, it’s possible. Family members of White Sands Missile Range 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 White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces facility, you may be eligible to file a claim.

Can I File a Claim for a Deceased Family Member?

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 White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces 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.

Trust Fund Claim vs. Lawsuit: What’s the Difference?

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 White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces, claims may be made through both lawsuits and trust funds, depending on the specific circumstances.

How long do I have to file an asbestos claim related to White Sands Missile Range exposure in Las Cruces?

The deadline for filing an asbestos claim related to White Sands Missile Range exposure in Las Cruces, called the statute of limitations, varies by state and claim type (personal injury or wrongful death). In New Mexico, for instance, you typically have 3 year(s) from diagnosis for personal injury claims and 3 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.

Do You Have Any Asbestos Legal Questions?

If you’ve been affected by asbestos exposure at the White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces, NM, 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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Sources:

  1. Burns & Roe Enterprises, Inc. Trust Fund
  2. Owens Corning/Fibreboard Corp. Trust Fund