ASARCO Asbestos Exposure — What Former Workers Need to Know

ASARCO (originally the American Smelting and Refining Company, founded in 1899) has a documented history of asbestos use across its copper smelting, mining, and refining operations dating back to 1952. Former ASARCO workers, including those at the company's Hayden, Arizona smelter, may have been exposed to asbestos on the job, and many are only now being diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases decades later. See our page on what mesothelioma is and how it develops for more on why diagnoses can take decades to appear.

ASARCO's copper smelter in Hayden, Arizona, was a major regional employer for decades. Smelting operations of this kind involve high-heat furnaces, converters, and piping, historically insulated and protected with asbestos-containing materials including insulation, rope, gaskets, and protective clothing. Workers who installed, maintained, or repaired this equipment could release asbestos fibers into the air during the course of normal work.

Former ASARCO workers and their families diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease generally have two potential pathways to compensation, which can often be pursued together:

• •Asbestos trust fund claims — the ASARCO Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust was established specifically to compensate workers exposed to asbestos at ASARCO facilities. See our asbestos trust funds page for more on how the claims process works.
• •Civil litigation — depending on the facts of the case, claims may also be available against other manufacturers or suppliers of asbestos-containing products used at ASARCO facilities.

Connecticut's statute of limitations for mesothelioma claims is 3 years from the date of diagnosis. If you were exposed outside Connecticut, different state deadlines may apply. See our Connecticut personal injury statute of limitations guide, or contact us to discuss deadlines specific to your situation.