Clifty Creek Station, Madison, Indiana: Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Risk

Clifty Creek Station, a coal-fired power plant in Madison, Indiana, has provided energy since its 1955 commissioning. Like many industrial facilities built during that era, Clifty Creek Station reportedly utilized asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in its construction and operations. If you or a loved one worked at Clifty Creek Station and received a mesothelioma, asbestosis, or other asbestos-related disease diagnosis, it is critically important to understand that Indiana has strict deadlines for filing legal claims. The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Indiana is generally two years from the date of diagnosis (Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4). Do not delay; time is of the essence to protect your legal rights. Understanding your potential exposure and legal options with a qualified mesothelioma lawyer is crucial. An experienced asbestos attorney in Indiana can help navigate these complex claims.

History of Clifty Creek Station and Asbestos Use in Indiana

The Ohio Valley Electric Corporation (OVEC) built Clifty Creek Station in the 1950s, primarily to supply electricity to the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Ohio, with commercial operation commencing in 1955. During this period, asbestos offered exceptional heat resistance, electrical insulation, and durability, making it a common material in power generation facilities across Indiana and the nation.

Throughout its operational history, plant components, including boilers, turbines, pipes, valves, and electrical systems, were allegedly constructed, insulated, or repaired with asbestos-containing materials. The facility’s original Babcock & Wilcox boilers, with units commissioned in 1955, and General Electric steam turbines, also commissioned in 1955 (per North American Powerhouse database), are examples of powerhouse equipment that may have incorporated or been surrounded by asbestos-containing components. These materials were reportedly present during initial construction, subsequent expansions, and routine maintenance and renovation projects, mirroring practices seen at other large Indiana industrial sites like U.S. Steel Gary Works or Cummins Engine Columbus. Understanding your potential asbestos exposure in Indiana is key to filing a successful claim.

Refer to the AsbestosIndex Product Crosswalk for a list of asbestos-containing products and their manufacturers associated with power generation facilities.

Why Asbestos-Containing Materials Were Used at Power Plants

Asbestos saw wide use at Clifty Creek Station and similar power plants throughout Indiana due to its ability to insulate against extreme heat and fire. Asbestos-containing materials reportedly maintained high operating temperatures in boilers and piping systems, improving efficiency and preventing heat loss. It also provided fireproofing for structural components and electrical wiring in a high-energy industrial environment.

Common applications of asbestos-containing materials at the plant reportedly included:

  • Pipe covering: Allegedly prevented heat loss from steam and water pipes.
  • Boiler insulation and refractory materials: Reportedly lined massive boilers to contain heat.
  • Gaskets and packing: Allegedly used in pumps, valves, and flanges to create seals and prevent leaks in high-temperature and high-pressure systems.
  • Block insulation: Reportedly used for large flat surfaces, tanks, and equipment.
  • Electrical components: Allegedly found in wiring insulation, panel boards, and conduit.
  • Brakes and clutches: Reportedly present in heavy machinery and equipment used on-site.
  • Spray fireproofing: Allegedly applied onto structural steel beams and columns.
  • Insulating cement: Reportedly sealed gaps and provided additional insulation.
  • Floor tile and ceiling tile in administrative and control areas.
  • Acoustical panels for sound dampening.

Trades Allegedly Exposed to Asbestos at Clifty Creek Station

Workers from many trades and departments at Clifty Creek Station may have been exposed to asbestos fibers. Exposure risk was particularly high during activities that disturbed asbestos-containing materials, such as cutting, drilling, sanding, or removing old insulation. When disturbed, asbestos fibers become airborne and are inhaled or ingested.

Trades and personnel potentially at risk of exposure reportedly include:

  • Insulators: Directly handled and applied asbestos-containing pipe covering, block insulation, and insulating cements. This often released fibers during cutting, mixing, and fitting. Many members of Heat and Frost Insulators Local 18, which serves Indiana, may have worked at this facility.
  • Pipefitters: Frequently worked with asbestos-containing gaskets, packing, and pipe insulation while installing and maintaining piping systems. They often removed old insulation. Members of various Indiana UA locals, such as Local 562 (Plumbers & Pipefitters), may have been present.
  • Boilermakers: Routinely encountered asbestos-containing refractory materials, insulation, and gaskets during boiler construction, maintenance, and repair. Boilermakers Local 374, serving Indiana, may have had members working here.
  • Electricians: May have disturbed asbestos-containing electrical insulation, wiring, and components during installation, repair, or maintenance.
  • Maintenance Mechanics: Likely encountered asbestos in gaskets, packing, and insulation while repairing plant equipment, including pumps, valves, and machinery.
  • Laborers: Assisted various trades, performed cleanup, or participated in demolition. They often handled asbestos-containing debris or worked in areas where asbestos was disturbed. This includes members of the United Steelworkers (USW), such as Local 1014 in Gary, who worked at similar industrial sites in Indiana.
  • Welders: Welding near asbestos-containing materials could degrade them and release fibers.
  • Millwrights: Involved in installing, maintaining, and repairing heavy machinery. Asbestos-containing components like gaskets or brake linings may have been present.
  • Engineers and Supervisors: While not directly handling materials, those overseeing operations in contaminated areas may have experienced exposure.
  • Construction Workers: During initial plant construction and subsequent renovation or expansion projects, construction crews would have worked directly with new asbestos-containing building materials.

Consult the AsbestosIndex Product Crosswalk for more details on specific asbestos-containing products used in power plants and their manufacturers. If you are pursuing an asbestos cancer lawyer in Gary, Indiana, it’s important to understand the specific trades and exposure risks.

Asbestos fiber exposure causes several severe and often fatal diseases. These diseases typically have long latency periods, meaning symptoms may not appear for 10 to 50 years after initial exposure.

Primary diseases associated with asbestos exposure include:

  • Mesothelioma: A rare and aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Asbestos exposure almost exclusively causes mesothelioma.
  • Asbestosis: A chronic, progressive lung disease resulting from inhaled asbestos fibers, leading to scarring of the lung tissue. Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain.
  • Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure significantly increases lung cancer risk, especially for individuals who also smoke.
  • Other Cancers: Asbestos exposure links to an increased risk of cancers of the larynx, pharynx, stomach, and colon.

If you or a loved one worked at Clifty Creek Station and received a diagnosis of one of these asbestos-related diseases, seek legal counsel immediately to understand your rights under Indiana law and explore options for an Indiana mesothelioma settlement.

Individuals diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease after working at Clifty Creek Station may pursue several legal avenues for compensation. These options cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

  • Personal Injury Lawsuits: If you received a diagnosis of mesothelioma, asbestosis, or another asbestos-related disease, you may file a personal injury lawsuit against manufacturers and suppliers of the asbestos-containing products to which you were allegedly exposed. These lawsuits may be filed in Indiana courts, such as the Lake County Superior Court (for those in the northern Indiana industrial corridor, including former workers at U.S. Steel Gary Works, Bethlehem Steel Burns Harbor, or Inland Steel East Chicago) or the Marion County Superior Court (for those in central Indiana). This could lead to a significant Indiana mesothelioma settlement.
  • Wrongful Death Lawsuits: If a loved one died due to an asbestos-related disease, their family may file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages.
  • Asbestos Trust Fund Claims: Many companies that manufactured or sold asbestos-containing products established bankruptcy trust funds to compensate victims. Indiana residents can pursue asbestos trust fund claims and civil lawsuits simultaneously. This is a critical option for many victims.

It is crucial to act quickly due to statutes of limitations, which set strict deadlines for filing claims. In Indiana, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims related to asbestos exposure is generally two years from the date of the diagnosis date (Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4). For wrongful death claims, the statute of limitations is also generally two years from the date of death (Indiana Code § 34-23-1-1). These deadlines are firm, and missing them can permanently bar your right to seek compensation. While most asbestos trusts do not have strict time limits, their assets can deplete over time, making prompt filing advisable. Understanding the Indiana asbestos statute of limitations is paramount for any asbestos lawsuit Indiana filing deadline.

Contact an Experienced Asbestos Attorney Today

If you or a family member worked at Clifty Creek Station and received an asbestos-related disease diagnosis, time is precious. Unfortunately, many of the coworkers who shared shifts with you in the earlier years of your career may no longer be reachable. Do not delay. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer or asbestos attorney in Indiana can help identify potential exposure sources and pursue the compensation you deserve. Trust fund claims and civil lawsuits pursued simultaneously can maximize your potential recovery. If you are in the northern part of the state, seeking an asbestos cancer lawyer in Gary, Indiana, could be beneficial.

Call today for a free consultation to discuss your options and protect your rights.

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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