Indiana Michigan Power Tanners Creek: Connect with an Indiana Mesothelioma Lawyer

URGENT FILING DEADLINE WARNING FOR INDIANA RESIDENTS: If you or a loved one worked at the Indiana Michigan Power Tanners Creek Generating Station and have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, you have a limited time to file a claim. In Indiana, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims related to asbestos exposure is two (2) years from the date of diagnosis (Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4). For wrongful death claims, the deadline is two (2) years from the date of death (Indiana Code § 34-23-1-1). Do not delay; contacting an experienced Indiana mesothelioma lawyer immediately is crucial to protect your rights.

The Indiana Michigan Power Tanners Creek Generating Station, a major coal-fired power plant in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, operated for decades. The facility reportedly contained asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) extensively. Asbestos offered exceptional heat resistance, electrical insulation, and fireproofing properties. Workers, their families, and former employees at the Tanners Creek plant may have been exposed to asbestos. This exposure risks serious asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. If you need an Indiana asbestos attorney or an asbestos cancer lawyer in Gary Indiana, an experienced firm can assist with claims related to Tanners Creek. Refer to the AsbestosIndex Product Crosswalk for a detailed list of materials and potential manufacturers associated with power plants.

Facility Overview and Alleged Asbestos Use at Tanners Creek

Tanners Creek Generating Station began operations with its first unit in 1951. Additional units followed in 1953, 1954, and 1957. The plant underwent numerous expansions, upgrades, and routine maintenance cycles throughout its operational life.

Asbestos was a common component in mid-20th century industrial applications, especially in power generation facilities with high temperatures and fire risks, much like other major Indiana industrial sites such as U.S. Steel Gary Works or Cummins Engine in Columbus. Asbestos-containing materials were reportedly integrated into the plant’s infrastructure during original construction and subsequent renovations until the late 1970s. By then, asbestos health hazards became widely known and regulated. Asbestos offered unparalleled ability to insulate against extreme heat, prevent fires, and provide durability in harsh industrial environments.

The plant’s powerhouse equipment represented a major source of asbestos-containing materials. For instance, the plant’s units were equipped with various boilers (per North American Powerhouse database):

  • Babcock & Wilcox boiler, commissioned 1951
  • Babcock & Wilcox boiler, commissioned 1953
  • Combustion Engineering boiler, commissioned 1954
  • Babcock & Wilcox boiler, commissioned 1957

These large equipment pieces reportedly required significant amounts of asbestos-containing insulation for efficient and safe operation. Turbines and generators, such as the General Electric steam turbine commissioned 1951 for Unit 1, and Westinghouse steam turbines commissioned 1953, 1954, and 1957 for Units 2, 3, and 4 respectively, also utilized asbestos-containing components. These components allegedly included gaskets, packing, and insulation in their construction and maintenance.

Occupations and Trades Reportedly Exposed to Asbestos at Tanners Creek

Any worker involved in the construction, operation, maintenance, or demolition of the Tanners Creek plant before the 1980s may have been exposed to asbestos. Some trades faced a particularly high risk, as their work put them in close proximity to asbestos-containing materials. These include members of unions such as Asbestos Workers Local 18, Boilermakers Local 374, and United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1014 (Gary), among others:

  • Insulators: Applied, removed, and repaired asbestos-containing pipe covering, block insulation, and insulating cement on boilers, pipes, turbines, and other high-temperature equipment. This work allegedly created significant airborne asbestos dust.
  • Pipefitters: Cut, fitted, and replaced pipes reportedly insulated with asbestos-containing materials. They handled asbestos-containing gaskets and packing in flanges and valves, disturbing these materials and potentially releasing fibers.
  • Boilermakers: Worked extensively on the plant’s large boilers. These were heavily insulated with asbestos-containing refractory materials, block insulation, and insulating cement. Repairing or maintaining boilers often disturbed these materials.
  • Millwrights: Installed, maintained, and repaired machinery throughout the plant. This often involved equipment insulated with asbestos-containing components or located in areas with asbestos materials.
  • Electricians: Worked with electrical components that may have contained asbestos insulation, such as wiring, conduits, and panel boards. They also worked near other trades disturbing asbestos.
  • Laborers: Assisted various trades and performed cleanup. This could involve sweeping up asbestos-containing debris from asbestos-related work.
  • Maintenance Workers: Routine maintenance tasks across the plant, including repairs to equipment, valves, and piping, frequently disturbed asbestos-containing components.
  • Construction Workers: Those involved in initial construction and later renovations of the plant directly installed numerous asbestos-containing products.
  • Welders: Often worked in areas with asbestos-containing insulation. They may have cut through or heated these materials, releasing fibers.

Specific Asbestos-Containing Materials Alleged at the Facility

A power plant like Tanners Creek is alleged to have contained a wide array of asbestos-containing materials, similar to those found at other large industrial facilities in Indiana such as Bethlehem Steel Burns Harbor or Inland Steel East Chicago. These include:

  • Pipe covering on hot water and steam pipes
  • Block insulation applied to boilers, turbines, and large vessels
  • Insulating cement used to seal gaps and irregular surfaces on insulated equipment
  • Gaskets and packing found in pumps, valves, and flanges
  • Refractory materials used in boiler linings and furnaces
  • Asbestos textiles, such as blankets, cloths, and gloves
  • Spray fireproofing applied to structural steel
  • Floor tiles and mastics
  • Ceiling tiles and acoustical panels
  • Roofing materials, including felts and sealants
  • Transite panels (asbestos cement sheets) for walls, ceilings, and fume hoods
  • Brakes and clutches in various machinery and vehicles

Consult the AsbestosIndex Product Crosswalk for a list of asbestos-containing products and their associated manufacturers relevant to power plants. If you’re considering an asbestos lawsuit in Indiana, understanding these materials is crucial.

Asbestos fiber exposure, even small amounts over time, can lead to severe and often fatal diseases. These may not manifest until decades after initial exposure. The latency period for these diseases ranges from 10 to 50 years or more.

  • 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 it.
  • Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure significantly increases lung cancer risk, especially for individuals who also smoke.
  • Asbestosis: A chronic, non-cancerous respiratory disease. Inhaled asbestos fibers cause scarring of lung tissue and impaired breathing.
  • Other Asbestos-Related Cancers: Studies suggest a link between asbestos exposure and an increased risk of cancers of the larynx, pharynx, stomach, and colon.

If you or a loved one worked at the Indiana Michigan Power Tanners Creek plant and have a diagnosis of an asbestos-related disease, seek legal advice promptly from an Indiana asbestos attorney.

Workers and their families affected by asbestos exposure in Indiana at the Tanners Creek plant have several legal avenues for compensation. These options cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

  • Asbestos Trust Fund Claims: Many companies that manufactured or supplied asbestos-containing products established trust funds to compensate victims. Trusts were created during bankruptcy proceedings to ensure funds remain available for future claims. While most asbestos trusts do not have strict time limits, their assets deplete over time, making it crucial to file now. Residents of Indiana can file simultaneously for these trust fund claims alongside civil lawsuits. An asbestos trust fund Indiana lawyer can help navigate this process.
  • Civil Lawsuits: Victims file personal injury or wrongful death lawsuits against companies responsible for manufacturing, distributing, or installing asbestos-containing materials. These lawsuits typically name multiple defendants and can be pursued in Indiana venues such as the Lake County Superior Court (for cases related to the Gary steel corridor) or the Marion County Superior Court (for cases in the Indianapolis area). A Lake County asbestos lawsuit may be relevant for those in the region.
  • Settlements: Many asbestos claims resolve through negotiated settlements outside of court. This provides compensation to victims without a full trial. An Indiana mesothelioma settlement can offer crucial financial relief.

Pursuing these options requires experienced legal representation. A toxic tort counsel specializing in asbestos litigation identifies all potential sources of exposure and holds responsible parties accountable.

  • Indiana Asbestos Statute of Limitations: In Indiana, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims related to asbestos exposure is two (2) years from the date of diagnosis (Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4). For wrongful death claims, the statute of limitations is two (2) years from the date of death (Indiana Code § 34-23-1-1). It is imperative to consult an attorney as soon as possible to ensure your claim is filed within these strict deadlines. Understanding the asbestos lawsuit Indiana filing deadline is critical.
  • Evidence Collection: Proving asbestos exposure requires detailed evidence. Gather work history, medical records, and potentially witness testimony. 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.
  • Expert Legal Counsel: An attorney experienced in Indiana asbestos litigation navigates case complexities, identifies responsible parties, and fights for the compensation you deserve.

Connect with an Experienced Indiana Asbestos Attorney

If you or a loved one worked at the Indiana Michigan Power Tanners Creek plant and have a diagnosis of mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be entitled to significant compensation. An experienced asbestos law firm helps you understand your rights and pursue all available legal avenues. Trust fund claims and civil lawsuits pursued simultaneously.

Call today for a free consultation with a qualified Indiana asbestos attorney. Discuss your specific situation and legal options without delay.

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.

← Back to Indiana Jobsite Asbestos Records

For informational purposes only. Not legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this page. © 2026 Rights Watch Media Group LLC — Disclaimer · Privacy · Terms · Copyright