International Paper Mesothelioma Lawsuit [2025 Update]

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Former International Paper workers are developing asbestos-related illnesses like mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Asbestos was used in the company’s Ticonderoga, New York, plant and other plants across the country.

The substance was used in the insulation, piping, walls, ceiling, machinery, and equipment at International Paper’s mills. Workers at International Paper were not told about the dangers of asbestos or given protective equipment to keep them safe. They and their surviving loved ones are filing lawsuits against the companies that made asbestos products used at International Paper.

On this page, you will learn why and where International Paper used asbestos and which workers were likely exposed to asbestos. You can also read about documented cases of asbestos exposure at International Paper and past OSHA investigations. This page also provides information about who can file an International Paper mesothelioma lawsuit, how to file, and what compensation may be available.

About the International Paper Mesothelioma Lawsuit

About International Paper’s Ticonderoga Mill and Its Asbestos History

The International Paper Company is the largest paper and pulp company in the world. Its mill in Ticonderoga was an important industry in Upstate New York. As a business in the pulp and paper industry, asbestos exposure risk was common. Asbestos contamination was commonplace in paper and pulp manufacturing plants.

In 1925, International Paper (IP) bought the Ticonderoga, New York, mill from the Ticonderoga Pulp and Paper Company. The original mill opened in 1882 and was the largest industry in Ticonderoga.

International Paper acquired several mills throughout the United States and made paper-based products, including paper, newspapers, folding milk cartons, file folders, and packaging materials. International Paper’s Ticonderoga mill was one of the most successful in the region, and it employed hundreds of men and women.

Asbestos was used throughout the Ticonderoga mills because the material was fireproof and resistant to heat, which protected the delicate products being made. For example, asbestos was put into the walls, ceiling, insulation, piping, and machinery. In the 1970s, International Paper opened up a new kraft mill, which spanned nearly 2,200 acres.

In November of 2025, International Paper announced the closing of two plants in Compton, California, and Louisville, Kentucky. The company cited decreased demand and the need to consolidate operations to cut costs.

Other International Paper Locations with Asbestos Use

As the largest paper mill in the world and an American company, the International Paper Company has locations throughout the United States. Many of its mills exposed people to asbestos. Here is a list of other International Paper locations that may have exposed workers to asbestos:

• Bastrop, Louisiana
• Camden, Arkansas
• Franklin, Virginia
• Hudson River Mill in Corinth, New York
• Androscoggin Mill in Jay, Maine
• Moss Point, Mississippi
• Pineville, Louisiana
• Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina
• West Monroe, Louisiana

Why Was Asbestos Used in IP’s Paper Mills in Ticonderoga, NY?

Asbestos was used in International Paper’s factories because the mineral is a highly effective insulator and effective at fireproofing. Asbestos was part of many of the products and materials used at International Paper’s mill. Here are some of the materials that contained asbestos at IP’s paper mills:

• Asbestos-lined piping
• Insulation
• Gaskets
• Flange
• Micarta
• Asbestos cement pipe
• Brakes
• Ceiling tiles
• Roofing materials
• Boiling insulation
• Valves
• Pumps

Paper-making requires significant heat and steam pressure to create the base pulp for other products. Asbestos was used because it protected the heat-sensitive products and equipment. Ticonderoga mill employees who worked with or around these materials were exposed to asbestos fibers that were released into the air. These fibers also stuck to food and clothing and could be carried home. This could lead to secondary asbestos exposure for others in their home.

Asbestos Exposure at the International Paper Ticonderoga Mill

Asbestos exposure was common at the old and new Ticonderoga mills owned by International Paper. Here are some of the ways International Paper workers were exposed to asbestos at the Ticonderoga facilities:

• Cutting asbestos-containing pipes, insulation, micarta, and equipment
• Repairing asbestos-containing equipment or materials
• Replacing asbestos insulation
• Moving asbestos insulation to work on wiring or pipes

Even people who did not work directly with asbestos were at risk of exposure. Once the asbestos fibers were disturbed, they would travel in the air, on dust, or in steam throughout the Ticonderoga facilities. As a result, International Paper workers were exposed to high concentrations of asbestos in their poorly ventilated work environment.

Ticonderoga Mill Jobs and Trades Most at Risk of Asbestos Exposure

Ticonderoga mill jobs and trades that were most at risk of asbestos exposure include the following:

• Maintenance Mechanics: Handled asbestos directly when working on valves, brakes, insulation, pipes, and other materials.
• Pipefitters and Steamfitters: Handled asbestos-containing pipes, flanges, and gaskets.
• Boiler Operators and Engineers: Worked with asbestos cement, insulation, pipe, and machinery.
• Electricians and Millwrights: Exposed to asbestos in insulation, wiring, transite (asbestos-cement pipe), and breaker boxes.
• Insulators: Cut, removed, replaced, and repaired insulation with asbestos in it.
• Machine Operators: Breathed in asbestos fibers released in their work environment.

The Ticonderoga mills owned by International Paper did not have adequate ventilation, and workers were not given proper personal protective equipment to filter asbestos from the air. As a result, workers would inhale asbestos fibers throughout their entire shifts.

Health Risks Linked to International Paper Asbestos Exposure

Health risks linked to asbestos exposure at International Paper include:

• Mesothelioma: A rare cancer of the lining of some internal organs (usually, the lungs). However, mesothelioma can develop in the lining of other organs.
• Asbestosis: Scarring of the lungs because of breathing in asbestos fibers. Asbestosis can progress into cancer.
• Lung Cancer: Some types of lung cancer are strongly associated with asbestos exposure.

Studies have shown that workers in the paper and pulp industries have higher rates of mesothelioma and lung cancer . Further research has shown that workers in maintenance roles tend to have a higher rate of pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma in the lining of the lungs). These findings reflect reports from International Paper’s workforce about rates of cancers and illnesses.

Documented International Paper Mesothelioma Cases and Asbestos Lawsuits

Former International Paper employees and their surviving loved ones have filed mesothelioma cases to seek much-deserved compensation. These asbestos lawsuits are often filed against the businesses that manufactured asbestos-containing products found in International Paper’s mills.

However, International Paper has also been sued directly. However, International Paper has not admitted liability and was not necessarily the manufacturer of asbestos products used at its mills.

Norman Westover (2013) – Former International Paper Employee Gets Lung Cancer

Norman Westover developed lung cancer after decades of working at the Ticonderoga Mills owned by International Paper. He worked with piping, wiring, cutters, dryers, and other onsite equipment contaminated with asbestos. He also breathed in asbestos fibers that were airborne due to other workers’ activities. Norman filed his lawsuit against the companies that made the asbestos-containing products used at the Ticonderoga Mills.

Michael Mannix (2019) – Mesothelioma Case Linked to International Paper’s Ticonderoga Mill

Patricia Mannix’s husband, Michael, developed mesothelioma after years of asbestos exposure at International Paper’s Ticonderoga Mill. Michael was a steamfitter and pipefitter, and he worked for International Paper part-time for three years, as well as during two summers. Patricia filed her wrongful death lawsuit to help cover her late husband’s medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, and other losses.

Alton Taylor (2018) – Maintenance Mechanic at International Paper Dies from Mesothelioma

Nellie Taylor filed a lawsuit after her husband, Alton, passed away from mesothelioma. Alton worked as a maintenance mechanic and forklift driver for International Paper for 44 years. During his time at International Paper, Alton was exposed to asbestos in dryer felts, pumps, valves, evaporators, insulation, gaskets, and other materials. Nellie sued the companies that made the asbestos products used at International Paper.

OSHA Finds Unsafe Asbestos Removal Practices at the Ticonderoga Mill

In 1989, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was notified about unsafe asbestos removal practices at the Ticonderoga Mill owned by International Paper. BE&K (an Alabama-based company) was hired by International Paper to remove asbestos from the Ticonderoga Mill, and they did not follow proper asbestos removal procedures.

As a result, hundreds of International Paper workers could have been exposed to asbestos. OSHA completed a thorough investigation of the Ticonderoga Mill, issued citations, and oversaw efforts to remove asbestos from the site.

Although International Paper’s Ticonderoga Mill is not a federal Superfund site, its asbestos disposal efforts are closely monitored. For example, OSHA has strict rules for handling and disposing of asbestos in workplaces like International Paper. The EPA’s Clean Air Act also regulates how much asbestos can be in the air and how people can remove, store, and transport asbestos.

Who Can File an International Paper Mesothelioma Lawsuit?

People who worked at International Paper and developed an asbestos-related cancer or illness may file a mesothelioma lawsuit. Those whose loved ones died from mesothelioma may bring a wrongful death claim involving International Paper or one of the companies that made asbestos products used at the plant. Family members can also file a mesothelioma lawsuit on behalf of incapacitated loved ones.

Similarly, someone who experienced second-hand exposure from a loved one who worked at the plant may be eligible. A mesothelioma attorney can help people understand the updated eligibility criteria for an International Paper asbestos exposure claim.

How to File an International Paper Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Here are the steps you and your family can take if you want to obtain the assistance of a qualified mesothelioma attorney:

1. Schedule a free appointment with a knowledgeable mesothelioma attorney investigating International Paper asbestos claims.
2. Collect your records showing you were diagnosed with an asbestos-related cancer and that you worked at International Paper.
3. Your attorney will track your asbestos exposure from International Paper through specific departments, products, and purchase orders.
4. Your attorney will prepare and file asbestos claims against companies that made the contaminated materials at International Paper.

Speaking with a knowledgeable asbestos lawyer can help you protect your legal rights and file a mesothelioma lawsuit before the deadline expires. King Law helps International Paper workers by using records, experts, and the law to craft effective asbestos settlement strategies.

Is There a Deadline to File an International Paper Mesothelioma Lawsuit?

The deadline to file an International Paper mesothelioma lawsuit depends on your unique situation. For example, New York gives some mesothelioma patients about three years to file a claim involving asbestos exposure. This filing window may open when the person realizes their diagnosis is related to asbestos from International Paper. However, there are exceptions that would give someone additional time or less time to sue. A seasoned asbestos lawyer is the most effective resource to help you understand your timeline.

International Paper Mesothelioma Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

Settlement amounts for International Paper mesothelioma lawsuits depend on factors such as the strength of the patient’s case, how their asbestos exposure impacted their life, and whether they filed their claim on time. King Law estimates that some mesothelioma patients who worked at International Paper could receive up to $250,000 to $1,000,000 or more. A mesothelioma lawyer can prepare a personalized estimate for your International Paper asbestos claim.

King Law Is Accepting International Paper Mesothelioma Cases

King Law represents International Paper workers and their families who have been impacted by mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness. Our team has decades of experience handling complex asbestos exposure cases, and we have a national reach. We have built a robust network of medical, expert, and legal resources to help us fight for fair compensation packages for our clients. We do not charge clients any upfront money to handle their International Paper asbestos claims. Every client’s case is treated with attention and care and given a personalized case strategy.

Contact an International Paper Mesothelioma Lawyer Today

Contact King Law today by calling (585) 496-2648 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your International Paper asbestos case. Our lawyers are well-versed in asbestos liability and compensation laws, and we have a reliable network of resources and exposure databases at our disposal.

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