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Ford Rouge Plant Dearborn

Dearborn, Wayne County, Michigan

Ford Rouge Plant Dearborn

Located in Dearborn MI on River Rouge the Ford Rouge Plant is a source of asbestos exposure, Mesothelioma and other asbestos related cancers.  Construction began in 1917, and by the time it was completed in 1928 it was the largest integrated factory in the world. The Rouge measures 1.5 miles wide by 1 mile long had 93 buildings with nearly 16 million square feet of factory floor space. The plant has its own docks on the Rouge River, plus nearly 100 miles of interior railroad track, its own power plant and steel making, allowing Ford to turn raw materials into vehicles within this single complex. At its peak over 100,000 workers were employed at Ford Rouge.

Albert Kahn designed some of the Rouge buildings including the Rouge glass plant which was regarded at the time as an exemplary and humane factory building, with its ample natural light coming through windows in the ceiling. More recently, several buildings have been converted to green structures with a number of environmentally friendly features. The complex also included the B-Building, Engine, Frame, Radiator, Stamping, Transmission and Tool & Die Plants. During the first World War the plant built navy vessels. The Dearborn Assembly Plant started producing Model A’s in the late 1920s. After the war, production turned to Fordson tractors. The Rouge’s Steel Division and foundries produced nearly all the parts of the early Ford vehicles. In addition to the Ford Model A, Rouge products included the original Mercury, the Ford Thunderbird, and four decades of Ford Mustangs. The old assembly plant was idled with the construction and launch of a new assembly facility on the Miller Roadside of the complex, currently producing Ford F-150 pickup trucks. As it ended production, Dearborn Assembly Plant (DAP) was one of six plants within the Ford Rouge Center. The plant was open from 1918 to May 10, 2004, with a red convertible 2004 Ford Mustang GT being the last vehicle built at the historic site. Demolition of the historic DAP facility was completed in 2008.

One dark note in Ford’s history occurred on May 26, 1937. A group of workers attempting to organize a union at the Rouge were severely beaten, an event later called the Battle of the Overpass.

The Ford Rouge Plant Dearborn was an integral part of the Rouge Complex. Ford built the largest blast furnaces in the world in 1920 and added two more blast furnaces. The Steel Division had Iron Foundries, Open Hearths, Coke Ovens, Cold, Hot Strip and Rolling Mills. The Steel Division was spun off as a separate subsidiary in 1980s and eventually sold to a separate company and continues to operate today.

The plant was a source of asbestos exposure from the 1930s until the late 1980’s. Exposures to the asbestos products at the plant can cause Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, Asbestosis and other cancers 10 – 40 years later.  Even if you smoked you may be entitled to compensation if you are suffering an asbestos related disease.

There are numerous departments and occupations including:

Maintenance: Construction and Millwrights, Bricklayers, Electricians, Insulators, Machinists, Oilers, Painters, Pipefitters, Welders and other trades. They construct, maintain and repair the buildings and equipment throughout the plant.

Powerhouse: Boiler and Turbine Operators, Stationary Steam Engineers, and Maintenance Men. They operate and monitor the boilers, turbines, condensors, compressors, pumps and valves.

Heavy/Mobile Equipment Repair: Industrial Mechanics maintained and repaired Kress Carriers, payloaders, fork trucks, dump trucks, tow motors, hoists and other equipment

Material Handling: Hi-Lo Operators, Crane Operators, Equipment Operators, Laborers, Sludge Operators and Tractor Operators. They handle and move the raw materials, steel and equipment for the mill.

Transportation: Railroad Laborers, Switchman and Engineers operated the locomotives for transporting molten steel, Ingot molds, and other materials.

Furnace Operators and Helpers operated the various foundry and steel mill furnaces.

Foundry Workers – made cores, molds and iron castings for parts.

Assembly Workers – assembled motors, frames, car bodies etc,

Receiving and Shipping: They receive and ship materials for the various plants and departments.

Maintenance Foreman and Supervisors:  They schedule and supervise the maintenance and repair of the buildings and equipment.

First Line Supervisors/Managers Production and Operating Workers: They directly supervise and coordinate production and operations employees (Precision Workers, Inspectors, Machine Setters and Operators, Assemblers, Fabricators, and Plant and System Operators.

In addition to the Ford Rouge Plant significant exposures to asbestos occurred at the Ford Rouge Steel Plant and other Ford Plants in the Metro-Detroit area.

If you or someone you know has concerns about asbestos exposure at Ford Rouge or other locations in Dearborn, Michigan, our experienced Michigan-based lawyers are available to assist. John Kelsey and John Pomerville, asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys at Goldberg Persky & White’s Michigan offices, have a combined experience of over 50 years and have been advocating for Michigan asbestos victims for more than 25 years. They are well-versed in asbestos exposure at Ford Rouge, mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related diseases.

For the past 20 years, we have successfully represented numerous individuals with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or other asbestos-related conditions in Wayne County Circuit Court. If you have any questions about asbestos exposure and mesothelioma at Ford Rouge in Dearborn, MI, contact our Michigan-based mesothelioma lawyers. They can provide guidance if you were exposed to asbestos in Dearborn, MI.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is crucial to consult with an experienced Michigan-based lawyer promptly to protect your legal rights. This issue is time-sensitive, and having the right information will help you make informed medical and legal decisions, potentially securing financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Our team has a track record of representing individuals harmed by asbestos exposure, including those who worked at Ford Rouge in Dearborn, Michigan. Our comprehensive database of job sites and asbestos product identifications, developed over 30 years of specializing in asbestos lawsuits, enables us to effectively represent those injured by asbestos in the workplace.

Why does it matter that Ford Rouge is in our jobsites database?

To successfully pursue an asbestos claim, your lawyer needs detailed knowledge of your worksites, including:

  • The companies that employed you,
  • The products these companies purchased and used,
  • The manufacturers of these products,
  • Depositions and testimonies from other Dearborn asbestos disease victims,
  • Documentation from the plant and defendants.

With over 30 years of experience in asbestos litigation, we have developed a comprehensive knowledge base that includes:

  • Company diagrams,
  • Invoices from asbestos product manufacturers,
  • Revealing company memos showing their awareness of the risks,
  • Historical asbestos product packaging,
  • Depositions from leading experts,
  • Medical and scientific literature dating from the late 1800s to today.

Ford Rouge is one of tens of thousands of jobsites in our database.

Our extensive familiarity with various industries, manufacturers, and products allows us to efficiently and effectively identify all the asbestos-containing products that contributed to your injury. This broad knowledge has been acquired over many years of representing individuals and families affected by asbestos exposure.

Asbestos Exposure Injuries

Asbestos exposure can lead to a range of non-cancerous and cancerous conditions, including:

  • Mesothelioma: A rare and aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart.
  • Lung cancer: Cancer that starts in the lungs, often linked to asbestos exposure in combination with smoking.
  • Colon and colorectal cancers: Asbestos fibers can be swallowed and become lodged in the colon, potentially leading to cancer.
  • Throat cancer: Cancer affecting the pharynx, often associated with inhaling asbestos fibers.
  • Laryngeal cancer: Cancer of the larynx (voice box), linked to inhalation of asbestos fibers.
  • Esophageal cancer: Cancer of the esophagus, potentially linked to swallowing asbestos fibers.
  • Asbestosis: A chronic lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers, leading to lung tissue scarring and breathing difficulties.

Did you work at Ford Rouge in Dearborn, Michigan? Have you suffered an asbestos-related injury?

Asbestos exposure at workplaces like Ford Rouge has left many individuals with serious health conditions. If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, it is crucial to seek legal advice to understand your rights and options. Our experienced attorneys specialize in asbestos litigation and have a deep understanding of the specific risks associated with asbestos exposure at Ford Rouge.

Contact us today for a FREE, no-obligation consultation at 1-800-799-2234. Our team is here to help you navigate your legal options and work towards securing compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and suffering.

Asbestos in Dearborn Michigan

Discover Dearborn, Michigan: A Hub of History, Culture, and Industry

Dearborn, located along the Rouge River, boasts a population of just over 98,000, making it the eighth-largest city in Michigan. Situated in Wayne County, Dearborn has a rich history with roots in the Algonquian and Huron Iroquoian-speaking tribes. Today, Dearborn is renowned for its diverse economy, leading in manufacturing metals, plastics, and energy industries. A notable cultural landmark is the Arab-American National Museum, the first in the world dedicated to Arab-American history and culture.

Historical Background

The area now known as Dearborn was first settled by Europeans in 1786, post-American Revolutionary War. The village of Dearbornville, established in 1836, was named after Henry Dearborn, a patriot, American Revolution General, and Secretary of War under President Thomas Jefferson. French farmers were the first to settle along the Rouge River and Sauk Trail, and the community grew significantly with the establishment of the Detroit Arsenal on Chicago Road. The Arsenal functioned as a supply depot for the army, responsible for storing, maintaining, and repairing arms and ammunition.

Industrial Growth and Asbestos Exposure

Dearborn evolved into a diversified industrial center, attracting firms like W.R. Grace, United Steel, and notably, Ford Motor Company. Ford’s major manufacturing complex, Ford Rouge, and eventually its headquarters and much of its Research and Engineering Development, are located here.

The city’s history of manufacturing in fields known for using asbestos-containing materials has placed workers at a high risk for asbestos exposure. This exposure can lead to malignant mesothelioma, affecting workers and their loved ones.

Legal Assistance for Asbestos Exposure

If you have been exposed to asbestos in Dearborn, seeking legal counsel is crucial. Our Michigan-based asbestos lawyers, including Lane Clack, John Kelsey, and John Pomerville, have extensive knowledge of Dearborn job sites and the asbestos products workers were exposed to. Goldberg, Persky & White’s Allen Park office is conveniently located nearby for clients.

Contact Us for Legal Support

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, it is imperative to speak with an experienced Michigan-based lawyer immediately to preserve your legal rights. This matter is time-sensitive, and having the facts will help you make the best medical and legal decisions, potentially recovering financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact us today for expert guidance and support.

Call for a Free Consultation

Don’t delay. Contact our dedicated team of Michigan-based asbestos lawyers for a FREE, no-obligation consultation. Call us at 1-800-799-2234 to discuss your case and explore your legal options. Your health and peace of mind are our top priorities.

CALL NOW