S.D. Warren Paper Mill — Westbrook / Skowhegan, Maine

Plaintiffs alleged in publicly filed U.S. asbestos personal-injury and wrongful-death litigation that workers at S.D. Warren Company paper manufacturing facilities in Westbrook and Skowhegan, Maine, sustained occupational asbestos exposure during paper and pulp production operations.

Facility Background

S.D. Warren Company, founded in the 1850s, operated major paper manufacturing facilities in Westbrook (Cumberland County) on the Presumpscot River and in Skowhegan (Somerset County) on the Kennebec River. The company became part of Scott Paper Company and later Sappi North America. These facilities produced high-quality coated and specialty papers, requiring extensive steam generation, drying operations, and chemical processing.

Plaintiffs alleged that paper mill operations — which require enormous quantities of process steam for drying, cooking, and chemical operations — involved extensive asbestos insulation on boilers, dryers, press rolls, steam lines, and associated equipment, creating conditions for asbestos exposure among maintenance, construction, and production support workers.

Alleged Asbestos Pathways

Plaintiffs alleged in litigation that asbestos exposure occurred through multiple pathways:

  • Paper machine dryer sections: Plaintiffs alleged that the steam-heated dryer cylinders on paper machines, and the steam and condensate systems serving them, used asbestos-containing insulation and gaskets requiring maintenance by millwrights, pipefitters, and insulators.
  • Boiler plant and steam systems: Plaintiffs alleged that the massive steam generating plants serving paper mills used asbestos block and blanket insulation on boilers, steam headers, and distribution piping.
  • Pulp cooking and chemical systems: Plaintiffs alleged that the digesters, evaporators, and chemical recovery systems in pulp processing operations were insulated with asbestos-containing materials.
  • Maintenance and construction: Plaintiffs alleged that pipefitters, boilermakers, insulators, and outside contractors performing mill maintenance, shutdowns, and capital projects encountered asbestos insulation throughout the facilities.

Maine has a six-year statute of limitations under 14 M.R.S. § 752, running from the date of mesothelioma diagnosis. Wrongful death claims carry a two-year limit under 18-C M.R.S.A. § 2-807.

Workers who were employed at S.D. Warren paper mills and who have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos-related disease may have legal remedies available. Contact O’Brien Law Firm at (314) 237-3332 to discuss your work history and legal options at no cost.