Asbestos in Shipyards
- Asbestos was widely used for shipbuilding due to its high resistance to heat and corrosion.
- However, asbestos is carcinogenic and responsible for related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.
- Shipyard workers exposed to asbestos during construction, repair, or demolition projects may develop symptoms of these diseases anywhere between 10 to 50 years later.
- A knowledgeable and experienced shipyard mesothelioma lawyer at The Gori Law Firm will provide the legal support you need to seek compensation.
Mesothelioma Attorneys Helping Shipyard Workers Seek Justice
Asbestos was considered a cost-effective and durable material in shipbuilding between the 1930s and 1980s. However, asbestos is also a carcinogen that’s likely to pose serious health risks for developing mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other diseases—especially after prolonged exposure.
Before these adverse effects were well studied and understood, millions of men and women had already worked in shipyards, subjecting themselves to asbestos exposure. The diseases’ tendency to manifest decades after exposure made it even more challenging to detect early signs and prevent workers from coming into contact with asbestos. According to environmental and occupational studies, mesothelioma remains a persistent problem for workers exposed to asbestos in shipyards for much of the 20th century.
If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease after working in a shipyard, you might be eligible for a settlement for your treatment costs, pain and suffering, and other losses. Our attorneys can evaluate the facts of your case and explain your legal rights as a shipyard worker seeking justice.
You may be eligible for significant compensation that The Gori Law Firm can fight for on your behalf.
Compensation Options for Asbestos
Exposure in Shipyards
Product liability laws allow you to hold manufacturers accountable for injuries or illnesses caused by their products. As such, mesothelioma workers can sue certain manufacturers for the deadly effects of the shipyard asbestos used in their products.
Due to the large number of mesothelioma claims resulting from asbestos presence on ships, some manufacturers have since filed for bankruptcy in a bid to avoid liability for more cases. However, the U.S. Bankruptcy Code requires all manufacturers with asbestos-related liabilities to establish a trust fund from which future victims can pursue compensation.
The U.S. Navy was the biggest user of asbestos for shipbuilding, especially during World War II. Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma cannot sue the military directly due to government immunity through the Feres Doctrine. Instead, veterans must seek compensation and other treatment benefits from the Department of Veteran Affairs. They may also be able to seek compensation from other parties responsible for their exposure, including asbestos product manufacturers, through civil lawsuits and asbestos trust fund claims.
To file an asbestos exposure claim, you must start the legal process before your state’s statute of limitations expires, or else you will be unable to pursue a settlement. So, don’t wait to contact an attorney.
With more than 20 years of experience representing mesothelioma shipyard workers, the skilled attorneys at the Gori Law Firm have recovered more than $4 billion in settlements and verdicts for victims of shipyard asbestos-related cases. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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Help & Compensation Options
How Are Shipyard Workers Exposed to Asbestos?
Although the U.S. has banned the use of asbestos in shipyards and manufacturing companies, it has not fully eradicated asbestos material from older ships. Current shipyard workers are still at risk of shipyard lung diseases and other related conditions. This danger also puts their families and loved ones at risk due to secondary asbestos exposure.
Asbestos in Shipbuilding
Asbestos was widely used in building ships and parts because of its resistance to high heat and corrosion. Unfortunately, ships had asbestos products in many applications, including insulation, pipes, flooring, wall panels, and hulls.
Shipbuilders, including plumbers, electricians, mechanics, painters, and even general contractors, were therefore exposed to asbestos during their entire employment period.
Repair and Demolition Projects
Demolition or repair projects that involve dismantling older ships can disturb asbestos fibers and release dust into the air. Shipyard workers, including office workers, can inhale these components, increasing the risk of mesothelioma.
Direct Exposure
Asbestos dust and components also gathered in poorly ventilated areas of the ship, such as below deck. Shipyard workers who operated in these sections were at a higher risk of developing asbestos-related diseases due to high exposure.
Even though the U.S. banned the use of asbestos in shipyards, ships from other countries may still expose workers, necessitating strict protective measures.
Our Shipyard Mesothelioma Lawyers Are Ready to Help
Simply doing your job should not put your life at risk. If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos disease after having worked in a shipyard, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact our experienced shipyard mesothelioma lawyers at the Gori Law Firm to learn more about your options.
We have offices in Illinois, Louisiana, Florida, New York, Missouri, and California, but our firm serves clients nationwide. Our team is here to provide the personal support and resources you need to navigate your case.
Get your free case review by calling us or completing our brief online form.
4 Cited Sources On This Page
- “11 USC 524: Effect of Discharge.” Uscode.house.gov,
uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-2000-title11-section524&num=0&edition=2000. - Beckett, W. S. “Shipyard Workers and Asbestos: A Persistent and International Problem.”
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, vol. 64, no. 10, 25 Jan. 2007, pp. 639–641, https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.2006.032284. - “Feres Doctrine.” LII / Legal Information Institute, www.law.cornell.edu/wex/feres_doctrine.
- Uguen, Marie, et al. “Asbestos-Related Lung Cancers: A Retrospective Clinical and Pathological Study.”
Molecular and Clinical Oncology, vol. 7, no. 1, 30 May 2017, pp. 135–139, www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/mco.2017.1277, https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2017.1277.
