Texas Asbestos Exposure and Maritime Lawsuits

Maritime work in Gulf of Mexico shipyards and onboard vessels has its share of hazards, but one we do not always recognize is asbestos exposure. We tend to think that asbestos is a problem of the past. Actually, asbestos-related diseases continue to rise. In fact, unsafe exposure to asbestos has always existed and still exists in the workplace today.

Asbestos exposure has long been known to cause serious health problems. As many as one out of every 125 men over the age of 50 in the U.S. die of asbestos-caused diseases, according to government mortality records and epidemiological studies.

The main diseases caused by asbestos are:

• Asbestosis: A widespread scarring of the lungs that develops 20-40 years after exposure. Symptoms, which increase over time, include shortness of breath and coughing. Smoking worsens the condition.
• Mesothelioma: A cancer of the pleura (lung tissue). The only cause for this cancer is exposure to asbestos.
• Other cancers: Besides affecting the lungs, asbestos also causes cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, larynx, upper throat and gallbladder.
• Pleural Disease: A non-cancerous inflammatory condition characterized by hardening and/or thickening of the tissue lining the lungs.

Even though OSHA began stricter regulations for asbestos exposure in 1994, workers are still in danger of inhaling dangerous amounts of asbestos fibers. Why? Here are a few reasons:

• The use of asbestos has never been completely banned in this country.
• It doesn’t require a whole lot of inhaled asbestos to cause serious illness.
• In 1986 OSHA itself estimated that one of every 300 American workers will develop a lung cancer from exposure to legal limits of asbestos.
• In 1997, a study concluded that one in 200 workers exposed to asbestos even at the “safe” level during their career will develop a lung cancer.
• The same 1997 study projected that another one in 500 will develop asbestosis.
• In 2004, a federal government OSHA report estimated that 1.3 million American workers are exposed to asbestos.

If you suspect you are one of the many victims of asbestos exposure, you should seek the advice of a doctor. You need to be diagnosed; many medical treatment options are available to you.

You should also explore your legal options. The Texas maritime lawyers of Vujasinovic & Beckcom can advise you of your rights and options. Call us today toll free at 877-724-7800 to set up your free consultation.