Texas is an industrial-rich state. Over the last 150 years, natural fuel deposits discovered in the state have made it a top producer; it is the second largest oil producer in the country, averaging 1,251,000 barrels of oil a day. The enormous Barnett-Shell natural gas field is also located in Texas.
Situated along the gulf coast, Texas is and has been home to numerous shipyards. These shipyards have produced both private and government vessels such as oil tankers and naval ships.
During the 20th century, asbestos was widely used in Texas, notably, but not limited to, in the oil, shipyard and construction industries. The naturally occurring substance was applied extensively in these industries because of its properties: lightweight, durable, fire proof, strong, and inexpensive.
Oil facilities faced major losses in case of fire, both to facility and employees’ lives, and so asbestos fireproofing was heavily applied in buildings, parts, equipment, and even employee uniforms. The same benefits applied to ships and their crew, so asbestos was similarly used in the building of ships. As a result, oil workers, shipyard workers, and crews of these ships were exposed to asbestos.
Even though the dangers of asbestos, such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma, were known to these industries at the time, they chose asbestos over other alternatives. The reasons for this choice vary, but are believed to include an attempt to save money and a belief that asbestos would save lives in case of fire.
In the short term, especially in the case of fire, asbestos can save lives. But decision makers in Texas at the time neglected to consider, or did consider but chose to ignore, the long term health risk and therefore liability, of asbestos. As a result, the Texas mesothelioma lawyers at Simon, Eddins & Greenstone, LLP, are all too familiar with the disastrous effects of these decisions. Every day we represent mesothelioma victims in court and these victims tell us they feel they had a right to know about the risks they faced and make the decision for themselves.
The courts agree. Our mesothelioma lawyers have seen a number of successful mesothelioma verdicts stemming from asbestos exposure in Texas such as this case: $4,027,782.55 after attorney’s fees and expenses, received by a woman who was exposed to asbestos products through her and her husband’s work in the construction industry.
Tags: asbestos, mesothelioma
