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.

Today, California might be considered a leader in environmental and employee safety programs and legislation. But during the 20th century, California made widespread use of asbestos in a number of industries right along with the rest of the nation.

California Shipyards

California has been the home of a number of private and government shipyards.

Naval:

• Long Beach Naval Shipyard, Long Beach
• Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Mare Island
• San Francisco Naval Shipyard, San Francisco

Private sector:

• BethShip Union Iron Works, San Francisco
• BethShip Alameda Works Shipyard, Alameda
• General Engineering & Drydock, Alameda
• Harbor Boat Works, Terminal Island
• Kaiser Shipyards, Richmond
• Moore Dry Dock Company, Oakland
• Pacific Shipyards & Ways, Alameda

Asbestos was rampant in the construction of ships, both government and private, throughout the 20th century. Its applications included, among others, fireproofing and insulation in plumbing, walls and floors, tiles, pipes, gaskets and much more.

California Oil Fields and Facilities

California is also a leading oil producing state, with a daily average production of 666,000 barrels a day. Oil facilities employed asbestos in their construction, equipment, and even employee uniforms, primarily for the protection it afforded in case of fire.

Mesothelioma in California

We have represented numerous mesothelioma clients in California and have extensive knowledge of the state’s asbestos litigation history. An example of successful outcomes achieved by our California mesothelioma attorneys include:

$8,419, 516.08, after attorney’s fees and expenses, received by a gentleman who developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos products through his work as a plumber in the state.

$3,418, 159.41, after attorney’s fees and expenses, received by a gentleman who developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos products while working as a laborer in the underground water and sewer pipe industry in California.

Client names are omitted for personal and financial privacy. Results depend on the specific facts of each case. More examples of successful verdicts obtained by Simon, Eddins and Greenstone, LLP are available. Contact us for more information.

Mesothelioma-related deaths in Maryland have been higher than the national average for 30 years, with estimates at about 1067. This number is suspected to be less than the actual number because between 1979 and 1999 many mesothelioma deaths were attributed to lung cancer.

Mesothelioma is almost entirely caused by asbestos exposure. During much of the 20th century, asbestos was heavily used in manufacturing which is an economic mainstay for the State of Maryland. Asbestos is extremely resistant to destruction from heat, friction, electricity, fire and chemicals. As such, it was frequently a main ingredient in insulation, fire retardant fabrics, fireproof walls and floors, wiring, construction, and the production of chemicals.

In Maryland, asbestos is widely found in homes, office buildings, hospitals, schools, government buildings, and manufacturing facilities built before 1980. It is also found in ships (commercial and military), airplanes, vehicles, and trains built before 1980.

If you suspect you may have been exposed to asbestos while living or working in Maryland, it is very important that you discuss your possible asbestos exposure with your physician. He or she may recommend periodic mesothelioma screenings.

It is also important that you review your legal options with a mesothelioma attorney. In most cases, if there is enough evidence to support your case, you have the option of filing your lawsuit in Maryland if that is where you were exposed to asbestos; or, you may be able to file in the state you live in now.

As is true for many other states located along the East Coast of the United States, Maine’s economic history in manufacturing is closely linked with the higher than national average number of mesothelioma cases since 1979.

The reason for this is that asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral, was a major component in heat, fire, electricity, friction and chemical-resistant products throughout much of the 20th century. These types of products were a necessity in the production of insulation and chemicals; refining oil; the building of ships, airplanes, vehicles, homes and buildings; and in energy generation and utilities, among other industries.

However useful asbestos may have been in Maine, it was more deadly than productive. Despite this knowledge, many Maine companies chose to continue to mine asbestos, and manufacture or use asbestos products without warning those who may come in contact with them. As a result, many of these companies have been found to be negligent for cases of mesothelioma.

Much of the time, mesothelioma is no accident. The disease is entirely preventable, but companies’ greed knowingly put your life at risk. A Maine mesothelioma attorney can help you hold them accountable for the deadly choice they made.