Asbestos Companies / Foster Wheeler
Foster Wheeler Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma
Founded in 1927, Foster Wheeler was a well-known engineering and construction firm known for producing asbestos-containing boilers and steam generators. Shipyard workers, veterans, and company employees exposed to the hazardous fibers later developed serious asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.
Get Free Mesothelioma GuideFoster Wheeler’s History of Asbestos Exposure
Founded in New York City in 1927, Foster Wheeler quickly became a powerhouse in the engineering and construction industries, building infrastructure for the energy, power, and industrial sectors. Known for its expertise in complex machinery like boilers and steam generators, Foster Wheeler also played a role in constructing equipment for power plants, refineries, and even the U.S. Navy. However, behind this legacy of innovation led to dangerous fallout as many of the company’s products were manufactured with asbestos which has been known to cause mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other serious health lung diseases.
Unbeknownst to the employees who worked with or near Foster Wheeler’s equipment, many were exposed to asbestos fibers daily and inhaled them leading to the fibers being lodged inside the lining walls. Workers in roles like power plant operators, shipyard employees, and various maintenance positions also came into contact with asbestos-containing products as they handled or replaced them. Tragically, due to the long latency period of mesothelioma they were unaware of the disease they would eventually be diagnosed with.
In this article we will provide insights to help you understand the potential health implications of asbestos exposure due to working at or with Foster Wheeler’s asbestos products and how you can seek legal assistance.
Foster Wheeler Products Linked to Asbestos
Foster Wheeler has faced numerous claims from former workers and their families who were unknowingly exposed to asbestos fibers while working with the company’s products. Known for its affordability and fire-resistant qualities, asbestos was used extensively in Foster Wheeler’s manufacturing processes. In the mid-20th century, the company supplied the U.S. Navy with products that contained asbestos, including boilers, condensers, and other essential equipment. Veterans working as boilermakers and shipyard personnel faced high exposure risks, particularly if their jobs involved asbestos-based gaskets, insulation, or cement. Foster Wheeler manufactured a range of asbestos-containing products, such as boilers, marine boilers, water drums, steam drums, heat exchangers, gaskets, pumps, seals, valves, and steam generators.
Asbestos Exposure Hazards for Navy and Occupational Workers
During the peak of asbestos use, companies like Foster Wheeler routinely manufactured asbestos-containing products without public knowledge of the health hazards. Workers, especially Navy veterans, shipyard employees, and power plant operators were frequently exposed to asbestos fibers on the job. This exposure, often unknowingly, placed them at high risk of inhaling or ingesting fibers that could embed in their lungs and other organs, leading to serious health consequences and difficult treatment paths. Secondary exposure was also common, as family members could inhale asbestos fibers brought home on contaminated work clothing.
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Prolonged exposure to asbestos can lead to severe, life-threatening illnesses such as lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Since these diseases can take decades to develop, many individuals exposed while working with Foster Wheeler products are only now receiving diagnoses.
If you or a loved one were employed by Foster Wheeler or worked with their asbestos-containing products, collecting evidence of exposure, such as employment records, product specifications, and any medical documentation, can play a pivotal role in filing a successful legal claim. Preserving this evidence can help build a case against companies that failed to warn or protect workers from asbestos hazards, and may be instrumental in securing compensation for medical treatments and other damages.
Asbestos Litigation Cases and Settlements Involving Foster Wheeler
Those who maintained, installed, or worked near Foster Wheeler’s asbestos-containing products have later developed asbestos-related diseases, and have filed legal claims against them because of their negligence. Many notable cases have involved U.S. veterans who worked with the company’s products onboard naval vessels including:
- 2008 Navy Veteran Case: One landmark case against the company took place in 2008. A Navy veteran developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos working on Foster Wheeler’s boilers. The company failed to warn workers about the dangers associated with the equipment onboard their ships. The veteran was awarded $5 million in compensation despite the company’s efforts in blaming the U.S. Navy.
- California Navy Case: Another significant case was filed by Alfred Todak, a veteran who worked as a Naval electrician. Todak developed pleural mesothelioma after working on a marine boiler and unknowingly inhaling asbestos fibers. Foster Wheeler was found liable and awarded Todak $22.7 million, along with $11 million for Todak’s wife.
- Secondary Exposure Case: Aside from those being directly exposed to asbestos, some notable cases were filed by loved ones who were indirectly exposed to the dangerous fibers such as Lynda Berry, whose husband worked at a paper mill containing asbestos products, was exposed while washing her husband’s work clothes. She filed a claim against Foster Wheeler for their negligence and was awarded $2.25 million in compensation.
Filing a Claim Against Foster Wheeler
Unlike other manufacturers, Foster Wheeler does not have an asbestos trust fund set up. For those affected by their negligence, you must pursue legal action and help against them through lawsuits or insurance claims. We can connect you with an asbestos litigation attorney who will guide you through the process and help determine your compensation eligibility. Mesothelioma Hub is committed to providing you with the best resources and support available.
We understand that filing a claim can be complex, but with an experienced asbestos attorney, you can rest assured your rights are protected. If you believe you or a loved one may have been exposed to asbestos through Foster Wheeler’s products, don’t hesitate to reach out today. We are here for you during this challenging time and will connect you with the resources you need.
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