Mesothelioma / Asbestos by State / Texas
Asbestos-Related Deaths and Exposure in Texas
The State of Texas ranks 5th for asbestos-related deaths. Nearly 4,000 people across the state have died from either asbestosis or mesothelioma. The use of asbestos in Texas was widespread throughout the 1900s and early 2000s. Employees who worked in the oil and shipbuilding industries in the state risk developing an asbestos-related illness.
Get Free Mesothelioma GuideAsbestos in Texas
Asbestos exposure is a significant problem in The Lone Star State of Texas, with many people at risk of exposure in public buildings, schools, and workplaces. According to estimates by the state of Texas, around half of all public buildings in the state contain asbestos, putting residents and workers at risk. People who lived or worked in Texas between the 1970s and early 2000s are particularly at risk as they were most likely exposed to asbestos at home, school, or work. There is also a significant concern for first responders, such as firefighters, who may be exposed to asbestos when responding to fires in buildings that contain the material. This is where having a Texas-based mesothelioma lawyer can be all the difference in receiving proper compensation.
Asbestos exposure can cause a range of serious health problems, including mesothelioma and asbestosis. Those exposed should seek legal representation from a qualified mesothelioma lawyer in Texas to explore their options for financial compensation for such corporate negligence. As many familiar with the mineral already know, Asbestos is a natural mineral found underground in different parts of the world. It was heavily mined, produced, and sold in the United States throughout the majority of the 20th century.
In 1970, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listed the mineral as a carcinogen after decades of research. Prolonged exposure can cause serious health problems, including mesothelioma and asbestosis. This article will detail the ins and outs of asbestos exposure in Texas and will provide important information for Texas residents who have been diagnosed with lung cancer or mesothelioma. It will also cover the state’s regulations and laws regarding asbestos and information on high-quality treatment options available in Texas.
Is There Asbestos in Texas?
The state of Texas estimates that half of its public buildings contain asbestos. This means that people who live and work around these buildings are more likely to come into contact with asbestos. This highlights the significant risk that asbestos exposure poses to individuals in Texas, especially those who work or live in buildings constructed before the 1980s when asbestos was commonly used in construction materials. The high number of mesothelioma deaths in Texas underscores the importance of continued efforts to regulate and control asbestos exposure in the state. Unfortunately, this is a luxury to most, as some workers in high-risk occupations have no choice but to continue working in dangerous areas, and many can’t afford a Texas mesothelioma lawyer.
High-risk Job Sites in Texas
Workers in certain industries in Texas face a particularly high risk of asbestos exposure. In fact, most mesothelioma patients were exposed to the toxic mineral while on the job. Industries such as oil, chemical, and automobile production have been known to expose workers to asbestos. Workers who have been exposed to asbestos at these and other high-risk job sites should contact a Texas mesothelioma lawyer to discuss legal options for seeking compensation. Most mesothelioma patients were likely exposed to the toxic mineral while on the job. Workers in oil, chemical, automobile, and other industries have the highest asbestos risk exposure. Asbestos-related deaths from job exposure in Texas are expected to grow in the next decade.
Texas job sites with known exposure include:
- Bethlehem Shipping Company
- Chevron Phillips Chemical
- Citgo Refinery in Corpus Christi
- DuPont Chemical Plant in Beaumont
- Frito-Lay in Irving
- Goodyear Tire & Rubber Plant in Houston
- Gulf Oil
- Gulfport Shipping Company
- Lone Star Industries
- Lyondell Chemical
- Port Freeport in Freeport
- Procter & Gamble Manufacturing Co. in Dallas
- Texaco Oil
- Texas Chemical
- Todd Shipping Company
Asbestos Exposure in Texas Oil Refineries
The oil industry has played a significant role in Texas’s economy, with cities like Dallas and Houston home to numerous oil refineries. Unfortunately, many of these refineries are vulnerable to asbestos exposure in their construction. Oil companies have used asbestos for its heat and chemical resistance. Refineries like Phillips 66, which has several locations throughout Texas, are among the state’s most significant culprits of asbestos exposure. Residents of Te who have worked in the oil industry and believe they may have been exposed to asbestos should contact a mesothelioma attorney in Texas to discuss their options, especially if they have been diagnosed with a disease.
Texas Military Asbestos Exposure
Texas has a significant military presence; unfortunately, many veterans have been exposed to asbestos during their service. It’s reported that a third of all mesothelioma patients are veterans who were exposed to asbestos while serving. Asbestos was commonly used in military aircraft, ships, barracks, and other properties such as insulation and flame retardant. Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin and the Naval Station Ingleside in Corpus Christi are just two examples of Texas military bases that could have exposed civilian and veteran workers to asbestos. Veterans exposed to asbestos during their service and diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness should contact a Texas mesothelioma lawyer to explore their options for compensation.
Asbestos in Texas Manufacturing Plants
Manufacturers nationwide and in Texas specifically have used asbestos throughout their facilities and equipment to help protect against heat. Companies like Pathfinder Manufacturing and Chevron Phillips Plastics used hazardous materials in various construction products and remodels. The widespread use of asbestos in the manufacturing industry was largely driven by the material’s heat-resistant properties, which made it an attractive choice for construction and manufacturing industries.
However, many companies were aware of the dangers of asbestos exposure and chose to use the material despite the health risks to their workers. As a result, workers in construction and manufacturing industries were at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses. Mesothelioma lawyers in Texas can help those who were exposed to asbestos seek workplace compensation for the negligence of these companies.
Chemical Plants and TX Asbestos Exposure
The widespread use of asbestos in the chemical industry highlights the complex and long-lasting nature of the asbestos crisis. Despite state asbestos regulations and increasing awareness of the health hazards associated with asbestos exposure, the legacy of past industrial practices continues to affect Texas workers and communities.
In many cases, the chemical plant companies profiting from asbestos have long since disappeared, leaving workers and their families without compensation or recourse. The ongoing efforts to address asbestos-related illnesses and exposure highlight the need for continued vigilance and action to protect workers and communities from the harmful effects of hazardous materials.
Chemical plants in Texas, like many industries, also relied on asbestos in construction, equipment, and protective clothing. Utilizing it seemed to be the best protective measure against high heat and chemicals produced in the plants. However, employees at chemical plants like Dow Chemical, Philips Chemical Company, and Nalco Chemical Plant are some chemical plants throughout the state exposed employees.
Top Texas Cities For Asbestos-Related Deaths, 1979-2002
City | Mesothelioma Deaths | Asbestosis Deaths | Total Asbestos-Related Deaths |
---|---|---|---|
Houston | 264 | 260 | 524 |
Beaumont-Port Arthur | 91 | 360 | 451 |
Dallas | 187 | 83 | 270 |
San Antonio | 93 | 43 | 136 |
Galveston-Texas City | 48 | 62 | 110 |
Fort Worth-Arlington | 77 | 29 | 106 |
Austin-San Marcos | 55 | 31 | 86 |
El Paso | 49 | 16 | 65 |
Corpus Christi | 29 | 34 | 63 |
Texas Shipyards at Risk for Asbestos Exposure
Shipyards have populated the Texas shoreline on the Gulf of Mexico for decades. Shipbuilders used asbestos as insulation and fire retardant and to coat pipes and boilers. Residents near the shoreline and shipyard employees risk exposure at numerous shipyards along the coastline.
AMFELS Shipyard
Since the 1970s, AMFELS Shipyard in Brownsville has built different kinds of commercial vessels, including barges, sludge carriers, and support ships, until the 1980s when the dangers of the mineral became public knowledge. Employees often built asbestos into the ships without any protective gear. The shipyard still operates today as the Keppel Offshore and Marine Company. AMFELS Former employees who worked at the shipyard have filed lawsuits against the company, alleging they were exposed to asbestos and developed mesothelioma. In 2018, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited the shipyard for exposing employees to hazards related to asbestos and issued a fine of $14,000.
Bloodworth Bond Shipyard
Bloodworth Bond Shipyard operated several drydocks in Houston and Texas City and built ships with asbestos from the 1940s until the 1980s. The shipyard exposed hundreds of employees to asbestos, leading to lawsuits against the company. In 2006, the Bollinger Company, which acquired the shipyard in the 1980s, settled more than 200 asbestos lawsuits for $100 million.
Orange Shipbuilding Company
The Orange Shipbuilding Company operated in the 1970s and used asbestos to construct towboats and barges for the U.S. Navy. Employees who worked at the shipyard were at risk of asbestos exposure, which could cause mesothelioma. In 2009, Conrad Industries, which acquired the shipyard in 1997, settled this Texas asbestos lawsuit filed by a former employee for $1.5 million.
Port Freeport
Port Freeport, one of the largest employers in the area, has a long history of shipbuilding and ship repair, which includes the use of asbestos. An act of the Texas Legislature authorized Port Freeport as an independent governmental body in 1925. The port sits along the Gulf Coast on over 7,500 acres of land. The Port is accessible for national and international businesses and is one of the largest employers in the area. Port Freeport builds, maintains, and repairs a variety of different vessels. Throughout its long history, asbestos was used in the construction of ships and exposed many employees.
Asbestos was used extensively in shipbuilding until the 1980s, putting employees at risk of exposure. In 2018, Port Freeport was fined $3,000 by OSHA for failing to protect employees from asbestos exposure. The Port has since implemented measures to prevent further exposure.
Think you’ve worked or lived somewhere with high asbestos risk? Request a Texas Mesothelioma Lawyer and a case evaluation to assess your chances for compensation.
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Cancer and Mesothelioma Treatment Options In Texas
AMFELS Shipyard in Brownsville, Bloodworth Bond Shipyard in Houston and Texas City, Orange Shipbuilding Company, and Port Freeport are just a few examples of shipyards and facilities in Texas that have exposed workers to asbestos and mesothelioma.
Fortunately, Texas has several top-notch treatment centers specializing in mesothelioma and other cancers. MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is one of the leading cancer centers in the world and has a dedicated Mesothelioma Treatment Center. The center offers a multidisciplinary treatment approach and provides patients access to clinical trials and cutting-edge treatments.
Another top treatment center in Texas is the Baylor Scott & White Health Cancer Center in Dallas. The center is staffed by a team of experienced oncologists, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals who work together to provide patients with personalized treatment plans. The center also offers various supportive care services to help patients and their families manage the physical and emotional toll of mesothelioma.
The state of Texas is also home to some of the best physicians and Doctors in the nation. If you’re someone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and needs help, then consider reaching out to one of the specialists below:
Dr. Anne Tsao
Anne Tsao, Director of Mesothelioma Program/Thoracic Chemo-Radiation Program
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center 1400 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 432
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 792-6363
Dr. Kemp Kernstine
Chief, Division Thoracic Surgery Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Care Center
UT Southwestern Medical Center 2201 Inwood Rd., Suite 500
Dallas, TX 75235
(214) 645-8300
Dr. Cesar A . Moran
Professor, Pathology
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
1515 Holcombe Blvd.
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 792-8134
Dr. David Rice
Associate Professor, Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery University of Texas MD
Anderson Cancer Center
1515 Holcombe Blvd.
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 792-6161
Dr. W. Roy Smythe
Chairman, Department of Surgery Scott & White Healthcare
2401 S. 31st St.
Temple, TX 76508
(254) 724-2150
Texas Mesothelioma Lawyer Asbestos Laws and Regulations
Asbestos is a highly regulated material in Texas, with a mix of federal and state laws governing its use, maintenance, and removal. One of the primary regulations governing asbestos in Texas is the Texas Asbestos Health Protection Act, summarized in the Texas Occupations Code Section 1954.001. This act sets standards for asbestos abatement procedures and the safe handling, removal, and disposal of asbestos-containing materials.
The Texas Department of State Health Services oversees the state’s asbestos program, which is responsible for enforcing the regulations outlined in the Texas Asbestos Health Protection Act. The program’s primary focus is ensuring the safe maintenance, renovation, and demolition of buildings containing asbestos to prevent exposure to workers and the public.
Texas has laws that affect asbestos-related lawsuits, including statutes of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. According to the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Section 16.003(a), the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in Texas is two years from when the injury occurred. The statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits is two years from the date of death, as outlined in Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Section 16.003(b). Additionally, Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Section 41.001 defines the state’s negligence laws.
Do You Need a Texas Mesothelioma Lawyer?
Texas residents who lived around shipyards or worked in industries that used asbestos are at risk of exposure. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, it’s crucial to work with an experienced Texas mesothelioma attorney who understands the complexities of state laws and regulations. Contact our patient advocate team today and download our free mesothelioma guide in the meantime.
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