Asbestos-Related Deaths and Exposure in Texas

Asbestos 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

Top Texas Cities For Asbestos-Related Deaths, 1979-2002

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, 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 included 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.

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:

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.