While most people associate Louisiana with New Orleans and Mardi Gras, this state is also widely known for its thriving oil, shipbuilding and lumber industries. Although these lucrative industries create jobs and revenue for Louisiana, they all are also notorious for exposing workers to the dangerous, cancer-causing mineral known as asbestos. In addition to being exposed to asbestos at work, many Louisianans may also experience toxic asbestos exposure in their homes or in government buildings, such as courthouses or public schools.
Individuals exposed to asbestos for long periods of time are at risk of developing mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, throat cancer and other fatal diseases. These asbestos-related cancers and diseases are extremely serious conditions that require expensive long-term treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with an asbestos-caused illness and you have a history of working for a Louisiana asbestos industry, our asbestos attorneys can help you seek compensation for your suffering. To learn more, contact a Louisiana mesothelioma lawyer today.
Cities in Louisiana with Asbestos Problems
Did you live or work in one of the cities or towns below? Then you could have been exposed to asbestos over the years. It is a good idea to be checked out by a doctor every year to determine if you have developed any asbestos-related condition.
- Franklin
- Monroe
- New Orleans
- Norco
- Westlake
- Lafayette
- Lake Charles
- Gretna
- Shreveport
- Saint Gabriel
Mesothelioma Attorney Louisiana
Our mesothelioma attorneys are familiar the history of asbestos in Louisiana and fight to help families recover compensation after unknowingly being exposed to and harmed by the dangerous toxin. We have experience helping families of workers in Louisiana industries such as:
- Shipbuilding: the shipbuilding industry is one of the top asbestos industries. Asbestos was used heavily in the construction of ships, especially in the engines and boiler rooms. The main shipbuilding companies in the state are: Avondale, Bollinger, Higgins and Todd (before 1990)
- Power generation plants: because asbestos is resistant to fire and electrical current, it was used all throughout power generation plants in products like fire doors, conduits and pipe fittings.
- Oil rigs: asbestos was also heavily used by the oil industry and was used all throughout the facilities as well as in fire protective clothing and gear. Oil processing operations found in Louisiana include: BP Amaco, Citgo, Shell Oil and Texaco.
- Cement plants: cement plant workers were likely exposed to asbestos every day in the 20th century, because asbestos made cement stronger and more indestructible. Their duties included stirring asbestos into cement mixtures, casting it into blocks and molding items made with asbestos. Other workers who may have been exposed to asbestos include those who serviced the machinery.
These industries are among the top asbestos industries in the world. Current or former workers in Louisiana who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis or other related illnesses should speak with an attorney about the possibility of suing for damages.
Some of the other jobsites in this state with asbestos problems are:
- Marathon Refinery in Garyville
- Higgins Shipyard New Orleans
- Avondale Industries in Bridge City
- Dow Chemical in Plaquemine
- Johns Manville Plant in New Orleans
- Motiva Norco Refinery in New Orleans
- Louisiana Superdome
Hurricane Katrina and Asbestos Exposure
The city of New Orleans changed when Hurricane Katrina struck on Aug. 29, 2005. The devastating floods destroyed many historic buildings and homes in the Gulf Coast region. The EPA warned that at least 100 pollutants may have been in the flood waters. The EPA also noted that there was high risk of exposure to many chemicals, parasites and asbestos, which was a serious health risk to relief workers and residents.
Asbestos was a unique problem for the relief workers. Toxic asbestos fibers may be airborne when the materials containing it are crushed or destroyed. All of the structural damage caused by the storm may have released high levels of asbestos into the air. Also, some buildings that survived eventually were demolished, but asbestos abatement procedures were not always followed.
Asbestos was often present in many older homes that were build before the 1970s. The EPA warned relief workers and rehab companies that special care needed to be taken when taking out old insulation, ceiling tiles, floor tiles and shingles. Those materials may contain asbestos.
The EPA allowed until August 2008 for debris that may have contained asbestos to be dumped in landfills without approval. This action may have helped to get the mess cleaned up faster, but many people may have been exposed to asbestos. As of May 2008, there had been 120 enforcement actions taken by the LA Department of Environmental Quality related to the hurricane. Some of these actions involved asbestos.
Mesothelioma Statistics in Louisiana
Asbestosis deaths are higher than mesothelioma deaths in this state. The likely reason is that white asbestos, which is the main cause of asbestosis, was more widely used than blue and brown asbestos in Louisiana. It is unusual for more people to die from asbestosis because it is much more treatable than mesothelioma.
From 1999 until 2013, there were 668 mesothelioma deaths and 188 asbestosis deaths. However, when previous years’ deaths are factored in, there are more asbestosis deaths.
Have You Been Exposed to Asbestos in Louisiana?
To speak with an experienced attorney about your circumstances, please contact us today. We will assess your history to determine who may be responsible for your damages. For a free and confidential consultation, please call 1-800-352-0871.
