Asbestos On Job Sites And Shipyards
Bergman Draper Oslund Udo maintains a proprietary database of over 1,000 manufacturing plants, public facilities, military bases, and shipyards in the United States known to have contained asbestos. Given our focus on serving the Pacific Northwest, this list includes more than 20 in Idaho, 40 in Montana, 60 in Alaska, 150 in Oregon and 400 in Washington.
Many of the corporations behind these asbestos sites include Alcoa, ARCO, Boeing, BP, Chevron, Georgia Pacific, Halliburton, Kimberly Clark, McDonald-Douglas, Mobil, Shell, Standard Oil, Texaco, and Weyerhaeuser. U.S. government entities responsible for managing federal sites include the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, along with the Department of Energy.
In the Pacific Northwest, naval shipyards known to have extensive asbestos histories include Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton; Lake Washington Shipyard in Houghton; Todd Pacific Shipyards in Seattle and Tacoma; Kaiser Company in Vancouver, Wash.; Oregon Shipbuilding Company in Portland; Lockheed Shipyard (fka: Puget Sound Bridge and Dredge).
The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard: One Of The Biggest Asbestos Exposure Sites
In the Pacific Northwest, shipyards are one of the most frequent culprits for asbestos exposure. The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard is more than 120 years old, a testament to the important role it has served for the United States Navy and the surrounding community in Washington state. The shipyard spans more than 179 acres and has harbored and constructed thousands of ships. This means countless opportunities for workers to inhale deadly asbestos particles and develop mesothelioma as a result.
The Deadly Legacy Of Asbestos And Swan Island
The Swan Island Shipyard is one of the largest shipyards in Oregon and on the West Coast of the United States. It was built in 1942 – a time when asbestos was still one of the most popular building materials for seafaring vessels. Builders used asbestos in many other buildings and pieces of equipment on Swan Island. Construction workers, longshoremen and other people who spent time at Swan Island inhaled countless particles of asbestos only to learn decades later that it can cause life-ending mesothelioma.
Asbestos Exposure Has Harmed Many Navy Veterans
Veterans of the U.S. navy devoted years of their lives to serving the United States. Tragically, countless men and women found themselves suffering from mesothelioma years later due to asbestos exposure during their service. Service members in other branches of the armed forces, including the army and the air force, may also have also suffered exposure after spending time on U.S. Navy vessels. Often, the benefits offered by the VA fail to provide adequate coverage for the damages related to asbestos exposure.
Providing Answers To Your Questions About Job Sites, Shipyards And Asbestos
We understand that you likely have a variety of questions if you believe that you suffered exposure to asbestos while working at a shipyard. Below, we have taken the time to provide answers to some of the queries that we hear most often.
What are the most common job sites for asbestos exposure?
A broad spectrum of careers can result in workers suffering asbestos inhalation. Some of the most common job sites for this include:
- Shipyards
- Factories
- Construction sites
- Public facilities
- Military bases
- Power plants
- Oil refineries
- Pulp and paper mills
This list is far from complete. If you believe that your employer exposed you to asbestos, you should consult a doctor to discuss your concerns.
Why is asbestos such a problem in shipyards?
Asbestos was a common material used to reinforce ships and make them fireproof. Because of its durability, high heat tolerance and relative affordability, it became popular among thousands of naval shipyards. Even the United States Navy used asbestos in the construction of its vessels.
What if I was exposed at my job site decades ago?
Even if it has been years since you breathed in asbestos on the job, you might still have an actionable claim. We have an extensive database of job sites where asbestos exposure occurred. Our team can research your job history to determine whether you worked at a site that contained asbestos. Then, we can help you consider your options for pursuing compensation.
These are probably only a few of the answers you need. When you sit down with us in person, we would feel honored to answer your inquiries in detail and discuss your case.