Asbestos was used heavily in the shipyards for insulation: information about your possible moment of exposure

“I had to cover walls with asbestos panels that came in planks. After we hung the panels, we filled the space between the planks with cement. Then I applied tape from top to bottom in order to seal the joints.”

Former shipyard asbestos insulation worker with mesothelioma, and Weitz & Luxenberg client (Yourmesotheliomaweb)

For 160 years, the Brooklyn Navy Yard was a staple of the community. The yard was intact during the presidencies of Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Kennedy. One could feel proud in a place with such history. Finally, in 1966, the yard shut down, but the former employees were left with something besides retirement. During the many years the shipyard had been operating, an asbestos manufacturing company had been providing it with asbestos to be used as state-of-the-art insulation. Asbestos is fireproof, light-weight, and can be applied to many different services. What this asbestos company knew that the employees of the Brooklyn Navy Yard did not know was that asbestos exposure can cause deadly diseases such as mesothelioma cancer.

One by one, as the former employees of the shipyard started developing these illnesses, they would look to their old co-workers and see that many of them were getting sick, too. They eventually contacted Weitz & Luxenberg for help thinking that it must have been the heavy amounts of asbestos to which they were exposed.

Weitz & Luxenberg was able to secure a $75 million verdict for the employees of the Brooklyn Navy Yard who tragically became ill because of exposure to asbestos. No one had ever informed them of the dangers of coming in contact with asbestos.

We understand the problem with shipyards in the United States. So many people, such as yourself, are getting sick from working honest jobs in naval yards. It is not fair for you to be repaid for your years of service with a horrible illness. You deserve better. Contact Weitz & Luxenberg for information on how we can help you receive financial compensation for your illness.

Why was asbestos in the shipyard?

Hailed as the “miracle mineral,” asbestos is a fibrous stone that is fireproof and a great insulator. This comes in handy when working with large aircraft carriers and battleships. Cooling down engines, and insulating sleeping quarters, pipes, and boilers all save money and time. Because many ships needed routine repairs, pipes and insulation were left exposed (inside of concealed such as they would be in a house, building, or commercial ship). Exposed insulation leaves daily possibilities for bumping up against the asbestos, tearing it down, and general application of asbestos.

Why is exposure to asbestos harmful?

Even one breath of asbestos can cause fatal illnesses. Asbestos dust is composed of microscopic stone fibers. These fibers are strong and do not break down easily. When they are breathed or ingested, some of the fibers can get stuck in your lungs or stomach. As your body tries to remove them, you develop a build-up of scar tissue and run the risk of the surrounding tissue becoming cancerous (About.com).

How can Weitz & Luxenberg help me?

We have over twenty years of experience in helping people just like you. We are familiar with the companies that knowingly exposed individuals to asbestos, and can help you track down exactly who did this to you. Weitz & Luxenberg’s excellent team of asbestos attorneys can help you prove your case with hard evidence. We can fight to make sure you get just compensation for your illness. This compensation can help cover medical bills, travel expenses, and monetary stability for you and your family.

Contact us by filling out the confidential form on this page. After sending the form, a representative will be in touch to provide you with a legal consultation concerning your case. This service is absolutely free and non-binding.

Source

Yourmesotheliomaweb: http://www.yourmesotheliomaweb.com/news-center040/asbestos-brooklyn-navy-yard-00014.html

About.com: http://cancer.about.com/od/mesothelioma/a/asbestos.htm