Louisiana Asbestos Cancer Claims

Louisiana's "cancer alley" has gained notoriety as an area with one of the highest concentrations of petrochemical plants and oil refineries in the United States. Spanning approximately 85 miles along the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, this heavily industrialized region has been plagued by environmental and health concerns for decades.

Foremost among those concerns are alarmingly high rates of cancer among the residents, reaching levels that are 1,500 times the national average. People living in Cancer Alley are 95% more likely to develop cancer than members of the general public. One of the primary causes of this health crisis is the exposure to asbestos at oil refineries, which has had a devastating impact on the lives of workers in this industry.

Cancer Alley workers may qualify for asbestos cancer compensation

Workers diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases may be entitled to compensation to cover loss of earnings, pain, medical expenses, and suffering. This compensation can be sought through workers' compensation claims, lawsuits against manufacturers of asbestos-containing products, or trust funds set up specifically for asbestos victims.

In addition to seeking compensation, workers have the legal right to a safe working environment. Employers are responsible for providing a healthy workplace and must follow strict regulations and guidelines to protect workers from asbestos exposure. This includes proper training, equipment, and protocols for handling and disposing of asbestos materials.

Workers who feel that their employer has failed to provide a safe working environment or has not taken the necessary precautions to prevent asbestos exposure may seek legal help to protect their rights and hold their employer accountable.

Asbestos trust funds have money set aside for victims of Cancer Alley asbestos exposure.

Asbestos Use in Louisiana Oil Refineries

Asbestos has been used in the oil industry for many years due to its heat-resistant properties. It was commonly used in insulation for boilers, pipes, and other equipment, as well as in cement and gaskets. In the early 20th century, asbestos became a popular material in oil refineries because of its ability to withstand high temperatures and corrosive chemicals.

However, the dangers of asbestos were not widely known at the time. It wasn't until the 1960s that scientific evidence began to emerge linking asbestos exposure to various respiratory diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Asbestos Exposure and Oil Refinery Workers in Cancer Alley

Despite the growing evidence of the dangers associated with asbestos exposure, many industries, including oil refineries, continued to utilize asbestos in their operations for several decades before its health risks were widely recognized and regulated.

Workers in oil refineries who were exposed to asbestos face a high risk of developing serious respiratory diseases. Asbestos fibers, when disturbed, can become airborne and easily inhaled or ingested by workers. These fibers then become lodged in the lungs or abdominal tissues, causing scarring and inflammation that can lead to lung cancer or mesothelioma.

One of the most alarming aspects of asbestos exposure is that these diseases take decades to develop. This means that workers who were exposed to asbestos in their younger years may not see the effects until they are much older and have left the industry. This delayed onset of symptoms also makes it difficult to trace back the exact source of exposure, making it challenging for affected workers to receive compensation or justice.

The statute of limitations for Cancer Alley asbestos claims is one year from the date of diagnosis of an asbestos-related illness--even if the exposure took places decades ago.

Furthermore, asbestos exposure not only impacts the health of workers directly, but it can also affect their families. Asbestos fibers can cling to hair, clothing, and skin, causing secondary exposure for family members who come into contact with contaminated work clothes or through close physical contact. This has led to cases of mesothelioma and cancer in family members of Louisiana refinery workers, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of asbestos exposure.

In 2021, the United Nations identified Cancer Alley as a "sacrifice zone", meaning that this area is considered too damaged to save. This designation often leads to an even higher concentration of toxic facilities because the government deems higher pollution rates 'acceptable' in these unsalvageable areas.

Abestos Exposure Poses Ongoing Threat to Cancer Alley Workers

A nationwide study showed that the country's ten most polluting refineries are still found in Louisiana's "Cancer Alley". Between 2019 and 2021, only one refinery in the region followed all regulatory aspects of the Clean Water Act. While the presence of asbestos in these refineries is well-known and mitigation strategies have been developed to protect workers, exposure is an ongoing problem. The cost to remediate asbestos from these facilities is prohibitive and workers continue to suffer.