Steelworkers in Louisiana play a vital role in building the backbone of the state's infrastructure, contributing to the construction of bridges, buildings, and countless other structures. However, the nature of their work often exposes them to hazardous materials, including asbestos, which can have serious health consequences.
This page explores the use of asbestos in the steel industry and the legal protections available to Louisiana steelworkers who have developed asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma or cancer.
Asbestos was widely used in the Louisiana steel industry in the mid-20th century due to its outstanding heat, fire, and corrosion resistance. Asbestos is also extremely durable and can be easily woven into fabric or mixed with other materials to develop various products such as insulation, cement, and gaskets. These qualities made asbestos an ideal material for steel mills, where high temperatures and corrosive chemicals were commonly present.
Although asbestos has been used in many products, Louisiana steelworkers were most commonly exposed to asbestos fibers through insulation and fireproofing materials. These materials are often found lining the mills' pipes, boilers, furnaces, and other equipment. Additionally, gaskets made with asbestos were frequently used to seal joints and connections in machinery.
Asbestos was also present in protective gear worn by Louisiana steelworkers, such as gloves, aprons, and masks, which were worn for protection against heat and chemical exposure. Unfortunately, many of these products contained high levels of asbestos fibers that could easily become airborne and be inhaled or ingested by workers.
Select a location where you or a household member worked to see the jobsites in that location with known asbestos exposure.
Any job within the Louisiana steel industry that involved working with extreme heat, chemicals, or machinery posed a potential risk of asbestos exposure. However, certain individuals within the steel industry in Louisiana were at higher risk of asbestos exposure, including:
Inhaling asbestos fibers can severely damage lung tissue, leading to serious health issues. These include mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
Mesothelioma is a severe form of cancer primarily caused by asbestos exposure. It typically affects the mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue covering most internal organs, but most commonly impacts the linings of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). Symptoms can vary based on the cancer's location but often include chest pain, persistent coughing, and shortness of breath for pleural mesothelioma and abdominal pain or swelling for peritoneal mesothelioma.
Lung cancer, another condition linked to asbestos exposure, involves the uncontrolled growth of tumor cells in one or both lungs. It is characterized by symptoms such as coughing (including coughing up blood), weight loss, shortness of breath, and chest pains.
Asbestosis, unlike the other two conditions, is not a form of cancer but a chronic lung disease. It arises from inhaling asbestos fibers, which cause scarring (fibrosis) of lung tissue, making breathing progressively more difficult. Symptoms include persistent cough, shortness of breath, especially after physical activity, and tightness in the chest.
The latency period for these diseases, the time from exposure to asbestos to the onset of symptoms, can be several decades, making early diagnosis and treatment challenging.
Various factors can contribute to the possibility of Louisiana steelworkers being exposed to asbestos in their work environment today.
First, older facilities built before the 1980s may still include asbestos-containing materials that have not been properly removed or replaced. If materials containing asbestos are damaged or disturbed, they may release asbestos fibers into the air.
Secondly, workers who are involved in maintenance, repair, or renovation work in these older facilities may come into contact with asbestos-containing materials that have not been properly identified and handled. This is especially true for Louisiana workers unaware of the potential risks of asbestos exposure.
Lastly, some steel products still contain small amounts of asbestos as a binding agent. While the use of asbestos in new products is strictly regulated, there is still a risk of exposure for Louisiana workers who handle or work with these older products.
Navigating the complexities of asbestos-related legal claims can be daunting, especially for Louisiana steel workers facing serious health challenges. That's why affected steelworkers must seek legal assistance from experienced attorneys. An asbestos lawyer can evaluate the details of your case, explain your legal options to you, and advocate on your behalf to ensure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve.
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Feel free to reach out to us by filling out our form or giving us a call.
Step 02
We will contact you to discuss your case, providing a free, no-obligation consultation.
Step 03
You can choose to proceed with filing the lawsuit and await compensation.
Anyone who worked at, or lived with someone who worked at, these facilities could have been exposed to asbestos, which could have taken decades to result in cancer.
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