Between the 1940s and the 1980s, many of the ships’ parts were made using asbestos or were insulated with it due to its fire-resistant properties. This meant that there were high levels of exposure to the toxic fibers for everyone found onboard.
The asbestos-insulated parts of the ships represented the main points of exposure for the longshoremen as any disturbance to them would have made the asbestos fibers airborne, contaminating the limited space of the ship. Another way of being subjected to the toxic particles was carrying cargo on-board (asbestos-containing products).
For the longshoremen that used to work in asbestos infested environments, the risk of developing later illnesses like lung cancer, mesothelioma or asbestosis is extremely high.
If you developed one of the following cancers as a result of occupational exposure, you are eligible for compensation. If you are too ill, a family member can help you with the legal process. In the unfortunate event that you pass away before recovering compensation, your surviving family members will receive compensation on your behalf.
Lung Cancer Mesothelioma Throat Cancer Esophageal Cancer Bronchial Cancer Gastrointestinal Cancer Colorectal CancerIf, however, you struggle with non-cancerous pleural diseases such as asbestosis, pulmonary fibrosis, pleural plaques, pleural effusion, diffuse pleural thickening, COPD (emphysema & chronic bronchitis), pleurisy, lung nodules, lung spots, asthma, pneumonitis, tuberculosis, rounded atelectasis or lung scarring, please seek a second or even a third opinion as the rate of misdiagnosis is very high among the victims of asbestos exposure.
Before the 1980s, longshoremen were subjected to occupational asbestos exposure in two ways: by contact with asbestos-containing machinery and by handling cargo. There were hundreds of ship parts and equipment that contained significant amounts of asbestos, including boilers, gaskets, turbines and electrical cables. Layers of asbestos insulation would also cover the vessels' walls, ceilings, and floors. However, the cargo longshoremen would load and unload often contained asbestos as well and by handling these products, exposure was very likely to happen.
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