A Virginia seaman recently filed a class action lung cancer lawsuit against his former employers, claiming that asbestos exposure on the job led to his eventual lung cancer diagnosis.

The plaintiff, William B., filed his lung cancer lawsuit in early May in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Defendants named in the lung cancer lawsuit include several of his former employers: AECOM Energy Construction Inc., Raymond-Dravo-Langenfleder, Dravo Corp., and Conrad Capital Corp.

William worked for these companies as a welder, welder-diver, and boat captain. According to William’s lung cancer lawsuit, while he worked in these positions under employment at these companies, he was exposed to asbestos fibers that eventually led to his lung cancer diagnosis in March 2015.

The lung cancer lawsuit alleges that William’s former employers are responsible for his cancer diagnosis because they failed to properly protect him against exposure to asbestos, such as providing clean air and protective equipment. These companies also failed to warn William about the potential of exposure to asbestos while working, the lung cancer lawsuit claims.

Asbestos Basics

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has historically been used for commercial purposes such as electrical or building insulation, as well as countless other uses. Asbestos regulations have been put in place since the 1970s, but there are still some risks, especially for those who work in construction and similar fields.

When a person is exposed to products or materials containing asbestos, microscopic asbestos fibers are released into the air and can accumulate in the lungs and cause several critical health problems, including lung cancer.

Lung cancer from asbestos fibers is not always immediately diagnosed, and may in fact take decades to develop. However, lung cancer can quickly spread, and cancer detected at a late stage of development is more dangerous and difficult to treat.

Filing a Lung Cancer Lawsuit

Exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to lung cancer diagnosis, incurring physical, mental, and emotional pain and suffering, as well as quite substantial medical expenses.

According to many asbestos lung cancer lawsuits, the companies that allow their workers to be exposed to asbestos fibers should have been aware of the dangerous nature of their asbestos-containing materials. Companies should also be aware of its ability to cause disease and even fatalities.

There are many asbestos regulations in place to prevent these kinds of issues.

Many people exposed to asbestos fibers, often construction workers, have filed asbestos lawsuits after being diagnosed with lung cancer or mesothelioma, searching for some kind of compensatory lung cancer lawsuit payouts.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with or died from an asbestos-related disease such as lung cancer, and have been exposed to asbestos fibers—even many years ago—you may be able to file an asbestos lung cancer lawsuit.