A couple alleges that continuous aircraft asbestos exposure caused the husband to develop mesothelioma. The couple filed legal action against Lockheed Martin Corporation, 3M Company and General Dynamics Corporation for allegedly failing to warn them against potential aircraft asbestos exposure.

Plaintiff couple James L. and Ila L. allege the aircraft asbestos exposure occurred over the course of 40 years, since James graduated high school in 1963. According to the mesothelioma lawsuit, James had worked as an aircraft mechanic for approximately 40 years.

During the course of his employment James allegedly sustained regular aircraft asbestos exposure — resulting in mesothelioma.

Overview of Asbestos Mesothelioma Correlation

Mesothelioma is a very rare form of lung cancer that manifests in the tissue around the lungs. The condition is specifically caused by asbestos exposure, according to decades of research.

Asbestos is a fibrous material that was used in almost every application in the industrial and manufacturing industry in the early part of the 1900s for its chemical and fire resistant qualities. However, these fibers can be devastating to the human body if they are inhaled or swallowed.

Once the fibers are inhaled or swallowed, they can reportedly cause scarring in different organs and can cause a number of health problems. These health problems include mesothelioma, a cancer caused by cells multiplying uncontrollably in the mesothelium.

It is important to note that mesothelioma takes decades to progress to the point where the patient exhibits symptoms, often manifesting 50 years after asbestos exposure. This delay often results in late diagnoses and limited treatment options.

There have reportedly been numerous deaths from mesothelioma, with construction workers and other workers who were previously employed in some area of the manufacturing industry disproportionately affected.

This correlation is especially true for people who worked as aircraft mechanics, with commercial and United States military planes being laced with asbestos in the 1930s through the 1970s. Asbestos was incorporated to help protect planes against fire and other risks related to heat exposure. However, use of this known carcinogen has caused many employees to suffer aircraft asbestos exposure leading to cancer.

Even though the risk of aircraft asbestos exposure has been greatly reduced over the years, the risk is still present in aircraft parts manufactured before the 1980s, according to the mesothelioma lawsuit. More specifically, parts including the engine, electrical insulation, asbestos blankets, brakes, and other parts are likely to have asbestos if made before the 1980s. Furthermore, materials and products used to fix planes may have also consisted of asbestos incorporated into adhesives and epoxies used as structural glue.

After the 1980s, alleges the lawsuit, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) started warning the public against the dangers of asbestos exposure. Federal health authorities stated that protective equipment should be provided to workers and residents in an area that may be contaminated with asbestos, and that products should contain disclosures for potential exposure.

Lockheed Martin and the other companies named in this mesothelioma lawsuits allegedly failed to warn James about aircraft asbestos exposure, even though the companies knew or should have known of the danger.

“[James] was exposed to and inhaled, ingested or otherwise absorbed large amounts of asbestos fibers emanating from various asbestos-containing products that he was working with and around which were manufactured, sold, distributed, or installed by the defendants,” the mesothelioma lawsuit states.

This Mesothelioma Lawsuit is Case No. 4:18-CV-4229, Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas.