A Washington couple alleges serious asbestos exposure in shipyards, as the husband was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma. The couple alleges the mesothelioma condition was specifically caused by the asbestos exposure in shipyards the husband worked in during his employment at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS).

During his employment at PSNS, plaintiff Thomas J. worked as a laborer and allegedly suffered asbestos exposure in shipyards due to the materials from defendant Air & Liquid Systems Corporation and other manufacturing companies.

Thomas and his wife Barbara J. are filing this asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit claiming Thomas’s asbestos exposure occurred due to the materials the manufacturers produced and sold to the shipyards. According to his asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit, Thomas worked in a number of different positions while working for PSNS including:

• Rigger Helper between 1952 to 1958
• Rigger between 1958 to 1966
• Radiation Monitor between 1966 to 1967
• Rigger Foreman between 1967 to 1973
• Rigger General Foreman between 1985 to 1991

Up to 1979, Thomas allegedly experienced asbestos exposure at the shipyards due to the asbestos containing products manufactured and sold to the shipyard by various manufacturers. Before 1979, Thomas reportedly experienced daily asbestos exposure, which contributed to his mesothelioma diagnosis.

Thomas says he was diagnosed with mesothelioma in September 2016, which his doctor confirms is an asbestos related disease.

Overview of Asbestos Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a very rare form of lung disease specifically caused by asbestos exposure. In mesothelioma, asbestos fibers become embedded in the mucus lining of the lungs. These fibers can remain dormant for up to 50 years before festering into mesothelioma, often resulting in late stage diagnosis and limited treatment options.

Asbestos exposure is a risk largely associated with a number of manufacturing jobs and US Navy ships, due to the material being popularly used before the 1980s. Before being recognized as a dangerous carcinogenic, asbestos was popularly used by manufacturing and construction companies for insulation.

This material was cheap in price and is chemical and fire resistant, making it an ideal choice for insulation and a number of other uses. While asbestos is harmless if dormant, it can become a serious health hazard once released into the air.

Thomas and many other citizens who experienced asbestos exposure are now being diagnosed with long term asbestos health complications. Thomas alleges he had no way of knowing about the asbestos exposure in shipyards, and that the companies took no preventative measures.

The couple’s Asbestos Mesothelioma Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-00834, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.