A Florida man is filing a shipyard worker lung disease lawsuit against his former employers claiming he was unsafely exposed to asbestos during his time working for them over the course of his lifetime.

According to this shipyard worker lung disease lawsuit, plaintiff Willard R. worked for various shipyards throughout his life. He claims he worked for the United States Navy from 1974 to 1978 as a Machinist Mate while he was stationed on the USS Whale.

This shipyard worker lung disease lawsuit also asserts that Willard worked as an extrusion press operator for PPG Systems in Boise, Idaho from after his time in the Navy until 1980.

He then was employed by General Dynamics/Electric Boat Corp in Connecticut until 1996. He worked as a ship test operator. Willard says he worked both on submarines that were under construction and during repair as well as in the shipyard.

Willard claims that “[d]uring his employment and his military service, he was exposed to asbestos products or products containing, involving or requiring the use of asbestos, and was exposed to asbestos fibers and materials manufactured by the Defendants and otherwise placed into the stream of commerce by the Defendants.”

He also says that during both his employment and during his military service, he was around and worked with products that were “designed to require or incorporate asbestos for use, operation or function.”

During his time working with these products, this shipyard worker lung disease lawsuit claims, he was forced to come into contact with asbestos products and asbestos fibers and dust.

Willard believes that as a direct result of his contact with asbestos products he suffered from asbestosis, asbestos-related lung disease, lung disease and the loss of lung function.

He claims he has experienced “significant pain and mental anguish.” According to this shipyard worker lung disease lawsuit, he will continue to suffer this in the future and his earning capacity has been reduced. He also claims that his regular activities have been impaired and that “he has been required and will be required to spend large sums of money for medical care and treatment.”

Willard believes he is at a greater risk of asbestos-related diseases and cancers and perhaps even death because of his asbestos exposure. He claims that he suffers from grief, fear, and anguish over the effects of his illness including continued pain and the worsening of his symptoms. He says that his injuries are of a permanent nature and that he fears premature death as a result.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that consists of tiny fibers. If an individual inhales asbestos fibers, they can lodge in the lungs and in the surrounding tissue. These fibers cannot be exhaled and over time, they cause inflammation in the lungs and lining of the lungs.

This inflammation may bring on breathing difficulties over time, but also can lead to serious illnesses and cancers including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Asbestos fibers take many years to make a person sick, so often those who are diagnosed with asbestos-related conditions were exposed many years prior to diagnosis.

This Shipyard Worker Lung Disease Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-01588-JBA in the State of Connecticut Superior Court.