National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. is facing a new asbestos disease lawsuit, which was recently filed by a retired industrial worker who had recently the news of a mesothelioma diagnosis delivered to him.

The man alleges his mesothelioma diagnosis was directly caused by the asbestos fibers he was exposed to on a daily basis during his job, to which National Steel allegedly failed to warn him against.

Plaintiff William L. had opted to file legal action against National Steel soon after his mesothelioma diagnosis. Mesothelioma is a rare form of respiratory cancer that is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure.

This disease is characterized by asbestos fibers becoming lodged in the mucus lining of lungs after being inhaled or swallowed. These fibers can trigger the growth of cancer cells. While asbestos is harmless when dormant, it can become dangerous to the surrounding environment when released into the air.

Asbestos was commonly used for numerous manufacturing purposes in the industrial industry before the 1980s, and is still commonly found in older houses and machine products. Asbestos was a popular choice for manufacturers because of its fire and chemical resistant qualities, which made it a good choice for insulation.

Asbestos reached its peak in popularity during World War II, when it was used in a number of United States Navy ships and shipyards. In each of these settings, the employees and military members were unaware that they were breathing in asbestos fibers.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had later determined asbestos to be carcinogenic, which spurred major concern among workers and industries that use asbestos-based materials.

Due to the carcinogenic nature of asbestos, the federal government has strict standards for the proper removal of asbestos. Asbestos abatement must be conducted by properly certified professionals.

Due to the dangers of asbestos exposure, companies are required to provide a disclosure of potential asbestos presence to employees, customers, or residents. In addition, companies are required to provide protective equipment to employees to ensure a safe working environment.

Overview of Asbestos Exposure Problems

According to the asbestos disease lawsuit, William had used products from the defendants at his job and was exposed to asbestos fibers on a daily basis. he alleges that at no point during his employment did National Steel or his employer warn him against the dangers of asbestos fibers, including long term health conditions like mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer.

The mesothelioma diagnosis was reportedly discovered after different medical tests and X-ray images, with William having to undergo aggressive treatment soon after.

It is important to note that mesothelioma can take up to 50 years before progressing to the point where patients exhibit symptoms, often resulting in a late mesothelioma diagnosis. In addition, patients are often faced with limited treatment options and severely shortened life expectancy.

Since his mesothelioma diagnosis, William says he has incurred numerous medical expenses and experienced a diminished quality of life. William opted to file legal action against National Steel, alleging the company either knew or should have known the dangers of asbestos exposure. William is filing this asbestos disease lawsuit seeking multiple damages, including counts of negligence and failure to warn.

This Asbestos Disease Lawsuit is Case 3:18-cv-01326-BEN-JMA, in the U.S. District Court of Southern California, San Diego Division.