Representatives of mesothelioma victims claim their cancer and subsequent death was caused by asbestos exposure on the job at Lockheed Shipyard and Todd Shipyard in Seattle.

The representatives claim that the workers developed mesothelioma and passed away as a result of asbestos exposure on the job. The mesothelioma victims covered by the Pfizer mesothelioma lawsuit were allegedly exposed to Insulag and Panelag that contained asbestos, and who worked at one or both of the two shipyards between 1967 and 1977.

The plaintiffs say the Insulag and Panelag were marketed by Pfizer, and contain asbestos. Allegedly, the products were dangerous and defective because they were not sold with adequate warnings to alert future users to the dangers of asbestos, and the workers aim to hold Pfizer accountable.

Additionally, the mesothelioma victims lawsuit states that Pfizer not only did not warn users of the dangers of asbestos, but claimed that the products were high quality and “wholesome.” Allegedly, Pfizer was really the manufacturer of these products, but “inserted itself into the manufacture, promotion, and sale” of the products, and used its positive brand reputation to build trust in the products’ quality.

The plaintiffs say the workers developed mesothelioma and passed away because of their exposure to asbestos contained in the Insulag and Panelag, due to Pfizer’s negligence in warning workers of the danger of being exposed to the products.

The representatives of the workers are attempting to hold Pfizer liable for the decedents’ past medical expenses, pain and suffering, economic loss from lost wages, and funeral expenses, as well as loss of consortium for the workers’ families.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that for many years was used in construction and building materials. It is made of long fibers that are suitable for insulation and other construction materials because of their durability and resistance to heat.

Since the 1920s, exposure to asbestos has been linked to many health problems, including cancers like mesothelioma, a type of respiratory cancer. Because of this risk, the U.S. listed asbestos under the “hazardous air pollutants” section of the Clean Air Act in the 1970s, and forbade its use in new materials in the Toxic Substances Control Act.

In many cases, mesothelioma victims are claiming that manufactures knew of the dangers of asbestos and manufactured and marketed asbestos-containing materials nonetheless. Many people who developed heath problems after asbestos exposure, including mesothelioma victims, claim that companies knowingly did not tell people who were exposed to asbestos about the dangers of the exposure.

Additionally, many mesothelioma victims claim that the companies continued to use asbestos in materials even though suitable, less dangerous alternatives were available, thereby willfully or negligently failing to provide a safe working environment for workers.

The Pfizer Lockheer and Todd Shipyards Asbestos Exposure Class Action Lawsuit is Case No. 2:18-cv-01008-MJP, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Seattle.