Texas Asbestos Exposure

Deeply involved with the oil industry, Texas is home to companies such as Shell, Exxon-Mobil and British Petroleum. Due to the use of asbestos to insulate the pipes that transfer crude oil into gasoline, workers that are around refineries and petroleum plants are at risk for asbestos exposure. Texas also has a number of power plants to generate power to millions of homes across the large state.

Jobs with Asbestos Exposure in Texas

The oil industry is growing in Texas every year, making it one of the United States main oil sources with Houston as its main oil hub. The oil processing plants more than likely use asbestos-containing insulation to cover its pipelines that convert crude oil into gasoline. The hundreds of workers in this refinery risk being exposed to asbestos every time they arrive at work. The asbestos may not be a threat, but at some point, the mere disturbance of a section of the fibers can cause it to release into the air and later be inhaled by workers. Because the plant processes a very flammable chemical (oil), asbestos was used to insulate due to its resistance to fire and heat.

Texas also has shipyards along its Gulf Coast, where hundreds of shipyard workers build, repair and demolish ships. Some of the ships are built with asbestos materials such as insulation, pipes and flooring. When asbestos is disturbed, fibers are released into the air and ready to be exposed to workers in surrounding areas.

Being such a large state, Texas does have deposits of naturally occurring asbestos in regions northwest of San Antonio. Though these deposits are relatively harmless to those visiting, the more permanent residents have a higher risk of asbestos exposure due to their constant close proximity to these areas.

The construction industry is also at risk for asbestos exposure. Construction workers often work around asbestos-containing cement, drywall products, flooring, tile, and insulation. They even increase the risk of exposing family members to asbestos from the fibers that attach to their work clothes.

Power plants in Texas are constantly generating electrical power for the surrounding homes and businesses. The pipelines in the power plants are insulated with asbestos to protect workers from the heat. Asbestos is widely used to insulate power plant pipes due to its resistance to heat and flames.

Where You May Have Been Exposed to Asbestos in Texas

Metal Works

  • Commercial Metals
  • Steel Resource
  • Celanese Corp.
  • TXI Chaparral

Shipyards

  • AMFELS
  • Bloodworth Bond
  • Boats of Freeport
  • Kane Shipbuilding
  • Trinity Marine Group
  • Naval Station Ingleside
  • Port Adams Shipyard
  • American Bridge Shipyard
  • Barbas Cut Docks
  • Galveston Docks
  • Brown Shipyard
  • Houston Shipyards
  • Orange Shipbuilding

Power Plants

  • H.W. Pirkey Power Plant
  • Comanche Peak Nuclear
  • Oklaunion Station

Asbestos-Related Deaths in Texas

There have been over 2,500 deaths in Texas from asbestos exposure. Half were from mesothelioma. The urban areas were the most affected by asbestos and yielded the highest number of asbestos-related deaths. Texas is ranked 7th in the nation for the number of mesothelioma cases. The mortality rate for mesothelioma is approximately 7 to 8 deaths per every million.

Legal Resources for Texas

Texas statute allows you two years to file a personal injury claim based upon proof of negligence on behalf of the asbestos manufacturers and/or your employers. Due to mesothelioma's latency period from the time of exposure to the time you are diagnosed, this particular statute may not apply.

The statute of limitations in the state of Texas for an asbestos case can be different from personal injury statutes. Even if your case has merit, missing the window of opportunity to file within the set statute of limitations can leave you unable to file your claim. It is advised that you contact us and let us help you determine if you have a potential case and to draft a time-line for your lawsuit of when your statutes are over.

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