Asbestos Exposure at Avondale Shipyards in Louisiana

Louisiana is located along the Intracoastal Waterway, which is why there are so many companies in maritime industries in the New Orleans area. It is also one of the main reasons there are so many asbestos cases in Louisiana related to shipyards.

Avondale Shipyard was a Louisiana-based shipbuilding company that was ultimately acquired by the Northrop Grumman Corporation. The company builds and maintains a wide variety of commercial surface ships including vessels for the United States Navy and Coast Guard.

Since Avondale Industries was founded seven decades ago, more than 2,500 ships have been produced in their facilities. The variety of ships produced by the company include drilling barges, work boats, tankers, offshore drilling rigs, guided missile destroyers, and more. Many of these ships played an important role in the efforts of the U.S. military in World War II. With 6,000 workers and a 268-acre facility, the Avondale Operations Division is currently the largest Louisiana-based industrial manufacturing company.

Where Exposure May Have Occurred

Prior to 1980, workers at the Avondale facility may have potentially been exposed to asbestos, a material that was commonly used for a variety of purposes throughout the ship building industry since it worked as an effective flame retardant. Asbestos was used in many parts of the ship to control heat, and workers may have come in contact with this material on everything from boilers to pipes and even insulation. Workers may also have been exposed to it by simply passing through a section of the ship where the material was being utilized.

Employers such as Avondale which includes company owners and executives, have known about the dangers of asbestos since at least the early 1940s. However, the workers were not informed about the dangers until well into the 1970s or 1980s.

The Connection to Mesothelioma

Many people who were exposed to asbestos suffer from health conditions such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, and other related diseases. If you are experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, and/or painful coughing, it is important to see a doctor right away so that an early diagnosis is possible. Or, you can get in touch with us via our Contact Page and we will help you find a mesothelioma doctor who can perform comprehensive diagnostic testing so that you can get started on the most effective treatment plan. You can also learn more about the connection to mesothelioma by clicking here.

In the meantime, we will work hard to get you the compensation you deserve so that the financial burden facing you and your loved ones can potentially be lifted. Don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation. With our professional guidance, you will not have to carry the burden of fighting for your rights on your own.