Category: Asbestos

Each year on Veterans Day I like to take time to reflect on the commitment and sacrifice of our men and women who have served this great country.  Through my work as a mesothelioma attorney, I have had the honor to cross paths with many United States Navy veterans.  I have heard many stories of bravery and fortitude, long times spent away from loved ones on deployment and lost friends and mates.  I have the utmost admiration for those who have served and protected the United States during times of war or peace.

Special Bond with Submariners

Many of my clients have served their country building, repairing and serving on United States Navy’s ships and submarines.  I feel a special bond with submariners not only because my father served aboard submarines, but also because I have personally gotten to know many submariners through my work.  I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing their stories of service to our country.  The dedication and service shown by submariners has often gone unnoticed because of the need for their patrols and missions to be top secret.  There’s a reason it’s called the “silent service”. Submariners did not talk about what they did or where their subs traveled.  Stealth has always been the secret to their success enabling submariners to defend the country in wartime and to learn valuable information during peacetime to ensure peace is maintained. Veterans Day is an appropriate day to recognize them for their service.

On this Veterans Day I encourage us all to pay tribute to our veterans.  Their sacrifice and dedication to protect our freedom is invaluable.  I say thank you to all of those who have served or are currently serving for your service to this great country.

Asbestos on US Navy Submarines

The veterans who served on Navy ships and submarines knew that they would be facing certain kinds of dangers when they went off to serve their country. But one danger that was hidden from them was the deadly hazards associated with asbestos insulation that was found throughout their ships and submarines.

It is fairly well-known that asbestos was used as the primary insulation material in the construction of US Navy ships up until the mid 1970’s.  Navy destroyers and battleships, for example, contained virtually tons of asbestos products.  The most heavily insulated machinery was located in machinery spaces, although asbestos insulation was used throughout the ships. The veterans who built, maintained and served aboard these vessels were exposed to this deadly carcinogen on a daily basis.

It is not as commonly known, however, the extent to which asbestos was also used in the construction and repair of US Navy submarines.  WWII submarines were built with two diesel engines as the main driving unit.  Asbestos insulation was used on the diesel engine’s exhaust, as well as the piping throughout the submarine, typically for anti-sweat purposes.  The hot and cold machinery, fluid pipes, valves, flanges and fittings on a submarine would have been heavily insulated with asbestos pads, felt, paper and cloth.  The submariners, who lived, worked, ate, and slept in these very tight and confined spaces were continuously exposed to the dangerous asbestos that surrounded them.

US Navy Veterans and Mesothelioma

All veterans whether serving on Navy ships or submarines were exposed to asbestos and today still face the risk of contracting mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by asbestos.  Sadly, many of the veterans I have had the privilege of the representing have developed mesothelioma due to their exposure to asbestos.  The companies that produced the asbestos insulating products for the US Navy ships knew their products were hazardous, yet continued to produce these asbestos materials and failed to warn workers of the extreme dangers.

If you served in the US Navy and have developed mesothelioma due to your exposure to asbestos you may be entitled to legal compensation from these companies.  If you or a loved one served in the US Navy between 1930 and 1980 you should be aware that you may have been exposed to asbestos and it is important to see your doctor for regular checkups.

As an attorney who has represented clients suffering from mesothelioma for over 30 years, I joined the fight against asbestos long ago.  Recent events demonstrate that the fight continues.  According to an article in the Chicago Tribune, the Basel Action Network seeks to ban the export of asbestos and other hazardous materials to developing countries.  On October 21, 2011 over 170 countries agreed to accelerate the adoption of the global ban on hazardous materials.  The executive director of the Basel Action Network, Jim Puckett stated “I am ecstatic, I’ve been working on this since 1989 and it looks like it the shackles are lifted and we’ll see this happen in my lifetime.”

Asbestos is an extremely hazardous material.  I am continually stunned when I read stories that countries continue to export this deadly substance to developing countries.  My firm and I have been working hard for over 30 years to raise awareness of asbestos hazards that continue to exist even today.  We will continue to work hard until this lethal substance is no longer a threat to innocent people.

Mesothelioma Cases Increase In Developing Countries

Recent reports have indicated that asbestos-related deaths in Asia are expected to significantly increase over the next 20 years.  Asian countries continue to use large amounts of asbestos products in power plants, roofing and cement.  Currently, the use of asbestos in Asia is unregulated.  In a recent study conducted by the World Health Organization Dr. Ken Takahashi warned the Asian government to prepare for an “asbestos tsunami”.

India is also expected to experience a large increase in asbestos related deaths and diseases.  In cities such as Mumbai and Ahmedabad asbestos usage can be found in everyday life, roof tiles, broken asbestos blocks on the street, children building statues with asbestos cement.  Alang, India is known as the heart of India’s shipbreaking industry.  Ships covered in asbestos products are sent off to Alang to be dismantled.  Workers breaking apart the machinery and piping covered with asbestos insulation can be seen without masks or respirators of any kind.  The Indian government currently has no regulations or laws in place for the usage of asbestos products.

Raising Awareness about Asbestos

Spreading awareness about the dangers of asbestos is the only way to someday ban its usage.  Governments, citizens and workers in developing countries need to be made aware of their risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases due to their unregulated asbestos usage.

Through the decades I have represented clients with mesothelioma I have seen the utter devastation asbestos can cause.  Banning the export and usage of asbestos will shield people from the harm of this deadly material.

For more than three decades, my law firm and I have represented victims of mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos.  My clients have been exposed to asbestos in many different settings – from shipyards and Navy vessels which utilized tons of asbestos to foundries, factories, and homes all of which contained asbestos products.

Although the use of asbestos has been greatly minimized over the years, there are still many structures today where deadly amounts of asbestos remain.  Many times when renovation and repair work begin, this extremely hazardous material is discovered.

For these reasons, it is important that people remain vigilant about the hazards of asbestos.

Recent Asbestos Concerns

I recently read about two instances in which there was concern that individuals were exposed to asbestos that had been in place for years, but was disturbed during renovations.

In St. Louis, the Department of Health was very worried that asbestos-containing materials were in a condemned building.  The Department of Health feared the workers who were working in this building were exposed to lethal asbestos dust during demolition.

In North Carolina, in the town of Ayden, a woman hired contractors to clean up her home after it was damaged by Hurricane Irene.  It was later discovered that her home contained asbestos.  The contractors stopped working on the home immediately.  The home owner is now trying to find a safe way to remove the deadly substance from her home before renovation and clean-up work can resume.

Remaining Aware of Asbestos Hazards

Keeping stories like these in the news helps to raise public awareness and bring this issue to the forefront of public concern.  We all must continue to be cautious about the dangers of asbestos exposure.  There is no safe level of asbestos exposure as even low dose exposures to asbestos can cause mesothelioma.

The symptoms and medical conditions associated with asbestos appear years or even decades after the initial exposure.  Although the effects are not immediate, we must act to ensure that individual citizens, and even entire communities, are aware of the potential danger of asbestos exposure.

Over the many years my firm and I have represented clients with mesothelioma.  We have helped to raise awareness about asbestos and mesothelioma.  We will continue to be diligent in our task.

I recently read an article in the New York Times that described an incredible breakthrough in the war against cancer, including the battle against mesothelioma.  Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered a new T-cell treatment in which a patient’s own T-cell are removed, genetically engineered, and re-introduced into the patient’s body to help kill the cancer cells.  This innovative treatment is one of the most significant advancements in cancer treatment to date and creates hope and promise of someday finding a cure for hard to treat cancers like mesothelioma.

T-Cell Treatment

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania recently concluded a Phase 1 Clinical Trial of this new dynamic treatment for cancer involving genetically engineered T-Cells.  A T-cell is a type of blood cell.  T-cells belong to a group of white blood cells (WBCs) called lymphocytes which protect the body from infection.  T-cells have a key role in the immune system because they identify and attack any body cells that are infected with viruses or otherwise identified as harmful.  There are a number of different types of T-cells that act in many ways to identify, directly attack, and destroy infectious agents.  

This new treatment involves removing billions of T-cells from a patient, genetically engineering them, and then infusing them back into the patient’s body.  Researchers hope this will train the patient’s own immune system to kill cancer cells. The T-cell treatment recently had great success on two patients suffering from terminal leukemia.  

Hope For Mesothelioma Patients

As a mesothelioma attorney, I see firsthand my clients suffer from this terrible disease.  I am very encouraged by this research and  the implications for patients with mesothelioma.   According to Dr. Carl June who led the research “[We hope] to use T-cells against solid tumors including some that are hard to treat like mesothelioma and ovarian and pancreatic cancer.” 

However, this treatment does not come without risks.  Genetically engineered T-cells have been known to attack healthy tissue in patients and cause serious damage and even death.  Researchers are still working to perfect the T-cell treatment, but this new innovation is a great step towards finding a cure for certain types of cancer including mesothelioma.

Clinical Trials

The main goal of clinical trials is to determine if a new treatment is safe and at what dosage.  Clinical trials offer new, revolutionary treatments to patients suffering with cancer.  Treatments, like this one that researcher at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered,  offer great hope for someday finding a cure for terminal diseases such as mesothelioma.  Many of my clients have participated in clinical trials to treat their mesothelioma.  I commend them for their courage in participating in these trials that will someday help find a cure for this horrible disease and urge all of my clients  to talk with their doctors about  whether they may be a candidate for one of the many clinical trials related to mesothelioma.

Today is National Mesothelioma Awareness Day.  Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.  It is fitting that there be a day set aside to focus on this devastating disease for which there is no cure.  I hope this day increases awareness of mesothelioma and ultimately leads to a cure.

The Mesothelioma Awareness Project

 

Around the country people will be participating in various activities today to help raise awareness about mesothelioma.  People will partake in charity walks and fundraising events to bring local and national media coverage to this uncommon cancer.  The goal of this day is to bring much-needed attention to this devastating and incurable disease.

The Mesothelioma Awareness Project started in 2004, and this will be its eighth consecutive year.  The project began with a small group of volunteers and has gained momentum and drawn more attention every year.  This year, it is expected that nearly 1,000 people will organize fundraising and awareness events.  We hope this year will be the most successful to date.

Why Raise Awareness and Support for Mesothelioma Research

Many of us know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer, but few hear of someone diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Although mesothelioma is considered a rare disease, I have represented hundreds of people across the country who have been devastated by this aggressive and hard-to-treat cancer.  After representing many mesothelioma clients over the years, raising awareness and supporting research efforts to find a cure for mesothelioma have become important and deeply personal life missions for me.

Mesothelioma awareness has increased tremendously over years; however, there is much more that we must do to ensure that future mesothelioma victims receive the best care possible as we search for a cure for this cancer.  This special day is a step in that direction.

I have been helping clients suffering with mesothelioma for over 30 years.  In my years of experience, I have seen many great strides in the medical field to help patients who are suffering from this terrible disease.  But we still have a long way to go in finding new and more effective treatments and someday a cure for this devastating disease.  Mesothelioma patients look for hope from any and every direction.  I was very happy to recently read that help was is coming from a new direction in the form of recently enacted legislation aimed at encouraging companies to develop drugs for diseases like mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer.  It is estimated that 2,000 to 3,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year.  As a result, mesothelioma has been classified as a rare disease or “orphan disease.”

Diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and others affect hundreds of thousands of people each year in the United States.  Researchers and drug developers lean toward producing drugs for this larger demographic.  However, Congress, through legislation, has been trying to create incentives for the development and design of orphan drugs that aim to help treat rare diseases like mesothelioma.

The Act

Currently, the Preserving Access to Orphan Drugs Act of 2011 is pending in the U.S. Congress.  This Act attempts to modify the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that will help exempt orphan drugs from annual fees of branded prescription drug sales.

Congress has made other similar efforts in the past with the Orphan Drug Act of 1983 and the Rare Disease Act of 2002.  The Orphan Drug Act of 1983 aimed to encourage pharmaceutical companies to develop drugs for rare diseases and the smaller market by offering tax incentives and allowing companies to sell their drugs without competition for several years.  The Rare Disease Act also helped to provide more funding for treatment efforts of rare diseases.

Support for Mesothelioma

Government plays an essential role in providing incentives to funnel great minds and talent to worthy efforts such as the treatment of mesothelioma.  From my first lawsuit in 1978, I have traveled across the United States meeting with scientists, medical experts, clinical researchers, and healthcare providers, and I have had the honor of visiting some of our top mesothelioma research and treatment facilities.  The people that I have met and the institutions that I have visited are evidence that public and private support has been successful in bringing some of our finest resources around the goal of someday finding a cure for mesothelioma. I am confident that these new incentives will lead to more effective drugs that can be used in the treatment of mesothelioma and other rare diseases.

I am always in awe when I stand beneath the bow of a United States Navy vessel whether it’s an aircraft carrier, destroyer, submarine or auxiliary vessel.  These ships take on an identity and personality all their own.  When they are decommissioned, scrapped or sunk, sailors as well as many civilians grieve just like they would the loss of an old friend.  But some Navy ships live on in a new way.

USS Radford Becomes Artificial Reef

Last August, the USS Arthur Radford (DD-968) became the largest vessel to become part of an artificial reef in the Atlantic Ocean.  After 25 years of service in the US Navy, this ship was sunk off the coast of New Jersey and Delaware.

The Radford, however, is not the largest US Navy vessel to be sunk for use as an artificial reef.  That honor goes to the USS Oriskany (CV-34) which sits off the coast of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico.  But while the USS Radford may not be the largest vessel used as an artificial reef, it was the cleanest ship to be reefed—especially when compared to the USS Oriskany.

Asbestos One of the Hazardous Materials on USS Oriskany

Clean up for the USS Oriskany cost $20 million due to the extensive efforts and work that had to be done before the vessel could be approved by the Environmental Protection Agency to become a reef.  The USS Oriskany was built in 1945 when literally tons of asbestos was used, as well as PCB’s and other hazardous materials.

From the 1930s until the mid 1970s, asbestos was the primary source of insulation used on Navy Ships.  Asbestos was used in pads, felt, cloths, cement, block, pipe covering, tape, thread, gaskets, and packing.  During construction of a Navy vessel, massive amounts of asbestos would be used to insulate the piping and machinery in the machinery spaces as well as throughout the ship.

Although the asbestos was removed before the USS Oriskany was committed to its new life as an artificial reef, the sailors who served on this ship for many decades were exposed to the asbestos every day putting them an extremely high risk of developing an asbestos-related disease.

Asbestos Insulation and Navy Seamen

The sailors who worked in the engine rooms of the USS Oriskany were responsible for the repair and maintenance of the machinery and equipment that utilized asbestos insulation.  Routine repair work caused asbestos dust to be released and breathed, not only by the seamen who worked in the engine rooms, but by all the sailors as the asbestos dust was carried throughout the ship on their clothes.  The sailors were unaware of the dangerous nature of the asbestos dust and the fact that it could lead to an asbestos related cancer.  And they were never warned by the companies who sold these dangerous products even though they were aware of the danger.  Today these seamen remain at a very high risk of contracting mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos.

Because these companies failed to warn against the dangers of asbestos, seamen who have contracted mesothelioma can take legal action against these companies and receive the compensation they deserve for their suffering.

Over the past three decades I have represented thousands of Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard workers suffering from asbestos related diseases, including mesothelioma.  They were exposed to asbestos dust as Navy ships were overhauled and repaired at Pearl Harbor from before World War II right up until the mid 1970’s and even into the 1980’s.  Over these many years, I have learned much from my clients about the maintenance and repair of ships at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. I am always interested and take great pride to read about the ongoing work at this shipyard which is still one of the greatest shipyards in the United States.  Pearl Harbor has been repairing and maintaining the Navy’s fleet since 1908 and always stands ready to do whatever is necessary to support the Navy.

Even today the shipyard demonstrates its “Can do” attitude.  I recently read about repairs to two deployed ships, the USS Gridley (DDG-101) and the USS Stockdale (DDG-106), being completed at Pearl Harbor earlier this summer.  Manager Larry Doong of the shipyard’s Industry Management Department succinctly summed up Pearl Harbor’s commitment to the Navy:  “If they have the opportunity to get fixed, we will jump on that chance to help them.  We do whatever we can to support ships for deployment.”  It is this attitude and the shipyard’s strategic location that has made it invaluable to the Navy for many decades.

These shipyard workers have been essential to keeping the US Pacific Fleet operational and mission ready– whether during World War II, Korea, the Vietnam conflict, or peace time.  But these workers are often the unsung heroes for not everyone knows the perils they faced as they carried out their work.  These shipyard heroes unfortunately were exposed to deadly asbestos dust as they maintained and repaired the Navy’s fighting fleet for war, and many of them contracted asbestos-related diseases as a result.

Asbestos and Shipyard Workers

Shipyard workers around the country were responsible for the construction, repair and overhaul of battleships, destroyers, cruisers, aircraft carriers, submarines, auxiliary crafts, and many other types of vessels.  Workers worked both aboard the ships and in the shipyard shops.  The work was often performed in very confined spaces and many trades worked side-by-side in repairing equipment on the ships.  Literally tons of asbestos insulating materials were used on US Navy vessels up until the mid 1970’s and into the 1980’s.  Machinery and piping on Navy ships would be covered with asbestos insulation.  As workers repaired and maintained these ships, asbestos dust would be released into the air and inhaled by workers.  All of the workers at the shipyard were heavily exposed to asbestos dust as they carried out their work.  Even though the companies that sold these products that utilized asbestos knew of the dangers, they did not tell the shipyard workers who remained unaware of the danger that inhaling asbestos dust posed to them.

Asbestos Exposure During Ship Construction – Shipyard worker were responsible for cutting, shaping and mixing asbestos insulation.  Asbestos pads, block, cloth, tape would be used to insulate machinery and piping through the rest of the ship.  Construction of a new ship would generate massive amounts of asbestos dust which workers would breathe in the confined spaces they worked.

 

 

Asbestos Exposure During Ship Repairs and Overhaul – The shipyard workers at Pearl Harbor were involved in the maintenance and repair of Navy ships.  During overhauls, shipyard workers had to regularly disturb and remove asbestos insulation that covered piping, valves and machinery.  The propulsion equipment on a Navy Ship would either be taken apart in place or would be transported to and from shipyard shops for in shop work and repairs.  During overhauls and repairs some shipyard workers were assigned to shops and some would work directly aboard the ship.  Whether a worker was assigned to working in a shop or worked aboard ship, all shipyard workers were exposed to massive amounts of asbestos dust during the overhaul and repair of a ship.

Shipyard Workers Remain a Risk of Mesothelioma

The tireless efforts that these shipyard workers put in to building and maintaining the Navy’s vessels leaves them at a serious risk of developing mesothelioma.  Through my work as a mesothelioma lawyer, I have worked with numerous clients who have worked in shipyards across the United States.  Some of my clients only worked in shipyards for a short period of time.  But there is no known safe level of asbestos exposure so even a short period of time working in a shipyard can leave one at risk of developing this deadly disease.  If you or someone you love has worked in a shipyard at any point in their career, be sure to have regular doctor visits.  Let your doctor know immediately if you begin to show any symptoms of mesothelioma or any asbestos-related disease.

As a mesothelioma lawyer, I have represented many veterans who served on Navy ships or who built and overhauled these ships.  I have come to have a deep appreciation for both those who served our country and for these amazing vessels.  My clients were exposed to asbestos that was used heavily on Navy ships, especially those built during World War II.  I have learned much about these naval vessels and know that many hold a great place in US history.  The USS Indianapolis, CA-35 is one of those naval ships that played a critical role in WW II, but met a disastrous fate.  I was pleased to see that on August 16, 2011 the state of Indiana officially renamed one of its major highways to honor this great ship.

USS Indianapolis’s Significant Place in Naval History

The USS Indianapolis holds a great, and tragic, place in naval history.  She was commissioned in 1932 and was awarded numerous Battle Stars for her outstanding service in World War II.  Just as World War II was coming to an end, the USS Indianapolis was called upon to perform the special mission of delivering parts and uranium for the first atomic bomb, nicknamed “Little Boy.”  This was the atomic bomb that was later dropped on Hiroshima.  She departed San Francisco on July 16, 1945, and ten days later arrived at Tinian Island.  After the mission had been completed, the cruiser was then ordered to Leyte Bay in the Philippine Sea to prepare for the invasion of Japan.  The USS Indianapolis departed from Guam on July 28, 1945.  Two days later, on July 30, 1945, she was hit by two torpedoes fired from a Japanese submarine.  Of the 1,196 crew members aboard, almost 600 crewmen perished as they floated in the shark- infested waters for four days.  Only 316 men survived the horrific ordeal.

Asbestos Use on Navy Cruisers

There were many dangers for the men who served aboard the USS Indianapolis.  One of these dangers included the tons of asbestos insulating products that were used in the construction of the USS Indianapolis and other Navy cruisers, battleships, and destroyers.  During the construction of this ship shipyard workers at New York Shipbuilding were exposed to extensive amounts of asbestos dust generated from the masses of asbestos insulation used aboard.  Shipyard workers from various other shipyards would also have been exposed to the asbestos used aboard the USS Indianapolis as the ship underwent overhauls and repairs at different locations.

Crewmen who served on the USS Indianapolis were also exposed to the asbestos insulation on a daily basis as they maintained, repaired and operated the ship’s machinery and equipment that was covered in asbestos.  Millions of hazardous asbestos fibers were released into the air and would be breathed in by crewmen every time the asbestos insulation was installed or removed to make repairs.  Ship vibrations as well as vibrations from gun fire would cause these deadly fibers to also become airborne.

Navy Veterans & Shipyard Workers Exposed to Asbestos

I have had the honor to represent hundreds of Navy veterans and shipyard workers who worked and served aboard Navy cruisers and other Navy vessels.  These workers and seamen all contracted mesothelioma due to their extensive exposure to asbestos.  If you served or worked with the Navy and believe you may have been exposed to asbestos be sure to discuss this with your doctor.  It is important to go for regular exams and screenings.  Early diagnosis of this devastating disease can lead to a longer and better quality of life.

For most of us, September 11, 2001 is a day we can still remember as clearly as yesterday.  It was a tragic event that cost the lives of many, and it will surely be remembered as a defining moment in our history.

I have the utmost respect and admiration for the New York City firefighters who were some of the first emergency workers on the scene at Ground Zero and were the last to retreat.  The New York City firefighters were among the few who were rushing toward the wreckage while everyone else fled the area.  There were many dangers that our firefighters faced on September 11, 2001 and in the days to follow.  However, it was evident that their commitment to save lives was paramount.  In the years to follow, however, many of our brave men and women have suffered illnesses that researches believe are attributable to the environment at Ground Zero.

New Study Finds High Cancer Risk in First Seven Years Following the Attack

A recent study in the Lancet journal has shown that firefighters who worked at Ground Zero are more likely to develop cancer than their counterparts who did not spend time in lower Manhattan.

The study was based on nearly 10,000 New York City firefighters.  After the 9/11 attacks, the New York City Fire Department had set up additional health monitoring programs.  Because of these programs and the common insurance through their jobs, the health records were able to be tracked and studied.

Researchers have found that prostate cancer, melanoma, and colon cancer were some of the most common cancers found among the brave firefighters who worked at Ground Zero.  Other cancers of the lung, stomach, pancreas, bladder, kidney and blood were also reported among the group.

Researchers believe there are many contributing factors for the increased risk of cancer in these firefighters.  The dust in the area could have contained cement, glass fibers, and lead among other things.  In addition, toxic fumes from burning jet fuel and other chemicals may have also been in the air.

Asbestos at Ground Zero

Asbestos was another deadly substance found at Ground Zero.  Diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma are some conditions caused by asbestos.  Although many different cancers have been identified in the first seven years following the attacks of 9/11, cancers caused by asbestos, such as mesothelioma, can take years to develop.

Symptoms of mesothelioma, such as shortness of breath, coughing, and pain in the abdomen, can appear 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos.  As a result, it is highly important that we continue our efforts to monitor and care for the men and women who risked so much to save so many.

At the Galiher Law Firm we honor and pay respect to all of those who lost their lives on the tragic day of September 11, 2001 and to those who have lost their lives in the aftermath.