Asbestos Exposure in the U.S. Merchant Marine

The United States Merchant Marine is a storied organization whose members have played a vital role in the American economy and defense since the birth of our nation. Unfortunately, many mariners have developed serious illnesses as a result of their service due to asbestos exposure on merchant vessels.

Asbestos, a known carcinogen, has been linked to numerous life-threatening diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer. Mariners who fall ill due to asbestos exposure deserve justice and compensation.

For over 30 years, Ward Black Law has represented victims of asbestos exposure throughout North Carolina. Our experienced legal team understands the complexities of asbestos claims and provides clients with comprehensive support and guidance throughout the legal process. If you are a U.S. merchant mariner with an illness from asbestos exposure, we want to listen to your story and determine the best legal options for seeking compensation.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you during a free case review.

How Were Merchant Mariners Exposed to Asbestos?

Historically, asbestos was common in the construction of merchant marine ships due to its heat resistance and durability. Merchant mariners, therefore, had extensive contact with asbestos, particularly during maintenance and repair tasks, which disturbed asbestos-containing materials, causing fibers to become airborne and inhaled.

A study published in the journal Inhalation Toxicology reported airborne asbestos concentrations aboard merchant ships were present even during short-term repair and maintenance tasks. Repeated exposure to asbestos over time has been associated with serious health risks.

What Asbestos Products Put Merchant Mariners at Risk?

Merchant mariners were often exposed to various asbestos-containing products on board ships. These products include insulation used in boilers and pipes, gaskets, packing, and friction materials. Such products were prone to deterioration, especially during repair and maintenance, releasing asbestos fibers into the ship environment. These airborne fibers, coupled with the confined spaces on board, exacerbated the potential risk of inhalation and subsequent health complications.

Common Places Asbestos Is Found on Merchant Marine Ships

In the late 19th century, asbestos emerged as a common construction material. The hazardous mineral was installed in many applications, including on merchant marine ships. Boiler rooms and engine rooms were among the areas with the most prevalent concentrations of asbestos. Given the extreme heat generated in these spaces, asbestos insulation was used extensively on pipes, boilers, and other equipment to prevent overheating and potential fires.

Asbestos could also be found in sleeping quarters and mess halls, where it was used in flooring, ceiling tiles, and wall panels as a fireproofing measure. Even the paint used on walls and other surfaces might have contained asbestos for added fire protection. Asbestos was also common in wiring insulation and electrical panels as it effectively prevented electrical fires.

Repair, maintenance, or damage to these materials could release microscopic asbestos fibers into the air. Once inhaled or ingested, these fibers lodge into tissues, leading to diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer, that do not manifest until years or even decades later.

Merchant Mariners and Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, Asbestosis, and Other Diseases

Merchant mariners’ continuous exposure to asbestos correlates to many serious health conditions. Mesothelioma and lung cancer, in particular, have been associated with asbestos exposure. These diseases often appear decades after exposure, leading to delayed diagnoses and treatment.

Other asbestos-related diseases affecting mariners include asbestosis, a chronic lung disease, and pleural plaques, which are changes in the lining of the lungs. These conditions can significantly affect a person’s quality of life and potentially contribute to further health complications.

Records of a patient’s detailed medical history can help establish the connection between any diseases and asbestos exposure.

Compensation Options for Merchant Mariners Exposed to Asbestos

Over the years, many merchant mariners who developed asbestos-related diseases have sought justice and compensation for their suffering. Legal options for mariners can be complex and nuanced, requiring experienced representation to identify all potential sources of compensation.

One option for pursuing compensation involves asbestos claims against the manufacturers of the asbestos products used on merchant marine ships. Many of these manufacturers have set up asbestos settlement trusts as a result of bankruptcy due to the many asbestos lawsuits brought against them. These trusts aim to ensure that funds are available for present and future asbestos victims.

Under U.S. maritime law, mariners may also be eligible for compensation under the Jones Act if their employer was negligent or the vessel was deemed unseaworthy due to the presence of asbestos.

If you win your personal injury case, you could receive money for your:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Diminished quality of life
• Emotional distress

Successful claims rely heavily on medical documentation linking the illness to asbestos exposure and clear evidence of the source of exposure. The experienced asbestos attorneys at Ward Black Law are ready to gather the necessary evidence and guide you through the legal process, optimizing your chances of receiving the maximum compensation you deserve.