It’s an unfortunate fact that Louisiana represents a mesothelioma cluster in the United States, and one of the major reasons is that our state’s economy relies so heavily on industries like shipbuilding and oil refining. For retirees from Citgo’s Lake Charles, Louisiana, refinery, the risk of developing diseases like mesothelioma is much higher than an average person’s because of the unique way that oil refineries have traditionally been constructed.
Because of the risk of fire and dangerous chemical reactions involved in refining oil, the Citgo Refinery in Lake Charles included many components made of, or that included asbestos.
When these components, which included insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, and even protective clothing that employees wore for hazardous tasks, became damaged or scuffed, microscopic fibers of asbestos would be released into the air. These fibers are what make asbestos so dangerous to people.
Tiny and rigid, once they are breathed in, asbestos fibers can become lodged deep in the lungs. Over years or decades they damage the tissues around them, and can eventually cause a range of diseases, including cancers like mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma Fund Attorneys For Citgo Refinery Workers
When faced with a diagnosis of mesothelioma, you should know that the vast majority of cases of the disease are linked directly to workplace exposure to asbestos.
At The Gertler Law Firm, we work closely with Louisiana families who have been injured by employer negligence in the use of and contamination by asbestos at the Citgo Refinery.
No one should suffer for working hard and playing by the rules. Call us today at (504) 527-8767 for a free consultation with an experienced Louisiana mesothelioma attorney.
