At The Gertler Law Firm, our job is to help Louisiana workers and their families when they’ve been hurt by employer negligence.
As a retiree from Placid Refining’s Port Allen Refinery in Port Allen, Louisiana, a diagnosis of mesothelioma nearly always means that you were exposed to airborne asbestos fibers during your time in the refinery.
Because of the way that older refineries were constructed and the unique hazards posed by the materials and chemicals being handled and processed, oil refineries like the Port Allen Refinery, purchased by Placid Refining in 1975, used asbestos widely in many types of materials and safety equipment until regulations went into effect in the 1980s to protect workers from the dangers of asbestos.
When asbestos fibers become airborne, which happens through the normal wear and tear of components that contain asbestos, or when an asbestos-rich item is damaged, they are small and light enough to stay in the environment for a substantial period of time.
Lawsuit Compensation And Benefits For Workers Of Placid Refining's Port Allen Refinery Who Have Been Diagnosed With Or Died From Mesothelioma
They also travel easily with any air gust, or become attached to workers’ clothing and are transported that way. Over time, the environment within a refinery, and even in workers’ homes, can become contaminated with small, rigid fibers that are easily inhaled or swallowed.
Once in the body, these fibers become trapped in small airways or blood vessels, and over a period of years, they can provoke nearby cells to turn cancerous. This is mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos, and particularly common among oil refinery workers in Louisiana.
At The Gertler Law Firm, we help Louisiana families who’ve been hurt by workplace exposure to asbestos. Because of the long latency period with this disease, it often affects retirees and older workers who’ve since moved on to other trades or professions.
We work diligently, professionally, and promptly to put together the records and documentation you’ll need to get the help you deserve. Call us today at (504) 527-8767 for a free consultation with an experienced Louisiana mesothelioma attorney.
