Workers who were employed on offshore oil rigs from the 1960s to the 1980s may be in danger of developing cancer or serious respiratory illnesses due to asbestos exposure. Many of the materials used at these sites contained high amounts of asbestos, placing workers at risk of developing mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis or other diseases.
The first offshore oil wells were built in Ohio during the later half of the 19th century. Over the following decades, hundreds of oil platforms were built along the Gulf Coast and in other U.S. waters. Today, the principle locations for offshore drilling in the U.S. are the coasts of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and California.
Many of the drilling mud additives used on offshore oil rigs contained high levels of asbestos. Workers who mixed these thickeners with the drilling mud may have been exposed to asbestos particles that were inadvertently spread in the areas where they worked. These additives—also known as drilling fluid additives—were manufactured by Union Carbide and several other companies, and were sold under names such as Visbestos, Suber Visbestos, Flosal, Visquik, Shurlift, Superbest, Univis and Arcovis.
Oil platform workers may have also been exposed to asbestos materials that were used to insulate work equipment or from asbestos fire suits that many oil workers wore to protect them from the intense heat onboard the rig. When these suits and materials became worn with age, asbestos fibers may become loose and spread throughout the work area, exposing workers to significant health risks.
Free Asbestos Health Exam for Oil Rig Workers
If you or a loved one worked on an oil rig or other jobsites where asbestos products were used, you may be eligible to receive a free health examination to find out if you have developed diseases caused by asbestos exposure.
For more information, contact the lawyers at Hissey, Mulderig & Friend by calling toll-free at 1-855-500-3734. You can also reach us by filling out the free case evaluation form located on the top left side of this page.
After we receive your information, a member of our staff will contact you to help schedule your free asbestos test.