Oilfield Workers are at High Risk for Asbestos Lung Cancer
If you have lung cancer, you deserve financial compensation
Oil and gas work, both on land and offshore, is widely known as one of the riskiest industries to work in, with large, obvious hazards like heavy machinery and the potential for fires and explosions. However, there are also less visible but equally serious risks that workers, suppliers and contractors face. One significant risk that has historically gone unnoticed was asbestos exposure.
Asbestos is a well-known health hazard, but it wasn’t always this way. In oilfields, asbestos was commonly used for drilling mud additives, gaskets, draw work brakes, air winches, insulation and sealing applications until the 1980s. It was used with the following equipment: pipes, tanks, boilers, boilers, engines, gaskets, sealants, adhesives, and brake blocks. When inhaled or ingested, asbestos fibers can cause lung cancer and mesothelioma. Even a brief period of exposure in an oilfield 50 or more years ago can cause cancer today.
How a national lung cancer lawyer can help
If you worked in oil drilling, are over age 58, and have been diagnosed with lung cancer, or if you have a loved one in this situation, it is important to take action as soon as possible. You may be eligible for financial compensation for asbestos-related lung cancer or mesothelioma, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact the Ferrell Law Group for a free consultation to find out if you have a case for financial compensation. Our national law firm has specialized in handling cases related to asbestos lung cancer for more than 30 years. At no cost to you, our experienced team can evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and help you decide what to do next.
Oilfield workers at high risk of asbestos lung cancer
Although the use of asbestos in oilfield drilling has significantly decreased and is now strictly regulated, those who were employed in the industry before those regulations went into effect are at risk of developing asbestos-related lung cancer. Whether drilling on or offshore, as well as shallow drilling, exploratory drilling or just work over work, oilfield jobs with the highest risk for asbestos exposure include:
Drilling rig workers. Major sources of exposure for oilfield workers were the draw work brakes and mixing mud. The draw works contained brake blocks that were substantial exposure sources to many oilfield workers. Further, mixing mud is one of the dirtiest jobs that frequently exposed individuals to asbestos. The oil field positions with the highest risk of exposure include:
- Derrickmen
- Roughnecks
- Toolpushers
- Floor hands
- Chain hands
- Motor men
Insulation installers. Workers who handled materials like asbestos-containing insulation wraps or blankets, which are essential for maintaining equipment and pipeline temperatures, have an increased risk of lung cancer.
Maintenance and repair workers. On the production side of oil and gas, those responsible for maintaining and repairing equipment, pipelines, and facilities, may have encountered asbestos-based materials, such as gaskets, seals, or insulation. When asbestos is disturbed, fibers are released into the air and may have been inhaled by workers who later developed lung cancer or mesothelioma. Oilfield maintenance occupations with a higher risk for asbestos exposure include:
- Machinists
- Plumbers
- Piping engineers
- Mechanics
- Roustabouts
- Well service crew
- Turbine operators
- Deck crew
- Hydraulics technicians
- Electrical instrument technicians
- Mud engineers/mud mixers
- Shale shaker operators
- Welders
If you are a former oil worker who has been diagnosed with lung cancer, and you're uncertain about the specifics of your asbestos exposure, rest assured that the Ferrell Law Group is here to help. We understand the complexities of asbestos exposure in the oil industry, and our dedicated team conducts thorough investigations to uncover the necessary details. We have the resources and experience to gather evidence and build a strong case on your behalf. Whether it's filing claims with Asbestos Trust Funds or pursuing toxic exposure lawsuits, we are committed to advocating for your rights and seeking the compensation you deserve.
Financial compensation for oilfield workers with lung cancer
Oil workers who were exposed to asbestos and have been diagnosed with lung cancer may be entitled to financial compensation to help cover the costs of medical treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, medications, and ongoing healthcare needs. You can also pursue compensation for lost income and other expenses. Additionally, compensation can help alleviate the financial burden caused by the disease and ensure that loved ones are taken care of.
In most cases, your legal options involve pursuing compensation from manufacturers of asbestos, as well as lease holders responsible for purchasing and supplying drilling mud additives. This isn’t about going after your former employer – it’s about the companies responsible for asbestos exposure.
The Ferrell Law Group is dedicated to fighting for the rights of asbestos lung cancer victims and will work tirelessly to pursue the maximum compensation available to you. Our mesothelioma attorneys and lung cancer lawyers have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for asbestos victims and their families. We are based in Texas but serve clients throughout the United States.
If you worked in an oilfield – even briefly – and have now been diagnosed with lung cancer, you probably have a lot of questions about your legal rights and options. Get answers you can trust. Contact the Ferrell Law Group for a free consultation right now.