Your Local Mesothelioma And Personal Injury Advocates
  1. Home
  2.  » 
  3. Asbestos Job Sites
  4.  » 
  5. Pennsylvania
  6.  » Babcock & Wilcox

What Are The Asbestos Exposure Issues At The Babcock & Wilcox Job Site?

Babcock & Wilcox is an international energy company founded in 1867. The business focused primarily on nuclear and oil power-generating products. Despite decades of technological advancements and successes, asbestos litigation has deeply impacted the company and the lives of thousands of workers.

The founders of Babcock & Wilcox used asbestos when constructing their boilers. Since the 1970s, it has also been discovered in other high-temperature equipment. While the company never manufactured any asbestos products, it used products containing asbestos from other companies.

Due to the damaging effects of asbestos exposure, workers have developed asbestos-related diseases over the years. At D’Amico Law Offices, LLC, our asbestos exposure attorneys have years of experience helping former employees attain the compensation they deserve.

What Does Babcock & Wilcox Do?

Babcock & Wilcox has been at the forefront of the energy industry since the late 1800s. For over a century, it has supplied extreme temperature equipment to sugar refineries, electric companies, U.S. Navy vessels and more. Their products were even used by Thomas Edison and the Hoover Dam.

While best known for their broilers, Babcock & Wilcox also manufactured:

  • Gauges
  • Pulverizes
  • Insulating firebrick
  • Rope packing
  • Millboard
  • Heat seals

Despite the dangers, Babcock & Wilcox used asbestos in their products. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber found in rock and soil. Due to its fiber strength and heat resistance, it has been used for thousands of years.

Many companies knew about the dangers of asbestos, including Babcock & Wilcox. Still, they continued to use it in safety equipment and products for manufacturing. While asbestos has been regulated in the U.S. since the 1970s, it is currently not banned.

Why Was Asbestos Used In Manufacturing And Energy Products?

The use of asbestos exploded during the industrial revolution and World War II. Suddenly, there was an enormous need for fireproofing and strengthening on a large scale. Asbestos is resistant to heat, water, electricity and chemicals. The versatility and resilience of asbestos became a go-to mineral for many industries, including:

  • The automobile industry
  • Manufacturing companies
  • Chemical plants
  • Power plants
  • The construction industry
  • U.S. armed forces

Asbestos was used in numerous products the world over. The mineral can:

  • Strengthen cement and plastics
  • Withstand extreme temperatures
  • Absorb sound
  • Fireproof manufacturing equipment and safety gear

Babcock & Wilcox used asbestos fibers in their products until the 1970s.

Is Babcock & Wilcox Still In Business?

Babcock & Wilcox is still in business, though it has undergone major changes. After years of asbestos exposure litigation issues, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2000. Its bankruptcy was granted on the condition that a trust fund was set up to compensate victims of asbestos exposure.

Who Bought Babcock & Wilcox?

Babcock & Wilcox emerged from bankruptcy in 2006 and merged with BWX Technologies. Today, Babcock & Wilcox is committed to providing clean energy. The company’s goal is to be the leader in reducing greenhouse gas technology. Its clean energy solutions involve three segments:

  • Renewable energy
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Thermal energy

Babcock & Wilcox’s thermal energy segment is more consistent with the origins of the company. It still produces broilers, steam generation equipment and other products used in power plants, iron and steel mills, and oil and gas plants. However, the company’s mission is to manufacture safer and more efficient products.

How Asbestos Exposure Can Harm Workers

Asbestos exposure can cause significant harm to workers. Those who worked for Babcock & Wilcox between 1867 and the 1970s are more at risk of developing an asbestos-related illness than other employees.

Occupational asbestos exposure can cause:

  • Lung scarring from asbestos fibers
  • Mesothelioma
  • Lung cancer
  • Larynx cancer
  • Ovary cancer
  • Asbestosis, a condition that can cause permanent lung damage, shortness of breath and coughing
  • Pleural disorders, which involve damage to the membranes around the lung

Employees may have come into contact with asbestos at a number of job sites. Asbestos insulation, safety gear and other products were used at Babcock & Wilcox factories located in:

  • Georgia
  • Indiana
  • New Jersey
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • Texas

If you or a loved one worked for Babcock & Wilcox, it is important that you recognize asbestos exposure symptoms. Keep in mind that it may take decades for symptoms to become apparent. Speak to your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following indicators:

  • Persistent and progressively worse coughing
  • Coughing up blood
  • Wheezing that may indicate a shortness of breath
  • Tightening in the chest
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty swallowing and swelling of the neck
  • Swelling of the face
  • Loss of appetite and weight loss
  • Anemia and fatigue

A chest X-rays, lung functioning tests or lung biopsies may be needed to identify signs of lung disease or asbestos cancer or detect asbestos fibers.

What Does Compensation For Your Asbestos-Related Disease Cover?

If you or a loved one has suffered any asbestos-related injuries in connection with employment at Babcock & Wilcox, you may be entitled to significant monetary compensation. This may help cover:

  • Ongoing medical treatment
  • Costs of hospitalization and surgeries
  • Medical equipment and medications
  • Lost wages or employment opportunities
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Loss of consortium in a marriage

These costs can add up quickly for the injured person and their family. Conventional insurance or workers’ compensation may not cover all these expenses. In such cases, filing a lawsuit may be the only way to ensure full coverage of the costs.

In cases when a person passed away due to asbestos exposure at work, a lawsuit may also cover costs associated with wrongful death.

At D’Amico Law Offices, our lawyers have years of experience helping employees recover the compensation they deserve. They have the resources to gather the critical evidence you need in your case.

What If You Worked At A Location That Used Babcock & Wilcox Products?

In addition to Babcock & Wilcox workers, other occupations may have been exposed to asbestos. Boilers furnaces, and refractory products containing asbestos were used in power plants, nuclear facilities, ships, steel mills and other facilities. Workers across various industries were potentially exposed.

Occupational exposure to asbestos-containing products and equipment from Babcock & Wilcox may affect the following workers:

  • Plumbers and pipefitters
  • Shipyard workers and inspectors
  • Cold storage insulators
  • Boat constructors
  • Demolition employees
  • Submarine crews and maintenance workers
  • Firefighters
  • Lathe operators
  • Marine electricians and machinists
  • Electric welders
  • Boiler insulators
  • Millwrights

Employees have developed asbestos-related diseases with direct or indirect exposure.

Can You Recover Damages For Asbestos Exposure Issues At A Babcock & Wilcox Job Site?

Asbestos exposure from working for Babcock & Wilcox can cause horrific long-term consequences to your health. Invasive diagnostic testing and extreme treatments can create a mountain of medical debt. In addition, your ailments may become so debilitating that you cannot work to support yourself or your family.

At D’Amico Law Offices, our attorneys strive to assess every case on an individual level and value a claim based on past, present and future suffering. Depending on the details of your case, you may be entitled to recover the following damages:

  • Medical bills related to your asbestos exposure, disease or illness
  • Lost wages if you cannot work
  • Loss of future income
  • Pain and suffering damages

After years of working for a company that may have negligently exposed you to asbestos, the road ahead can seem uncertain. Our compassionate attorneys understand how daunting asbestos-related diseases are and how they impact families. Let us fight on your behalf and help you acquire the means to move on with your life and protect your loved ones.

Why Should You Hire An Experienced Attorney For Your Asbestos Exposure Case?

Asbestos exposure claims are challenging, medically complex cases. Symptoms of asbestos exposure and related illnesses can take decades to develop. It can be difficult to prove that the asbestos fibers in your lungs were caused by exposure from one job site years ago.

At D’Amico Law Offices, our lawyers have years of experience helping employees recover the compensation they deserve. They have the resources to gather the critical evidence you need in your case.

Our clients need aggressive representation and compassionate service. Our team will:

  • Prepare a medically comprehensive case linking your illness to the liable party
  • Evaluate your case for all potentially liable parties and damages
  • Negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf

We are a family-run personal injury firm dedicated to providing our clients with individual attention and responsive communication. Our attorneys put your best interests first.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by asbestos exposure issues at a Babcock & Wilcox job site, call our offices today. Schedule a free consultation to discuss the details of your circumstances and the best course of action for you to recover damages by contacting 412-906-8180.

Asbestos Exposure At Babcock & Wilcox FAQ

What if I worked at a different Babcock and Wilcox location?

Regardless of which Babcock and Wilcox location you work, exposure to asbestos is a serious health and legal matter. There are over 33 locations in 15 different countries. If you have suffered injuries from asbestos exposure, please consult a member of our knowledgeable legal team who is sensitive to this difficult time.

What if you were exposed to asbestos because of your employer’s negligence?

If you were exposed to asbestos because of your employer’s negligence, it is important that you know your rights. Employers have a duty to protect their workers from all reasonable hazards and dangers. In addition, the manufacturers of safety equipment and other third parties have a duty to make sure that their products are reasonably safe. If you have developed an asbestos-related illness, more than one party may be liable for your suffering.

How can an asbestos exposure lawyer help you?

An asbestos exposure lawyer can help:

  • Investigate your claim and the details of your exposure
  • Gather critical evidence, including comprehensive medical documents
  • Determine all liable parties

If another party contributed to your injuries, an asbestos exposure lawyer can file a product liability claim against a third party.

Contact Us For A Free Consultation

Contact D’Amico Law Offices and schedule a free consultation to discuss the details of your case by calling 412-906-8180.