Virginia Asbestos-Related Deaths from 1999-2017

1,379
Mesothelioma Deaths
312
Asbestosis Deaths
1,691
Total Deaths

Asbestos Exposure in Virginia

Most Virginians are exposed to asbestos while working in industries, like shipbuilding, energy generation, milling and mining.

Mining and Asbestos Exposure

Mining is a major industry in Virginia because of the natural mineral deposits found in the state. At one time, asbestos was mined in Virginia and asbestos was also found in other mines alongside minerals, such as coal and talc. Vermiculite mines in Virginia have also been found to have asbestos contamination, endangering employees and nearby residents.

Workers and populations in the area of these mines can be at risk for asbestos exposure. During the mining and excavation process, asbestos fibers can become airborne and inhaled by nearby individuals. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, deadly asbestos-related diseases can develop.

Asbestos in Shipyards

Shipbuilders and shipyard workers in Virginia should be concerned about developing mesothelioma. Those working at naval and commercial shipyards were likely exposed to asbestos. Asbestos was used in the construction of commercial and military vessels. Workers on ships were likely exposed to asbestos while handling asbestos-containing gaskets, piping, and sealants. When the asbestos fibers on the equipment became disturbed, they would become airborne creating a health hazard for anyone nearby. Breathing in toxic asbestos fibers can lead to the development of respiratory diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.

Power Plants and Chemical Plants

Power plants and chemical plants in Virginia also used asbestos in their manufacturing processes because of the mineral’s heat resistance and insulating properties. Workers in these facilities may have been exposed to asbestos when handling asbestos-containing materials.

Partial list of work sites in Virginia with known asbestos exposure
  • Allied Chemical Plant
  • Allied Signal, Inc.
  • American Oil Company (Amoco) Refinery
  • Celanese Chemical Plant
  • Chesapeake Corporation Paper Mill
  • Chesterfield Power Plant
  • Dupont Chemical Plant
  • Dutch Gap Power Plant
  • Firestone Plant
  • Fort Eustis
  • Fort Lee
  • Franklin Printing Company
  • General Electric Plant
  • Little Creek Naval Base
  • NASA ‐ Langley Research Center
  • Naval Air Station Jet Engine Testing Facility
  • Newport News Naval Shipyard
  • Norfolk Naval Shipyard
  • Phillip Morris
  • Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
  • Radford Army Ammunition Plant
  • Richmond Steel
  • Riverside Hospital
  • U.S. Naval Amphibious Base
  • U.S. Naval Hospital
  • Union Camp Paper Mill
  • University of Virginia
  • Virginia Chemical Plant
  • Virginia Electric & Power
  • Virginia Hot Springs, Inc.
  • Virginia Power & Light Power Plant
  • West Virginia Pulp & Paper
  • Westvaco Paper Mill
  • William & Mary College

Statute of Limitations to File Mesothelioma Claim in Virginia

There is a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit for mesothelioma that varies for each state called the statute of limitations. This means if you do not file within the time limit, you will never be able to pursue legal action or obtain compensation. It’s important that you take legal action within this time frame so you do not miss out on receiving the compensation you may deserve. Contact us here to learn more about how we can help.

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What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a deadly and rare form of malignant cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure. The most common forms of mesothelioma are: pleural and peritoneal. Pleural mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the lining of the abdominal cavity.

Victims with pleural mesothelioma may have respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue. Victims with peritoneal mesothelioma may have abdominal swelling, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss.

The latency period for mesothelioma is very long. The average latency period is about 30 years, but can be shorter than 15 years or longer than 40 years. This means individuals with mesothelioma may take decades to present symptoms from the time they were exposed to asbestos.

What is asbestosis?

Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by asbestos exposure. When asbestos is inhaled the fibers irritate and scar the lining of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. The lungs become stiff and cannot expand and contract normally. Symptoms of asbestosis are shortness of breath, chest pain, and a dry, persistent cough. Like mesothelioma, the latency period for asbestosis is very long. Symptoms may not present for 10 to 40 years after asbestos exposure.

Military Asbestos Exposure

It is extremely important to know that our attorneys do not sue the military. We seek accountability from the asbestos companies that sold dangerous asbestos products to the military.

Members of all branches of the military may have been exposed to asbestos before it became more restricted in the 1970s. The U.S. military used asbestos products in many areas because of its low cost, durability, and heat resistant properties. The common use of these asbestos products put many U.S. veterans at risk of developing asbestos related diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Below is a list of the military branches and common asbestos exposure sites:

  • Navy – shipyards, boiler rooms, submarines
  • Army – barracks, shipyards, construction
  • Marine Corps – armored vehicles, barracks, ships, aircraft
  • Coast Guard – inside ships, ships, boiler rooms
  • Air Force- bases, airplanes, jets, aircraft maintenance