Rhode Island Asbestos-Related Deaths from 1999-2017
Mesothelioma Deaths
Asbestosis Deaths
Total Deaths
Asbestos Exposure in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is the smallest state in the nation and does not have a reputation for asbestos exposure, but is not entirely free of it. Rhode Island does have a large manufacturing industry which is frequently linked to asbestos exposure. The state does have shipyards, textile mills, power plants, chemical plants and older buildings that are often sources for asbestos exposure.
Asbestos in Textile Production and Manufacturing
Textile production was a major industry in Rhode Island. Asbestos was commonly used in fabrics and used as an insulator for the equipment in textile factories. Workers operating, maintaining, or repairing this equipment may have been exposed to asbestos fibers.
Manufacturing is a major industry in Providence, Rhode Island. Many manufacturing facilities used asbestos as insulation surrounding pipes, furnaces, and boilers. Employees that operated or repaired asbestos-insulated equipment may have been exposed to asbestos fibers. When the asbestos fibers become airborne they can be inhaled and can lead to the development of asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Shipyards and Asbestos Exposure
Shipyards in Rhode Island were also linked to asbestos exposure. Asbestos-containing materials were often used in the construction of ships. Workers on ships or even those that served on them were likely exposed to toxic asbestos fibers.
Asbestos in Buildings
Many older buildings throughout the state have been a source of asbestos exposure. Older buildings in Rhode Island were typically constructed with asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos was used in floor tiles, ceiling tiles, and insulation. Remodeling, repairing, or demolition of these buildings can lead to asbestos exposure if the proper safety equipment and handling procedures are not closely followed.
- Construction Battalion Base Camp Endicott
- Narragansett Wire & Cable Plant
- Naval Air Station
- Newport Naval Station
- Newport Naval Torpedo Station
- Rhode Island Hospital
- Walsh‐Kaiser Shipyard
Statute of Limitations to File Mesothelioma Claim in Rhode Island
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.
Call (855) 280-7664 Get Started OnlineWhat 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