Asbestos Exposure Sites in Texas
Texas has 9 documented asbestos exposure sites spanning 3 industries. Workers at these facilities were exposed to asbestos-containing materials — often in shipyards, power plants, refineries, and manufacturing plants — and may be eligible for compensation through trust fund claims and lawsuits.
Asbestos Exposure in Texas
Texas has one of the highest mesothelioma death rates in the nation, a direct result of the massive petrochemical industry along the Gulf Coast. The Houston Ship Channel, stretching from downtown Houston to the Port of Houston and Galveston Bay, is lined with oil refineries, chemical plants, and industrial facilities that used asbestos insulation in every phase of their operations. ExxonMobil, Shell, Dow Chemical, BASF, and dozens of other companies operated plants in Houston, Texas City, Baytown, Deer Park, Pasadena, and Port Arthur where pipefitters, insulators, boilermakers, and maintenance workers had daily contact with asbestos materials. The shipyards of Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange, and Galveston built and repaired vessels using asbestos insulation and fireproofing. Todd Shipyards and other maritime facilities employed thousands. Texas military installations, including Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos), Joint Base San Antonio, Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, and the former Kelly Air Force Base, all contained extensive asbestos materials. The W.R. Grace vermiculite processing facility in Houston handled asbestos-contaminated ore from Libby, Montana. Texas provides a two-year statute of limitations from diagnosis for personal injury claims, and Houston has become one of the most active asbestos litigation venues in the country. Danziger & De Llano, based in Houston, has deep experience representing mesothelioma victims in Texas and nationwide.
Major industries linked to asbestos exposure in Texas: Petrochemical refining, Shipbuilding, Oil and gas, Military installations, Power generation, Construction.
Notable exposure sites: Houston Ship Channel refineries/chemical plants; Todd Shipyards, Galveston/Houston; ExxonMobil Baytown Complex; Fort Hood (Fort Cavazos), Killeen; W.R. Grace vermiculite facility, Houston.
Refineries
Military
Frequently Asked Questions: Asbestos Exposure in Texas
What is Texas's statute of limitations for mesothelioma claims?
Texas has a two-year statute of limitations from the date of diagnosis or discovery for personal injury claims. Wrongful death claims must also be filed within two years of the date of death.
Why does Texas have so many mesothelioma cases?
The massive petrochemical industry along the Gulf Coast, from Houston to Port Arthur, created widespread asbestos exposure for tens of thousands of refinery and chemical plant workers. Shipbuilding, military installations, and construction further contributed to Texas's high mesothelioma rate.
Where did asbestos exposure occur along the Houston Ship Channel?
Virtually every refinery and chemical plant along the Ship Channel used asbestos insulation. Major facilities operated by ExxonMobil, Shell, Dow Chemical, and BASF in Baytown, Deer Park, Pasadena, and Texas City were significant exposure sites affecting hundreds of thousands of workers.
Is Houston a good venue for filing a mesothelioma lawsuit?
Yes. Houston is one of the most active and experienced asbestos litigation venues in the nation, with courts that handle a high volume of mesothelioma cases. Many defendants have connections to the Houston area, and local juries understand the impact of industrial asbestos exposure.