Why Mesothelioma Cases Occur in Fort Worth
Fort Worth's asbestos legacy is dominated by aerospace manufacturing. Lockheed Martin (formerly General Dynamics, Convair) has operated one of the largest aircraft manufacturing complexes in the world in Fort Worth since 1942. The facility has produced the B-24 Liberator, B-36 Peacemaker, F-111, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and now the F-35 Lightning II. Asbestos was used extensively in aircraft components, manufacturing facilities, and building insulation throughout the massive complex.
Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base (NAS Fort Worth JRB) has served as a major military installation where aircraft maintenance, building construction, and base operations involved asbestos-containing materials. General Dynamics and Bell Helicopter (now Bell Textron) operated manufacturing facilities in Fort Worth where asbestos was used in aircraft and helicopter components.
The 20-to-50-Year Latency Period
Mesothelioma has a latency period of 20 to 50 years. A worker exposed to asbestos at Fort Worth facilities in the 1970s may only receive a mesothelioma diagnosis in 2025 or later. This is why Fort Worth continues to produce new mesothelioma cases decades after asbestos use was restricted.
Fort Worth's oil refineries used asbestos extensively in pipe insulation, boilers, heat exchangers, and processing equipment throughout the petroleum industry. Texas Electric Service Company (now part of Oncor/Vistra) operated generating stations with asbestos in boiler insulation, turbine casings, and steam systems.
Fort Worth's growth as a major commercial center, combined with its industrial and military heritage, created widespread asbestos exposure through construction, renovation, and the region's extensive aerospace and defense manufacturing sector.
Fort Worth's Asbestos Legacy by the Numbers
Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth plant is the manufacturing home of the F-35 and employs over 14,000 workers. NAS Fort Worth JRB is one of the largest joint reserve bases in the country. Bell Helicopter is headquartered in Fort Worth. Texas allows 2 years from diagnosis to file a mesothelioma claim. Documenting your asbestos exposure history is a critical first step.

