Maritime News

The surviving family of a deceased Port Arthur employee have filed suit against Chevron saying the man’s death was caused by exposure to asbestos while he worked at the company.

 
Shelton J, Fontenot worked for Gulf Oil Corporation as a pipefitter helper, insulator trainee and mechanic at its Port Arthur facility.  Fontenont died from pulmonary asbestosis and lung cancer on june 29th.

 
The suit alleges that Chevron knew of the dangers of asbestos, and still allowed its employees do work with asbestos containing material without warning of the dangers and without taking necessary precautions. The suit seeks exemplary and punitive damages, plus interest, costs and other relief.

 
Port workers and ship yard workers are at high risk for asbestos injury. Before the late 1970’s, any vessel that held flammable material was well insulated with asbestos. Workers in the boiler rooms of ships constructed prior to 1976 may still come in contact with the material as may shipyard workers who perform repairs on these vessels. Unfortunately, there are no early warning signs and symptoms of asbestos diseases such as asbestosis, pleural disease and mesothelioma may not occur until more than twenty years after exposure.

 
Maritime workers and families of maritime workers who have been diagnosed with asbestos caused disease may be eligible for compensation under the Jones Act or the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act.