Oil Companies Face Asbestos Claims

Dallas, TXTexaco, Chevron USA and BP all face asbestos claims from employees or their family members who allege asbestos injury. Exposure to asbestos has been linked to mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. All three conditions are potentially fatal and have led to asbestos lawsuits.

One lawsuit was filed by the widow and children of a man who worked for Texaco. According to the Southeast Texas Record on 10/07/10, Charles Arceneaux worked at Texaco's Port Arthur refinery, where he was allegedly exposed to asbestos dust. Arceneaux eventually developed asbestosis and died on August 8, 2009. The lawsuit alleges that Texaco and Chevron USA, both defendants in the lawsuit, knew about the link between asbestos and asbestosis but allowed employees to be exposed to asbestos.

Meanwhile, BP Corp. North America Inc. faces an asbestos-related lawsuit, filed after a former employee was diagnosed with lung cancer. The plaintiffs, Everett and Cheryl Cannon, allege that Amoco Oil (now known as BP) knew about the risk associated with asbestos. According to the 10/06/10 edition of the Southeast Texas Record, Everett Cannon was recently diagnosed with lung cancer.

Employees likely inhaled the asbestos fibers, which caused their illness. Lawsuits regarding asbestos, however, also allege that family members of people exposed to asbestos are at risk for developing asbestos-related diseases because asbestos fibers could have been brought into the home on the employee's clothing.

Health problems linked to asbestos exposure can develop over the course of many years. In some cases, the diseases are not diagnosed until decades after the last exposure to asbestos occurred.

Asbestos is often used as an insulating material and can cause serious health problems when it is disturbed and inhaled. Patients who develop asbestos-related health problems often experience chest pain, shortness of breath, cough and abdominal swelling. Over the course of many years, they may develop asbestosis, mesothelioma or lung cancer.