Western Shipyard
The efforts for World War II were drastically stepped up by the United States Navy - more ships were being crafted throughout the war to increase the naval resistance and numbers on the water. One of the main shipyards producing ships for the increase in efforts for World War II was the Western shipyard in California. The US Navy produced many ships, and many of those were done at the Western shipyard.
While the efforts for the war were profitable, the effects on the workers has taken a drastic turn for the worse. One of the chief components in ship building is asbestos, and that product has now proven to be highly caustic and dangerous to work with without proper protection, such as a mask. Asbestos has been directly linked to a cancer called mesothelioma - and studies have shown that only people who have worked with asbestos, as well as their family members are contracting this deadly cancer.
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs, heart or abdomen. It is caused by asbestos fibers being inhaled and then getting lodged in the lining. The lining inflames and eventually becomes infected, largely turning cancerous (as in mesothelioma) or other asbestos-related illnesses such as asbestosis. The fibers of asbestos are very fine - almost a dust, and are easily inhaled. The bad news is that asbestos fibers are virtually indestructible - once they are lodged in the lining of the heart, lungs or abdomen, a body usually can not get rid of them. The biggest problem with asbestos related diseases and illnesses, such as mesothelioma, is that the symptoms don't show up for 15 to 40 years, and by then the majority of the damage is done and largely irreversible.
Mesothelioma cancer is mostly untreatable and does not respond to standard cancer treatments such as chemo and radiation therapies. In most cases, mesothelioma is fatal, and people who are diagnosed with this type of cancer usually succumb to it within a short period of time.
For workers at the Western shipyard and their families, who worked during World War II building ships for the US resistance, the stakes are high - the price usually a life. There were numerous ships constructed and built at the Western shipyard, contributing to the high levels of asbestos exposure. For many people, unknowingly to them at the time, and to most anyone at the time, this would lead to their imminent death.
There is help for families and people who have been diagnosed with and suffer with the effects of asbestos. There are lawyers throughout the country who specialize in shipyard based mesothelioma cases helping families and people to get financial compensation for their ultimate payment. While financial compensation doesn't take the place of the life of a loved one, it can help pay for the medical bills and funeral expenses, replace lost wages and pay for the emotional damage to a family unit.
If you, or someone you know worked in the Western shipyard and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos related illness, contact a mesothelioma attorney to find out how they can help you.
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