Overview
Longshoremen — dock workers who load and unload cargo from ships — faced asbestos exposure from multiple sources: asbestos cargo, ship interiors, dock facilities, and warehouses. The combination of handling asbestos products and working in asbestos-contaminated environments put longshoremen at significant risk.
Asbestos Exposure Sources
| Exposure Source | Description | Exposure Level |
|---|---|---|
| Asbestos cargo | Raw asbestos, asbestos products | Very High |
| Ship cargo holds | Insulated bulkheads, residual fibers | High |
| Warehouse facilities | Building insulation, storage materials | Moderate |
| Dock equipment | Brake systems, insulated machinery | Moderate |
How Longshoremen Were Exposed
Cargo Handling
Longshoremen directly handled asbestos materials:
- Bags of raw asbestos fiber from mines
- Pallets of asbestos-cement products
- Crates of asbestos insulation materials
- Asbestos brake and clutch components
Torn bags and damaged packaging released asbestos fibers that workers inhaled.
Shipboard Exposure
Working in ship cargo holds exposed longshoremen to:
- Asbestos-insulated bulkheads and pipes
- Residual asbestos dust from previous cargo
- Deteriorating ship insulation
Longshoremen are covered by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), which provides special protections and benefits different from standard workers’ compensation.
Major Port Exposure Sites
Longshoremen at these ports faced significant exposure:
- Port of New York/New Jersey
- Port of Long Beach, California
- Port of Seattle
- Port of Houston
- Port of New Orleans
- Port of Baltimore
Related Occupations
Port workers with similar exposure:
- Merchant marines — Ship crews
- Shipyard workers — Ship construction/repair
- Laborers — General cargo handling
- Operating engineers — Crane operators
Related Industries
Health Consequences
Longshoremen with asbestos exposure are at risk for:
- Mesothelioma: Cancer of the chest or abdominal lining
- Asbestosis: Progressive lung scarring
- Lung cancer: Especially combined with smoking
- Pleural disease: Thickening of lung lining
Legal Options
Longshoremen diagnosed with mesothelioma have multiple legal options:
LHWCA Claims
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act provides:
- Medical benefits without proving fault
- Disability compensation
- Death benefits for survivors
Additional Claims
- Asbestos trust funds: Against asbestos product manufacturers
- Third-party lawsuits: Against ship owners, stevedoring companies
- Product liability claims: Against asbestos manufacturers
Longshoremen can often pursue LHWCA benefits AND third-party lawsuits, potentially maximizing total compensation.