Virginia Asbestos Exposure Job Sites – Complete List

Virginia’s rich history in industry, shipbuilding, and the military has led to asbestos exposure becoming a common occurrence at many worksites throughout Virginia. Recognizing historically relevant Virginia asbestos exposure job sites can help determine where exposure happened and why individuals are diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases years after installation or use.

Asbestos exposure claims today involve work that was conducted in shipyards, power plants, manufacturing facilities, and federal facilities built during times when the use of asbestos was common.

Naval Shipyards, Ports, and Maritime Facilities in Virginia

Shipbuilding, ship repair, and marine activities played an important role in Virginia’s economy during the 20th century, due to its extensive coastline and port facilities. A large number of asbestos exposure claims in Virginia involve work conducted at naval shipyards, commercial harbors, and marine service facilities that were built during times when asbestos was widely used.

Asbestos exposure may have occurred during the building, overhauling, retrofitting, and repair of ships, particularly in engine rooms and boiler areas, as well as during dockside repair activities. Occupations involving these tasks may have exposed workers to asbestos many years after it was initially installed, when it was disturbed during repair or maintenance work.

Power Generation and Utility Job Sites Across Virginia

To meet Virginia’s growth needs, power plants, substations, and other utility infrastructure had to be constructed across the state. A number of these facilities were built or renovated through the mid-1900s when asbestos use was common.

Many Virginia asbestos exposure cases involve workers who provided maintenance, repair, or retrofit services at power generation facilities and utility infrastructure. Asbestos exposure was often tied to old insulation, pipe systems, and equipment being serviced or replaced long after original construction.

Manufacturing and Industrial Facilities in Virginia

Virginia employers have operated manufacturing and heavy industrial facilities, chemical processing plants, and machinery/equipment manufacturers. Quite a few of these facilities predate tighter asbestos regulations and use.

Virginia Industrial Asbestos exposure claims have come from workers who ran equipment, worked on production machines, or were employed at facilities with asbestos in the building insulation and on mechanical systems. As these systems aged or needed repair/maintenance, remodeling, and exposure routes were possible.

Military Installations and Federal Facilities in Virginia

Virginia hosts many military bases and federal properties. Many of these were built during peak asbestos use. They include facilities, barracks, ship-related buildings and systems, and roads and other infrastructure. Virginia military and federal work asbestos exposure claims involve service members, civilian workers, and contractors.

The contractors often were involved in construction, maintenance, and repair work. Asbestos exposure at these facilities was more likely to occur in older buildings, utility and mechanical tunnels, and other areas. It was less likely to occur during administrative work.

FAQs

How Long After Exposure Is Mesothelioma Typically Diagnosed?

Mesothelioma is notorious for the long latency period between exposure to asbestos and manifestation of symptoms. Mesothelioma symptoms often do not appear until 20 to 40 years after exposure. This latency period is why many Virginia claims involve job sites that were active many decades ago, and exposure investigations are often focused on historical records rather than recent employment.

What Virginia Law Controls the Deadline for Filing a Mesothelioma Claim?

In Virginia, mesothelioma claims are normally subject to the general 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury actions found in Va. Code § 8.01-243(A). Virginia uses a discovery rule in asbestos cases, so the limitations period generally does not begin to run until the disease is diagnosed or should have been reasonably discovered, rather than at the time of exposure many years before.

How Many New Mesothelioma Cases Are Typically Reported in the United States?

Mesothelioma is considered a rare cancer in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that around 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year. The uncommon nature of the disease, combined with the extensive diagnostic period following asbestos exposure, means most people learn about it only when they start showing symptoms. This can make it harder to pinpoint where and when a person was exposed to asbestos.

Are Some Virginia Asbestos Claims Handled Under Federal Law Instead of State Law?

Asbestos claims concerning shipyards in Virginia or naval ship employment might require consideration of both state and federal laws. Claims may be subject to maritime law or specific federal statutes, depending on the worker’s employment and location of exposure. Whether a claim is a state or federal matter can have implications as to the requirements for filing a case, procedures to be followed, and case progression.

How Is Asbestos Exposure Proven When Virginia Job Sites No Longer Exist?

Closed Virginia job sites, demolitions, and job transfers are often researched through historical documents for asbestos exposure. Employment records, union documentation, military service history, ship records, maintenance guides, and old facility documents are all resources used. Professional determination of job responsibilities and timing can often conclude if there was a presence of asbestos.

Hire an Asbestos Lawyer

Wallace & Graham, P.A. has worked on asbestos exposure claims resulting from Virginia job sites and buildings for years. We have reviewed records, analyzed job duties, and discovered ways asbestos-containing products were utilized throughout various industries and eras.

Our firm bases legal claims on conditions known to have existed at sites, as documented by credible evidence. We build your claim based on medical records, employment history, and known asbestos exposure practices in Virginia.

Job sites associated with asbestos exposure claims in Virginia may include those associated with maritime activity, military bases, and industrial locations that were active many years ago. Piecing together where exposure may have taken place involves looking at historical documents as well as the specific job responsibilities and conditions that were present at sites unique to Virginia.

Wallace & Graham, P.A., has years of experience in evaluating asbestos claims in Virginia, as well as exposure that occurred at shipyards, federal buildings, and historical job sites. The firm prides itself on taking the time to look at the evidence in your documents and Virginia law to prepare a claim based on how and where your exposure occurred. Contact our office to schedule a consultation and hire a Virginia asbestos lawyer today.