Mesothelioma in San Antonio, Texas

Successful lawsuits and claims may result in compensation from a mesothelioma settlement or jury award. Financial compensation can help individuals and their family members pay for expenses related to their diagnosis.

Examples of clients served in San Antonio include:

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04. Asbestos Use in San Antonio

Asbestos Use in San Antonio, Texas

Residents and workers in San Antonio, Texas, may have been exposed to asbestos. Asbestos is a mineral with many applications. Major San Antonio industries used asbestos, including the military, oil refineries and manufacturers.

Asbestos was also commonly included in residences and public buildings. Individuals exposed to asbestos are at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses.

San Antonio, Texas Homes and Asbestos

Building materials produced before the 1980s often contained asbestos. Construction workers used asbestos products for insulation and flame resistance.

Older homes may contain:

• Asbestos roofing
• Insulation
• Popcorn ceilings
• Pipe insulation
• Floor tiles

These asbestos construction materials are often disturbed during renovations and after normal wear and tear.

Residential asbestos exposure can affect homeowners, landlords, tenants, visitors and contractors. Any residential structure built before 1980 may contain asbestos products. Homeowners may hire asbestos abatement contractors to remove dangerous asbestos.

Landlords and contractors who don’t observe proper removal procedures may face fines.

Violations included failure to:

• Remove asbestos hazards
• Ensure employees work in regulated areas
• Perform air monitoring for asbestos
• Require the use of proper respiratory and personal protective equipment
• Train workers on asbestos handling hazards
• Ensure a qualified professional conducted an asbestos assessment

Asbestos is common in homes. Residents, homeowners and buyers should be aware of potential asbestos threats. Before construction or renovation, homeowners should contact an asbestos abatement professional to ensure any asbestos is handled safely.

San Antonio, Texas Military and Asbestos

San Antonio has a large military presence and history. The military used asbestos in many settings, including:

• Airplanes
• Military housing
• Air Force bases
• Ships
• Submarines

There are several military bases around San Antonio, including Randolph Air Force Base and nearby Laughlin Air Force Base. Reports show instances of asbestos exposure in various San Antonio military facilities.

In 2019, several military families stationed at Randolph and Laughlin Air Force Bases filed a lawsuit against Hunt Military Communities for poor living conditions. The lawsuit cited numerous complaints, including airborne asbestos. Some members of the families reported respiratory symptoms from these hazards.

Housing communities were not the only military facilities in San Antonio to contain asbestos. The Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans’ Hospital was also inspected for the dangerous mineral. In 2015, federal investigators from the Office of Special Counsel confirmed claims of asbestos exposure at the hospital.

According to the report, supervisors instructed hospital maintenance and operations workers to remove asbestos from the hospital. These materials included asbestos-containing ceiling tiles and drywall. The claim also alleged the hospital administration failed to provide the workers with personal protective equipment (PPE).

San Antonio, Texas Drinking Water and Asbestos

Asbestos in drinking water has been a concern across the country, including Texas. As asbestos water pipes age, high levels of the mineral may release into residents’ drinking water.

Town officials in Devine, Texas, warned residents of elevated levels of asbestos in the town’s drinking water in December 2016. Devine is about 40 miles southwest of San Antonio.

The warning came after testing found asbestos levels in Devine drinking water were more than twice the federal limit.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality did not order the town to shut off its water supply. The mayor of Devine claimed the high levels of asbestos were likely a “sampling problem.” At the time of the warning, town officials stated the water was still safe to drink. Since then, the city has sought grants to replace the asbestos pipes.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned about consuming water with high asbestos levels over an extended period. These citizens face an increased risk of developing benign intestinal polyps. Researchers continue to study the impact of asbestos in drinking water.