Longshoremen

Longshoreman Asbestos Exposure
Dock workers, stevedores, and cargo handlers
Risk Level	High (800% increased risk)
Peak Exposure Era	1940s–1980s
Asbestosis Rate	30% among stevedores
U.S. Workers (2017)	~98,000 marine terminal
Notable Verdict	$10.3 million (2020)
Legal Framework	LHWCA + Third-Party Claims
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Longshoremen and Asbestos Exposure: 800% Higher Lung Disease Risk from Raw Asbestos Cargo and Shipboard Work

Executive Summary

Longshoremen—also known as dock workers, stevedores, and cargo handlers—faced unique asbestos exposure through three distinct pathways: handling raw asbestos fiber cargo arriving at ports, loading and unloading asbestos-containing manufactured products, and working in close proximity to asbestos-laden vessels during cargo operations. Before the 1980s, major U.S. ports including New Orleans, Houston, Baltimore, and New York received millions of pounds of raw chrysotile asbestos imported from Canada, South Africa, and Russia. A South African study documented 30% prevalence of asbestosis among stevedores intermittently transporting crocidolite asbestos—a rate comparable to heavily exposed factory workers. A 1995 study found longshoremen faced an 800% increased risk of chronic lung problems compared to administrative workers. Recent litigation has resulted in substantial verdicts, including a $10.3 million Louisiana award in 2020 to a longshoreman who unloaded raw asbestos bags from 1964-1968. The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) provides federal coverage while preserving third-party liability claims.

At-a-Glance

• 8x the lung disease rate — longshoremen develop chronic pulmonary conditions at 800% the rate of administrative workers in the same maritime industry
• Intermittent exposure, factory-level disease — stevedores who handled asbestos cargo only occasionally reached 30% asbestosis prevalence, matching workers with full-time continuous exposure
• Triple-pathway contamination — raw fiber cargo, manufactured product handling, and shipboard insulation proximity each contributed independently to cumulative fiber burden
• 5.2 million pounds through one port — New Orleans alone received more raw asbestos between 2006 and 2014 than all other U.S. ports combined
• Verdicts exceeding $10 million — juries have awarded eight-figure sums to longshoremen exposed for as few as four years of cargo work
• Dual legal pathway — LHWCA federal benefits plus Section 905(b) vessel-owner lawsuits give longshoremen compensation access unavailable to most industrial workers
• 4 of 5 harbors with excess cancer — Italian cohort study found elevated lung cancer mortality across nearly every port studied, confirming a worldwide occupational pattern
• No warnings, no protection — court testimony consistently documents that workers received neither respiratory equipment nor hazard information through the 1970s
• Ongoing import risk — raw asbestos shipments continue entering U.S. ports, and containers from countries without bans may contain undeclared asbestos products

Key Facts

Metric	Finding
Lung disease risk ratio	800% increased risk of chronic lung problems vs. administrative workers (U.S. maritime occupational health study, 1995)
Asbestosis prevalence	30% among stevedores intermittently transporting crocidolite asbestos in South African port (cross-sectional survey; rate comparable to continuously exposed factory workers)
Raw asbestos imports (2006-2014)	8,220,317 lbs across 23 U.S. seaports; New Orleans: 5,249,103 lbs; Houston: 2,400,000+ lbs; Newark: 278,224 lbs (federal trade records)
Peak import era	Millions of tons of raw asbestos entered U.S. annually during 1950s-1970s; Canada, South Africa, and Russia primary source countries
U.S. marine terminal workforce	~98,000 workers as of 2017 (Bureau of Labor Statistics); hundreds of thousands exposed historically during peak decades
Landmark verdict	$10.3 million awarded in 2020 to Louisiana longshoreman who unloaded raw asbestos bags at Port of New Orleans, 1964-1968 (jury trial)
Italian five-harbor cohort	Excess lung cancer mortality documented in 4 of 5 harbors studied among longshoremen employed 1960-1981 (Savona, Marina di Carrara, Livorno, Civitavecchia; Ravenna exception)
Crocidolite cargo	Blue asbestos (most carcinogenic fiber type) routinely shipped from Cape Province, South Africa to U.S. and European ports through the 1980s
Burlap bag failure rate	Frequent breakage documented in court testimony; bags not designed for multiple handling transfers from mine to warehouse to ship to port
Legal framework	LHWCA (33 U.S.C. 901 et seq.) provides federal no-fault compensation; Section 905(b) preserves third-party negligence claims against vessel owners
2017 dock worker study	Elevated mortality for laryngeal cancer, neurological disease, non-accidental malignant cancer, lung cancer, and respiratory disease among dock workers
Current exposure	Raw asbestos imports continue; containers from Asia, India, Brazil, and Russia may contain undeclared asbestos-containing products

What Types of Asbestos Did Longshoremen Encounter?

Longshoremen experienced exposure to asbestos in three primary forms: raw asbestos fiber cargo, asbestos-containing manufactured products in cargo, and asbestos materials aboard vessels during loading/unloading operations.

Product Type	Asbestos Content	Source/Origin	Peak Period
Raw Chrysotile Fiber (Bagged)	100% pure asbestos	Canadian mines (Quebec), Russian mines (Urals)	1940s-1980s
Crocidolite (Blue Asbestos)	100% pure asbestos	South African mines (Cape Province)	1950s-1980s
Amosite (Brown Asbestos)	100% pure asbestos	South African mines (Transvaal)	1950s-1980s
Asbestos-Cement Sheets & Pipes	10-25%	Various manufacturers	1940s-1990s
Asbestos Textiles & Cloth	Variable, often 100%	Imported from various countries	1940s-1970s
Friction Products (Brakes/Clutches)	35-70%	Automotive parts in break-bulk cargo	1940s-1990s
Ship's Own Asbestos Materials	10-50% (insulation), 30-70% (gaskets)	Johns Manville, Owens Corning, Garlock	1930s-1980s

"The longshoremen cases we handle consistently show that workers were exposed through multiple pathways—raw asbestos cargo, manufactured products, and the ships themselves. This triple exposure created cumulative fiber burdens that far exceeded what any single source would produce."

— Rod De Llano, Founding Partner, Danziger & De Llano

How Did Raw Asbestos Cargo Expose Longshoremen?

The most direct and severe exposure occurred during the handling of raw asbestos fiber arriving at U.S. ports in burlap bags weighing 50-100 pounds each.

Documented Port Import Volumes

Federal trade records reveal that from 2006 to 2014 alone, 23 U.S. seaports received more than 8.2 million pounds of raw asbestos. The largest receiving ports included:

Port	Volume (2006-2014)
New Orleans, LA	5,249,103 pounds
Houston, TX	2,400,000+ pounds
Newark, NJ	278,224 pounds
Long Beach, CA	208,333 pounds
Mobile, AL	56,438 pounds
Norfolk, VA	28,219 pounds

These modern figures pale in comparison to historical volumes. During the peak decades of the 1950s-1970s, millions of tons of raw asbestos entered the United States annually.

The Deadly Reality of Bag Breakage

Raw asbestos was transported in burlap bags stacked in ship's holds. Longshoremen testified in legal proceedings that these bags frequently tore during handling, releasing asbestos dust into the hold.

A Louisiana longshoreman who worked at the Port of New Orleans from 1964-1968 testified that bags would frequently tear, releasing asbestos dust into the ship's hold. Workers were not provided with respiratory protection or warnings about the hazards of the white mineral substance they were unloading.

⚠ Critical Exposure Pattern: Burlap bags were not designed for multiple handling episodes. Each transfer—from mine to warehouse to ship to port to rail/truck—increased tear likelihood. Port records from the 1960s-1970s document substantial "breakage and spillage" losses during cargo transfer.

Physical Process of Unloading

The unloading process created extreme exposure conditions:

• Longshoremen worked in teams within cargo holds
• Workers hooked bags to winch lines for hoisting to deck level
• Manual moving and stacking bags onto pallets or into holds
• Torn bags were re-bagged or fiber was shoveled into containers
• End of shifts: Workers' clothing covered in white dust
• Confined spaces: Ship's holds provided minimal ventilation, allowing airborne fiber concentrations to build to extremely high levels

What Epidemiological Evidence Links Longshoremen to Asbestos Disease?

Multiple studies across different countries document elevated cancer mortality and asbestos disease among longshoremen.

South African Stevedore Study (Most Compelling Evidence)

The most striking epidemiological evidence comes from a cross-sectional survey of stevedores in a South African port who intermittently transported crocidolite (blue asbestos) cargo.

Key Findings:

• Asbestosis prevalence reached 30%—comparable to factory workers with continuous high-level exposure
• This rate is remarkable given the intermittent nature of the exposure
• Suggests that handling raw asbestos fiber, even sporadically, can result in severe pulmonary consequences
• Asbestosis was not associated with tuberculosis
• Smoking was not significantly associated with asbestosis in this cohort

Italian Five-Harbor Study

A comprehensive Italian study of five harbors (Savona, Marina di Carrara, Livorno, Civitavecchia, and Ravenna) established a cohort of longshoremen employed between 1960 and 1981.

Findings:

• Low overall mortality consistent with "healthy worker effect"
• Excess lung cancer found in 4 of 5 harbors studied
• Suggests occupational etiology for elevated cancer rates

U.S. Maritime Health Study

A U.S. maritime occupational health study reported that longshore workers faced an 800% increased risk of developing chronic lung problems compared to administrative workers. Even today, maritime terminals provide dangerous working conditions with occupational exposure leading to pulmonary, autoimmune, and skin diseases as well as cancer.

2017 Dock Worker Cancer Study

A 2017 study examining dock workers found:

• Higher risk of laryngeal cancer
• Elevated neurological disease mortality
• Increased risk of non-accidental, malignant cancer, lung cancer, and respiratory disease mortality

"The epidemiological evidence we've seen in these cases is compelling. When South African stevedores who only occasionally handled asbestos cargo showed 30% asbestosis rates—the same as full-time factory workers—it demonstrates just how hazardous this work really was."

— Paul Danziger, Founding Partner, Danziger & De Llano

How Did Shipboard Proximity Expose Longshoremen?

Even when not directly handling asbestos cargo, longshoremen experienced significant exposure from proximity to vessels during cargo operations.

Working Aboard Asbestos-Contaminated Vessels

Cargo operations required longshoremen to spend entire shifts—typically 8-12 hours—aboard vessels built from the 1930s through 1970s that contained extensive asbestos insulation throughout.

Working in cargo holds meant being surrounded by:

• Asbestos-insulated pipes running through holds
• Bulkheads covered with asbestos panels
• Decks with asbestos-containing tiles
• Deteriorating insulation that continuously shed fibers

Confined Space Hazards

The confined environment of cargo holds, particularly in deep tanks and lower holds, provided poor ventilation. Unlike shipyard workers who could sometimes work in open air, longshoremen loading or unloading cargo in holds had no choice but to work in whatever conditions the ship provided.

Vibration from cargo operations, temperature changes, and physical contact with ship structures disturbed asbestos materials, releasing fibers into the air longshoremen breathed throughout their shifts.

ℹ Cumulative Exposure Pattern: Unlike workers with single-source exposures (such as brake mechanics primarily exposed to brake dust), longshoremen encountered diverse fiber types from multiple products in various physical forms and exposure scenarios—creating cumulative exposure that exceeded any single source.

What Port Facilities Exposed Longshoremen to Asbestos?

Port facilities themselves contained extensive asbestos materials, creating additional exposure separate from cargo handling.

Warehouse and Transit Shed Materials

Warehouses built from the 1940s-1970s used asbestos-containing materials throughout:

• Roofing materials (asbestos-cement)
• Siding (asbestos-cement panels)
• Floor tiles (vinyl asbestos)
• Pipe insulation (for sprinkler and heating systems)

Transit sheds where cargo was temporarily stored featured asbestos construction materials throughout.

Fire Protection Requirements

Port buildings required industrial-grade fire protection due to the variety of materials stored:

• Spray-applied fireproofing on structural steel
• Asbestos ceiling tiles
• Asbestos-containing drywall joint compounds

Deterioration of these materials over decades created dust that settled on surfaces and became re-aerosolized through human activity.

What Legal Options Do Longshoremen Have for Compensation?

Longshoremen diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases have multiple legal pathways for pursuing compensation, governed primarily by the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA).

Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA)

The LHWCA (33 U.S.C. § 901 et seq.) provides federal workers' compensation coverage for longshoremen and other maritime workers.

Key LHWCA Provisions:

• Covers longshoremen, harbor workers, ship repairmen, and other maritime employees
• Provides medical benefits and wage replacement
• No-fault system: Does not require proving employer negligence
• Federal administration through Department of Labor

Section 905(b) Third-Party Claims

While LHWCA provides the exclusive remedy against employers, Section 905(b) preserves third-party claims against vessel owners for negligence.

Longshoremen can sue vessel owners who:

• Failed to warn of known hazards
• Failed to provide safe working conditions aboard vessels
• Allowed deteriorating asbestos insulation to expose workers

✓ Legal Advantage: Unlike most workers' compensation systems that completely bar lawsuits, the LHWCA specifically preserves third-party claims against vessel owners—allowing longshoremen to pursue both compensation benefits AND negligence lawsuits.

Product Manufacturer Claims

Longshoremen can pursue product liability claims against manufacturers of asbestos-containing cargo and materials:

• Raw asbestos suppliers
• Asbestos-cement manufacturers
• Insulation manufacturers (Johns Manville, Owens Corning)
• Gasket and packing manufacturers (Garlock)

What Verdicts and Settlements Have Longshoremen Received?

Longshoremen and their families have pursued successful legal claims resulting in substantial verdicts.

Notable Verdicts

Verdict Amount	Year	Plaintiff/Port	Key Details
$10.3 Million	2020	Louisiana longshoreman / Port of New Orleans	Unloaded raw asbestos bags from 1964-1968; testified bags frequently tore, releasing dust; no respiratory protection or warnings provided

The $10.3 Million Louisiana Verdict

This landmark 2020 verdict demonstrates the significant liability exposure that remains for asbestos companies decades after exposure occurred.

Case Facts:

• Plaintiff worked at Port of New Orleans from 1964-1968
• Unloaded raw asbestos cargo from vessels
• Testified that burlap bags frequently tore during handling
• Asbestos dust filled the ship's hold
• No respiratory protection provided
• No warnings about hazards of white mineral substance

"The $10.3 million Louisiana verdict shows that juries understand the profound injustice of what happened to these workers. They were given no warnings, no protection, while companies knew the dangers. That's the pattern we see repeatedly in longshoremen cases."

— Rod De Llano, Founding Partner, Danziger & De Llano

What Bankruptcy Trust Funds Are Available to Longshoremen?

Longshoremen with asbestos exposure can file claims with numerous bankruptcy trust funds established by product manufacturers.

Applicable Trust Funds

• Johns Manville Trust (insulation products on vessels and in port facilities)
• Owens Corning/Fibreboard Trust (insulation materials)
• Garlock Sealing Technologies Trust (gaskets and packing on vessels)
• Pittsburgh Corning Trust (insulation products)
• Armstrong World Industries Trust (floor tiles and ceiling materials in port facilities)
• Federal-Mogul/Bendix Trust (brake products in port vehicles and equipment)
• Various shipbuilding company trusts

Documentation Requirements

Trust fund claims require documenting:

1. Work at specific ports during specific time periods
2. Types of cargo handled (including raw asbestos or asbestos-containing products)
3. Work aboard vessels (including vessel names if possible)
4. Duration of employment in longshore work
5. Medical diagnosis of asbestos disease

Co-worker affidavits proving exposure circumstances significantly strengthen claims.

Who Can Be Held Liable in Longshoremen Asbestos Cases?

Multiple categories of defendants may face liability in longshoremen asbestos claims.

Key Defendant Categories

Stevedoring Companies: Companies that employed longshoremen and contracted with vessel owners may be defendants in LHWCA proceedings. Examples include SSA Marine, Ports America, Cooper T. Smith, and numerous regional stevedoring operations.

Vessel Owners and Operators: Shipping companies that owned vessels where exposure occurred can be sued under Section 905(b) and general maritime law—including both U.S. companies and foreign shipping lines operating vessels that called at U.S. ports.

Port Authorities: In some circumstances, port authorities that owned dock facilities may face premises liability claims if asbestos in port buildings or infrastructure caused exposure.

Product Manufacturers: Companies that manufactured asbestos-containing cargo (raw asbestos suppliers, asbestos-cement manufacturers) may be liable for failure to warn about product hazards.

Are Longshoremen Still at Risk for Asbestos Exposure Today?

Modern longshoremen face substantially reduced asbestos exposure compared to earlier generations, but risks persist.

Ongoing Exposure Risks

Raw Asbestos Imports Continue: Port records from 2006-2014 show over 8 million pounds entered U.S. ports, demonstrating ongoing trade. Workers handling these shipments remain at risk if proper controls are not implemented.

Container Cargo Concerns: Containers arriving from countries that still use asbestos (most of Asia, India, Brazil, Russia) may contain asbestos products. When containers are opened for customs inspection or when damaged containers require handling, longshoremen may encounter asbestos-containing materials without warning.

Port Facility Materials: Port facilities built during the mid-20th century contain asbestos in structures that may not have been fully abated. Deteriorating warehouse insulation, ceiling tiles in transit sheds, and asbestos-cement roofing on older port buildings can release fibers.

⚠ Statute of Limitations: Filing deadlines for longshoremen asbestos claims vary based on claim type. LHWCA claims have specific time limits, and third-party lawsuits must be filed within state statute periods. Contact an attorney immediately to protect your rights.

What Should Longshoremen Diagnosed with Mesothelioma Do?

Longshoremen diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases should take immediate steps to protect their legal rights.

Immediate Action Steps

1. Document Employment History:

• Ports where you worked
• Dates of employment
• Employers (stevedoring companies)
• Union membership records (ILWU, ILA)

2. Identify Exposure Sources:

• Types of cargo handled (especially raw asbestos)
• Vessels worked aboard (names if possible)
• Port facilities worked in
• Co-workers who can provide affidavits

3. Gather Medical Documentation:

• Pathology reports confirming diagnosis
• Imaging studies and treatment records
• Physician opinions on causation

4. Contact Experienced Legal Counsel:

• Evaluate LHWCA benefits
• Assess Section 905(b) vessel owner claims
• Identify manufacturer liability
• File bankruptcy trust fund claims

"Longshoremen cases require understanding of maritime law, workers' compensation, and product liability all at once. We help families navigate this complexity while working to maximize total compensation from every available source."

— David Foster, Client Advocate, Danziger & De Llano

Frequently Asked Questions

How long after asbestos exposure do longshoremen develop mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma typically develops 20 to 50 years after initial asbestos exposure. Longshoremen who handled raw asbestos cargo in the 1960s and 1970s may receive diagnoses decades later, well into retirement. The extended latency period means workers exposed during the peak import era are still being diagnosed today.

Can longshoremen file both workers' compensation and lawsuits?

Yes. The LHWCA provides federal workers' compensation benefits through a no-fault system, while Section 905(b) separately preserves the right to file third-party negligence lawsuits against vessel owners. Longshoremen can also pursue product liability claims against asbestos manufacturers and file bankruptcy trust fund claims simultaneously.

What types of asbestos were most dangerous for longshoremen?

Longshoremen encountered all three commercial asbestos types. Crocidolite (blue asbestos) from South Africa is considered the most carcinogenic and was shipped through U.S. ports in raw form. Chrysotile from Canadian mines was the most common type by volume. Amosite (brown asbestos) from South Africa's Transvaal region was also handled as raw cargo.

Do longshoremen still face asbestos exposure today?

Risks persist but are substantially reduced. Federal trade records show over 8 million pounds of raw asbestos entered U.S. ports between 2006 and 2014. Containers from countries that still manufacture asbestos products (including much of Asia, India, Brazil, and Russia) may contain undeclared asbestos materials.

What evidence do longshoremen need for a mesothelioma claim?

Key documentation includes port employment records with dates and specific ports, cargo handling records identifying raw asbestos shipments, union membership records (ILWU or ILA), vessel names worked aboard, co-worker affidavits confirming exposure conditions, and medical records with pathology confirming the diagnosis.

How much compensation have longshoremen received for mesothelioma?

Jury verdicts have reached $10.3 million for longshoremen with documented asbestos exposure. Trust fund claims, LHWCA benefits, and third-party lawsuits can be pursued simultaneously, and total compensation varies based on exposure duration, number of identified defendants, and specific disease diagnosis.

Are family members of longshoremen at risk from take-home asbestos?

Yes. Longshoremen who handled raw asbestos cargo carried fibers home on clothing, shoes, and skin. Family members who laundered contaminated work clothes or had close contact with workers face documented secondary exposure risk. Studies have linked household asbestos exposure to mesothelioma in spouses and children of exposed workers.

What bankruptcy trust funds can longshoremen access?

Longshoremen may file claims with trusts established by Johns Manville (insulation), Owens Corning/Fibreboard (insulation), Garlock Sealing Technologies (gaskets), Pittsburgh Corning (insulation), Armstrong World Industries (floor tiles), and Federal-Mogul/Bendix (brake products in port equipment). Multiple trust claims can be filed concurrently.

Quick Statistics

• Crocidolite 3-5x more potent — blue asbestos fibers handled by longshoremen in South African trade routes are estimated to be 3 to 5 times more carcinogenic per fiber than chrysotile
• ILWU and ILA membership records — union documentation covering over 150,000 active dock workers provides critical employment verification for trust fund claims
• 20-50 year latency window — longshoremen exposed during the 1960s peak import era are now entering the highest-risk diagnostic period for mesothelioma
• Container inspection gap — customs officers open only 2-5% of shipping containers entering U.S. ports, meaning asbestos products from non-ban countries may enter undetected
• Take-home exposure documented — spouses of longshoremen who laundered asbestos-contaminated work clothing have developed mesothelioma decades after secondary exposure
• Brazilian chrysotile exports — Brazil remained among the world's top asbestos exporters through 2017, shipping raw fiber through Gulf Coast ports frequented by U.S. longshoremen
• Port facility abatement incomplete — warehouses and transit sheds built in the 1940s-1970s at major U.S. ports have not been fully remediated, and deteriorating materials continue releasing fibers
• Section 905(b) vessel claims — longshoremen can sue foreign-flag vessel owners in U.S. courts under maritime jurisdiction, expanding defendant pools beyond domestic companies
• Co-worker affidavits — testimony from fellow dock workers describing bag breakage, dust conditions, and lack of protective equipment has been decisive in verdicts exceeding $10 million
• Italian mesothelioma registry — harbor workers appear disproportionately in Italian national cancer registries, with port cities showing elevated mesothelioma incidence compared to inland areas

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