Philadelphia Mesothelioma Lawyer

Many industries in Philadelphia relied on asbestos for years. This exposed workers and put them at risk for developing illnesses like mesothelioma. Workers can now fight for justice with the assistance of an experienced Philadelphia mesothelioma lawyer.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may qualify for substantial compensation. Fill out our form to receive our free Financial Compensation Packet. Our packet is loaded with information on experienced mesothelioma attorneys in Philadelphia, how to file a claim for asbestos trust funds, how to get paid in 90 days, and more. 

Philadelphia Asbestos Facts

• There were over 17,000 asbestos-related deaths in Pennsylvania between 1999 and 2017.
• During that period, 1,576 of those deaths occurred in Philadelphia County, the third-highest number in the state.
• Several employers industries in Philadelphia used asbestos and exposed workers, including the U.S. Navy, textile mills, and manufacturing plants.
• Philadelphia public schools are currently facing serious exposure risks in many of the district’s older buildings.

Philadelphia Industry and Asbestos Use

Philadelphia is an old city founded in 1692 and has a long industrial history. It was once a major manufacturing center. In the late 19th century, the textile industry dominated, but railroad factories and shipyards were also important.

These industries all used asbestos for a significant period of time, causing exposure and illness in workers decades later.

Steam engines on locomotives and ships had gaskets, pipes, and valves lined with asbestos. Textile mills used asbestos in machinery to protect against friction-related heat.

As the city grew, it also saw a boom in construction, another industry that used asbestos heavily for a period of time.

Homes and public buildings were built with asbestos insulation, roofing materials, flooring panels, cement, and other components.

Philadelphia Naval Shipyard

From 1801 to 1970, the U.S. Navy built many warships and support vessels at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. It served as a major repair and refit center for the Navy’s Atlantic Fleet until 1995.

The central Navy Yard closed due to post-Cold War cuts in defense spending and cost the area 7,000 jobs.

Philadelphia acquired much of the property in the spring of 2000 and redeveloped most of it for various uses. Aker Solutions, which builds tankers and other commercial ships, leases the west end of the site.

The Navy used asbestos heavily in its vessels through much of the 20th century. Peak use of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) at the Navy Yard occurred during World War II when workers built 52 new ships and repaired or refitted over 500.

Consequently, yard workers and ships crews were in constant contact with ACMs, and many of them have developed asbestos-related illnesses.

Other shipyards and ship companies associated with asbestos use in Philadelphia include:

• Hog Island Shipyard
• New York Shipbuilding Company
• Cramps Shipbuilding Company
• Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock Company

Hospitals Constructed with Asbestos

Several of the city’s hospitals were built during a time of heavy asbestos use in construction.

All hospitals associated with asbestos must follow state and federal guidelines regarding asbestos containment and emergency procedures.

• Byberry State Mental Hospital
• Chestnut Hill
• Frankford
• Germantown
• Hahnemann
• Holy Redeemer
• Jefferson
• Lankenau
• Mercy Douglas
• Metropolitan
• Moss Rehabilitation
• Mt. Sinai
• Municipal
• Nazareth
• Pennsylvania State
• Presbyterian
• Roxborough Memorial
• Saint Agnes
• Temple University
• Thomas Edison University
• United States Naval
• Philadelphia VA Medical Center

Asbestos in Philadelphia Schools

In the 2000s, the Philadelphia School District began to face the dangers of asbestos in its infrastructure. Many older buildings contain asbestos and need remediation or repairs to avoid exposure risks for students and staff.

The district failed to act quickly enough for teachers who began a lawsuit to demand a rapid response. In 2020, the American Federation of Teachers created a proposal to deal with the many instances of damaged asbestos the district had yet to remediate.

Also in 2020, the University of Pennsylvania and the city of Philadelphia committed $100 million to help the district abate asbestos. By May of 2021, the teachers’ union released a report indicating that the teachers and students were still being exposed to asbestos.

The report also claimed the project would require $200 million to finish. Asbestos in Philadelphia schools continues to be an ongoing problem.

The schools in the district with the highest numbers of reports of damaged and dangerous asbestos are:

• Frankford High School
• Lewis Elkin School
• Overbrook High School
• Robert Morris School
• Academy at Palumbo
• George W. Sharswood School
• John B. Kelly School
• Penrose School
• Roxborough High School
• Solomon Solis-Cohen School

Specialized Cancer Treatment in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is home to several medical facilities designated as Comprehensive Cancer Centers by the National Cancer Institute. This means that they meet high standards for treatment, research, and innovations in diagnosis and prevention.

• Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania. 3400 Spruce Street, 215-615-5858.
• Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University. 333 Cottman Avenue, 1-888-369-2427.
• Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University. 233 South 10th Street, 215-503-5692.
• The Wistar Institute Cancer Center. 3601 Spruce Street, 215-898-3700.

Getting Legal Help in Philadelphia

If you’ve been exposed to asbestos and developed mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, remember that there is a good chance that you’ll qualify for compensation. Remember to fill out our form to get your free Financial Compensation Packet, with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma lawyers in your area.