The city of Shreveport began as an incorporated township in 1839, and was named after Captain Henry Miller Shreve in honor of his contribution to the region’s settlement. During the Civil War, the city witnessed several key battles, after which it became a major center for trade and commerce, particularly cotton trading. 

Asbestos was used throughout refineries, a popular industry in Shreveport.

Thanks to its thriving oil, gas, and manufacturing industries, Shreveport saw rapid growth in the 20th century, and today, the city is a hub for trade, commerce, and the arts, with a growing population of over 200,000 residents. 

The Shreveport of today is well known for its vibrant arts and entertainment options, including many museums, galleries, theaters, and a thriving music scene. The city is also known for its delicious cuisine, including classic Louisiana dishes such as gumbo, crawfish, and jambalaya. While there are many things to love about Shreveport, the city is, unfortunately, also a source of potential asbestos exposure. 

Growing concerns of asbestos exposure in Shreveport

One of the primary reasons for the growing concern regarding asbestos exposure in Shreveport is the city’s history of heavy industrial activity. During the 20th century, the city was home to a number of major petrochemical and oil refineries, as well as shipbuilding and steel mills. These industries relied heavily on asbestos for fireproofing and insulation, resulting in many workers being exposed to high levels of the toxic mineral on a daily basis. 

Nearly every building constructed before the mid 1980s contained an asbestos product of some kind, including insulation, wiring, roofing, ceilings and floor tiles.

Another factor contributing to the issue of asbestos exposure in the city is the amount of aging housing stock. Many of Shreveport’s homes were built before 1980, when the use of asbestos in construction was at its peak. As a result, many residents are living in homes that contain asbestos in insulation, floor tiles, and other building materials, putting them at risk of exposure.

Severe weather events heighten risk of exposure

Given that Shreveport is located in the Gulf Coast region, it is therefore prone to suffering severe weather events such as hurricanes and tornadoes. The last hurricane to hit Shreveport was Hurricane Laura in August 2020. Hurricane Laura was a powerful Category 4 hurricane that caused widespread damage across the region. 

Such weather events often cause significant damage to properties, disturbing aging asbestos-containing construction materials and putting residents at elevated risk of exposure.

Abatement resources in the region

There are several resources available to assist residents in addressing the dangers of asbestos exposure. They include:

  • Asbestos Testing and Inspection Services: There are many companies in the Shreveport area, such as SRP (Shreveport Asbestos Survey & Management Services), that specialize in asbestos testing and inspection
  • Asbestos Abatement Contractors: There are several Shreveport-based contractors that specialize in asbestos abatement, providing services such as removal, encapsulation, and disposal of asbestos-containing materials
  • Hazardous Waste Disposal Facilities: Shreveport area is home to several hazardous waste disposal facilities to help residents and businesses safely dispose of asbestos-containing materials
  • Environmental Consulting Firms: You can also find Environmental consulting firms in the area that specialize in helping businesses, and residents understand the dangers of asbestos exposure and provide guidance on how to minimize their risk

Additionally, there are also government agencies and non-profit organizations that provide information and support regarding asbestos exposure and abatement. These include:

  • DEQ – Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality
  • EPA – Environmental Protection Agency

OSHA – U.S. Department of Labor: Occupational Safety and Health Administration

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Why do you need an asbestos attorney in Shreveport?

When inhaled or ingested, microscopic asbestos fibers can get lodged into the delicate tissue lining of the lungs, stomach, and other organs, and gradually cause damage to the point of causing lung disease, a range of other illnesses, and, in the worst case scenario, a rare and aggressive form of cancer called mesothelioma. Symptoms of asbestos-related disease can take years or even decades to become apparent, so any exposure to asbestos, however long ago, must be taken seriously. 

Proving your asbestos exposure requires knowledge and experience. 
It also helps to have AsbestosClaims.Law’s database W.A.R.D., the largest collection of asbestos information on the planet.

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One of the key benefits of working with an asbestos attorney is that they have extensive knowledge regarding the laws and regulations surrounding asbestos exposure, as well as a deep understanding of the medical and scientific evidence regarding its dangers. This knowledge and expertise are essential when it comes to negotiating with insurance companies, manufacturers, and any other responsible parties who may be liable for your injuries. 

Another valuable aspect of working with an asbestos attorney is that they can help you navigate the often-complex legal process of seeking compensation for your injuries. This can include filing a lawsuit, negotiating a settlement, and navigating dispute resolution pathways, such as mediation or arbitration. An expert asbestos attorney can also assist you in gathering the necessary evidence to support your claim, such as medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony.

Asbestos trusts

With all this being said, there is a good chance that asbestos/mesothelioma claims may be made a great deal easier by making a claim via an asbestos trust. 

An asbestos trust is a legal entity/fund established to compensate victims of asbestos exposure. These trusts were created as a result of companies going bankrupt under the mounting pressures of numerous asbestos-related lawsuits. The trusts were established to provide a source of compensation for victims of asbestos exposure, without having to endure lengthy, costly lawsuits. 

Compensation for your injury, with a lawsuit.

In the case of AsbestosClaims.Law, whether your claim progresses via the trust or lawsuit route, all research and filing are taken care of, as well as helping you to prove and substantiate your claim of asbestos exposure.

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In terms of death rate, Louisiana had 5.9 asbestos-related deaths per 100,000 population during the 1999-2017 period. (Higher than the national average death rate of 4.9.)

Second-hand asbestos exposure (Secondary Asbestos Exposure)

Even the workers’ families were affected due to secondhand exposure—asbestos fibers are extremely durable and can cling to skin and clothing, traveling great distances with those directly exposed.

Asbestos fibers have no taste or smell, and can be microscopic, so you may not realize you were breathing them.

Unfortunately, many workers’ families and other household members were exposed to asbestos as well, as asbestos was brought home daily in neighborhoods across the U.S. on work-clothing. 

This is often known as secondary or second-hand asbestos exposure (or domestic / household family asbestos exposure). In studies of asbestos disease, 1 in 5 cases of asbestos exposure were caused by secondary asbestos exposure.

But spouses and children can also receive a share of the $30 Billion in asbestos trust compensation if they were exposed to asbestos brought into the house or family vehicle by a worker.

Our law firm’s database W.A.R.D. (Worldwide Asbestos Research Database) is the largest and most comprehensive database of asbestos-related information in the world, covering information regarding worksites and products going back to the 1930s, and including information about companies that no longer exist. 

What our contingency guarantee means for you

AsbestosClaims.Law works on a contingency basis, meaning that we do not require any upfront payment for our services in representing you. We take on cases for asbestos injury compensation claims with the understanding that we will receive a percentage of any settlement or verdict awarded in the case.

What this means for your or your loved ones is that you are free to pursue an asbestos-related claim with no risk and no upfront fees – if you don’t win, we don’t get paid. 

AsbestosClaims.Law

AsbestosClaims.law is your comprehensive resource for all things asbestos. We hope this information is helpful.

If you have any additional questions or concerns related to asbestos, check out our website and YouTube page for videos, infographics and answers to your questions about asbestos, including health and safety, asbestos testing, removing asbestos from your home and building, and legal information about compensation for asbestos injuries.

If you believe that your home was contaminated with asbestos, or you believe that you were exposed to asbestos, or have been diagnosed with an asbestos illness, you could be entitled to significant compensation—money you could use to cover the costs of asbestos removal services, pay for medical treatment, and preemptively protect your physical well-being. 

All without filing a lawsuit.

The largest database of asbestos information on the planet.

W.A.R.D., which stands for the Worldwide Asbestos Research Database, helps clients to narrow down when and where they may have been exposed, as well as which products may still contain asbestos. W.A.R.D. will also help indicate compensation types and how much a person may be entitled to.

If you’d like help with filing a claim, please get in touch by email at [email protected], or call or text us at (833) 4-ASBESTOS (427-2378) or (206) 455-9190. We’ll listen to your story and explain your options. And we never charge for anything unless you receive money in your pocket.