Mesothelioma Lawyer for Refinery Workers
Petroleum refineries used asbestos extensively in pre-1980 process unit insulation, pipe lagging, gaskets, packing material, and protective gear. Refinery operators, pipefitters, insulators, mechanics, and turnaround contractors faced documented heavy asbestos exposure for 4-5 decades.
How Refinery Workers Were Exposed to Asbestos
Petroleum refineries operate at extreme temperatures (500-900°F) and require extensive insulation. From the 1920s through the 1980s, that insulation was overwhelmingly asbestos-based. Refinery process units (crude distillation, FCC, hydrocracker, alkylation, reformer) had asbestos pipe insulation, gaskets, and refractory throughout. Maintenance contractors disturbing legacy asbestos during turnarounds (planned maintenance shutdowns) face the highest exposure risk — often unknowingly.
Common Employers — Refinery Worker / Operator / Maintenance Asbestos Exposure
- Chevron (multiple refineries)
- ExxonMobil (Baytown, Baton Rouge, Joliet, Beaumont)
- BP / Standard Oil (Whiting, Texas City)
- Phillips 66 (Lemont, Wood River, Sweeny)
- Marathon Petroleum
- Shell Oil (Deer Park, Norco, Martinez)
- Valero Energy
- Citgo Petroleum
- Sun Oil / Sunoco (Marcus Hook)
- Tesoro / Andeavor
- Bechtel + Fluor (refinery contractors)
Common Asbestos-Containing Products Encountered
- Kaylo asbestos pipe insulation
- Eagle-Picher Hi-Temp insulation
- Garlock asbestos gaskets
- Crane Co. packing
- Asbestos refractory cement
- Asbestos block insulation
Top States for Refinery Worker / Operator / Maintenance Mesothelioma Claims
- Texas (Gulf Coast refinery row)
- California (Bay Area + LA Harbor refineries)
- Louisiana (Cancer Alley)
- New Jersey (Bayway)
- Pennsylvania (Marcus Hook)
- Illinois (Joliet, Lemont)
- Indiana (Whiting)
Asbestos Trust Funds Available to Refinery Worker / Operator / Maintenance Claimants
The following asbestos trust funds typically pay claims to refinery worker / operator / maintenances with documented work history and mesothelioma diagnosis. Most claimants qualify for 8–15 trust funds simultaneously.
- Manville Trust
- Owens Corning Trust
- UNARCO Trust
- Garlock Trust
- Crane Co. Trust
- Eagle-Picher Trust
VA Disability Eligibility
Generally not applicable (civilian occupation).
How Whitman Mesothelioma Law Firm Helps Refinery Worker / Operator / Maintenances
Whitman Mesothelioma Law Firm represents refinery worker / operator / maintenances nationwide who developed mesothelioma from documented occupational asbestos exposure. Our attorneys have over 30 years of combined experience and have recovered more than $2 billion for clients. We pursue all available compensation tracks: trust fund claims, lawsuits against asbestos product manufacturers, and (where applicable) FELA claims for railroad workers or VA disability for veterans.
Authored by Michelle Whitman, reviewed by Paul Danziger, edited by Rod De Llano.
Frequently Asked Questions — Refinery Worker / Operator / Maintenance Mesothelioma Claims
I worked at the ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Refinery for 30 years. Can I file?
Yes. ExxonMobil Baton Rouge (and all major US refineries) used asbestos pervasively in process unit insulation 1920s-1980s. Trust fund claims (Manville, OC, UNARCO, Garlock, Crane, Eagle-Picher — typically 8-12 trusts) plus product liability lawsuits. Refinery may also be liable as premise owner depending on state law.
I was a refinery turnaround contractor in the 1990s. Was I still exposed?
Yes — and turnaround contractors often face the highest exposure because they disturb legacy asbestos that's been in place for decades. Chrysotile asbestos was widely used through the 1980s; legacy asbestos remains in older refinery process units even today.
Have additional questions? Call 1-800-875-3000 or submit a free case evaluation.