Related Topics ► Other TopicsHawaii (HI) Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure
Hawaii is one of the few places in the world that does not have any naturally occurring asbestos deposits. This is because Hawaii was formed from volcanoes and not the collision of tectonic plates like the rest of the US and Canada, and most of the world.
However, Hawaii is not released from asbestos related injuries and illnesses - it does have two military bases and major oil refineries, which were laden with asbestos products.
At-Risk Occupations and Locations in Hawaii
It is a fact that people in marine industries throughout the United States run a much higher risk of contracting an asbestos related disease such as mesothelioma. Pearl Harbor, located in Hawaii is one of the largest and most important US Naval bases in the country. Pearl Harbor also has had oil refining capacities in the past. Ships and boats, as well as oil refining equipment has a long standing association with asbestos insulation and protective gear that was worn in the manufacturing processes and while working aboard the vessels or in the oil refineries. For many naval veterans, their last years are spent dealing with illnesses such as mesothelioma. Most of the military personnel exposure took place below decks on ships where asbestos fibers became concentrated in the closed in spaces.
In oil refineries, fire is a consistent hazard. Unfortunately, much of the gear that was used to protect the workers from fire was made with asbestos, and thereby created a problem itself. Fire suits and fire gloves were often made with asbestos because asbestos is well known for its fire proof characteristics. When fire protective great was worn down or ripped, the asbestos fibers were released into the air and then inhaled by the workers, thusly resulting in a variety of asbestos exposure related diseases and illnesses, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Asbestos-related Deaths in Hawaii
Since 1979, there have been 138 deaths resulting from asbestos exposure. Of these 138 deaths, 79 were from mesothelioma and 59 were from asbestosis. Asbestos related deaths by county in Hawaii:
Honolulu County
Asbestosis - 53
Mesothelioma - 61
Hawaii County
Asbestosis - 2
Mesothelioma - 10
Kauai County
Asbestosis - 2
Mesothelioma - 4
Maui County
Asbestosis - 2
Mesothelioma - 4
As you can see from the above numbers, the highest concentration of deaths was in Honolulu County, because it is more densely populated that the rest of the state. It is important to note that asbestosis is much more common that mesothelioma, however the majority of asbestos related deaths is from mesothelioma. The reasons for this include:
- The insulation used in ships and boats contained amphibole asbestos fibers which are not more deadly than chrysotile fibers, however because amphibole fibers are hard and spear-like, they are more quickly causing cancer in victims.
- Detection and diagnosis of asbestos related diseases is also another reason. Respiratory diseases of all types, including mesothelioma, have very similar symptoms in the early stages. Mesothelioma is not the first thing that comes to the mind of a physician when diagnosing, which means that this cancer is usually not diagnosed until the later stages.
- Mesothelioma is also malignant cancer, which can spread to other areas of the body, while asbestosis is not malignant and stays primarily in the lungs. Mesothelioma is incurable and once it has begun to spread is nearly impossible to stop. The progression of asbestosis in a patient usually stops when the person is no longer in the environment where they are exposed to asbestos.
Legal Resources for Hawaii Residents
Since 1979, 270 people in Hawaii have launched lawsuits for asbestos related injuries and diseases. The statute of limitations in Hawaii for personal injury lawsuits is two years. The time limit begins when the problem is discovered or should have been discovered. In Hawaii, if the victim/plaintiff perishes before the outcome of the case is concluded; a family member will be appointed as the administrator, although in this case, the settlement may be different. In wrongful death cases, the statute of limitations is also two years and this period of time begins at the date of death.
There has not been much asbestos legislation in Hawaii for any asbestos related diseases. A search of the state judiciary cases (equivalent of a supreme court) turns up no results for mesothelioma cases or asbestos cases in general. However, even though the litigation on mesothelioma and asbestos is nil in the higher court system, the lower courts have seen quite a few.
There are no specific asbestos statutes in Hawaii; however the cases thus far have been pro-victim. There have been 12 major companies in Hawaii that have filed for bankruptcy, which may affect the payout of mesothelioma lawsuits and claims. Most of the cases that are launched against companies that are not bankrupt are often settled out of court with settlements.
The largest asbestos related issues in Hawaii are regarding the natural preservation of the area. As well, a school was found to have asbestos in it in 2005 - however it will take years before it is known whether mesothelioma will be caused by this exposure. One teacher at the school has promised to keep all the students names that were exposed to asbestos on file until the outcome is known.
State Index
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