Last month, retired welder Albert Johnson filed a personal injury lawsuit in the Superior Court of California, Alameda County, accusing dozens of companies of negligence that caused his asbestos-related lung cancer. His claim breaks those responsible into a range of categories, including product defendants, premises and contractor defendants, shipbuilding companies, ship owners, and respirator defendants.
Occupational Exposure to Asbestos Blamed for Former Welder’s Lung Cancer
According to the claim filed with the court on June 25th, Mr. Johnson worked as a welder from approximately 1963 to 1990 at various locations in the San Francisco Bay Area, including but not limited to Bethlehem Steel, Triple A, Todd Shipyard, and American Bridge. Mr. Johnson says he was exposed while repairing ships, and specifically from the installation and removal of thermal insulation, gaskets, and packing from boilers, turbines, generators, and piping systems. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2024.
Notably, the lung cancer victim’s claim specifically waives any claims against defendants related to or arising out of exposures to asbestos or other toxins from products sold or supplied to the United States or on any ship owned or operated by the United States (including U.S. Navy ships) or at a U.S. naval shipyard. It further notes that he never served in the United States military and was never employed by the United States. These waivers are included for the purpose of avoiding any defendant filing for removal to a federal court or immunity based on being a government contractor.
Negligence and Fraud Among Charges Filed by Lung Cancer Victim
The lung cancer victim is accusing the companies of varying state and maritime violations, including strict liability and negligence for design defects, failure to warn, knowledge of hazards, and manufacturing defects. He is also citing fraudulent concealment and misrepresentation, intentional misrepresentation by the respirator defendants, and conspiracy to commit fraudulent concealment. He separately accuses all shipowner defendants and the previously named product defendants of negligence as third-party owners and/or operators of vessels pursuant to the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act.
In addition to seeking economic damages for the harm that he suffered, Mr. Johnson is also seeking punitive damages against the companies named in his suit, calling their actions “despicable” and “done with a willful and knowing disregard of the rights and safety of others.”
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with asbestos-related lung cancer or mesothelioma, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net are here to help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
