Collie Washington, Jr. was diagnosed with lung cancer in September 2024 after having worked as a civilian welder at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. He also performed numerous home remodel and maintenance jobs throughout the city of Los Angeles. Mr. Washington was diagnosed with asbestosis and later with lung cancer. He has filed a personal injury lawsuit against multiple companies that manufactured and distributed the asbestos-contaminated products, accusing them of negligence, product liability, and other charges.
Occupational Exposure to Asbestos Blamed for Man’s Lung Cancer
From the 1960s to the 1980s, asbestos was used in multiple construction and shipbuilding applications, and exposure to the material has been directly linked to countless cases of mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, and other diseases. Mr. Washington’s work as a welder and home maintenance and renovation worker exposed him to both asbestos and asbestos-containing products, which he says caused him breathing difficulties, asbestosis, lung damage, and lung cancer.
Among the defendants named in Mr. Washington’s asbestos lung cancer claim were many of the same companies that are frequently included in lawsuits filed by mesothelioma victims who suffered occupational exposure to asbestos. These include Air & Liquid Corporation, Armstrong International, Carrier Corporation, Cleaver-Brooks, DAP, General Electric, and Kaiser Gypsum. The filing submitted by Mr. Washington provides a long list of asbestos-contaminated parts and equipment, including steam traps, pumps, HVAC equipment, valves, boilers, and joint compound.
Retired Rear Admiral’s Declaration Submitted in Support of Lung Cancer Victim’s Claim
Included in the original information submitted to the court by the lung cancer victim was a declaration from retired Rear Admiral David P. Sargent, Jr., who served in the Navy from 1967 to 1999. During that time, the former Naval officer held a variety of program and technical management positions in the Naval Sea Systems Command program offices, and was responsible for the design, construction, fleet introduction, in-service support, and modernization of various classes of warships. He provided a significant amount of information about the extensive use of asbestos in Navy ships, as well as the lack of protection from the material, which was common in shipyards at that time.
Mr. Johnson’s asbestos lung cancer claim was filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. Though several defendants attempted to remove the case to federal court, it was recently remanded back to California’s state court, where it will soon be heard by a Los Angeles jury.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net are here to help. For more information, contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.
