Workers in shipyards and seamen who have worked in environments below deck that were laden with asbestos for many years are more likely to develop cancer of the throat area, including the larynx, pharynx, and esophagus. Asbestos has been classified as a carcinogen linked to upper aerodigestive tract cancers by both the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the National Cancer Institute, and occupational studies consistently show an increased risk in maritime and shipyard populations.
Claim ApplicationUnlike lung cancer, where fibers lodge directly in lung tissue, asbestos affects the upper aerodigestive tract through two pathways. Inhaled fibers can deposit in the larynx and pharynx during breathing, while fibers cleared from the airways through mucociliary action can be swallowed, bringing them into contact with esophageal tissue.
Once deposited, the fibers initiate the same destructive sequence in all three sites: persistent tissue irritation, increased cellular turnover, oxidative stress, and chromosomal damage, which accumulates into malignancy over time. Multiple meta-analyses and occupational cohort studies confirm a statistically significant increased risk of esophageal, laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers in asbestos-exposed workers, with risk increasing in duration and intensity of exposure.
Maritime workers faced conditions that accelerated this risk. Enclosed air circulation systems recycled fiber-laden air throughout vessels. Longer shifts below deck increased the time of daily inhalation, and any disturbance of aging insulation during repairs released concentrated bursts of fibers into confined spaces.
The Jones Act allows seamen who have been diagnosed with asbestos-related throat cancer to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and wrongful death damages. Contact ELG Law today and learn if your diagnosis qualifies for a claim.
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