Construction workers are one of the occupational groups most heavily affected by mesothelioma in the United States. For most of the 20th century, asbestos was a standard building material — used in insulation, fireproofing, flooring, roofing, and dozens of other applications. Workers who built, renovated, or demolished buildings before the 1980s face a significantly elevated lifetime risk of mesothelioma, and renovation and demolition workers continue to face risks today when working on older structures.
History of Asbestos Exposure for Construction
From the 1920s through the late 1970s, asbestos was considered an ideal building material: cheap, fire-resistant, and durable. It was mixed into concrete and plaster, used as pipe and boiler insulation, applied as spray-on fireproofing on structural steel, and incorporated into floor tiles and ceiling materials. General contractors, carpenters, drywall finishers, plumbers, electricians, ironworkers, and laborers all encountered asbestos on job sites. Companies like W.R. Grace, Armstrong World Industries, and U.S. Gypsum supplied asbestos-containing products to American construction sites by the hundreds of millions of pounds — despite knowing for decades that the dust caused fatal disease.
Common Asbestos-Containing Products
The following products were commonly used in this occupation and are well-documented in asbestos litigation:
- Spray-on fireproofing applied to steel beams (SFRM)
- Pipe and duct insulation
- Drywall joint compound (contains asbestos in pre-1977 formulations)
- Vinyl floor tiles and adhesives
- Acoustic ceiling tiles
- Roofing shingles and felt underlayment
- Concrete, masonry, and stucco mixes
- Caulks, sealants, and putties
Your Legal Rights
Construction workers with mesothelioma can file product liability lawsuits against the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products used on their job sites. These claims target product manufacturers — not employers in most cases — which means workers' compensation does not foreclose a lawsuit. Asbestos trust fund claims can be filed simultaneously, targeting dozens of manufacturers whose products appeared on your job sites. Given the number of products and manufacturers involved in construction, construction workers frequently qualify for multiple trust fund claims.
Key Facts for Construction
- Construction is one of the top three industries for total mesothelioma diagnoses
- Renovation and demolition of pre-1980 buildings remains a current asbestos risk
- Over 60 asbestos product manufacturers established bankruptcy trust funds
- Multiple simultaneous trust fund claims are common in construction cases
- Average settlement for construction worker mesothelioma claims: $1M–$1.5M
Frequently Asked Questions
Mesothelioma attorneys specialize in tracing specific asbestos products to specific job sites using supplier records, union records, purchasing documents, and co-worker testimony. Working at many sites actually broadens the number of responsible manufacturers.
Bankruptcy does not eliminate your claim. Companies that filed for bankruptcy due to asbestos liability established trust funds before closing — these trusts are still accepting and paying claims today. A mesothelioma attorney will identify every trust fund relevant to your work history.
No. Workers' compensation and product liability lawsuits are completely separate. Product liability claims against manufacturers — not your employer — can yield compensation far exceeding workers' comp. Most mesothelioma attorneys pursue manufacturer claims, not employer claims.