Did West Virginia oil refineries use asbestos?

Yes, many oil refineries in West Virginia used asbestos in insulation, gaskets, pumps, and pipe coverings, exposing refinery workers and their families to serious risks.

Can I still file a claim if I worked at a WV refinery years ago?

Yes. If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, you may still qualify for compensation—even if the exposure happened decades ago.

What types of refinery jobs had the most exposure?

Boiler workers, pipefitters, insulators, and maintenance personnel in WV refineries often worked directly with asbestos-laden equipment and insulation materials.

WV Oil Refinery Workers Faced Serious Asbestos Exposure

WV oil refinery workers were routinely exposed to dangerous asbestos materials throughout the 20th century. From Parkersburg to Huntington, these refineries used asbestos to insulate high-heat systems like boilers, pumps, and piping. Today, many former workers—and their family members—face diagnoses like mesothelioma and asbestosis decades after exposure.

If you or a loved one worked at a West Virginia oil refinery and have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, legal compensation may still be available.

Asbestos Use in West Virginia Oil Refineries

During much of the 20th century, asbestos was considered essential to the safe operation of oil and gas facilities. Workers at sites like:

Ashland Oil (Kenova)
DuPont Washington Works (Parkersburg)
American Viscose / FMC (Nitro)
Pennzoil and Marathon Petroleum sites

routinely worked around asbestos-lined pumps, boilers, valves, compressors, distillation columns, and steam systems. Pipefitters, insulators, boilermakers, and general laborers all had frequent contact with these materials.

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Secondary and Take-Home Exposure from Refinery Work

Take-home asbestos exposure was common among refinery families in West Virginia. Workers returned home each night with contaminated clothing, boots, and tool bags. Many spouses and children later developed mesothelioma after years of laundering dusty work uniforms.

Legal Help for WV Refinery Workers and Families

The Law Offices of Lee W. Davis, Esquire, L.L.C. has over three decades of experience representing oil refinery workers in asbestos litigation. If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer—even decades after your last exposure—you may still be eligible for:

Asbestos trust fund claims
Wrongful death lawsuits
Survivorship compensation for family members

Speak With an Experienced West Virginia Asbestos Lawyer

Our office understands the specific exposure risks tied to West Virginia oil refineries. Attorney Lee Davis has handled asbestos cases since 1988, including thousands of refinery-related claims.

📞 Call (412) 781-0525 or

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FAQs About WV Oil Refinery Asbestos Exposure

❓ Which WV oil refineries had asbestos hazards?
Facilities in Kenova, Parkersburg, Nitro, and Charleston—including Ashland Oil and DuPont—used asbestos in piping, insulation, boilers, and gaskets.

❓ Who was exposed to asbestos in refineries?
Pipefitters, insulators, boiler operators, welders, electricians, and even general laborers were exposed daily. Office workers and family members also faced risks through take-home exposure.

❓ Can I still file a claim if the exposure happened years ago?
Yes. Mesothelioma often appears 20–50 years after exposure. If diagnosed recently, you likely still qualify to file a legal claim in West Virginia.

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