KOOMEY Houston Blowout Preventers: Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Claims in Houston, Texas

URGENT FILING DEADLINE WARNING FOR TEXAS ASBESTOS CLAIMS: If you or a loved one worked at KOOMEY Houston Blowout Preventers and have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, you have a limited time to file a legal claim. In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims related to asbestos exposure is generally two years from the date of diagnosis (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003). For wrongful death claims, it is also generally two years from the date of death (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003). Do not delay; missing this critical deadline can permanently bar your right to seek compensation. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer in Texas can help navigate these deadlines.

If you or a loved one worked at KOOMEY Houston Blowout Preventers in Houston, Texas, and received a diagnosis of mesothelioma, asbestosis, or lung cancer, you may have been exposed to asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) at the facility. KOOMEY Houston Blowout Preventers manufactured and serviced blowout preventers and related oilfield equipment. Many industrial facilities across Texas, particularly those in the oil and gas sector, reportedly used ACMs throughout much of the 20th century. Asbestos provided heat resistance, insulation, and durability. Workers at this site may have encountered asbestos during construction, operation, maintenance, and renovation of the facility and its equipment. An asbestos attorney in Texas can help investigate your potential exposure.

Identify specific asbestos-containing products allegedly present at facilities like KOOMEY Houston Blowout Preventers. Refer to the AsbestosIndex Product Crosswalk for oilfield equipment manufacturing facilities.

Asbestos Use at KOOMEY Houston Blowout Preventers and Asbestos Exposure in Texas

Asbestos use was widespread in American industry from the 1930s through the late 1970s. Facilities like KOOMEY Houston Blowout Preventers manufactured and maintained heavy industrial equipment. They likely incorporated ACMs into various components. These materials were reportedly present in machinery, structural elements, and insulation throughout the plant. Similar patterns of asbestos use were common at other major Texas industrial sites, such as the ExxonMobil Baytown Refinery, Shell Deer Park Complex, and Dow Chemical Freeport, contributing to widespread asbestos exposure in Texas.

Asbestos withstood high temperatures and prevented fires. This made it a common choice for equipment designed for high-pressure and high-temperature environments, such as oil and gas operations. Specific dates of asbestos use at KOOMEY Houston Blowout Preventers are not definitively known without detailed internal records. Facilities operating during the peak period of asbestos use (roughly 1930s-1970s) likely contained ACMs. Even after regulations restricted new asbestos use, existing materials often remained in place for many years. This posed ongoing exposure risks during repair, removal, or disturbance. If you believe you may have been exposed, a Houston asbestos cancer lawyer can review your case.

Occupations at Risk of Asbestos Exposure in Oilfield Equipment Manufacturing

Many trades and personnel working at KOOMEY Houston Blowout Preventers may have been exposed to asbestos-containing materials. Exposure occurred when ACMs were disturbed. This released microscopic asbestos fibers into the air. This happened during routine maintenance, repairs, renovations, or demolition.

Trades that may have faced exposure include:

  • Insulators: Insulators installed and removed asbestos-containing insulation from pipes, boilers, furnaces, and other equipment. Their work involved cutting, shaping, and applying insulating materials. This reportedly released large quantities of asbestos fibers. Union members from locals such as Heat and Frost Insulators Local 22 (Houston) may have worked on site.
  • Pipefitters: Pipefitters worked with asbestos-containing gaskets, packing, and pipe insulation. Cutting, fitting, and removing these materials during installation or repair work allegedly led to substantial fiber release. Members of UA Pipefitters Local 211 (Houston) may have been present.
  • Boilermakers: If boilers were present at the facility for heating or steam generation, boilermakers worked extensively with asbestos-containing refractory materials, insulation, and gaskets within and around these units. Boilermakers Local 587 (Port Arthur) or Boilermakers Local 74 (Beaumont) members may have been involved in similar work across the Texas Gulf Coast.
  • Electricians: Electricians reportedly encountered asbestos in wiring insulation, electrical panels, and conduit systems. Disturbing these materials during installation, repair, or upgrades allegedly led to exposure. IBEW Local 66 (Houston) members may have performed electrical work.
  • Machinists: Machinists working on various equipment may have been exposed to asbestos in gaskets, brake linings (if heavy machinery with brakes was used), and other components.
  • Welders: Welders often worked close to insulated pipes and equipment. Their work may have disturbed existing asbestos materials. Asbestos blankets and gloves were also reportedly used as protective gear.
  • Laborers: General laborers assisted various trades. They were often involved in cleanup efforts, which allegedly exposed them to asbestos dust generated by other workers. They also handled and moved materials that may have contained asbestos.
  • Maintenance Staff: Facility maintenance workers performed ongoing repairs and upkeep. This often involved disturbing insulation, gaskets, and other asbestos-containing components throughout the plant. This was a common role across Texas industrial facilities, from the Texaco Port Arthur Refinery to the Luminant Martin Lake Plant.

Alleged Asbestos-Containing Products at KOOMEY Houston Blowout Preventers

Workers at KOOMEY Houston Blowout Preventers may have been exposed to asbestos through various products and materials, including:

  • Pipe covering
  • Block insulation
  • Gaskets and packing in blowout preventers and other oilfield equipment
  • Refractory materials in furnaces or heat-treating equipment
  • Brake linings and clutch facings in heavy machinery, forklifts, or vehicles used on-site
  • Insulating cement
  • Spray fireproofing materials
  • Electrical components, including wire insulation, electrical panel components, and arc chutes
  • Floor tile and mastic
  • Roofing materials

Consult the AsbestosIndex Product Crosswalk for a list of asbestos-containing products associated with this facility type.

Exposure to asbestos fibers causes several severe and often fatal diseases. These diseases typically have long latency periods. Symptoms may not appear until decades after initial exposure.

  • Mesothelioma: A rare and aggressive cancer. It primarily affects the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma). It also occurs in the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
  • Asbestosis: A chronic, non-cancerous lung disease. It features scarring of the lung tissue, leading to shortness of breath and reduced lung function.
  • Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure increases the risk of developing lung cancer. This risk is higher for individuals who also smoke.
  • Other Cancers: Asbestos exposure links to an increased risk of cancers of the larynx, pharynx, stomach, and colon.

If you or a loved one worked at KOOMEY Houston Blowout Preventers and received an asbestos-related disease diagnosis, seek legal counsel promptly from an asbestos attorney in Texas.

Individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or other asbestos-related diseases due to exposure at facilities like KOOMEY Houston Blowout Preventers in Texas have several legal avenues for seeking compensation. These include:

  • Personal Injury Lawsuits: For living individuals diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease. These are often filed in Texas state courts, such as the Jefferson County District Court (Beaumont), Harris County District Court (Houston), or Bexar County District Court (San Antonio), which frequently handle asbestos cases. Pursuing a Jefferson County asbestos lawsuit or Harris County asbestos lawsuit requires specialized legal knowledge.
  • Wrongful Death Lawsuits: Filed by family members of a deceased individual whose death was caused by an asbestos-related disease.
  • Asbestos Trust Fund Claims: Many companies that manufactured asbestos-containing products or used asbestos extensively filed for bankruptcy. They established trust funds to compensate future victims. Texas residents can pursue these asbestos trust fund Texas claims simultaneously with civil lawsuits.

It is crucial to understand the strict Texas asbestos statute of limitations. For personal injury claims related to asbestos exposure, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of diagnosis (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003). For wrongful death claims, the statute of limitations is also generally two years from the date of death (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003). These deadlines are absolute and critical. Failing to file within these timeframes can irrevocably forfeit your right to pursue a claim for compensation. While most asbestos trusts do not have strict time limits, their assets can deplete, making prompt filing advisable. Understanding the Texas asbestos lawsuit filing deadline is critical.

Asbestos diseases have a long latency period. By diagnosis, many years or decades may have passed since exposure. Unfortunately, many of the coworkers who shared shifts with you in the earlier years of your career may no longer be reachable. Their testimony and recollections prove vital in establishing asbestos exposure details at a facility. Time is precious; act quickly to explore legal options, preserve evidence, and gather witness accounts while they are still available.

Contact an Experienced Asbestos Attorney Today

If you or a family member worked at KOOMEY Houston Blowout Preventers and received an asbestos-related disease diagnosis, an experienced Texas asbestos litigation firm can help you understand your rights and options. They investigate your work history, identify potential exposure sources, and guide you through the complex legal process. A dedicated Houston asbestos cancer lawyer can be an invaluable ally.

Legal options include:

  • Trust fund claims and civil lawsuits pursued simultaneously.
  • Compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages, potentially leading to a Texas mesothelioma settlement.

The clock is ticking on your claim. Call an asbestos attorney today for a free consultation. Discuss your specific situation and learn how to pursue the compensation you deserve before it’s too late.

Data Sources

Information about facility equipment, industrial materials, and occupational records referenced on this page is drawn from publicly available sources where applicable, including:

If specific equipment or product claims in this article are sourced from a non-public database, the source is identified parenthetically within the text above.

← Back to Texas Jobsite Asbestos Records

For informational purposes only. Not legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this page. © 2026 Rights Watch Media Group LLC — Disclaimer · Privacy · Terms · Copyright