Texas Commerce Tower (JPMorgan Chase Tower), Houston: Asbestos Exposure & Mesothelioma Lawyer Texas

URGENT FILING DEADLINE WARNING: If you or a loved one worked at the Texas Commerce Tower and have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, you must act quickly. Texas law imposes strict deadlines for filing personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. The personal injury statute of limitations in Texas is generally two years from the date of diagnosis, and the wrongful death statute of limitations is two years from the date of death (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003). While asbestos trust funds may not have the same strict time limits, their assets can deplete over time, making prompt action advisable.

Construction of the Texas Commerce Tower, now the JPMorgan Chase Tower, in Houston, Texas, reportedly involved widespread use of asbestos-containing materials. If you or a loved one worked on this skyscraper and received an asbestos-related disease diagnosis, you may be entitled to compensation. This guide reviews potential asbestos exposure at the site and outlines legal options available in Texas, including how an experienced mesothelioma lawyer Texas can assist you.

Consult the AsbestosIndex Product Crosswalk for Commercial Construction for a list of asbestos-containing products and associated manufacturers.

Facility History: Texas Commerce Tower Construction and Asbestos Exposure Texas

The Texas Commerce Tower, located at 600 Travis Street in downtown Houston, finished construction in 1982. The 75-story, 1,002-foot building is a prominent feature of the Houston skyline. Construction of a building this size, particularly during the late 1970s and early 1980s, allegedly involved extensive use of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). Asbestos offered valuable fireproofing, insulation, and sound-dampening properties, making it a common choice in large-scale commercial projects across Texas and the nation.

During this period, despite growing awareness of its dangers, asbestos was a common component in many construction products. Its use in commercial construction was not yet fully phased out or strictly regulated, leading to its continued incorporation into large projects like the Texas Commerce Tower. Workers involved in various construction stages, from structural work to finishing, may have encountered these hazardous materials, similar to those working at other major Texas facilities such as the ExxonMobil Baytown Refinery, Shell Deer Park Complex, or the Bethlehem Steel Beaumont Shipyard during the same era. If you believe you experienced asbestos exposure Texas at this or other sites, an asbestos attorney Texas can help investigate.

Asbestos-Containing Materials Reportedly Present

Given the construction timeline and common practices of the era, asbestos-containing materials were allegedly incorporated into numerous parts of the Texas Commerce Tower. These may have included:

  • Spray Fireproofing: Asbestos was an effective fireproofing agent. Workers reportedly sprayed it onto steel beams and columns throughout the building’s structural framework.
  • Pipe and Block Insulation: The building’s HVAC and plumbing systems likely used asbestos-containing pipe covering, block insulation, and insulating cement. These materials maintained temperature and prevented heat loss or gain, a common practice seen at industrial sites and power plants across Texas, such as the Luminant Martin Lake Plant.
  • Gaskets and Packing: Pumps, valves, and flanges within mechanical systems relied on asbestos-containing gaskets and packing materials for sealing.
  • Electrical Components: Electrical conduit, paneling, and wiring insulation may have contained asbestos.
  • Floor and Ceiling Materials: Asbestos was also reportedly found in floor tile, mastic adhesives, and ceiling tile. These materials offered durability and fire resistance. Acoustical panels may also have contained asbestos.
  • Joint Compound: Drywall joint compound often contained asbestos, improving workability and fire resistance.

When workers installed, cut, drilled, disturbed, or removed these materials, asbestos fibers may have been released into the air. This created a hazardous environment for workers, potentially exposing them to airborne fibers.

Trades Reportedly at High Risk of Asbestos Exposure

Many skilled trades workers may have faced asbestos exposure during construction of the Texas Commerce Tower. High-risk trades allegedly included:

  • Insulators: These workers applied and removed asbestos-containing pipe covering, block insulation, and insulating cement around pipes, boilers, and HVAC ducts. Their work often involved cutting, mixing, and fitting these materials, which could release large quantities of fibers. Many of these skilled workers in the Houston area were members of unions such as the Heat and Frost Insulators Local 22.
  • Pipefitters: Pipefitters installed and maintained plumbing and HVAC systems. They reportedly worked closely with asbestos-insulated pipes and used asbestos-containing gaskets and packing in fittings and valves. Pipefitters in Houston were often represented by unions such as UA Pipefitters Local 211 Houston.
  • Boilermakers: Any boiler or large hot water heater systems required boilermakers. They may have worked with asbestos-containing refractory materials and insulation. Boilermakers Local 587 (Beaumont) or Boilermakers Local 74 (Houston) may have had members on site, potentially working on equipment similar to that found in Texas refineries like the Texaco Port Arthur Refinery.
  • Electricians: Electricians working with electrical panels, conduits, and wiring may have encountered asbestos in various electrical components and insulation materials. Electricians working on the project may have been members of IBEW Local 66.
  • Drywallers and Tapers: These workers allegedly handled asbestos-containing joint compound. Sanding this material may have released fibers into the air.
  • Millwrights: Millwrights installed and maintained machinery and equipment. They may have encountered asbestos in gaskets, packing, and insulation used in various mechanical systems, a common scenario at large industrial sites like Dow Chemical Freeport.
  • Demolition and Renovation Workers: Any subsequent renovation, repair, or demolition work on the building after its initial construction may have disturbed existing asbestos-containing materials, posing a risk to workers.
  • Laborers: General laborers involved in cleanup, material handling, and assisting various trades may have been exposed to asbestos dust generated by others. Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 18 (Houston) members may have been present.

Family members of these workers may also have faced secondary exposure risks. Asbestos fibers were reportedly carried home on clothing, hair, or tools, leading to indirect exposure.

For details on specific asbestos products used in commercial construction and their manufacturers, consult the AsbestosIndex Product Crosswalk.

Asbestos fiber exposure causes several severe and often fatal diseases. These illnesses typically have long latency periods. Symptoms may not appear for 10 to 50 years after initial exposure. Common asbestos-related diseases include:

  • Mesothelioma: A rare, aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma), abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), or heart (pericardial mesothelioma). Asbestos exposure causes almost all mesothelioma cases.
  • Asbestosis: A chronic, non-cancerous lung disease. Scarring of lung tissue from inhaled asbestos fibers causes it. Asbestosis leads to shortness of breath and reduced lung function.
  • Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure increases lung cancer risk. This risk is higher for individuals who also smoke.
  • Other Cancers: Studies suggest a possible link between asbestos exposure and an increased risk of other cancers. These include cancers of the larynx, pharynx, stomach, and colon.

If you or a loved one worked at the Texas Commerce Tower construction site and received an asbestos-related disease diagnosis, seek legal counsel to understand your rights. An asbestos cancer lawyer Houston can provide crucial guidance.

Legal Options for Asbestos Victims in Texas: Texas Mesothelioma Settlement & Lawsuit Filing

Individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or other asbestos-related diseases after working at the Texas Commerce Tower construction site have several legal options for seeking compensation. These typically include:

  • Personal Injury Lawsuits: File a civil lawsuit against the manufacturers documented on the AsbestosIndex Product Crosswalk for this facility type that allegedly caused the exposure. These lawsuits recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs. Such lawsuits are typically filed as a Harris County asbestos lawsuit, a Jefferson County asbestos lawsuit, or in other Texas venues like the Bexar County District Court (San Antonio), depending on the specific circumstances. A successful Texas mesothelioma settlement can provide vital financial relief.
  • Wrongful Death Lawsuits: If a loved one died from an asbestos-related disease, surviving family members may file a wrongful death lawsuit. This seeks compensation for their losses.
  • Asbestos Trust Fund Claims: Many asbestos product manufacturers established trust funds as part of their bankruptcy proceedings to compensate current and future victims. Texas residents with asbestos-related diseases can file claims with these asbestos trust fund Texas simultaneously with pursuing a civil lawsuit.

It is critical to act quickly. Texas has strict statutes of limitations for filing these claims. The Texas asbestos statute of limitations for personal injury is generally two years from the date of diagnosis, and the wrongful death statute of limitations is two years from the date of death (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003). This means there is a strict asbestos lawsuit Texas filing deadline. Do not delay in seeking legal advice, as missing these deadlines could permanently bar your right to compensation.

Contact an Asbestos Attorney

Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases are progressive. Unfortunately, many of the coworkers who shared shifts with you in the earlier years of your career may no longer be reachable. Their testimony could be crucial in establishing the presence of asbestos-containing materials and the specific circumstances of your exposure. Time is precious.

If you worked at the Texas Commerce Tower construction site in Houston, Texas, and received an asbestos-related disease diagnosis, consult an attorney specializing in asbestos litigation immediately. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer Texas or toxic tort counsel can help gather evidence, identify potential exposure sources, and navigate the complex legal process to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Common legal options for victims include:

  • Trust fund claims and civil lawsuits pursued simultaneously
  • Settlement negotiations
  • Trial verdicts

Do not wait. Call today to discuss your case and understand your legal options before critical deadlines pass.

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.

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