In the event that a relative or friend has asbestosis, mesothelioma or some other asbestos-related disease it is a horrible matter. It may be small consolation but the person with the disease or in the matter of someone already having passed away, the family of the deceased, are able to claim compensation.

The first asbestos related lawsuit was filed in 1966, and since that time hundreds of similar cases have been decided in favor of the victims that resulted in millions of dollars in cash settlements.

During the 1960s to mid 1980s the oil and gas industry offshore and on drilling barges commonly uses asbestos and asbestos-related products in connection with drilling for oil and gas. Many of the workers exposed to these asbestos products did not know at that time that they were endangering their health by following the instructions of their employers. This article discusses the background of asbestos being used on oil rigs, the nature of asbestos itself, the health concerns of asbestos and finally what injured workers can do to protect themselves.