By Courtney Ray
Asbestos exposure causes a range of health problems, such as asbestosis and several different types of cancer, including mesothelioma. From initial exposure, 10-50 years can pass before symptoms begin to show. This means there are millions of Americans at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease, decades after their exposure ended.
One such individual is Robert Norris, founding partner and attorney of Norris Injury Lawyers. Mr. Norris worked for the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Newport News, Virginia from 1967 to 1969. This site was later confirmed to be one of significant asbestos exposure, putting him and his coworkers at risk for developing asbestos-related diseases later in life.
Mr. Norris agreed to share his experience with asbestos exposure, how it has shaped his life, and how he has dedicated his practice to helping workers and their family members receive compensation for the suffering caused by asbestos exposure.
Life on the Shipyard
When he turned 18 years old, Mr. Norris accepted a position at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company. Though he was no stranger to hard work, the dedication and strength of the men working at the shipyard gave Mr. Norris a new perspective on the intensity of labor the shipyard demanded.
Boots worn by Mr. Robert Norris on the Newport News Shipyard during the late 1960’s.
“Working at the shipyard was a really eye-opening experience for me,” said Mr. Norris. “I’d had jobs like a paper route and cutting grass and everything growing up, I paid for all my own things. But this was watching grown men work and do their job. I’ve gained a greater appreciation for it later as I see those guys working their whole life there.”
Mr. Norris spent most of his time at the shipyard working as an electrician. He worked on many large-scale building projects, including the John F. Kennedy Aircraft Carrier. Though the work was intense, Mr. Norris reflected on his time at the shipyard fondly. “It was very congenial. Guys got along great. There were no racial tensions or anything, it was really a good environment.”
A Hidden Danger
As with any blue-collar industry, there is always an element of danger for workers. Along with common workplace dangers, there was also an unseen threat swirling in the air at the shipyard – asbestos. Everything from building materials to every-day objects contained asbestos during that time.
When inhaled, jagged asbestos fibers attach to the linings of organs and can cause irreparable damage, including cancer. From what Mr. Norris recalled, neither he nor his coworkers noticed any symptoms from their unknown asbestos exposure. “There was nothing like that…as far as any environmental-type things, there was really nothing at the time that was noticeable.”
Many employers and most employees were unaware of the long-term effects of asbestos exposure. “We didn’t wear face masks,” recalled Mr. Norris. “We worked – even as an electrician, I worked around welding fumes and lots of construction things. But really safety, from the standpoint of falling off the ship, was paramount.”
It wasn’t until many years later that Mr. Norris became aware of the gravity of asbestos exposure. “I would’ve been in my early 50’s, I guess,” said Mr. Norris. “It was after I was practicing law. We were practicing law and found out a little about [asbestos] then, maybe 20 years ago.”
Asbestos exposure in any amount is dangerous to the human body. Prolonged exposure can lead to serious health conditions such as asbestosis, cancers of the lungs, throat, stomach, and colon, as well as mesothelioma, a cancer recognized to be caused only by exposure to asbestos fibers.
Mr. Norris states he and his coworkers had no knowledge of the dangers of asbestos. “I didn’t know it, and I don’t think anybody knew that.”
Though his exposure was brief, Mr. Norris is one of millions that could be at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease. However, Mr. Norris didn’t seem to be too concerned about his chances. “After studying [asbestos], I realized that the length of time of exposure made a difference. My exposure was limited – maybe three years at the most, maybe a little less than that. I didn’t worry about it too much.”
Mr. Norris’s limited exposure allowed him to avoid the consequences of asbestos exposure, but he has sympathy for those who are less lucky. “I don’t feel threatened by it. But I can see how my coworkers definitely would’ve been.”
Asbestos Trusts and the Fight for Justice
After realizing the dangers of asbestos, manufacturers were ordered to set aside money in trusts to pay victims compensation for exposure to asbestos through their products. When he realized there was a way to help people affected by asbestos exposure, Mr. Norris dedicated part of his practice to helping those victims receive compensation for their pain and suffering.
Mr. Norris has even had the chance to help file claims for individuals who worked alongside him at the Shipyard. “We’ve actually handled cases for people that worked there at the same time I did, based on looking at their records,” said Mr. Norris. “They were working there when I was working there, but they continued to work there [after I left].”
Mr. Norris also credited his ability to relate to these individuals as a key component in helping them build a successful claim, and for the clients to trust him throughout the process. “When we talk to these workers, they’re my age. I’m them! I can really relate to their work environment, their character, the type of guys they are. I don’t have a hard time talking to them about it, or, if they’re deceased, talking to their family about it, because I can really relate to what they went through and what they were exposed to.”
Mr. Norris takes joy in his work, as he feels helping innocent people pursue justice and compensation is important, both morally and ethically. He cited the ability to help the people as one of his favorite aspects of the job. “My favorite part of my job is doing things – helping people – do things they cannot possibly do for themselves. Thankfully, the trusts are there and they’ve been set up to help those people.”
Mr. Robert Norris has dedicated many years to working on behalf of those who are in need of help. Combining his legal expertise and experiences he shares with clients, Mr. Norris and his team at Norris Injury Lawyers work tirelessly to fight on behalf of individuals and families who may not be able to fight for themselves.
