Amoco Refineries 

Amoco Refineries & Asbestos Exposure 

Amoco was a household name throughout the 1970s and 1980s, with headquarters in Chicago and thousands of employees working in refineries, offices, and gas stations across the country. During this era of rapid growth, Amoco, like many companies, used asbestos insulation extensively in its facilities.

Oil refineries rely on precise temperature control at every stage of production, and asbestos was once the industry standard for insulation due to its durability and heat resistance.

According to the Institute for Oil and Gas, a typical refinery contains approximately 465 miles of insulated piping and 1.8 million square feet of insulated equipment, including boilers. Every inch of that insulation could have posed a risk of asbestos exposure for the workers who installed, maintained, or worked around it.

Dangers of Asbestos-Related Diseases 

Asbestos is made up of millions of microscopic fibers that can easily break loose and become airborne. When inhaled, these sharp fibers embed themselves in the lungs, causing irritation and long-term damage.

The risk increases with continued exposure. Each breath taken in an asbestos-contaminated environment raises the likelihood of developing serious illnesses, including:

• Mesothelioma
• Lung cancer
• Asbestosis 
• Other cancer
• Pleural effusions
• Pleural plaques
• Pleural thickening

The most severe outcome of asbestos exposure is mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer. Unlike other cancers, mesothelioma doesn’t form a single, easily removable tumor. Instead, it spreads across the lining of the lungs or abdomen, making it extremely difficult and expensive to treat.

Financial Compensation From Amoco Refineries 

Individuals exposed to asbestos while working at Amoco refineries may be eligible to pursue compensation through a lawsuit, as Amoco has not established an asbestos trust fund. Family members may also have legal options. 

Asbestos-related legal claims primarily fall into the following categories:

• Personal injury lawsuits: Filed by individuals diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness. These claims seek compensation for treatment costs, lost wages, and suffering.
• Wrongful death lawsuits: Filed by surviving family members after a loved one dies from an asbestos-related disease. These claims pursue compensation for loss of support, funeral expenses, and emotional distress.

Victims could also be eligible for other forms of compensation, including the following:

• Benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
• Workers’ compensation
• Treatment grants

If you or a loved one has been affected by asbestos exposure linked to Amoco, you may have the right to pursue financial compensation. An experienced attorney can help guide you through the process.

Asbestos Lawsuits Against Amoco Refineries

Amoco has a history of litigation, frequently resulting in unfavorable outcomes for the company. The following are examples of cases in which Amoco has been involved:

Roy Glover

Roy Glover filed a lawsuit against Amoco in Illinois in 1996, alleging that his lung disease, diagnosed after his employment as a boiler operator at an Amoco refinery from 1979 to 1983, was caused by asbestos exposure. Amoco’s defense, which asserted that the statute of limitations had expired, was dismissed upon appeal.

Eleanor Wilson et. al.

In a 1998 case, multiple plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against Amoco, alleging that the company’s operations had harmed both their health and property. They claimed that Amoco’s industrial processes released asbestos fibers into the air, putting nearby residents at risk of inhalation and long-term health consequences.

Amoco argued that the airborne asbestos posed no real danger. However, the court rejected that position, affirming that exposure is hazardous to human health and the surrounding environment and wildlife. As a result, the court ordered Amoco to collaborate with local authorities to clean up the affected site and take action to protect the surrounding community. 

Fred Riebel 

In 2021, the heirs of Fred Riebel filed a lawsuit following his death from an asbestos-related lung disease at just 56 years old. Riebel had worked at various Amoco-owned facilities, and his doctors linked his condition directly to prolonged asbestos exposure.

His family alleged that Amoco failed to adequately warn employees about the serious health risks associated with asbestos. After moving through the court system, the family ultimately prevailed, securing a $5.6 million verdict in their favor.

Products Used That Contained Asbestos 

Amoco refineries didn’t manufacture asbestos products, but asbestos was widely used throughout their facilities in various high-heat applications.

Common asbestos-containing products found in Amoco refineries included:

• Pipes and pipe coverings 
• Boilers
• Furnaces 
• Storage tanks 
• Sealants 
• Protective clothing 
• Catalytic cracking units

Although modern insulating products no longer contain asbestos, workers can still face exposure risks. When tasked with removing old insulation or working in areas where asbestos remains, refinery employees may be exposed to hazardous fibers.

Occupations at Risk From Amoco Refineries 

Anyone working inside a refinery could potentially be exposed to asbestos, but certain occupations carry a higher risk than others.

Common roles with elevated asbestos exposure include:

• Electricians: Regularly work with wiring, panels, and components covered in asbestos insulation.
• Equipment operators: Handle and operate machinery wrapped or insulated with asbestos, facing exposure when the equipment starts or stops.
• Insulators: Directly install or replace insulation on boilers, tanks, pipes, and other equipment.
• Maintenance workers: Perform repairs and upkeep on machinery and systems that may be insulated with asbestos.
• Pipefitters: Cut, fit, and replace piping and components that often contain asbestos materials.
• Welders: Work close to asbestos-insulated equipment, increasing the risk of inhaling fibers.

Asbestos exposure isn’t limited to workers alone. Family members can also be affected through secondary exposure, as asbestos fibers can cling to workers’ clothing, skin, and tools. These fibers can then be unknowingly carried home, contaminating the household and putting loved ones at risk. 

Get Help Today 

Receiving a diagnosis of an asbestos-related disease can be overwhelming for both patients and their families. Along with the emotional toll, mounting medical bills and lost income can create significant financial strain.

Pursuing legal action can help secure much-needed compensation. With an experienced law firm like Meirowitz & Wasserberg by your side, you can focus on your health while their team handles the complex details and advocates on your behalf.

Contact us today for a free case review. We’re here to support you in your fight for justice and compensation, ensuring you never face this journey alone.

Written & Legally Reviewed By

Daniel Wasserberg, Esq. Attorney and On-Site Legal Advocate

Daniel Wasserberg was a New York metropolitan area “Super Lawyer Rising Star” from 2013 to 2018 (attorneys under age 40), and a Super Lawyer in 2019. In 2017, Daniel was named a “Top 100 Civil Litigator” by the National Trial Lawyers organization. This recognition is rarely awarded to attorneys under the age of 40. Daniel is proud to call himself a Trial Lawyer, and is often asked to speak at gatherings of the nation’s leading attorneys, from both sides of the bar.

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