Mississippi Power Plant Watson — Gulfport, Mississippi

Plaintiffs alleged in publicly filed U.S. asbestos personal-injury and wrongful-death litigation that workers at Mississippi Power Company’s Plant Watson steam electric generating station near Gulfport, Harrison County, Mississippi, sustained occupational asbestos exposure during power generation operations.

Facility Background

Mississippi Power Company, a Southern Company subsidiary, operated Plant Watson as a coal-fired steam electric generating station on the Gulf Coast near Gulfport. The plant, built in the mid-twentieth century, generated electric power for the Mississippi Gulf Coast region through coal combustion and steam turbine systems. The facility included large steam boilers, turbine-generators, condensers, and extensive steam piping systems.

Plaintiffs alleged that coal-fired generating stations of the postwar era were built with asbestos insulation as the standard material for boilers, turbines, steam headers, and associated piping, and that maintenance and operations workers at Plant Watson encountered asbestos materials throughout the plant’s operational life.

Alleged Asbestos Pathways

Plaintiffs alleged in litigation that asbestos exposure occurred through multiple pathways:

  • Boiler insulation and overhaul: Plaintiffs alleged that boilermakers and maintenance workers performing boiler tube replacements, inspections, and overhauls at Plant Watson encountered extensive asbestos block, blanket, and cement insulation.
  • Turbine-generator insulation: Plaintiffs alleged that the steam turbine-generators and associated steam admission and exhaust systems were insulated with asbestos-containing materials.
  • Steam piping throughout the plant: Plaintiffs alleged that the extensive steam and feedwater piping systems within the generating station were insulated with asbestos pipe covering requiring regular maintenance.
  • Gaskets and valve packing: Plaintiffs alleged that asbestos compressed-fiber gaskets and braided valve packing were used throughout the steam and water systems in the plant.

Mississippi has a three-year statute of limitations under Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49, running from the date of mesothelioma diagnosis. Wrongful death claims also carry a three-year limit under Miss. Code Ann. § 11-7-13.

Workers who were employed at Plant Watson and who have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos-related disease may have legal remedies available. Contact O’Brien Law Firm at (314) 237-3332 to discuss your work history and legal options at no cost.