Loia o Vaila’au ‘O’ona ma Manu’aga Fa’apisinisi i Amerika Samoa: Tau mo Tagata Faigaluega ma Aiga i Pago Pago

E te le’i iloa. Mo le luasefulu tausaga, tolusefulu tausaga, pe sili atu fo’i—na e alu ai i lau galuega i Amerika Samoa, fai lau feau, ma toe fo’i i lou aiga. E leai se tasi na fai atu ia te oe o le pefu na e mānava ai i nofoaga e lipea ai va’a, o le manogi ammonia na e sogisogi ai i falegaosimea o tuna, po’o vaila’au na e tagofia i uafu o suau’u o le a taumafai se aso e fa’amuta ai lou ola. O lea ua e iloa. Ma o lea ua iai au aiā tatau.

Na amata le tale i ni masina ua mavae. Ona soso’o ai lea ma le lē lavā mānava lea na atili ai ona faigata le a’e i se tamai maupue i Pago Pago. Mulimuli ane, sa fa’aaoga ai e se foma’i se upu e te fa’alogo ai na’o tala fou: mesothelioma. I se taimi vave, o mea uma na e manatu e te iloa e uiga i au tausaga e tele o le galue malosi mo le tamaoaiga o Amerika Samoa ua suia e fa’avavau.

O le mea ua tupu ia te oe e lē o se laki leaga. E lē na’o le “ua toeaina” po’o le “ua lo’omatua.” O le a’afiaga mai vaila’au ‘o’ona. O le fa’ai’uga lea a fa’alapotopotoga tetele na filifili a latou polofiti i Amerika Samoa nai lo le ola o tagata na mafai ai ona maua na polofiti. Sa iai a latou su’esu’ega. Sa iai a latou lapataiga. Sa latou lofituina le mea moni. Ua matou i ai iinei e fa’ailoa atu.

I le Attorney 911, o lo’o ta’ita’ia e le loia fa’avae o Ralph Manginello ma lagolagoina e le poto fa’apitoa a le loia sa puipuia kamupani inisiua muamua o Lupe Peña, matou te fai ma sui o le malosi o Amerika Samoa—o tagata faigaluega i faletuna, o tufuga fau va’a, o le ‘au o lo’o va’aia auaunaga lautele, ma fitafita tuai. Matou te tu’uina atu le fesoasoani vave, malosi, ma le fa’apolofesa e te mana’omia pe a liliu e se su’esu’ega fa’afoma’i lou lalolagi i lalo.

E pei ona fa’asoa mai e Stephanie H. i lana iloiloga fa’amaonia e 5-fetu, “Ina ua ou lagona e leai so’u fa’amoemoe po’o se itū e aga’i i ai… ou te le’i lagona lava se tausiga fa’apenei… na latou fa’ia a’u pei o se tagata taua i le faagasologa atoa.” O le tulaga lena matou te aumaia i aiga uma i Amerika Samoa.

Afai o oe po’o se tasi e pele o lo’o mafatia i le mesothelioma, leukemia, pe o se manu’aga fa’apisinisi mata’utia, o lo’o alu le taimi. Ua fa’aitiitia tupe fa’ataga (trust funds), ua mou atu fa’amaoniga, ma o lou soifua maloloina o le fa’amuamua lea. Vala’au le 1-888-ATTY-911 i le asō mo se fa’atalanoaga sa’oloto ma fa’alilolilo. Matou te galulue i luga o se maliega (contingency)—e te lē totogiina se mea se’i vagana ua matou manumalo.

Le Avanoa i Totonu: Aiseā e Filifili ai e Tagata Faigaluega o Amerika Samoa le Attorney 911

Pe a e tau fa’asaga i se fa’alapotopotoga e piliona ma piliona tala lona tau po’o se tu’ufa’atasiga o inisiua fa’avaomalo, o lo’o e ulufale atu i se taua. O le isi itū o lo’o i ai se ‘au o loia puipui o la latou galuega fāi o le fa’amautinoa e te maua le zero tala. Ina ia fa’ato’ilaloina i latou, e te mana’omia se ‘au loia sa nonofo i totonu o latou pā.

O le loia o Lupe Peña sa fa’aaluina ni tausaga i le itū fa’apopoleina (defense side). O ia o le tagata na vala’auina e kamupani inisiua e iloilo, fa’aitiitia, ma teena talosaga. Na te iloa la latou tusi ta’iala auā na ia fesoasoani i lona tusiaina. Na te iloa tonu le auala latou te taumafai ai e nānā fa’amaoniga o a’afiaga o vaila’au ‘o’ona ma pe fa’apefea ona latou fa’aaogaina auala fa’atuai e fa’atali ai se’ia maliliu tagata mama’i. I le asō, o lo’o ia fa’aaogaina lena poto “fa’alilolilo” e talepe ai a latou puipuiga mo a tatou tagata fa’atau.

O le loia fa’avae o Ralph Manginello o lo’o aumaia le silia ma le 27 tausaga o le poto masani i fa’amasinoga maualuluga i lau mataupu. O Ralph sa vaega o le ‘au fa’amasino mo le pa papu i le BP Texas City Refinery—o se mataupu na aofia ai se fa’ai’uga e $2.1 piliona le aofa’i. Ua fa’atagaina o ia i le Fa’amasinoga a le Itūmālō a Amerika mo le Itū i Saute o Texas ma sa ia fa’aaluina lana galuega atoa i le fa’amautinoaina e lē mafai e fa’alapotopotoga tetele ona fa’amata’u tagata galue malosi.

Matou te lē na’o le “tagofia” o mataupu; matou te fa’asaga tonu i le fa’amasinoga. Pe na tupu lou a’afia i le faletuna o le StarKist, i luga o se va’a i le Uafu o Pago Pago, po’o se nofoaga o le American Samoa Power Authority, o lo’o iai a matou punaoa e ave ai lau mataupu i le tini.

E pei ona matauina e Brian B. i lana iloiloga, “O le Attorney 911 ua mautinoa le suia o la’u va’ai… matuā tele fa’amatalaga ma fa’apolofesa.” Sa matou fa’ia Brian e pei o se aiga, ma o le a fa’apea fo’i ona matou faia ia te oe.

Le Taulanga: Mesothelioma ma le Fa’aaliali i le Asipeto i Amerika Samoa

O le asipeto (asbestos) e na’o le pau lea o le mafua’aga iloa o le mesothelioma, o se kanesa mata’utia o le lino o le māmā (pleura) po’o le lino o le manava (peritoneum). Mo le tele o tausaga, sa fa’aaogaina lautele le asipeto i galuega tetele a Amerika Samoa ona sa taugofie ma mafai ona tatalia le vevela.

Le Saienisi o le Fa’atafunaga: Fa’afefea ona Fasioti e le Asipeto i le Tulaga o sela

O alava o le asipeto e ninii tele, e pei ni nila. Pe a e mānava i ai i se nofoaga o galuega i Amerika Samoa, latou te malaga loloto i totonu o ou māmā ma ati i le lino o le mesothelial. E lē pei o isi pefu, o alava o le asipeto e “tumau pea i le tino.” O sela o lou tino (immune cells) e taumafai e si’osi’omia ma fa’aumatia ia alava, ae o alava e matuā ma’ai ma uumi.

O lenei tulaga e o’o atu ai i se faiga fa’alelatino e ta’ua o le “frustrated phagocytosis.” E maliliu ai sela puipui o le tino i le taumafai, ma tatala mai ai vaila’au e tupu ai le fula (inflammatory cytokines). O le mea lenei e mafua ai se tulaga faifaipea ma tumau o le fula (inflammation) lea e tumau mo le tele o tausaga. I le mavae ai o le 15 i le 50 tausaga, o lenei fula faifaipea e maua ai ni ituaiga okisene (ROS) e fa’aleagaina sa’o ai lau DNA.

Aemaise lava, o lenei a’afiaga e mafua ai le lē toe galue o sela e poloka ai tuma (tumor suppressor genes) pei o le BAP1 ma le p16. A aunoa ma nei “pā” o sela, o le a amata ona tupu lē pulea sela o le mesothelial, ma i’u ai ina avea ma tuma e ta’ua o le mesothelioma. E o’o atu i le taimi e va’aia ai auga o le fa’ama’i, ua leva ona aga’i i luma le fa’ama’i i se auala lilo mo le tolusefulu tausaga.

Asipeto i le Talafa’asolopito o Amerika Samoa

O tagata faigaluega i Amerika Samoa sa masani ona fa’alialia i ai i ni auala autū:

• Vaa ma le Lipeaina o Va’a: So’o se va’a na fau a’o le’i o’o i le 1980 sa matuā tumu i le asipeto. O potu afi, o le ufiufi o fagu vevela (boilers), ma le puipuiga o paipa (insulation) o punavai autū ia. Afai na e faigaluega i le Samoa Maritime po’o so’o se nofoaga fau va’a i le Uafu o Pago Pago, e foliga mai na e tagofia nei mea i aso uma.
• Faletuna ma le Fa’againa i le Vevela: O paipa ausa e maualuga le vevela ma fagu vevela sa fa’aaogaina i le alamanuia o le tu’uina o tuna (StarKist ma falegaosimea muamua o le Chicken of the Sea/COS Samoa) sa i ai i le talafa’asolopito le puipuiga i mea o lo’o i ai le asipeto (ACM).
• Faugafale ma le Talepeina o Fale: O fale tuai o le malo, aoga, ma nofoaga o tautua lautele i le motu o Tutuila sa fausia i taila fola, apa luga o fale, ma afifi paipa o lo’o i ai le asipeto.
• A’afiaga Lona Lua (Aumaia i le Aiga): O mataupu e pito sili ona fa’anoanoa ai o mataupu ia e aofia ai taitoalua ma fanau a tagata faigaluega. Afai na e fo’i mai le faletuna po’o le nofoaga fau va’a i Pago Pago ma le pefu i ou lavalava, ma o lou to’alua na fofuluina na lavalava, na latou mānava i totonu i ia lava alava oti.

Fa’ailoga Autū: Iloaina o Auga o le Fa’ama’i

O le tele o auga o le mesothelioma i Amerika Samoa e masani ona sese le feso’ota’i atu i fa’ama’i o le teropika po’o le soifua matua. Afai o lo’o i ai ni au fa’amaumauga o le galue i alamanuia, e tatau ona e va’ava’ai mo:

1. Pleural Mesothelioma: Tale mago faifaipea, tiga o le fatafata e aga’i atu i le tau’au, fa’atupula’ia le lē lavā mānava, ma le pa’ū fa’afuase’i o le mamafa o le tino.
2. Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Fula tele o le manava (ascites), suiga i le alu o le feau tele, ma le tiga faifaipea o le manava.

Afai e te iloa nei auga, ta’u i lau foma’i e uiga i au taimi na fa’alialia ai i le asipeto. O le su’esu’ega e mana’omia ai le CT scan maualuga ma se biopsy immunohistochemistry e fa’amaonia ai fa’ailoga pei o le Calretinin ma le WT1.

E pei ona tusia e Ken T. i lana iloiloga 5-fetu, “Sa fa’alogologo lelei Ralph… ma amata vave loa le galuega e puipui ai a’u aiā tatau.” Afai ua fa’amaonia lou ma’i, ua matou sauni e fa’alogo ia te oe. Vala’au le 1-888-ATTY-911.

Itu 1: Vaila’au ‘O’ona — O mea na e Fa’alialia i ai

I Amerika Samoa, e lē na’o le asipeto le mea moni e fasioti tagata. E su’esu’e e la matou kamupani mataupu e aofia ai le tele o ituaiga vaila’au mata’utia na le’i mafai e kamupani ona lapataia oe i ai.

Benizene (Benzene) ma Vaila’au Fa’apisinisi

O le Benizene (C6H6) o se vaila’au ua iloa e maua ai le kanesa i tagata o lo’o maua i suau’u mamafa, vaila’au e fa’aliu suāvai ai mea (solvents), ma vaila’au e fa’amama ai masini o lo’o fa’aaogaina i uafu ma vaega o tautua lautele i Amerika Samoa.

O le Faiga o le Leukemia: Pe a e mānava i le benizene, e suia e lou ate i le benzene oxide, ona lafo atu lea i se vaila’au ‘ona e ta’ua o le muconaldehyde. O lenei vaila’au e ui atu i lou toto i lou ivi (bone marrow), lea e osofa’ia ai sela o lo’o nafa ma le faia o le toto. O le fa’alialia pea i ai e o’o atu ai i suiga o sela (chromosomal translocations), lea e mafua ai le Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) po’o le Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).

Afai na e galue i le teuina o suau’u i uafu o Pago Pago po’o le tagofia o vaila’au fa’apisinisi ma ua iloa o lo’o i ai se kanesa o lou toto, o le benizene o le mea sili lea ona mafua ai.

PFAS: O “Vaila’au e Fa’avavau” i le Pasefika

O vaila’au Per- ma le polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) sa fa’aaogaina lautele i pua’a tineimu (AFFF) i le Malaeva’alele Fa’avaomalo o Pago Pago ma nofoaga fa’amiliteli. O nei vaila’au o lo’o i ai se feso’ota’iga malosi i kemisi—le carbon-fluorine bond. E lē pala pe fa’aleagaina. Latou te fa’aputuputu i lou toto, lou ate, ma ou fatuga’o.

O le a’afiaga mai le PFAS o lo’o feso’ota’i ma le kanesa o le fatuga’o, kanesa o le fatumanu (testicular), ma fa’ama’i o le thyroid. Afai na e nofo latalata i se nofoaga mo a’oa’oga tineimu po’o ua iloa o lo’o i ai nei tulaga, e mafai ona i ai sau tagi fa’asaga i e na faia le vaila’au pei o le 3M po’o le DuPont, oe na latou iloa nei a’afiaga mai le vave mai o le 1970.

Camp Lejeune ma le RECA mo Fitafita Tuai o Amerika Samoa

O Amerika Samoa o se tasi lea o nofoaga e pito sili ona maualuga le faitau aofa’i o ē ulufale i le militeri a Amerika. O le to’atele o a tatou fitafita tuai na tautu i le Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune i le va o le 1953 ma le 1987, lea na fa’aleagaina ai le suavai i le TCE ma le PCE i ni tulaga e 280 taimi e sili atu ai nai lo le tapula’a o le saogalemu.

I lalo o le Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA), e mafai e na fitafita tuai ma o latou aiga ona molia mo mea na fa’aleagaina. E le gata i lea, o tagata faigaluega a Amerika Samoa sa i ai i taimi o su’esu’ega fa’aniukilia po’o le felauaiga o le uranium e mafai ona agava’a mo le $100,000 i se taui mai le feterale i lalo o le Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA).

Itu 2: Tagata Faigaluega i Alamanuia Mata’utia — O fea na e Galue ai

O le tamaoaiga tulaga ese o Amerika Samoa e maua ai ni a’afiaga patino e sili atu ona malamalama ai la matou kamupani nai lo so’o se isi kamupani loia i fafo.

Galuega i luga o le Sami ma le Jones Act (46 USC § 30104)

O le Jones Act o le tulafono pito sili lea ona malosi mo tagata faigaluega na manu’aga i Amerika Samoa. O lo’o tu’uina atu ai i “tagata o le sami” le aiā tatau e molia ai lo latou pule mo le fa’atamala ma maua ai se fa’amasinoga a se jure (jury trial). Ina ia agava’a, e tatau ona e fa’aaluina le itiiti ifo i le 30% o lou taimi i le tautua i se va’a (va’a toso, u’amea, va’a fagota, po’o va’a la’u oloa).

I lalo o le Jones Act, afai o le fa’atamala o le pule na i ai sina vaega laitiiti i lou manu’aga, latou te nofosala. E le gata i lea, o tagata e ana va’a e i ai le tiute mautinoa e tu’uina atu se va’a e tatau ona folau (seaworthy). Afai o ni meafaigaluega fa’aletonu po’o ni ‘au faigaluega le lava na mafua ai lou manu’aga i le Uafu o Pago Pago, o le a matou fa’asala i latou.

Matou te toe maua fo’i le “Maintenance and Cure”—o tupe totogi fa’asau mo au tupe alu i aso uma ma le 100% o au pili fa’afoma’i se’ia o’o ina e o’o i le Tulaga Sili o le Fa’aleleia o le Soifua Maloloina.

Faletuna o Tuna ma le Mata’u i Pa Papu Fa’apisinisi

O faletuna i Pago Pago o ni nofoaga tetele o alamanuia. Latou te fa’aaogaina faiga fa’alili o le ammonia lea, afai e lē lelei ona tausia, e mafai ona o’o atu ai i ni pa papu mata’utia po’o le tatalaina o ni vaila’au ‘ona e tele.

O le poto masani o le loia fa’avae o Ralph Manginello i le pa papu o le BP refinery ua avea ai o ia ma filifiliga sili mo so’o se tagata faigaluega na manu’a i se fa’alavelave i le faletuna. Na te iloa le auala e aumai ai fa’amaumauga o le tausiga ma su’etusi o le saogalemu e taumafai kamupani e “leiloa” pe a uma se mala.

Faugafale ma le Solo o Luotoga i Tutuila

Pe o le galue i luga o auala latalata i Leone po’o le fa’aleleia o tautua lautele i Fagatogo, o faugāfale o se matata mata’utia pea i Amerika Samoa.

• Pa’ū mai Mea Maualuluga: E mana’omia e le OSHA le puipuiga mai le pa’ū i le 6 futu. Afai na e pa’ū ona o se apefa’i po’o se scaffolding fa’aletonu, o lo’o i ai sau tagi.
• Solo o Luotoga (Trench Collapses): O le tasi kupita iata (cubic yard) o le palapala e tutusa le mamafa ma se ta’avale la’itiiti. Afai o se luotoga e sili atu i le 5 futu le loloto e lē o puipuia, o se mailei oti lea.

Le Alalaupapa: Pe a Fesoota’i ni Tagi se Tele

O i matou NA’O le pau lea o le kamupani e iloagofie le “Alalaupapa” (Bridge) i le va o lau alamanuia ma lou a’afiaga. O lenei mea e mafai ona fa’alua pe fa’atoluina ai lou taui.

Alalaupapa 1: Le Feso’ota’iga a le Nofoaga Fau Va’a ma le Asipeto

Afai o oe o se tagata faigaluega e lipea va’a i Pago Pago, o oe o se tagata galue i le sami (Itu 2) MA o se tagata na a’afia i le asipeto (Itu 1). Matou te failaina le tagi o le fa’atamala a le Jones Act fa’asaga i lou pule MA tagi i tupe fa’ataga a le asipeto fa’asaga i kamupani na faia le asipeto i le taimi e tasi.

Alalaupapa 2: Le Feso’ota’iga a le Faletuna ma Vaila’au

O se tagata faigaluega na manu’a i le tatalaina o le ammonia e mafai fo’i ona i ai se fa’ama’i māmā natia mai tausaga o le a’afia i le asipeto i le fale ausa (steam plant). Matou te mulimulita’ia le tagi o le manu’aga vave ma le tagi o le a’afia i vaila’au i se taimi umi ina ia mautinoa le sa’o atoatoa.

Fa’aaliali: Le Tusi Ta’iala a Kamupani ma Fa’afefea ona Matou Fa’ato’ilaloina

Pe a e failaina se tagi i Amerika Samoa, o le ‘au puipui a kamupani o le a latou fa’aaogaina ni auala eleelea. O Lupe Peña na te iloa nei mea ona sa masani ona ia fesoasoani i le fa’atinoina. O le auala lenei latou te taumafai ai e taofi oe ma le auala matou te toe osofa’i ai:

1. “E lē mafai ona e fa’amaonia o la matou oloa na fasiotia oe.” I mataupu o le asipeto, latou te fai mai na e galue ma isi oloa e 50. Matou te fa’aaogaina le “The Substantial Factor Test” e fa’amaonia ai o la latou oloa na fesoasoani i lou a’afia. Matou te toe fausia lau talafa’asolopito o lau galuega i le fa’aaogaina o fa’amatalaga mai uo faigaluega ma a matou fa’amaumauga o oloa.
2. “Ua tuai tele ona faila se tagi.” Latou te fai mai o le a’afiaga na tupu i le 1975 ma ua uma le taimi fa’atapula’aina e le tulafono. Matou te fa’aaogaina le Tulafono o le Sailiga (Discovery Rule). I mataupu o vaila’au ‘o’ona, e amata le taimi pe a e ILOA ua e ma’i, ae lē o le taimi na e a’afia ai. Matou te puipuia lau aiā tatau e faila ai.
3. “Pau le mea e te maua o le Inisiua o Manu’aga i Galuega (Workers’ Comp).” O le pepelo lea latou te ta’u atu i tagata faigaluega i aso uma. E ui e mafai e le inisiua lenei ona totogi nisi o pili fa’afoma’i, e lē mafai ona totogi mo lou tiga, le moupueina o le mafutaga a lou aiga, po’o ni sala tupe (punitive damages). Matou te saili le Nofosala mai le Isi Itū (Third-Party Liability) ina ia pasia na tapula’a laiti.
4. “O le tagata o lo’o tagi sa ulaula.” Mo mataupu o le kanesa o le māmā, o le a latou tu’uaia lou olaga. Matou te ta’ua le Synergistic Effect—o lo’o fa’amaonia e le saienisi o le asipeto fa’aopoopo i le ulaula e atili ai ona mata’utia le asipeto, ae le o le fa’aitiitia. O le o lo’o tu’uaia e nofosala lava mo le latou vaega.

E pei ona matauina e Eddy M. i lana iloiloga, “O so’o se fesili na ou maua sa taliina auiliili… lea na leai ai se popole.” Matou te lē fa’atagaina kamupani e fa’amanu’ia oe. Matou te avatu ia te oe le mea moni.

Auala o le Taui: Fa’amautinoaina le Lumana’i o Lou Aiga

Matou te sailia so’o se tala o lo’o avanoa e ala i se fuafuaga e tele ona vaega. Mo se tagata ma’i mesothelioma i Amerika Samoa, o lenei mea e masani ona i ai:

• Tupe Fa’ataga o le Asipeto (Asbestos Trust Funds): E silia ma le 60 tupe fa’ataga o lo’o galulue pea ma le silia ma le $30 piliona o lo’o i ai. Matou te fesoasoani ia te oe e faila i le tele o tupe fa’ataga ina ia fa’aputu lau taui.
• Talosaga i le Fa’amasinoga (Civil Lawsuits): Matou te molia kamupani o lo’o galulue pea mo taui atoatoa i tupe ma isi mea.
• Inisiua a le Fitafita Tuai (VA Disability): Mo a tatou fitafita tuai i Amerika Samoa, matou te fa’amaopoopo lau tagi fa’aletulafono ma au penefiti o le PACT Act.

*O mataupu ta’itasi e tulaga ese. O i’uga ua mavae e lē fa’amaonia ai se i’uga i le lumana’i.

Fa’asao Vave o Fa’amaoniga: Gaoioi a’o le’i Leiloa

I Amerika Samoa, e mou atu fa’amaoniga i aso uma. E nutililii e pule faigaluega fa’amaumauga tuai o totogi, o uo faigaluega e masii i fafo, ma nofoaga tuai e talepeina.

I totonu o le 14 aso talu ona e fa’afaigaluegaina i matou, o le a matou lafoina ai Tusi Mana’omia mo le Fa’asaoina o Mea (Spoliation Demand Letters) i so’o se tagata e ono nofosala. Matou te mana’omia latou te fa’asaoina:

• Lipoti o le ea ma le mama o nofoaga o galuega
• Fa’amaumauga o le OSHA 300 ma Lipoti o Fa’alavelave 301
• Pepa o Fa’amatalaga o le Saogalemu mo mea uma (SDS) mo vaila’au uma na fa’aaogaina
• Fa’amaumauga a le Unioni ma le auai o tagata i le lotoifale

Aua ne’i fa’atali se’ia leiloa nei pepa.

Aiseā e Filifili ai le Attorney 911 mo Lau Mataupu i Amerika Samoa?

Matou te lē o se kamupani e na’o le sailiga o le “settlement mill.” O i matou o se kamupani e fa’amuamua aiga lea e va’aia lau fa’alavelave 911 fa’aletulafono ma le fa’amaoni.

• Silia ma le 27 Tausaga o le Poto Masani: O le loia o Ralph Manginello na te iloa le auala e manumalo ai i le fa’amasinoga a le feterale.
• Avanoa i Totonu: O Lupe Peña na te iloa mea lilo a kamupani inisiua.
• Sootaga ma Amerika Samoa: Matou te malamalama i le aganu’u galue malosi ma le olaga i o tatou motu.
• Talanoa i le Gagana Sipaniolo: O Lupe e mafai ona talanoa i gagana e lua, ina ia mautinoa e leai se fa’afitauli i le fesoota’iga mo a tatou tagata fa’atau.
• Avanoa i le 24/7: O la tatou ‘au o lo’o avanoa pe a e mana’omia tele i matou. E lē o oe o se numera; o oe o se aiga.

Fesili e Masani ona Fesiligia (FAQ) mo Tagata Faigaluega i Amerika Samoa

1. Na ou faigaluega i le faletuna o le StarKist i le 30 tausaga talu ai. Ua tuai tele ona faila se tagi mo le mesothelioma?

E leai. Ona o le “Tulafono o le Sailiga,” o le taimi fa’atapula’aina e masani ona lē amata se’ia o’o ina fa’amaonia lou ma’i pe e te iloa o lou ma’i e feso’ota’i ma le asipeto. Mesothelioma e i ai le 15-50 tausaga o le taimi natia. Afai fa’ato’ā fa’amaonia oe, o lau tagi e mautinoa o lo’o galue pea.

2. E mafai ona ou molia lo’u pule i Amerika Samoa pe afai fo’i ou te mauaina le inisiua o manu’aga i galuega (workers’ comp)?

Ioe, i le tele o mataupu. E ui o le workers’ comp e fa’atapula’aina lou mafaia ona molia lou pule sa’o, e mafai ona e aumaia se “Tagi i le Isi Itū” (Third-Party Claim) fa’asaga i e na faia vaila’au ‘o’ona, o tagata e ana le fanua, po’o konekarate na le’i mafai ona tausia tulaga o le saogalemu.

3. Ae a pe afai o le kamupani na fa’alialia a’u i le asipeto ua gaumata (bankrupt)?

O iina e sau ai Tupe Fa’ataga o le Asipeto. Silia ma le 60 kamupani ua fa’atulagaina ni tupe fa’ataga e piliona ma piliona tala le tau e totogi ai tagata i le lumana’i. E ui ua “mou atu” le kamupani, o lo’o i ai pea le tupe.

4. E fia le tau o le a ou totogiina i se loia o vaila’au ‘o’ona?

I le Attorney 911, matou te galulue i luga o se maliega tau (contingency fee). O lona uiga e $0 e te totogiina i luma. Matou te totogiina uma le sailiga o fa’amaumauga fa’afoma’i, tagata poto fa’apitoa, ma totogifuapauina o le fa’amasinoga. Matou te maua na’o se pasene o le tupe matou te toe maua mo oe. Afai matou te lē manumalo, e te lē totogiina se mea.

5. Na maliu lo’u tamā i le mesothelioma i Amerika Samoa i le tausaga talu ai. E mafai pea e lo matou aiga ona faila se tagi?

Ioe. E mafai ona matou failaina se Wrongful Death Action ma se Survival Action. O mea ia e mafai ai e le aiga ona toe maua se taui mo le gau o tupe maua, tupe fa’aalu mo maliu, ma le tiga ma le mafatia na onosaia e lou tamā a’o le’i maliu.

6. E tatau ona ou malaga i Houston mo la’u mataupu?

E leai. E mafai ona matou fa’atautaia le tele o lau mataupu i le telefoni, Zoom, ma le sainiina o pepa i luga o le initaneti. Afai e mana’omia, o le a malaga atu la matou ‘au i Amerika Samoa e feiloa’i ma oe ma aoina ni fa’amaoniga i le lotoifale.

7. O le a le ituaiga fa’amaoniga fa’afoma’i e tatau ona ou maua?

Mo le mesothelioma, matou te mana’omia se pathology report e fa’amaonia ai le ma’i. Mo le benizene/AML, matou te mana’omia i’uga o le biopsy o le ivi. E galulue la matou kamupani ma foma’i o kanesa sili ona lelei ina ia feso’ota’i lau mafaasolopito o lau galuega i Amerika Samoa i lou ma’i.

8. Pe o le a a’afia ai lo’u tulaga tau i femalagaa’iga (immigration status) i lenei mataupu?

E matuā leai lava. O lau aiā tatau fa’aletulafono i se nofoaga saogalemu o galuega ma le taui mo manu’aga e lē fa’alagolago i lou tulaga tau i femalagaa’iga. I lalo o le tulafono a Amerika, o so’o se tasi e manu’a i le fa’atamala a le kamupani e i ai le aiā i le fa’amasinoga sa’o.

O lau Taua e Amata i le Vala’au e Tasi: 1-888-ATTY-911

O fa’alapotopotoga na fa’aonaina oe o lo’o i ai se ‘au o loia. I le taimi nei, o lo’o latou va’ava’ai ia latou pepa fa’amaumauga ma fuafua pe fa’apefea ona totogi oe i se tupe e pito sili ona la’itiiti. E te tatau ona maua se ‘au e tau mo oe.

O Ralph Manginello ma Lupe Peña ua sauni e avea ma lena ‘au. Ua sili atu i le $50 miliona la matou tupe na maua mo a matou tagata fa’atau ona matou te lē solomuli. Matou te malamalama i le si’osi’omaga o Amerika Samoa, le talafa’asolopito patino o uafu o Pago Pago, ma le saienisi fa’afoma’i e mana’omia e fa’amaonia ai lau mataupu.

Aua ne’i fa’atali se’ia uma le taimi o le lumana’i o lou aiga.

Vala’au le 1-888-ATTY-911 nei mo sau fa’atalanoaga sa’oloto.
Attorney 911: Ona o kamupani na latou iloa e le tatau ona sao mai ai.

Mo na’o fa’amoemoe tau a’oa’oga. E leai se sootaga loia-tagata fa’atau e faia pe a aunoa ma se konekarate tusia. O i’uga e fesuia’i e tusa ai ma mea moni o le tagata lava ia. Ofisa Autū: Houston, Texas.

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American Samoa Toxic Exposure and Industrial Injury Lawyers: Fighting for Pago Pago Workers and Families

You didn’t know. For twenty years, thirty years, or even longer—you showed up to work in American Samoa, did your job, and came home to your family. Nobody told you the dust you breathed at the shipyards, the ammonia odors you inhaled in the tuna canneries, or the chemicals you handled at the fuel docks would one day try to kill you. Now you know. And now you have rights.

The cough started months ago. Then the shortness of breath that made climbing even a small hill in Pago Pago feel like an impossible task. Finally, a doctor used a word you had only ever heard on the news: mesothelioma. In an instant, everything you thought you knew about your decades of hard work for American Samoa’s industrial backbone changed forever.

What happened to you is not bad luck. It is not just “getting older.” It is toxic exposure. It is the result of massive corporations choosing their profits in American Samoa over the lives of the people who made those profits possible. They had the studies. They had the warnings. They suppressed the truth. We are here to uncover it.

At Attorney 911, led by founding attorney Ralph Manginello and backed by the insider knowledge of former insurance defense attorney Lupe Peña, we represent the backbone of American Samoa—the cannery workers, the shipbuilders, the utility crews, and the veterans. We provide the immediate, aggressive, and professional help you need when a medical diagnosis turns your world upside down.

As Stephanie H. shared in her verified 5-star review, “When I felt I had no hope or direction… I just never felt so taken care of… they really made me feel like I mattered throughout the entire process.” That is the standard we bring to every family in American Samoa.

If you or a loved one is suffering from mesothelioma, leukemia, or a catastrophic industrial injury, the clock is ticking. Trust funds are depleting, evidence is being lost, and your health is the priority. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today for a free, confidential consultation. We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.

The Insider Advantage: Why American Samoa Workers Choose Attorney 911

When you are fighting a multi-billion-dollar corporation or an international insurance conglomerate, you are entering a war. The other side has an army of defense lawyers whose only job is to ensure you receive zero dollars. To beat them, you need a legal team that has lived inside their walls.

Attorney Lupe Peña spent years on the defense side. He was the one insurance companies called to evaluate, minimize, and deny claims. He knows their playbook because he helped write it. He knows exactly how they try to hide evidence of toxic exposure and how they use delay tactics to wait out terminal patients. Today, he uses that “classified” intelligence to tear their defenses apart on behalf of our clients.

Founding attorney Ralph Manginello brings over 27 years of high-stakes litigation experience to your case. Ralph was part of the litigation team for the BP Texas City Refinery explosion—a case that involve a $2.1 billion total settlement. He is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and has spent his entire career making sure that massive corporations cannot bully hardworking people.

We don’t just “handle” cases; we litigate them. Whether your exposure happened at the StarKist cannery, on a vessel in Pago Pago Harbor, or at an American Samoa Power Authority facility, we have the resources to take your case to the finish line.

As Brian B. noted in his review, “Attorney 911 have definitely changed my views… very informative and professional.” We treated Brian like family, and we will do the same for you.

The Anchor: Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure in American Samoa

Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, a devastating cancer of the lung lining (pleura) or abdominal lining (peritoneum). For decades, asbestos was used pervasively in American Samoa’s industrial infrastructure because it was cheap and heat-resistant.

The Science of Destruction: How Asbestos Kills at the Cellular Level

Asbestos fibers are microscopic, needle-like structures. When you breathe them in at an American Samoa job site, they travel deep into your lungs and penetrate the mesothelial lining. Unlike other dusts, asbestos fibers are “biopersistent.” Your body’s macrophages (immune cells) try to surround and destroy the fibers, but the fibers are too sharp and long.

This leads to a biological process called “frustrated phagocytosis.” The immune cells die in the attempt, releasing inflammatory cytokines like TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. This creates a state of chronic, permanent inflammation that lasts for decades. Over 15 to 50 years, this constant inflammation generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that directly damage your DNA.

Specifically, the exposure causes the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes like BAP1 and p16. Without these genetic “brakes,” mesothelial cells begin to grow uncontrollably, eventually forming the tumors known as mesothelioma. By the time symptoms appear, the disease has often been progressing in secret for thirty years.

Asbestos in American Samoa’s History

Workers in American Samoa were frequently exposed through several primary pathways:

• Shipping and Marine Repair: Any vessel built before 1980 was saturated with asbestos. Engine rooms, boiler lagging, and pipe insulation were all major sources. If you worked at Samoa Maritime or any shipyard in Pago Pago Harbor, you likely handled these materials daily.
• Canneries and Thermal Processing: The high-temperature steam lines and boilers used in the tuna canning industry (StarKist and the former Chicken of the Sea/COS Samoa facilities) were historically insulated with asbestos-containing materials (ACM).
• Construction and Demolition: Older government buildings, schools, and utility facilities across Tutuila were built with asbestos-containing floor tiles, roofing, and pipe wrap.
• Secondary (Take-Home) Exposure: The most heartbreaking cases are those involving the wives and children of workers. If you came home from the cannery or the shipyard in Pago Pago with dust on your clothes, and your spouse laundered those clothes, they inhaled the same deadly fibers.

Diagnostic Triggers: Recognizing the Symptoms

Many mesothelioma symptoms in American Samoa are mistaken for common tropical illnesses or general aging. If you have a history of industrial work, you must look for:

1. Pleural Mesothelioma: Persistent dry cough, chest wall pain that radiates to the shoulder, progressive shortness of breath, and unexplained weight loss.
2. Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Severe abdominal swelling (ascites), bowel changes, and constant abdominal pain.

If you recognize these symptoms, tell your doctor about your asbestos exposure history. Diagnosis requires high-resolution CT scans and an immunohistochemistry biopsy to confirm markers like Calretinin and WT1.

As Ken T. wrote in his 5-star review, “Ralph listened intently… and immediately began working to protect my rights.” If you’ve been diagnosed, we are ready to listen to you. Call 1-888-ATTY-911.

Axis 1: Toxic Substances — What You Were Exposed To

In American Samoa, asbestos isn’t the only killer. Our firm investigates cases involving a wide range of hazardous substances that companies failed to warn you about.

Benzene and Industrial Chemicals

Benzene (C6H6) is a known human carcinogen found in heavy fuels, solvents, and industrial degreasers used across American Samoa’s ports and utility sectors.

The Mechanism of Leukemia: When you inhale benzene, your liver metabolizes it into benzene oxide, and then into a toxic metabolite called muconaldehyde. This compound travels through your bloodstream to your bone marrow, where it attacks the stem cells responsible for creating blood. Chronic exposure leads to chromosomal translocations (like t(8;21)), which trigger Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) or Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).

If you worked with fuel storage at the Pago Pago terminals or handled industrial solvents and have been diagnosed with a blood cancer, benzene is the likely culprit. OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.1028 limits exposure to 1 ppm, but we know that even “legal” levels can be lethal over time.

PFAS: The “Forever Chemicals” in the Pacific

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were used extensively in firefighting foams (AFFF) at Pago Pago International Airport and local military installations. These chemicals contain the strongest bond in organic chemistry—the carbon-fluorine bond. They do not break down. They bioaccumulate in your blood, your liver, and your kidneys.

PFAS exposure is linked to kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and thyroid disease. If you lived near a fire training site or have been diagnosed with these conditions, you may have a claim against the manufacturers like 3M or DuPont, who knew about these risks as early as the 1970s.

Camp Lejeune and RECA Claims for American Samoa Veterans

American Samoa has one of the highest enlistment rates in the U.S. military. Many of our local veterans served at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, where the water was contaminated with TCE and PCE at levels 280 times the safety limit.

Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA), those veterans and their families can finally sue for damages. Additionally, American Samoa personnel present during nuclear testing or involved in uranium transport may qualify for $100,000 in federal compensation under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA).

As Ralph explains in our podcast series, these federal claims are independent of your VA benefits. You can—and should—pursue both.

Axis 2: Dangerous Industry Workers — Where You Were Working

American Samoa’s unique economy creates specific risks that our firm understands better than any generic law firm stateside.

Maritime and the Jones Act (46 USC § 30104)

The Jones Act is the most powerful law for injured workers in American Samoa. It gives “seamen” the right to sue their employer for negligence and receive a jury trial. To qualify, you must spend at least 30% of your time in service of a vessel (tugs, barges, fishing boats, or cargo ships).

Under the Jones Act, the burden of proof is “featherweight”—if the employer’s negligence played even the slightest part in your injury, they are liable. Furthermore, vessel owners have an absolute duty to provide a “seaworthy” vessel. If defective gear or inadequate crews caused your injury in Pago Pago Harbor, we will hold them accountable.

We also recover “Maintenance and Cure”—automatic payments for your daily living expenses and 100% of your medical bills until you reach Maximum Medical Improvement. As Ralph breaks down in our video, “The Ultimate Guide to Offshore Accidents,” these rights are often your only path to financial survival.

Tuna Cannery and Industrial Explosion Risks

The tuna canneries in Pago Pago are massive industrial complexes. They utilize ammonia refrigeration systems that, if improperly maintained, can lead to catastrophic explosions or mass toxic releases.

OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.119 (Process Safety Management) requires these facilities to perform rigorous hazard analyses. When companies cut corners on maintenance for the sake of production quotas, workers pay the price in burns, lung damage, and trauma.

Founding attorney Ralph Manginello’s experience with the BP refinery explosion makes him the natural choice for any worker injured in a cannery accident. He knows how to subpoena the maintenance logs and safety audits that companies try to “misplace” after a disaster.

Construction and Trench Collapses in Tutuila

Whether it’s road work near Leone or utility upgrades in Fagatogo, construction remains a dangerous trade in American Samoa.

• Falls from Heights: OSHA requires fall protection at 6 feet. If you fell because of a defective scaffold, you have a claim.
• Trench Collapses: One cubic yard of soil weighs as much as a small car. If a trench over 5 feet deep isn’t shored or shielded, it’s a death trap.

We look beyond workers’ comp. If a general contractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner contributed to your injury, we file third-party claims that have no damage caps.

As Chavodrian M. shared, “called Attorney 911… Ralph Manginello called me so quick… amazing thank you.” We move fast because we know your family can’t wait.

The Bridge: When Multiple Claims Intersect

We are the ONLY firm that identifies the “Bridge” between your industry and your exposure. This can double or triple your compensation.

Bridge 1: The Shipyard-Asbestos Connection

If you were a ship repair worker in Pago Pago, you were an Axis 2 Maritime worker AND an Axis 1 Asbestos victim. We file Jones Act negligence claims against your employer AND asbestos trust fund claims against the manufacturers like Johns-Manville simultaneously.

Bridge 2: The Cannery-Chemical Connection

A worker injured in an ammonia release may also have latent lung disease from years of asbestos exposure in the steam plant. We pursue both the acute injury claim and the long-term toxic tort claim to ensure full justice.

Exposed: The Corporate Defense Playbook and How We Beat It

When you file a claim in American Samoa, the corporate defense team will use a specific set of dirty tactics. Lupe Peña knows these because he used to help implement them. Here is how they will try to stop you and how we counter-attack:

1. “You can’t prove our brand killed you.” In asbestos cases, they’ll say you worked with 50 other products. We use “The Substantial Factor Test” (Lohrmann v. Pittsburgh Corning Corp) to prove their product contributed to your total dose. We reconstruct your work history using co-worker affidavits and our proprietary product database.
2. “It’s too late to sue.” They’ll claim the exposure happened in 1975 and the statute of limitations is dead. We use the Discovery Rule. In toxic torts, the clock starts when you DISCOVER you are sick, not when you were exposed. We protect your right to file.
3. “Workers’ Comp is all you get.” This is the lie they tell workers every day. While workers’ comp might cover some medical bills, it doesn’t pay for your pain, your family’s loss of companionship, or punitive damages. We find the Third-Party Liability (the product maker or contractor) to bypass those small caps.
4. “The plaintiff was a smoker.” For lung cancer cases, they will blame your lifestyle. We cite the Synergistic Effect—science proves that asbestos + smoking makes the asbestos more dangerous, not less. The defendant is still liable for their part.

As Eddy M. noted in his review, “Every question I had was answered thoroughly… which made everything much less stressful.” We don’t let the corporations confuse you. We give you the truth.

Compensation Pathways: Securing Your Family’s Future

We pursue every available dollar through a multi-front strategy. For a mesothelioma patient in American Samoa, this often includes:

• Asbestos Trust Funds: There are 60+ active bankruptcy trusts with over $30 billion in assets. The Manville Trust, for instance, has paid out billions. We help you file with multiple trusts to stack your compensation.
• Civil Lawsuits: We sue solvent companies that are still in business for full economic and non-economic damages.
• VA Disability: For our American Samoa veterans, we coordinate your legal claim with your PACT Act benefits.
• RECA/EEOICPA: Targeted federal programs for radiation and nuclear workers.

*Each case is unique. Past results do not guarantee a future outcome. We fight for the maximum based on your facts.

Urgent Evidence Preservation: Act Before it’s Gone

In American Samoa, evidence disappears every day. Employers shred old payroll records, co-worker witnesses move to the mainland, and old facilities are demolished.

Within 14 days of you hiring us, we send Spoliation Demand Letters to every potential defendant. We demand they preserve:

• Industrial hygiene air sampling reports
• OSHA 300 Logs and 301 Incident Reports
• Material Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals used
• Union dispatch and local membership records

Don’t wait until these documents are lost. As Ralph explains in his podcast episode “Can I Use My Cellphone to Document a Legal Case?”, even your own photos of the job site can be high-value evidence.

Why Choose Attorney 911 for Your American Samoa Case?

We are not a “settlement mill.” We are a family-oriented firm that takes your 911 legal emergency personally.

• 27+ Years Experience: Veteran trial attorney Ralph Manginello knows how to win in federal court.
• Insider Access: Lupe Peña knows the insurance company’s secrets.
• Pasadena/Houston Roots, American Samoa Spirit: We understand the hardworking culture of industrial corridors.
• Hablamos Español: Lupe is fully bilingual, ensuring no language barrier for our diverse clients.
• 24/7 Access: Our team is available when you need us most. You aren’t a number; you are family.

As Chad H. wrote, “A true PITT BULL and fighter. He don’t play!… You are NOT a pest to them… You are FAMILY to them.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for American Samoa Workers

1. I worked at the StarKist cannery 30 years ago. Is it too late to file a mesothelioma claim?

No. Because of the “Discovery Rule,” the statute of limitations in toxic exposure cases typically doesn’t begin until you are diagnosed or learn that your illness is related to asbestos. Mesothelioma has a 15-50 year latency period. If you were just diagnosed, your claim is very likely active.

2. Can I sue my employer in American Samoa if I also get workers’ comp?

Yes, in many cases. While workers’ comp limits your ability to sue your direct employer, you can bring a “Third-Party Claim” against the manufacturers of the toxic chemicals, the owners of the property, or the contractors who failed to maintain safety standards. These claims offer much higher compensation for pain and suffering.

3. What if the company that exposed me to asbestos is now bankrupt?

That is where Asbestos Trust Funds come in. Over 60 companies have set up multibillion-dollar trusts to pay future claimants. Even if the company is “gone,” the money is still there. We help you identify every trust you qualify for.

4. How much will a toxic exposure lawyer cost me?

At Attorney 911, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means we charge $0 upfront. We pay for all medical record collection, expert witnesses, and filing fees. We only get paid a percentage of the money we recover for you. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.

5. My father died of mesothelioma in American Samoa last year. Can our family still file?

Yes. We can file a Wrongful Death Action and a Survival Action. These allow the family to recover for the loss of income, funeral expenses, and the pain and suffering your father endured before his passing.

6. Do I have to travel to Houston for my case?

No. We represent clients nationwide and can handle the vast majority of your case via phone, Zoom, and electronic document signing. If necessary, our team will travel to American Samoa to meet with you and gather evidence locally.

7. What kind of medical proof do I need?

For mesothelioma, we need a pathology report confirming the diagnosis. For benzene/AML, we need bone marrow biopsy results. Our firm works with world-class oncologists and industrial hygienists to connect your work history in American Samoa to your diagnosis.

8. Will this case affect my immigration status?

Absolutely not. Your legal right to a safe workplace and compensation for injuries does not depend on your immigration status. Under U.S. law, everyone injured by corporate negligence has a right to justice. Everything we discuss is strictly confidential.

Your Fight Starts With One Call: 1-888-ATTY-911

The corporations that poisoned you have a team of lawyers. Right now, they are looking at their spreadsheets and calculating how to pay you as little as possible. You deserve a team that fights back.

Ralph Manginello and Lupe Peña are ready to be that team. We have recovered over $50 million for our clients because we don’t back down. We understand the unique geography of American Samoa, the specific history of the Pago Pago Waterfront, and the medical science required to prove your case.

Don’t let the clock run out on your family’s future. Join the 272+ clients who have rated us 4.9 stars on Google.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now for your free consultation.
Attorney 911: Because the companies that knew shouldn’t get away with it.

Educational purposes only. No attorney-client relationship formed without a written contract. Results vary based on individual facts. Principal Office: Houston, Texas.