Shipyards and Asbestos

Workers in shipyards used a lot of asbestos to build and repair ships. Both civilian and Navy workers risked asbestos exposure and later illnesses. Former shipyard workers with mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses can now seek compensation.

If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you might be eligible for a large amount of compensation. Currently, there is over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds set up for those who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness. Fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the experienced mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and more.

How Did Shipyards Use Asbestos?

The U.S. shipbuilding industry is older than the country, but it took off during World War II. The boom in shipbuilding began with Navy vessels but also included civilian vessels.

This increase in shipbuilding in the U.S. coincided with a time of peak asbestos use. Until the late 1970s, when asbestos regulations took effect, millions of people who worked in shipyards were at risk of asbestos exposure.

Shipbuilding used asbestos for several reasons:

• Asbestos was abundant and inexpensive.
• Asbestos is an effective insulator and protects ships and crews from excessive heat.
• Asbestos can also protect against fire, a major risk on board vessels.
• Asbestos is lightweight and strong, making it easy to use on ships.

When Did Shipyards Use Asbestos?

Asbestos has been in use for thousands of years. In the modern era, asbestos use grew due to its properties, abundance in mines, and low cost.

Asbestos was most heavily used in shipyards from about the 1930s through the 1970s. As the health risks of being around asbestos became more widely known, industries slowed and largely stopped asbestos use.

U.S. government regulations took effect in the 1970s, limiting uses of asbestos but not completely banning it.

Where Was Asbestos Used in Shipyards?

Asbestos was used in hundreds of parts and materials that went into ships. It was also in the vehicles, equipment, and buildings in shipyards. Some of the asbestos components that went into ships include:

• Pipe insulation
• Other types of insulation
• Boiler and boiler cladding
• Pumps
• Gaskets
• Valves
• Wall panels
• Cement
• Ceiling and flooring tiles
• Textiles
• Ropes

Equipment and machinery used to build ships contained asbestos in friction parts to insulate against heat and protect against fire. Brakes and clutches in vehicles, for instance, contained asbestos. Shipyard buildings had asbestos in insulation and around heat-generating equipment like boilers and furnaces.

Who Was at Risk of Asbestos Exposure and Illness From Shipyards?

Anyone who worked in a shipyard was at risk of being exposed to asbestos. They were also at risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses years later.

The workers at the highest risk of asbestos exposure in shipyards worked near or directly with asbestos materials. They handled asbestos parts or engaged in activities that could disturb asbestos materials and release harmful fibers.

Examples of shipyard workers with the greatest risk of asbestos exposure include:

• Insulation workers
• Pipefitters
• Machine operators
• Boiler workers
• Repair and maintenance workers
• Crane operators
• Demolition and shipbreaking workers
• Longshoremen
• Carpenters
• Welders
• Electricians
• Plumbers

Asbestos and Navy Shipyards

Navy shipyards also used asbestos. Both civilian workers and Navy veterans were put at risk of asbestos exposure and now have higher rates of mesothelioma.

Navy veterans have even higher rates of asbestos illnesses because they spent so much time on board ships with asbestos materials. They spent weeks or months at a time in cramped, poorly ventilated areas of Navy ships. Asbestos exposure was highly likely in these conditions.

Do Shipyards Still Have Asbestos?

Shipbuilding stopped actively using asbestos in the late 1970s or early 1980s, but asbestos didn’t just go away. It lingered in buildings, equipment, and ships. It was not feasible to abate all the asbestos previously used in the industry.

Current shipyard workers are much safer from asbestos than those in the past. There is still some risk of asbestos exposure in shipyards today. Asbestos is not completely banned, and it remains in older ships.

When workers have to handle these materials, for instance, by cutting into old pipe insulation, they can release and inhale asbestos fibers.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has standards that protect modern workers from asbestos. Shipyard workers today should be told of the risks of asbestos and be provided with safety training and gear.

Which States Were Most Affected by Asbestos in Shipyards?

All states with a coastline and a shipbuilding industry were affected by asbestos. Some states had and still have large shipyards, contributing significantly to the economy. These states were most affected by the asbestos used in shipbuilding and repair.

California

Thanks to its long Pacific coastline, California has long been home to shipyards. California is a leading state for asbestos exposure in shipyard workers.

In addition to the high number of shipyards, California has natural asbestos deposits and mining. These two industries made California one of the top states for asbestos illnesses and asbestos-related deaths.

New York

New York has less coastline than other states but has long been highly industrialized. New York has a long history of asbestos exposure and related deaths. The Brooklyn Navy Yard was an important site of asbestos exposure.

New York courts have a special division dedicated solely to resolving the thousands of asbestos lawsuits related to exposure in shipyards and other industries.

Louisiana

Louisiana is another state with high mesothelioma rates due to industries that involve shipyards. Louisiana’s short coastline has many shipyards that have contributed to local asbestos exposure. These include several Avondale Shipyards.

Mississippi

Like Louisiana, Mississippi has a lot of shipping-related industry along its short Gulf of Mexico Coast. Shipyards, oil refineries, and other industrial sites have led to extensive asbestos exposure in Mississippi workers.

Texas

Texas has a long coastline along the Gulf of Mexico that is heavily industrialized. Oil refineries and shipyards have both contributed to asbestos exposure in local workers. Some of the important sites of exposure in Texas include Todd Shipyards, Kane Shipbuilding, and Brown Shipbuilding.

Washington

The Puget Sound in Washington has long been home to a shipbuilding industry. Shipyards in Washington, like Duwamish and Lockheed, have caused a lot of asbestos exposure in workers over the years. The Bremerton Naval Shipyard is the largest on the U.S. Pacific coast.

U.S. Shipyards That Used Asbestos

These are some of the most important shipyards that exposed workers to asbestos:

• Alabama Dry Dock
• Albina Shipyard
• Barbours Cut Docks
• Bethlehem Steel Shipyard
• Bremerton Naval Shipyard
• Brooklyn Navy Yard
• Caddell Dry Dock
• Mare Island Naval Shipyard (California Naval Shipyard)
• Charleston Naval Shipyard
• Consolidated Steel Shipyards
• Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard
• Defoe Shipbuilding Company
• Duwamish Shipyard
• New London Naval Submarine Base (Groton Naval Base)
• San Francisco Naval Shipyard at Hunters Point
• Ingalls Shipbuilding
• The Kane Shipbuilding Company
• Willamette Iron and Steel Works
• Kaiser Shipyards
• Washington Navy Yard
• Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company
• Moore Dry Dock Company
• Brown Shipbuilding
• New York Shipbuilding Corporation
• Newport News Shipyard
• Todd Shipyards
• Seward Ship’s Drydock
• Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNS)
• Orange Shipbuilding
• Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard
• San Diego Naval Shipyard
• San Francisco Drydock
• Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company
• Tacoma Drydocks

Companies That Supplied Asbestos to Shipyards

These are just a few of the many private companies that supplied civilian and Naval shipyards with asbestos and asbestos products:

• National Gypsum
• Johns Manville
• GAF Corporation
• Syd Carpenter Marine Contractor
• John Crane, Inc.
• McCormick Asbestos Company
• Foster Wheeler Corporation
• Owens-Illinois Glass
• Willman Asbestos

Compensation for Shipyard Workers with Mesothelioma

Anyone who worked in a shipyard and was exposed to asbestos is now at risk for mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses. If you have a mesothelioma diagnosis, you have a couple of options for seeking compensation.

Mesothelioma and Asbestos Lawsuits

A lawsuit is one option for many people with mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses. Mesothelioma is considered a personal injury because most incidences of asbestos exposure were negligent.

Most asbestos lawsuits end in settlements, but some go to trial and may result in a large jury award for the victim. These are some examples of legal wins for shipyard workers with asbestos illnesses:

• In 2011, a former shipfitter who worked at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia won $25 million in a lawsuit. He also worked on ExxonMobil tankers, another source of asbestos exposure. He claimed ExxonMobil knew of the risks of asbestos but failed to protect him in the shipyard or on ships. The jury agreed.

• The widow of a shipyard worker from Washington won a jury award of $4.25 million in 2019. her husband developed mesothelioma after years of working as an electrician at the Lockheed shipyard on Harbor Island.

Asbestos Trust Fund Claims

Many asbestos manufacturers have set up asbestos trust funds to compensate claimants after going through bankruptcy. If any companies responsible for your asbestos exposure went bankrupt, you cannot sue them. You can instead file a claim with a trust to seek compensation.

Can Veterans Be Compensated for Naval Shipyard Asbestos Exposure?

Under the Feres Doctrine, military veterans can’t sue the government for damages associated with asbestos exposure. However, veterans may qualify for benefits under the Veterans Administration (VA):

• Monthly Disability Compensation
• Special Monthly Compensation
• Disability and Indemnity Compensation
• Specialist Medical Care at VA Facilities

Although veterans can’t take the government to court, they can sue the asbestos manufacturers and companies that supplied the military with asbestos-containing products. They can also file claims with asbestos trusts. Any compensation they receive from private actions does not affect their VA benefits.

Working with a Mesothelioma Lawyer

If you are a civilian or a veteran who worked in shipyards, you are at increased risk for asbestos illnesses. If you are diagnosed with one of these diseases, contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer for help.

Mesothelioma lawyers and asbestos law firms have the experience and resources to get you the best results. They can explain your options, provide advice, and gather the evidence needed to make your case or for a successful trust fund or VA benefits claim.

Additional Resources and Help for Asbestos Victims

Remember, if you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may qualify for significant compensation. Don’t forget to fill out our form to get our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area. If you need additional assistance, contact us toll-free at 800-793-4540.