Kaiser Shipyards and Asbestos

Kaiser Shipyards consisted of a total of seven shipyards that were used to build and repair vessels. The shipyards played an important role during World War II. Asbestos use at Kaiser Shipyards exposed thousands of workers and put them at risk for mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses.

If you or a loved one suffer from mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may qualify for substantial compensation. Currently, there is over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds, awaiting those who’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos 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.

Did Kaiser Shipyards Use Asbestos?

All shipyards in the U.S. used asbestos for many years. The years of peak asbestos use in shipbuilding and repair were from the 1930s to the 1970s.

Kaiser is one of many shipyards that used asbestos. Asbestos went into insulation and other materials on ships to protect against heat and fire. The use of asbestos only ceased when its dangers became more well-known, and the government began regulating it.

Kaiser Shipyards History

The Kaiser Shipyards consisted of seven shipyards along the West Coast in California, Washington, and Oregon:

• Four Richmond Shipyards in Richmond, California
• Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation in Portland, Oregon
• Swan Island Shipyard in Portland, Oregon
• Vancouver Shipyard, in Vancouver, Washington

Kaiser Shipyards in World War II

Henry J. Kaiser founded Kaiser Shipyards in 1941 in response to the U.S. Maritime Commission’s call for shipbuilding for World War II. An industrialist, Kaiser already had experience in shipbuilding for the Maritime Commission and for Great Britain.

Beginning with the Richmond Shipyards, Kaiser would go on to open seven shipyards and build nearly 800 ships during wartime production.

Kaiser Shipbuilding was short-lived, serving a wartime need only. In 1945, the four California shipyards closed down, followed by the closure of one of the Portland and Vancouver sites.

The only remaining shipyard, the Swan Island Portland Shipyard, is now managed and operated by Cascade General.

Notable Facts About Kaiser Shipyards

During its short run, Kaiser Shipyards set records and led a movement to diversify the American workforce. With men going off to war, Kaiser recognized the need to include women and minorities in shipyards. He even fought unions to ensure Black workers could work toward skilled, unionized jobs.

Kaiser Shipyards set a record for building a ship in less than five days. This was the SS Robert E. Peary. It also built the SS Joseph N. Teal ten days. These were Liberty ships, cargo ships used during World War II.

How Did Kaiser Shipyards Use Asbestos?

Kaiser Shipyards relied on asbestos for its resistance to heat and fire, ease of use, and affordability. Throughout most of the war, Kaiser Shipyards used asbestos in various equipment, rooms, machinery, and more.

Ships built at Kaiser and at other shipyards during this period contained hundreds of asbestos components. Some of these include:

• Insulation
• Pipe lagging
• Wall panels
• Cement
• Textiles
• Gaskets
• Valves
• Pumps
• Adhesives

How Were Kaiser Shipyard Workers Affected By Asbestos?

Often, employees and contractors worked in poorly ventilated shops, increasing their risk of developing an asbestos-related disease.

Kaiser Shipyards also never required workers to wear protective gear while working around asbestos.

Although documents confirm that the U.S. Navy knew full well of the dangers of asbestos, they never enforced the use of respirators or any other form of safety protection against asbestos fibers.

Numerous workers performing different job functions at Kaiser Shipyards were exposed to asbestos daily, including:

• Insulators
• Boilermakers
• Mechanics
• Pipfietters
• Steamfitters
• Repair workers
• Electricians

Asbestos Lawsuits Against Kaiser and the Kaiser Asbestos Trust Fund

As more and more workers developed asbestos-related illnesses numerous years after working at Kaiser Shipyards, lawsuits began to stack up.

Most lawsuits were against manufacturers that supplied asbestos-containing products to the shipyard. Per the U.S. Navy, more than 200 types of asbestos-containing products from many different companies were used at shipyards throughout the nation.

In 2006, the Kaiser Asbestos Personal Injury Trust was created after thousands of lawsuits against Kaiser started mounting.

This includes the shipyards and “any valid asbestos personal injury claims for which Kaiser has legal responsibility.”

Kaiser’s asbestos-containing products, which included materials also sent to the construction, aerospace, and automotive industries, include:

• Insulation
• Unitab bricks
• Fire bricks
• Ore
• Finishing mud cement, and
• Cement

How to Seek Compensation for Asbestos at Kaiser Shipyards

If you were affected by Kaiser asbestos products, contact an asbestos law firm to learn about your legal options for seeking compensation.

If you or a loved one has a mesothelioma diagnosis, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against asbestos companies. Settlements can provide valuable compensation for victims or their families who lost loved ones to asbestos exposure.

The Kaiser asbestos trust is another option. When asbestos companies go bankrupt, they can no longer be sued but should have trust funds available. A mesothelioma lawyer can review your case and help you take action to seek compensation.

Additional Resources and Help for Asbestos Victims

If you’ve been injured by mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, keep in mind that there is a good chance that you’ll qualify for considerable 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.