Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia stands as the oldest continuously operating naval shipyard in the United States, but for the 43,000 workers employed at its World War II peak—and the tens of thousands more who followed—it also represents decades of deadly asbestos exposure [1]. From aircraft carrier overhauls to submarine repairs, virtually every operation at NNSY involved asbestos-containing materials that continue to cause mesothelioma diagnoses today.
Executive Summary
Norfolk Naval Shipyard, established in 1767, employed up to 43,000 workers during World War II and continued as a major naval facility through the present day. Workers performing ship construction, repair, and overhaul were exposed to over 300 asbestos-containing products used throughout naval vessels—from pipe insulation in engine rooms to deck tiles and fireproofing throughout the ship. The confined spaces and poor ventilation aboard ships concentrated asbestos fibers to dangerous levels. Today, former NNSY workers and their families can pursue compensation through asbestos trust funds, lawsuits against product manufacturers, and VA benefits for veterans. This guide documents exposure patterns at Norfolk Naval Shipyard and explains the compensation options available.
8 Key Facts About Norfolk Naval Shipyard Asbestos Exposure
- Peak Employment: 43,000 workers during World War II [1]
- Facility Age: Oldest U.S. naval shipyard, established 1767 [1]
- Location: Portsmouth, Virginia (across Elizabeth River from Norfolk)
- Peak Asbestos Use: 1940s-1980s during major ship operations [2]
- Ship Types Serviced: Aircraft carriers, submarines, cruisers, destroyers
- Asbestos Products: 300+ products used in naval vessel construction [3]
- Current Status: Still operating as major Navy repair facility
- Mesothelioma Risk: 4-7x higher than general population for shipyard workers [2]
History of Norfolk Naval Shipyard
Norfolk Naval Shipyard has served the U.S. Navy for over 250 years, making it the oldest and one of the largest naval shipyards in the country. This history also means generations of workers were exposed to asbestos over many decades.
Peak workers employed at NNSY during World War II
World War II Expansion
During World War II, Norfolk Naval Shipyard expanded dramatically to support the war effort:
- Employment surged from pre-war levels to 43,000 workers [1]
- Ship repair and conversion operations ran 24 hours a day
- Thousands of vessels were built, repaired, and converted
- Asbestos use was extensive and unregulated
Workers during this period had no protective equipment and no warning about asbestos dangers. The urgency of wartime production meant safety took a back seat to speed [3].
Cold War and Modern Era
After World War II, NNSY continued as a major naval facility:
- Nuclear submarine and aircraft carrier overhaul programs
- Thousands of civilian and military workers employed
- Asbestos continued in use through the 1970s and into the 1980s
- Legacy asbestos remains in older structures and vessels
"I've worked with hundreds of former Norfolk Naval Shipyard workers filing mesothelioma claims. The stories are all similar—working in hot, dusty conditions below deck, cutting asbestos insulation off pipes, grinding gaskets, breathing in fibers all day with nothing but a paper mask at best. These workers deserved to know the danger they faced."
— Larry Gates, Senior Advocate, Danziger & De Llano
How Workers Were Exposed to Asbestos at NNSY
Naval vessels contained asbestos in virtually every system, creating multiple exposure pathways for shipyard workers.
Primary Asbestos Exposure Sources
| Location/System | Asbestos Products Used | Workers Affected |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Rooms | Pipe insulation, boiler lagging, gaskets | Machinists, boilermakers, pipefitters |
| Boiler Rooms | Boiler insulation, refractory cement, gaskets | Boilermakers, firemen, enginemen |
| Living Quarters | Deck tiles, bulkhead insulation, ceiling panels | Shipfitters, carpenters, general workers |
| Electrical Systems | Wire insulation, electrical panels, switchboards | Electricians, electronics technicians |
| Piping Systems | Pipe covering, gaskets, valve packing | Pipefitters, plumbers, welders |
| Fire Protection | Fireproof doors, bulkhead materials, blankets | Shipfitters, insulators, general workers |
Confined Space Exposure
The most dangerous exposures occurred in confined shipboard spaces where asbestos fibers accumulated:
- Bilges: Workers in the lowest areas of ships where dust settled
- Pipe tunnels: Narrow passages lined with asbestos-wrapped pipes
- Machinery spaces: Enclosed compartments with multiple asbestos sources
- Tank tops: Areas above fuel and water tanks with insulation
Poor ventilation in these spaces meant workers breathed concentrated asbestos fibers throughout their shifts. The Norfolk Naval Shipyard exposure profile documents these conditions in detail.
Different asbestos-containing products used on naval vessels
Which Jobs Had the Highest Risk at NNSY?
While all shipyard workers faced some asbestos exposure, certain trades had the most intensive and sustained contact with asbestos materials.
Extreme Risk Occupations
- Insulators/Laggers: Installed and removed pipe and equipment insulation daily
- Pipefitters: Cut, fitted, and repaired asbestos-wrapped piping systems
- Boilermakers: Worked inside boilers surrounded by asbestos materials
Very High Risk Occupations
- Shipfitters: Installed asbestos-containing structural materials
- Welders: Used asbestos blankets and worked near insulation
- Machinists: Repaired machinery with asbestos gaskets and packing
- Electricians: Handled asbestos-insulated wiring and panels
High Risk Occupations
- Painters: Surface preparation disturbed asbestos materials
- Riggers: Handled asbestos rope and worked throughout ships
- General laborers: Cleanup and support in contaminated areas
The occupational exposure index provides detailed risk information for each shipyard trade.
What Compensation Is Available for NNSY Workers?
Former Norfolk Naval Shipyard workers diagnosed with mesothelioma have multiple compensation options that can total well over $1 million combined.
Asbestos Trust Funds
Asbestos trust funds hold over $30 billion for mesothelioma victims. NNSY workers typically qualify for multiple trusts based on the various manufacturers whose products were used at the shipyard:
- Johns-Manville (pipe insulation)
- Owens Corning (insulation products)
- Eagle-Picher (insulation)
- Garlock (gaskets, packing)
- Hopeman Brothers (shipboard materials)
Combined trust fund recoveries typically range from $180,000 to $400,000 or more.
Lawsuits Against Manufacturers
Workers can sue companies that manufactured, distributed, or supplied asbestos products used at NNSY without adequate warnings. Settlements average $1-2 million, with verdicts sometimes reaching much higher amounts in cases of clear corporate negligence.
VA Benefits for Veterans
Veterans who worked at NNSY during military service qualify for VA disability benefits:
- 100% disability rating for mesothelioma
- Tax-free monthly compensation ($3,700+/month in 2026)
- DIC benefits for surviving spouses ($1,612+/month)
- Aid and Attendance benefits for those needing daily care
- VA healthcare coverage
Federal Employee Compensation
Civilian workers at NNSY may qualify for:
- FECA: Federal Employees' Compensation Act benefits
- Longshore Act: Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation
- These benefits are separate from trust funds and lawsuits
"Norfolk Naval Shipyard workers built and maintained the ships that kept America safe. Whether they served in uniform or as civilian employees, they deserve every dollar of compensation available. Our job is to make sure they know their rights and get what they're entitled to."
— Larry Gates, Senior Advocate, Danziger & De Llano
Typical combined compensation for shipyard mesothelioma cases
How to Document NNSY Asbestos Exposure
Strong documentation improves claim outcomes. Gather as much of the following as possible:
Employment Records
- DD-214 for military service at NNSY
- SF-50 personnel actions for civilian employees
- Social Security earnings statements (request from SSA.gov)
- W-2s and tax returns from NNSY employment years
- Union membership records (if applicable)
Work Assignment Information
- Specific ships worked on (names, hull numbers)
- Job classifications and duties
- Work locations within the shipyard
- Time periods of employment
- Supervisors and co-workers who can verify conditions
Medical Documentation
- Mesothelioma diagnosis and pathology reports
- Treatment records
- Physician statements linking disease to asbestos
The evidence preservation guide provides detailed documentation guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many workers were exposed to asbestos at Norfolk Naval Shipyard?
Norfolk Naval Shipyard employed approximately 43,000 workers at its peak during World War II, with tens of thousands more employed through the 1980s. Virtually all workers who entered the shipyard were exposed to asbestos from ship construction, repair, and overhaul operations.
What types of asbestos exposure occurred at Norfolk Naval Shipyard?
Workers at NNSY were exposed through pipe insulation, boiler lagging, deck tiles, gaskets, fireproofing materials, cable insulation, and hundreds of other asbestos-containing products. Confined spaces below deck concentrated asbestos fibers to dangerous levels.
Can former Norfolk Naval Shipyard workers file mesothelioma claims?
Yes. Former NNSY workers diagnosed with mesothelioma can file claims against asbestos product manufacturers, pursue asbestos trust funds, and (for veterans) claim VA disability benefits. Civilian shipyard workers may also qualify for FECA or Longshore Act benefits.
What compensation is available for Norfolk Naval Shipyard mesothelioma victims?
NNSY workers can pursue asbestos trust funds ($180,000-$400,000+ combined), lawsuits against manufacturers ($1-2 million average settlements), VA benefits (100% disability rating for veterans), and federal workers' compensation for civilian employees.
Is Norfolk Naval Shipyard still operating today?
Yes. Norfolk Naval Shipyard remains the oldest and one of the largest shipyards in the U.S. Navy, continuing to perform ship repair and overhaul. While asbestos use has largely ceased, workers today may encounter legacy asbestos during renovation and repair work on older vessels.
How long after working at Norfolk Naval Shipyard can mesothelioma develop?
Mesothelioma typically develops 20-50 years after asbestos exposure. Workers who left NNSY in the 1970s-1990s are being diagnosed today. The statute of limitations runs from diagnosis, not from when exposure occurred.
Next Steps for Norfolk Naval Shipyard Workers
If you worked at Norfolk Naval Shipyard and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you likely have significant claims for compensation against the companies whose asbestos products caused your illness. The workers who built and maintained America's naval fleet deserve justice.
Our experienced mesothelioma attorneys have helped hundreds of shipyard workers and their families recover compensation. Our team understands the unique circumstances of shipyard exposure and is committed to fighting for every worker's rights.
Related Resources
- Shipyard Workers and Asbestos: 25+ US Shipyards — Overview of shipyard exposure
- Navy Veteran Mesothelioma Benefits 2026 — VA benefits guide
- Veterans Benefits for Mesothelioma — Comprehensive VA information
- Free Case Assessment — Evaluate your claim
Learn More
- Norfolk Naval Shipyard Profile — Detailed facility documentation
- Shipyard Exposure Index — All documented shipyards
- Veteran Benefits Guide — VA claims information
Sources:
- Norfolk Naval Shipyard Historical Employment Records. Naval History and Heritage Command. (2024).
- Shipyard Worker Mesothelioma Mortality Analysis. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. (2024).
- Navy Shipyard Asbestos Exposure Assessment. Navy Environmental Health Center. (2023).
- OSHA Maritime Asbestos Standards Compliance Data. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2024).
Last updated: January 26, 2026
About the Author
Larry GatesSenior Advocate specializing in military and shipyard exposure cases at Danziger & De Llano
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