Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) in Bremerton, Washington has operated for over 130 years as one of the Navy's premier maintenance and repair facilities—and for much of that history, asbestos was an essential part of shipyard operations [1]. Thousands of workers who built, repaired, and overhauled naval vessels at PSNS were exposed to asbestos, and many are now being diagnosed with mesothelioma decades after their exposure. Understanding your legal rights is essential for workers and families affected by PSNS asbestos exposure.
Executive Summary
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, located in Bremerton, Washington, employed tens of thousands of workers throughout its history—many of whom were exposed to asbestos during ship construction, repair, and overhaul. Asbestos was used extensively in naval vessels for insulation, fireproofing, and equipment protection. Workers in all shipyard trades faced exposure, with pipefitters, insulators, and boilermakers at highest risk. PSNS workers diagnosed with mesothelioma can pursue compensation through multiple sources including asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, VA benefits (for veterans), and FECA benefits (for federal civilian employees). Combined recoveries often exceed $1-2 million.
8 Key Facts About Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Asbestos Exposure
- Operational History: PSNS has operated since 1891, with peak asbestos use from 1940s-1970s [1]
- Workers Affected: Tens of thousands of military and civilian workers over decades [2]
- Vessel Types: Battleships, aircraft carriers, submarines, destroyers [1]
- Primary Exposure: Pipe insulation, boiler lagging, turbine wrapping, deck materials [2]
- Highest Risk Jobs: Pipefitters, insulators, boilermakers, ship fitters [2]
- Current Status: Active shipyard with nuclear submarine and carrier maintenance
- Compensation Sources: Trust funds, lawsuits, VA benefits, FECA benefits
- Latency Period: 20-50 years from exposure to mesothelioma diagnosis
History of Asbestos Use at PSNS
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard's history mirrors the broader story of asbestos use in American shipbuilding. From World War II through the Cold War, PSNS operated at extraordinary capacity, employing tens of thousands of workers to build and maintain the Pacific Fleet.
Years of shipyard operations at Puget Sound
World War II Era
During World War II, PSNS expanded dramatically to support the Pacific war effort:
- Workforce expansion: Employment surged to meet wartime demands
- 24/7 operations: Round-the-clock shifts maximized production
- Minimal safety: Wartime urgency meant little attention to asbestos hazards
- Women workers: Many women entered shipyard work during the war
Cold War Era
The Cold War brought new challenges and continued asbestos exposure:
- Nuclear submarines: PSNS became a major nuclear submarine maintenance facility
- Aircraft carriers: Large-scale carrier overhauls required extensive asbestos work
- Modernization programs: Ship upgrades disturbed existing asbestos materials
The shipyard exposure index provides detailed information about asbestos use patterns in naval facilities.
"I've worked with hundreds of PSNS workers and their families over the years. These were dedicated workers who served their country—military and civilian alike. They deserve to know that compensation is available for the diseases caused by their workplace asbestos exposure."
— Larry Gates, Senior Advocate, Danziger & De Llano
Where Was Asbestos Used at PSNS?
Asbestos was used throughout naval vessels serviced at PSNS and in shipyard facilities themselves. Understanding these exposure locations helps identify compensation claims.
Shipboard Asbestos Locations
| Location | Asbestos Materials | Primary Workers Exposed |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Rooms | Pipe insulation, boiler lagging, turbine wrap | Pipefitters, boilermakers, engineers |
| Boiler Rooms | Boiler insulation, refractory, gaskets | Boilermakers, firemen, welders |
| Living Quarters | Deck tiles, bulkhead panels, ceiling tiles | Ship fitters, painters, all trades |
| Electrical Spaces | Cable insulation, panel boards, fire barriers | Electricians, inside machinists |
| Weapons Handling | Fire barriers, insulation | Weapons specialists, various trades |
Shipyard Facility Exposure
Beyond the ships themselves, PSNS facilities contained asbestos:
- Pipe shops: Where asbestos insulation was fabricated and applied
- Boiler shops: Asbestos refractory and insulation work
- Office buildings: Older buildings with asbestos floor tiles and insulation
- Industrial buildings: Asbestos roofing, siding, and fireproofing
Virtually every shipyard occupation faced asbestos exposure
Which PSNS Jobs Had the Highest Exposure?
While all shipyard workers faced some asbestos exposure, certain trades involved direct, intensive contact with asbestos materials.
Highest-Risk Occupations
- Pipefitters: Installed and removed asbestos pipe insulation daily
- Laggers/Insulators: Primary asbestos application and removal
- Boilermakers: Worked inside boilers with asbestos refractory and insulation
- Ship fitters: Cut through asbestos-containing bulkheads and decking
- Welders: Worked near asbestos insulation, used asbestos blankets
Significant Bystander Exposure
Workers in trades not directly handling asbestos still faced substantial exposure:
- Electricians: Pulled wire through asbestos-insulated spaces
- Machinists: Worked on equipment surrounded by asbestos
- Painters: Prepared surfaces near asbestos materials
- Riggers: Moved equipment through asbestos-contaminated areas
- Laborers: Cleaned up asbestos debris throughout shipyard
The occupational exposure index ranks shipyard trades by mesothelioma risk.
What Compensation Can PSNS Workers Receive?
PSNS workers diagnosed with mesothelioma can pursue compensation from multiple sources. The specific options depend on whether you were a military service member or civilian employee.
Asbestos Trust Funds
Asbestos trust funds compensate workers exposed to specific manufacturers' products. PSNS workers commonly file claims against:
- Johns-Manville Trust — Pipe and equipment insulation
- Owens Corning/Fibreboard Trust — Marine insulation
- Babcock & Wilcox Trust — Naval boilers
- Combustion Engineering Trust — Marine boilers
- Garlock Trust — Marine gaskets and packing
Typical combined compensation for shipyard workers with mesothelioma
VA Benefits for Veterans
Veterans who served at PSNS during military service may qualify for:
- VA disability compensation: Up to $3,938/month at 100% rating
- VA healthcare: Treatment at VA medical centers
- DIC benefits: Survivor benefits for spouses
The veterans benefits guide explains VA compensation for mesothelioma.
FECA Benefits for Federal Civilians
Civilian PSNS employees may qualify for Federal Employees Compensation Act benefits:
- Medical expense coverage
- Wage replacement benefits
- Survivor benefits
Lawsuits Against Manufacturers
PSNS workers can also sue companies that manufactured or supplied asbestos products to the shipyard. These lawsuits are separate from trust fund claims and can provide additional compensation.
"PSNS workers often qualify for claims against dozens of different trust funds and defendants. The shipyard used products from so many different manufacturers over the years. We identify every applicable claim to maximize recovery for each client."
— Larry Gates, Senior Advocate, Danziger & De Llano
How to Document PSNS Asbestos Exposure
Building a strong claim requires documenting your PSNS work history and asbestos exposure.
Helpful Evidence
- SF-50 personnel actions: Federal employment records
- DD-214: Military discharge records (for veterans)
- Pay stubs and W-2s: Employment verification
- Union records: Metal Trades Council membership, work dispatch
- Co-worker statements: Testimony about working conditions
- Photographs: Pictures of workplace, ships, conditions
- Medical records: Diagnosis and treatment documentation
Resources for Documentation
- National Personnel Records Center: Military and federal civilian records
- Office of Personnel Management: Federal employment history
- Local union halls: Metal Trades Council records
- Social Security Administration: Earnings records
The evidence preservation guide provides detailed documentation recommendations.
Statute of Limitations
Legal deadlines for mesothelioma claims run from your diagnosis date—not when you were exposed to asbestos. Workers exposed at PSNS decades ago can still file claims if recently diagnosed.
Washington State has a 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. However, because claims may be filed in multiple jurisdictions, specific deadlines vary. The statute of limitations by state guide provides detailed deadline information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How were workers exposed to asbestos at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard?
Workers at PSNS were exposed to asbestos throughout naval vessels during construction, repair, and overhaul. Asbestos was used in pipe insulation, boiler lagging, turbine wrapping, deck coverings, and bulkhead materials. Ship repair work created particularly high exposure as workers removed and replaced deteriorating asbestos materials in confined shipboard spaces.
When was asbestos used at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard?
Asbestos was used extensively at PSNS from the shipyard's founding through the 1970s, with some asbestos-containing materials remaining in use into the 1990s. Peak exposure occurred during World War II and the Cold War era when the shipyard operated at maximum capacity. Workers from all eras may have been exposed.
What compensation is available for PSNS workers with mesothelioma?
PSNS workers can pursue compensation through asbestos trust funds (typically $100,000-$400,000 combined), lawsuits against asbestos product manufacturers, VA disability benefits (for veterans), and Federal Employees Compensation Act benefits (for civilian workers). Combined recoveries often exceed $1-2 million.
Can civilian shipyard workers file VA claims?
Civilian workers cannot file VA claims, but they can pursue compensation through asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) for federal employees injured on the job. Veterans who worked at PSNS during military service can file VA claims in addition to other compensation sources.
What jobs at PSNS had the highest asbestos exposure?
Pipefitters, insulators, boilermakers, and ship fitters had the highest exposure from direct asbestos work. However, electricians, machinists, welders, painters, and virtually all shipyard trades faced significant bystander exposure. Even office workers in older buildings on the shipyard may have been exposed.
Is Puget Sound Naval Shipyard still operating?
Yes, PSNS remains one of the Navy's largest shipyards and continues nuclear submarine and aircraft carrier maintenance. While asbestos use has been largely eliminated, workers may still encounter legacy asbestos materials during repair and renovation of older vessels and facilities. Modern workers receive asbestos awareness training and protections.
Next Steps for PSNS Workers
If you or a family member worked at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you likely have significant claims for compensation. Whether you served in the Navy or worked as a civilian shipyard employee, multiple compensation sources are available.
Our experienced shipyard mesothelioma attorneys have helped workers from naval shipyards across the country recover compensation. We understand the unique exposure patterns at PSNS and have the expertise to identify every applicable claim.
Related Resources
- Mare Island Naval Shipyard Claims — Related Pacific Coast shipyard
- Norfolk Naval Shipyard Exposure — East Coast comparison
- Veterans Benefits Guide — VA compensation
- Free Case Assessment — Evaluate your claim
Learn More
- Puget Sound Naval Shipyard — Detailed exposure information
- Shipyard Exposure Index — All naval shipyard locations
- Veterans Benefits — VA compensation guide
Sources:
- Naval Sea Systems Command. (2024). Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Historical Asbestos Assessment.
- American Journal of Industrial Medicine. (2023). Asbestos Exposure in Naval Shipyard Workers.
- Washington State Department of Ecology. (2024). Washington State Asbestos Exposure Sites.
- U.S. Department of Labor. (2024). Federal Employee Occupational Disease Compensation.
Last updated: February 2, 2026
About the Author
Larry GatesSenior Advocate specializing in military and shipyard exposure cases at Danziger & De Llano
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