Shipyard workers face 4-7 times higher mesothelioma risk than the general population due to decades of intensive asbestos exposure in naval and commercial shipyards across America [1]. More than 4.5 million workers built and repaired ships during the peak asbestos years of World War II alone [2], with many more exposed through the 1980s. Today, these workers and their families continue to be diagnosed with mesothelioma—and they have substantial legal rights to compensation from the companies whose products caused their illness.
Executive Summary
American shipyards—both naval and commercial—used asbestos extensively from the 1930s through the 1980s in over 300 different products including insulation, fireproofing, gaskets, and cable insulation. Major facilities like Norfolk Naval Shipyard (43,000 peak workers), Brooklyn Navy Yard (70,000 peak workers), and dozens of others exposed millions of Americans to deadly asbestos fibers. Work in confined shipboard spaces with poor ventilation created particularly dangerous conditions. Shipyard workers can pursue compensation through asbestos trust funds, lawsuits, and—for veterans and some civilian workers—VA benefits. This guide documents exposure patterns at major shipyards nationwide and explains how to protect your legal rights.
8 Key Facts About Shipyard Worker Asbestos Exposure
- Mortality Rate: 4-7x higher mesothelioma risk than general population [1]
- Peak Exposure: 1940s-1980s at naval and commercial shipyards [2]
- WWII Workers: 4.5 million+ worked in shipyards during the war [2]
- Products Used: 300+ asbestos-containing products on ships [3]
- Major Naval Shipyards: 10 primary facilities documented [4]
- Commercial Shipyards: 15+ major facilities with exposure documentation [4]
- Latency Period: 20-50 years from exposure to diagnosis [5]
- Compensation Available: Trust funds, lawsuits, VA benefits
Why Are Shipyard Workers at Such High Risk?
Shipyard workers faced a perfect storm of asbestos exposure conditions: intensive use of asbestos products, confined working spaces, poor ventilation, and decades of employment at the same facilities.
Higher mesothelioma risk for shipyard workers
Concentrated Exposure in Confined Spaces
Ship construction and repair work occurred in spaces with limited ventilation:
- Engine rooms: Enclosed spaces with asbestos insulation everywhere
- Boiler rooms: Asbestos-lagged boilers and pipes in tight quarters
- Pipe tunnels: Narrow passages lined with asbestos insulation
- Storage compartments: Asbestos materials used throughout
When asbestos was cut, installed, or removed in these spaces, fibers accumulated to dangerous concentrations that workers inhaled throughout their shifts [3].
"After working with hundreds of shipyard veterans and civilians, I've heard firsthand accounts of the conditions workers faced. The asbestos was everywhere—wrapped around every pipe, coating the bulkheads, in the deck tiles. There was no escape from it below deck."
— Larry Gates, Senior Advocate, Danziger & De Llano
Extensive Asbestos Use in Ship Construction
Ships used more asbestos than almost any other structure due to fire safety requirements. Products included:
- Pipe insulation and lagging
- Boiler insulation
- Bulkhead fireproofing
- Deck covering and tiles
- Cable and wire insulation
- Gaskets and packing
- Adhesives and sealants
- Fireproof curtains and blankets
The shipyard exposure index provides comprehensive documentation of asbestos use at specific facilities.
Major Naval Shipyards with Documented Asbestos Exposure
The U.S. Navy operated major shipyards where millions of workers—both military personnel and civilian employees—were exposed to asbestos over decades.
Norfolk Naval Shipyard (Portsmouth, Virginia)
Norfolk Naval Shipyard employed up to 43,000 workers at its peak during World War II. As one of the oldest and largest naval shipyards, it has extensive asbestos exposure documentation.
Peak workers at Norfolk Naval Shipyard during WWII
Brooklyn Navy Yard (New York)
Brooklyn Navy Yard employed approximately 70,000 workers at its WWII peak, making it one of the largest industrial facilities in the nation. Thousands of ships were built and repaired there using asbestos-containing materials.
Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard (Hawaii)
Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard served as the primary Pacific repair facility and employed tens of thousands of workers who were exposed to asbestos during ship construction and battle damage repair.
Other Major Naval Shipyards
| Shipyard | Location | Peak Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Naval Shipyard | Pennsylvania | 40,000 |
| Mare Island Naval Shipyard | California | 46,000 |
| Puget Sound Naval Shipyard | Washington | 30,000+ |
| Portsmouth Naval Shipyard | Maine | 20,000+ |
| Boston Naval Shipyard | Massachusetts | 50,000 |
| Charleston Naval Shipyard | South Carolina | 26,000 |
| Long Beach Naval Shipyard | California | 20,000+ |
Major Commercial Shipyards with Asbestos Exposure
Commercial shipyards also exposed thousands of workers to asbestos during ship construction and repair.
Key Commercial Facilities
- Bath Iron Works (Maine) — Destroyer construction
- Electric Boat (Connecticut) — Submarine construction
- Newport News Shipbuilding (Virginia) — Aircraft carriers, submarines
- Avondale Shipyard (Louisiana) — Commercial and military vessels
- Ingalls Shipbuilding (Mississippi) — Navy surface ships
- Kaiser Shipyards (Multiple locations) — Liberty ships in WWII
- Todd Shipyards (Multiple locations) — Ship repair
- Bethlehem Shipbuilding (Multiple locations) — Major WWII producer
"Every shipyard worker I've helped has a similar story—years of working in dusty conditions, cutting asbestos pipe insulation, grinding asbestos gaskets, never once being told it could kill them. These companies knew the danger and stayed silent."
— Larry Gates, Senior Advocate, Danziger & De Llano
Which Shipyard Jobs Had the Highest Exposure?
While all shipyard workers faced some asbestos risk, certain trades had the most intensive and consistent exposure.
Highest-Risk Shipyard Occupations
| Occupation | Primary Exposure Sources | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| Insulators/Laggers | Direct handling of asbestos insulation | Extreme |
| Pipe Fitters | Pipe insulation, gaskets, packing | Very High |
| Boilermakers | Boiler insulation, gaskets, refractory | Very High |
| Shipfitters | Asbestos bulkhead materials, fireproofing | Very High |
| Welders | Asbestos blankets, nearby insulation work | High |
| Electricians | Wire insulation, electrical panels | High |
| Machinists | Engine room work, gasket replacement | High |
| Painters | Surface prep, asbestos-containing paints | Moderate-High |
The occupational exposure index provides detailed information about risk by job type.
What Compensation Is Available for Shipyard Workers?
Shipyard workers diagnosed with mesothelioma have access to multiple compensation sources that can total well over $1 million combined.
Asbestos Trust Funds
Asbestos trust funds hold over $30 billion for mesothelioma victims. Shipyard workers often qualify for multiple trusts because ships contained products from many manufacturers:
- Johns-Manville (pipe insulation)
- Owens Corning (insulation products)
- Garlock (gaskets, packing)
- Eagle-Picher (insulation)
- Hopeman Brothers (shipboard interior materials)
Combined trust fund recoveries typically range from $180,000 to $400,000 or more.
Lawsuits Against Manufacturers
Shipyard workers can sue companies that manufactured asbestos products used on ships. Settlements average $1-2 million, with verdicts sometimes reaching $10-20 million.
VA Benefits for Veterans
Veterans who worked in shipyards during military service qualify for VA disability benefits. Mesothelioma automatically qualifies for a 100% disability rating. See our guide on veterans benefits for mesothelioma.
Federal Employee Programs
Civilian workers at naval shipyards may qualify for benefits under:
- Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA)
- Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act
- Defense Base Act (for overseas facilities)
Typical combined compensation for shipyard workers
How to Document Shipyard Asbestos Exposure
Strong documentation improves claim outcomes. Gather as much of the following as possible:
Employment Records
- DD-214 (for veterans)
- Civilian personnel records
- Social Security earnings statements
- W-2s and tax returns
- Union membership records
Work Site Information
- Shipyards where you worked
- Time periods of employment
- Ships worked on (names, hull numbers if known)
- Specific job duties performed
- Work locations on ships (engine room, etc.)
Supporting Evidence
- Co-worker testimony
- Photos from shipyard work
- Medical records
- Product identification
The evidence preservation guide provides detailed documentation guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are shipyard workers at high risk for mesothelioma?
Shipyard workers were exposed to asbestos from virtually every system on naval and commercial vessels. Ships contained over 300 asbestos-containing products in insulation, fireproofing, gaskets, and other materials. Work in confined shipboard spaces with poor ventilation concentrated asbestos fibers to dangerous levels.
Which shipyards had the most asbestos exposure?
Major naval shipyards including Norfolk Naval Shipyard (43,000 workers), Brooklyn Navy Yard (70,000 workers), and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard all had extensive asbestos exposure. Commercial shipyards like Bath Iron Works, Electric Boat, and Avondale also exposed thousands of workers.
What compensation can shipyard workers receive for mesothelioma?
Shipyard workers can pursue asbestos trust funds ($180,000-$400,000 combined), lawsuits against product manufacturers, VA benefits (for veterans and civilian naval shipyard workers in some cases), and Social Security disability. Combined compensation often exceeds $1-2 million.
Can civilian shipyard workers file VA claims?
Civilian workers at naval shipyards cannot file standard VA disability claims, but may be covered under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) or Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. They can also file asbestos trust fund claims and lawsuits just like other workers.
How long after shipyard work can mesothelioma develop?
Mesothelioma typically develops 20-50 years after asbestos exposure. Shipyard workers from the 1960s-1980s are being diagnosed with mesothelioma today. The long latency period does not affect your right to file claims—deadlines run from diagnosis, not exposure.
What shipyard jobs had the highest asbestos exposure?
The highest-risk shipyard jobs included insulators/laggers, pipe fitters, boilermakers, welders, electricians, shipfitters, and machinery mechanics. These trades worked directly with or around asbestos-containing materials in confined spaces below deck.
Next Steps for Shipyard Workers
If you worked at a 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 and commercial 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
- Navy Veteran Mesothelioma Benefits — VA benefits guide
- Veterans Benefits for Mesothelioma — Comprehensive VA information
- Asbestos Trust Funds Guide — Trust fund compensation
- Free Case Assessment — Evaluate your claim
Learn More
- Shipyard Exposure Index — Facility documentation
- Veteran Benefits Guide — VA claims information
- Occupational Exposure Index — Risk by job type
Sources:
- Shipyard Workers Mesothelioma Mortality Study. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. (2024).
- Naval Shipyard Asbestos Exposure Documentation. Naval History and Heritage Command. (2023).
- Asbestos Exposure in Maritime Industries. American Journal of Industrial Medicine. (2024).
- OSHA Maritime Industry Asbestos Standards. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2024).
Last updated: January 24, 2026
About the Author
Larry GatesSenior Advocate specializing in military and shipyard exposure cases at Danziger & De Llano
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