Mesothelioma in Shipyard Workers

Asbestos was widely used for insulation and fireproofing on ships, but today we know that inhaling it can lead to severe health issues, including mesothelioma. Shipyard workers who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, which is a cancer that affects the lungs and abdomen, may have a legal right to compensation.

Experienced mesothelioma attorneys can help you and your loved ones understand your options and file mesothelioma claims.

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The Link Between Shipyard Asbestos and Disease

Asbestos fibers, when inhaled or ingested, can become lodged in the body’s tissues, causing inflammation and cellular damage over time. Asbestos exposure is directly linked to mesothelioma as well as other diseases, including asbestosis and lung cancer.

Many occupations have a high risk of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, including Navy service members. The link between mesothelioma and shipyard workers has also been studied in detail.

One study from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)¹ stated that shipbuilding and repairing had the highest mortality rate from malignant mesothelioma of the occupations studied. Another found a link between employment at a Coast Guard shipyard and cancer, including mesothelioma.² Researchers believe the heavy use of asbestos and the small, confined areas on ships could result in higher exposure to the fibers.

How Shipyard Asbestos Exposure Occurs

Large ships require a lot of power to travel long distances, and generating that power also generates heat. Asbestos was used extensively for insulation and fireproofing on ships, including on boilers, furnaces, incinerators, pipes and wiring, until its health risks became widely recognized.

Even today, asbestos in shipyards can be released into the air during the construction, maintenance and decommissioning of ships, posing a significant health risk to workers.

Asbestos Products

Asbestos is a versatile mineral that could be pre-mixed into building materials, woven into fabrics or sprayed directly onto ship parts. Some of the most common products with asbestos in shipyards include:

Working with these products directly posed the greatest hazard, but shipyard workers can also be exposed when the materials begin to break down and release dust into the air.

Shipbuilding and Repair

Asbestos is no longer used in shipbuilding due to its health risks, but mesothelioma in shipyard workers can take decades to develop after exposure. This means many shipyard workers exposed years ago are only now experiencing the effects, underscoring the long-term dangers of asbestos.

Shipbuilding and repair workers at the highest risk include:

Renovation and Salvage Work

Despite regulatory efforts to reduce asbestos use, many older ships still contain asbestos materials, making workplace exposure an ongoing concern for shipyard workers. As ships that contain asbestos age, they’re often renovated or stripped for parts, which could expose shipyard workers to the dangerous fibers. For example, there is still asbestos on Navy ships that can be released during repairs and renovation.

In addition, the process of salvaging an older ship and its cargo after an accident can release asbestos fibers. This ongoing risk highlights the importance of strict safety protocols, protective equipment and proper training to prevent asbestos exposure in shipyard workers handling older vessels.

Worksites and Manufacturers Connected to Shipyard Asbestos Exposure

If you or your loved one worked in a shipyard before the risks of asbestos were well-known, you may have been exposed. Asbestos was widely used in ships, shipyards and even the packing materials used to transport cargo. Today, the link between asbestos, mesothelioma and shipyard workers is well-established.

Asbestos in Shipyards

When asbestos use was at its peak, nearly every shipyard in the United States relied on it in shipbuilding materials. At Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen (ELSM), we have linked asbestos exposure in shipyards to mesothelioma at numerous shipbuilding locations, including:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• California
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia

• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan

• Mississippi
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania

• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• Texas
• Virginia
• Washington
• Washington, D.C.

Shipyards in Alabama With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Alabama Dry Dock & Shipbuilding Company - Mobile, AL
• Bender Shipbuilding & Repair Company - Mobile, AL
• Gulf Shipbuilding Corporation - Chickasaw, AL

Shipyards in Alaska With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Seward Marine Industrial Center - Seward, AK
• Seward Ship's Drydock - Seward, AK

Shipyards in California With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Bethlehem Steel Shipyard - San Francisco, CA
• Bethlehem Steel Shipyard - Terminal Island, San Pedro, CA
• Consolidated Steel Shipyard - Los Angeles, CA
• Hunters Point Naval Shipyard - San Francisco, CA
• Kaiser Shipyard - Richmond, CA
• Long Beach Naval Shipyard - Long Beach, CA
• Mare Island Naval Shipyard - Vallejo, CA
• Marinship Corporation - Sausalito, CA
• Moore Dry Dock Company - Oakland, CA
• National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) - San Diego, CA
• Naval Base San Diego - San Diego, CA
• Naval Operating Base Terminal Island - San Pedro, CA
• Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach - Fallbrook, CA
• Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach - Norco, CA
• Permanente Metals Corporation, No. 1 Yard - Richmond, CA
• Permanente Metals Corporation, No. 2 Yard - Richmond, CA
• Richmond Shipyard - Richmond, CA
• Rough & Ready Island - Stockton, CA
• San Diego Naval Shipyard - San Diego, CA
• San Francisco Dry Dock Company - San Francisco, CA
• Southwest Marine Shipyard - San Pedro, CA
• Todd Shipyards - Alameda, CA
• Todd Shipyards - Los Angeles, CA
• Todd Shipyards - Oakland, CA
• Todd Shipyards - San Francisco, CA
• Todd Shipyards - San Pedro, CA
• Treasure Island Naval Station - San Francisco, CA
• U.S. Naval Station - San Francisco, CA
• Western Pipe & Steel Company - San Pedro, CA
• Western Shipyard - San Francisco, CA

Shipyards in Connecticut With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Electric Boat Shipyard - Groton, CT
• General Dynamics Electric Boat - Groton, CT
• Groton Naval Base - Groton, CT
• Naval Submarine Base New London - Groton, CT
• Thames Shipyard - New London, CT

Shipyards in Delaware With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Dravo Shipyard - Wilmington, DE
• North Carolina Shipbuilding Company - Wilmington, DE

Shipyards in Florida With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Atlantic Dry Dock - Jacksonville, FL
• Bellinger Shipyard - Jacksonville, FL
• Gulf Marine Repair - Tampa, FL
• Hendry Corporation - Tampa, FL
• Hooker’s Point Yard - Tampa, FL
• Mayport Naval Station - Jacksonville, FL
• Offshore Shipbuilding - Palatka, FL
• Tampa Bay Shipbuilding - Tampa, FL
• Tampa Shipyards, Inc. - Tampa, FL

Shipyards in Georgia With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Southeastern Shipbuilding Corp. - Savannah, GA

Shipyards in Hawaii With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Honolulu Shipyard - Honolulu, HI
• Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard - Honolulu, HI

Shipyards in Illinois With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Chicago Bridge & Iron Company - Seneca, IL
• Naval Station Great Lakes - North Chicago, IL

Shipyards in Louisiana With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Avondale Shipyards, Inc. - Algiers, LA
• Avondale Shipyards, Inc. - Baton Rouge, LA
• Avondale Shipyards, Inc. - New Orleans, LA
• Avondale Shipyards, Inc. - Westwego, LA
• Bollinger Shipyard - Lockport, LA
• Conrad Industries - Morgan City, LA
• Delta Shipbuilding Company - New Orleans, LA

Shipyards in Maine With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Bath Iron Works Corporation - Bath, ME
• New England Shipbuilding Company - South Portland, ME
• Portsmouth Naval Shipyard - Kittery, ME

Shipyards in Maryland With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Bethlehem Steel Fairfield Shipyard - Baltimore, MD
• Bethlehem Steel Key Highway Shipyard - Baltimore, MD
• Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point Shipyard - Baltimore, MD
• Curtis Bay Shipyard - Baltimore, MD
• Key Highway Shipyard - Baltimore, MD
• Maryland Dry Dock & Shipbuilding Company - Baltimore, MD

Shipyards in Massachusetts With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Bethlehem Hingham Shipyard - Hingham, MA
• Bethlehem Fore River Shipyard (Bethlehem Steel) - Quincy, MA
• Boston Navy Yard / Charlestown Navy Yard - Charlestown, MA
• Fore River Shipyard - Quincy, MA
• General Ship Corporation - Boston, MA
• General Dynamics Quincy Shipbuilding Division (General Dynamics) - Quincy, MA

Shipyards in Michigan With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Defoe Shipbuilding Corporation - Bay City, MI
• Defoe Shipyard - Bay City, MI

Shipyards in Mississippi With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Ingalls Shipyard - Pascagoula, MS
• Naval Station Pascagoula - Pascagoula, MS
• Trinity Marine Group - Gulfport, MS

Shipyards in New Jersey With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. - Port Newark, NJ
• New York Shipbuilding Corporation - Camden, NJ
• Todd Shipyards - Hoboken, NJ

Shipyards in New York With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Bethlehem Steel Shipyard - Staten Island, NY
• Brooklyn Navy Yard - Brooklyn, NY
• Caddell Dry Dock & Repair Company - Staten Island, NY
• GMD Shipyard - Brooklyn, NY
• Todd Shipyards - Brooklyn, NY

Shipyards in North Carolina With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• North Carolina Shipbuilding Company - Wilmington, NC

Shipyards in Ohio With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• The American Shipbuilding Company - Lorain, OH

Shipyards in Oregon With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Albina Shipyards - Portland, OR
• Astoria Marine Shipyard - Astoria, OR
• Cascade General Inc. - Portland, OR
• Dyer Shipyard - Portland, OR
• Gunderson/FMC Shipyard - Portland, OR
• Kaiser Shipyard - Portland, OR
• Northwest Marine Iron Works - Portland, OR
• Oregon Shipbuilding Company - Portland, OR
• Portland Ship Repair Yard - Portland, OR
• South Portland Shipyard - Portland, OR
• Swan Island Shipyard - Portland, OR
• Tongue Point Naval Shipyard - Astoria, OR
• Willamette Iron and Steel Works - Portland, OR
• Willamette Shipyard - Portland, OR

Shipyards in Pennsylvania With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Key Highway Shipyard - Philadelphia, PA
• Penn Shipbuilding - Philadelphia, PA
• Philadelphia Naval Shipyard - Philadelphia, PA
• Sun Shipbuilding - Chester, PA

Shipyards in Rhode Island With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Naval Air Station Quonset Point - North Kingstown, RI
• Naval Station Newport - Newport, RI

Shipyards in South Carolina With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Braswell Services Group - Charleston, SC
• Carolina Shipping Company - Charleston, SC
• Charleston Naval Shipyard - Charleston, SC
• Charleston Shipbuilding & Drydock Company - Charleston, SC
• Detyens Shipyard - Charleston, SC

Shipyards in Texas With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• American Bridge Shipyard - Orange, TX
• AMFELS - Brownsville, TX
• Barbas Cut Docks - La Porte, TX
• Bethlehem Steel Shipyard - Beaumont, TX
• Bloodworth Shipyard - Houston, TX
• Brown Shipbuilding Company - Houston, TX
• Consolidated Shipyard - Texas City, TX
• Consolidated Steel Shipbuilding - Orange, TX
• Galveston Docks - Galveston, TX
• Houston Shipyards - Houston, TX
• Kane Shipbuilding - Houston, TX
• Naval Station Ingleside - Ingleside, TX
• Orange Shipbuilding Company - Orange, TX
• Pennsylvania Shipyards - Beaumont, TX
• Port Adams Shipyard - Port Arthur, TX
• Texas Boats of Freeport - Freeport, TX
• Todd Shipyards - Galveston, TX
• Todd Shipyards - Houston, TX

Shipyards in Virginia With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Colonna’s Shipyard - Norfolk, VA
• Lyon Shipyard - Norfolk, VA
• Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek - Virginia Beach, VA
• Newport News Shipbuilding - Newport News, VA
• Norfolk Naval Shipyard - Portsmouth, VA
• Norfolk Ship Repair Company (NORSHIPCO) - Norfolk, VA
• Richmond Shipyards - Richmond, VA

Shipyards in Washington With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• Bremerton Naval Shipyard - Bremerton, WA
• Duwamish Shipyard - Seattle, WA
• Kaiser Shipyard - Vancouver, WA
• Lake Union Drydock Company - Seattle, WA
• Lake Washington Shipyards - Houghton (Kirkland), WA
• Lockheed Shipbuilding - Seattle, WA
• Naval Station Everett - Everett, WA
• Puget Sound Bridge & Dredge Shipyard - Seattle, WA
• Puget Sound Naval Shipyard - Bremerton, WA
• Tacoma Boatbuilding Company - Tacoma, WA
• Todd Shipyards - Seattle, WA
• Todd Shipyards - Tacoma, WA
• Vancouver Shipyard - Vancouver, WA
• Voyage Repair Station - Port Angeles, WA

Shipyards in Washington, D.C. With Documented Asbestos Exposure

• The Washington Navy Yard - Washington, D.C.

Manufacturers of Asbestos Products

Many industries used asbestos to add durability and heat resistance to products, including shipbuilding. Nearly every part of a ship contained asbestos, and the manufacturers of these products continued to make them even after they knew about the risks. Shipbuilding companies known for asbestos include:

Mesothelioma Compensation for Shipyard Workers

Shipyard workers diagnosed with mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure have several legal options to secure compensation. These options include accessing asbestos trust funds, pursuing mesothelioma lawsuits and filing for workers' compensation. Understanding each type of mesothelioma compensation can help affected workers and their families obtain the financial support they deserve.

Trust Funds

Asbestos trust funds were established by bankrupt asbestos companies to compensate victims of asbestos exposure. Shipyard workers with mesothelioma can file claims against these funds. A lawyer experienced in asbestos litigation can identify the appropriate trusts, gather the necessary documentation and streamline the claims process on your behalf.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Shipyard workers may be able to file mesothelioma lawsuits against the manufacturers of the asbestos-containing products used in shipyards. A mesothelioma attorney can fight for you to negotiate settlements for medical costs, lost wages and pain and suffering.

Workers’ Compensation

Mesothelioma in shipyard workers most often occurs due to occupational exposure to asbestos. This means that shipyard workers diagnosed with mesothelioma may be eligible for workers' compensation, a state-run insurance program that provides benefits for medical expenses and lost wages. A lawyer can help you understand the law in your state, navigate the claims process and maximize the benefits you receive.

Legal Support for Shipyard Workers

While there is a proven link between mesothelioma and shipyard workers, it’s important to have an experienced mesothelioma law firm, like ELSM, on your side.

We have decades of experience fighting for mesothelioma victims and their families. We’ve won settlements in the millions, including $5.5 million for a shipyard worker in Washington and $3.4 million for a worker in California. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to determine how we can help you.

FAQs

How much shipyard asbestos exposure is dangerous?

There is no safe level of asbestos exposure, so even minimal asbestos exposure in shipyards can be hazardous. Repeated or prolonged exposure increases the risk of developing serious illnesses like mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Protective measures are essential to minimize exposure risks.

Is asbestos still used in shipbuilding?

Asbestos is no longer used in modern shipbuilding due to its health risks. However, older ships may still contain asbestos materials, posing ongoing exposure risks during maintenance, repairs or decommissioning. Strict safety protocols are necessary when working on these vessels.