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Asbestos Settlements from Shipyards Map

History of Asbestos Use in Shipyards

Asbestos was widely used in U.S. shipyards from the early 1900s through the late 1970s because it was inexpensive, fire-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and an excellent thermal and acoustic insulator. Its use expanded dramatically during World War I and peaked during World War II, when the U.S. government rapidly constructed thousands of naval and merchant vessels.

On ships, asbestos was used in boiler insulation, steam pipes, turbines, gaskets, valves, pumps, engine rooms, electrical wiring insulation, flooring, ceiling tiles, bulkheads, fire doors, and spray-on fireproofing. In shipyards, asbestos was present in lagging shops, dry docks, machine shops, welding areas, insulation workshops, and repair bays.

U.S. shipyards used millions of tons of asbestos-containing materials between the 1930s and 1970s. The most common types were chrysotile (white asbestos), amosite (brown asbestos), and crocidolite (blue asbestos). Chrysotile dominated U.S. use, but amosite and crocidolite were frequently imported for high-temperature and high-pressure applications.

Major U.S. asbestos sources included mines in California (Coalinga), Vermont (Belvidere Mountain), Arizona, and Montana (Libby vermiculite mine). Additional asbestos was imported from Canada, South Africa, and Australia to meet wartime and postwar industrial demand.

Shipyard Worker Exposure to Asbestos

Shipyard workers were exposed through direct handling of asbestos materials and indirect airborne contamination. Insulators, pipefitters, boilermakers, machinists, electricians, welders, carpenters, and laborers all worked in confined spaces where asbestos dust accumulated.

Cutting, sawing, grinding, and removing asbestos insulation released microscopic fibers into the air. These fibers remained suspended for hours and settled on clothing, tools, and hair, creating secondary exposure for workers and their families.

Personal protective equipment was rarely used before the 1970s. Respirators were uncommon, ventilation was poor, and most workers were never warned about asbestos hazards. Safety regulations were minimal or nonexistent during the peak exposure decades.

The first signs of shipyard worker illness appeared as early as the 1930s, but asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma often took 20–50 years to develop. Large numbers of former shipyard workers began showing symptoms in the 1960s–1980s.

First Shipyard Asbestos Litigation

The first major asbestos lawsuits in the United States emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s, as medical evidence linked asbestos exposure to fatal lung diseases. One of the earliest landmark cases was Borel v. Fibreboard Paper Products Corp. (1973), which established manufacturer liability for asbestos exposure.

Early awards were modest by modern standards, often ranging from tens of thousands to a few hundred thousand dollars. These cases primarily targeted insulation manufacturers rather than shipyards themselves.

Litigation snowballed in the 1980s and 1990s as thousands of shipyard workers and Navy veterans were diagnosed with mesothelioma. Internal company documents revealed that many manufacturers knew about asbestos dangers decades earlier but failed to warn workers.

Jury awards increased into the millions as courts recognized punitive damages, corporate negligence, and long-term medical costs. Multi-defendant cases and class actions also expanded total settlement values.

Why Shipyard Asbestos Settlements Reached the Millions

Settlement values rose due to several factors: stronger medical evidence, clearer corporate knowledge of asbestos risks, expanded legal precedents, and growing public awareness. Courts increasingly held manufacturers responsible for knowingly selling hazardous products.

Additional drivers included rising healthcare costs, loss-of-income damages, pain-and-suffering awards, and punitive damages meant to deter corporate misconduct. Many cases also involved multiple liable parties, compounding total payouts.

The creation of asbestos bankruptcy trust funds allowed claimants to recover compensation even after responsible companies filed for bankruptcy protection.

Effects of Shipyard Asbestos Litigation

Litigation led to improved healthcare monitoring and compensation for retired shipyard workers, including access to VA benefits for Navy veterans and settlements covering medical treatment and lost wages.

While asbestos lawsuits bankrupted many insulation manufacturers and material suppliers, they did not directly shut down most major U.S. shipyards. However, litigation costs and regulatory compliance increased operating expenses across the maritime and construction industries.

Asbestos regulation and liability exposure contributed to higher insurance premiums, stricter safety standards, and more complex compliance requirements for industrial employers.

Broader Industrial and Economic Effects

Asbestos litigation reshaped U.S. construction and manufacturing by accelerating the shift toward safer materials and more rigorous occupational safety rules. It also drove the creation of new regulatory frameworks under OSHA, the EPA, and state health agencies.

Some critics argue that litigation costs and regulatory burdens contributed to the offshoring of shipbuilding and heavy manufacturing, although labor costs, globalization, and defense contracting policies played larger roles.

The litigation legacy includes hundreds of Superfund cleanup sites where asbestos contamination remains, particularly around former shipyards, factories, and mining operations.

What Replaced Asbestos in Ships and Industry

Modern ships and industrial facilities use fiberglass, mineral wool, ceramic fibers, calcium silicate, aramid fibers, and advanced polymers as substitutes for asbestos insulation and fireproofing.

These materials offer fire resistance and thermal performance without the extreme long-term health risks associated with asbestos.

Regulation, Red Tape, and Long-Term Legacy

Shipyard asbestos litigation helped drive stricter workplace safety regulations, mandatory exposure monitoring, hazardous material disclosures, and improved worker training standards.

It also expanded the authority of government agencies such as OSHA, the EPA, and state health departments, resulting in more inspections, record-keeping requirements, and environmental remediation obligations.

The asbestos litigation era permanently changed how hazardous materials are regulated in the United States and remains a central case study in industrial liability law.

U.S. Shipyards Affected by Asbestos Exposure and Litigation

From World War I through the Cold War era, nearly every major U.S. shipyard used asbestos extensively. Many later became focal points for mass tort litigation, worker compensation claims, environmental cleanup, or operational decline.

California Shipyards

San Diego Naval Shipyard (San Diego, CA)

One of the most heavily litigated shipyards in the country. Workers were exposed while building and repairing Navy vessels throughout WWII and the Cold War. Thousands of mesothelioma claims were later filed by former employees and Navy veterans. Portions of the site required hazardous material remediation.

Hunters Point Naval Shipyard (San Francisco, CA)

A major Superfund site due to asbestos, radiological, and industrial contamination. Closed in 1974. The shipyard became the subject of extensive environmental litigation and redevelopment disputes tied to toxic exposure claims.

Long Beach Naval Shipyard (Long Beach, CA)

Closed in 1997 following decades of asbestos-heavy ship repair work. Former workers filed large numbers of asbestos-related lawsuits. Cleanup and redevelopment were delayed for years due to contamination issues.

Long Beach Naval Shipyard 1993

Mare Island Naval Shipyard (Vallejo, CA)

The oldest naval shipyard on the West Coast. Closed in 1996. Widespread asbestos contamination contributed to worker illness claims and federal Superfund cleanup designation.

Mare Island Naval Shipyard 1945

Washington Shipyards

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton, WA)

One of the most active naval repair yards during WWII and beyond. Thousands of workers were exposed to asbestos during submarine and aircraft carrier maintenance. Continues operating today but remains a focal point for asbestos trust fund claims.

Lake Union Drydock (Seattle, WA)

A commercial shipyard heavily involved in asbestos insulation work. Numerous former workers later developed mesothelioma and filed claims tied to shipboard exposure.

Virginia Shipyards

Norfolk Naval Shipyard (Portsmouth, VA)

The largest naval shipyard in the world. Extensive asbestos exposure occurred during boiler repairs, refits, and submarine maintenance. Thousands of Navy veterans and civilian workers later pursued litigation and VA compensation.

Newport News Shipbuilding (Newport News, VA)

A major builder of aircraft carriers and submarines. Workers were exposed to asbestos insulation materials through the 1970s. The yard faced substantial litigation and modernized its safety protocols after federal regulation tightened.

Texas Shipyards

Avondale Shipyard (Brownsville, TX)

Workers were exposed to asbestos during vessel construction and repair. Lawsuits filed decades later targeted insulation and gasket manufacturers tied to the yard’s supply chain.

Galveston Dry Dock (Galveston, TX)

A major Gulf Coast repair facility. Asbestos exposure occurred in confined engine rooms and boiler shops. Former employees filed numerous mesothelioma claims.

New York Shipyards

Brooklyn Navy Yard (Brooklyn, NY)

One of the largest WWII shipbuilding centers. Closed in 1966. Tens of thousands of workers were exposed to asbestos insulation, piping, and fireproofing materials. The site later became a focal point for mass tort litigation.

Brooklyn Navy Yard 1918

Staten Island Shipyard (Staten Island, NY)

A commercial shipyard involved in vessel repair and retrofitting. Former workers developed asbestos-related illnesses and pursued compensation through trust funds and lawsuits.

Florida Shipyards

Jacksonville Naval Shipyard (Jacksonville, FL)

Heavily used during WWII and Cold War fleet maintenance. Workers were exposed during boiler overhauls and insulation replacement. Large numbers of asbestos claims followed in later decades.

Tampa Shipbuilding Company (Tampa, FL)

A WWII-era shipyard where asbestos insulation was widely used. Closed after the war. Former workers later filed claims related to mesothelioma and lung cancer.

Pennsylvania Shipyards

Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (Philadelphia, PA)

One of the largest East Coast naval yards. Closed in 1996. Extensive asbestos exposure occurred in dry docks and engine rooms. The site later required environmental cleanup and redevelopment oversight.

Philadelphia Naval Shipyard 1955

Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company (Chester, PA)

A major commercial shipyard active during WWII. Closed in the 1980s. Workers were heavily exposed to asbestos insulation materials. The yard became a focal point for litigation and urban redevelopment.

Maine Shipyards

Bath Iron Works (Bath, ME)

One of the most prominent U.S. shipyards still in operation. Workers were historically exposed to asbestos during destroyer construction and retrofits. The yard later faced worker illness claims and tightened safety standards.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/Liberty_ship_Portland.jpg/2560px-Liberty_ship_Portland.jpg

Massachusetts Shipyards

Fore River Shipyard (Quincy, MA)

One of the largest and most historically significant shipyards in the United States, operating from the late 1800s through 1986. Fore River built battleships, aircraft carriers, cruisers, and submarines for the U.S. Navy. Asbestos was widely used in ship construction and repair for insulation, fireproofing, and boiler systems. Thousands of workers were exposed to asbestos fibers while installing and removing pipe insulation, gaskets, turbines, and electrical components. The shipyard later became the focus of numerous asbestos-related illness claims, including mesothelioma and lung cancer, leading to litigation and stricter safety standards in later decades.

Fore River Shipyard 1918

Midwest & Great Lakes Shipyards

Great Lakes Naval Training Station Shipyard (Great Lakes, IL)

Built and repaired vessels for training and transport. Asbestos exposure occurred in boiler rooms and mechanical systems. Former workers later filed compensation claims.

American Ship Building Company (Toledo, OH)

A major Great Lakes shipbuilder. Workers were exposed to asbestos in engine rooms and insulation workshops. The yard later downsized amid litigation and regulatory changes.

Gulf Coast Shipyards

Avondale Shipyard (New Orleans, LA)

One of the largest Gulf Coast shipyards. Thousands of workers were exposed to asbestos during naval and commercial vessel construction. The yard closed in 2013 following decades of declining demand and regulatory pressure. It remains one of the most litigated shipyards in the U.S.

Ingalls Shipbuilding (Pascagoula, MS)

A major Navy contractor. Workers were historically exposed to asbestos insulation materials. The yard modernized its safety standards after federal regulations took effect.

Shipyards Closed or Heavily Impacted

Hunters Point Naval Shipyard – San Francisco, CA (Closed 1974)
Brooklyn Navy Yard – Brooklyn, NY (Closed 1966) Included in BRAC listings and closed; historically significant for WWII shipbuilding before later military realignment actions.
Mare Island Naval Shipyard – Vallejo, CA (Closed 1996) Identified for closure during the 1993 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round and decommissioned in 1996 after 142 years of operation.
Long Beach Naval Shipyard – Long Beach, CA (Closed 1997) Closed as a result of BRAC realignment in the 1990s, with operations officially ending in 1997. The closure was part of a broader effort to eliminate excess naval capacity following Cold War drawdowns.
Philadelphia Naval Shipyard – Philadelphia, PA (Closed 1996)Closed as a BRAC action in the early 1990s. It had been one of the largest naval yards on the East Coast and was identified as excess capacity during post-Cold War restructuring.
Sun Shipbuilding – Chester, PA (Closed 1980s)
Tampa Shipbuilding Company – Tampa, FL (Closed post-WWII)
Avondale Shipyard – New Orleans, LA (Closed 2013)

Famous Warships and Commercial Ships Built at Major U.S. Shipyards

Brooklyn Navy Yard (Brooklyn, NY)

USS Arizona (BB-39) – Battleship
USS Missouri (BB-63) – Battleship
USS North Carolina (BB-55) – Battleship
USS Antietam (CV-36) – Aircraft carrier
Liberty ships and destroyers (WWII)