Navy Shipyard & Asbestos Exposure Risks: What You Need to Know!

Navy shipyard asbestos exposure risks have affected thousands of veterans and civilian workers who spent years maintaining and repairing naval vessels. For years, these workers toiled inside cramped ship compartments, overhauling boilers and insulation as well as repairing and welding pipes and turbines.

In the 1930s through the 1970s, most Navy ships were built with or repaired using asbestos-containing materials, including insulation, gaskets, and boilers. Workers with the highest risks of asbestos exposure included shipyard welders, pipefitters, and engineering mechanics.

Today, many Navy veterans and civilian shipyard workers are finally being diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases that are a direct result of their shipyard service.

Hire an Asbestos Exposure Lawyer

As an asbestos exposure law firm, Wallace & Graham, P.A., has helped shipyard workers and Navy veterans for over 30 years. Attorneys Mona Lisa Wallace and Bill Graham have researched Navy shipyard asbestos exposure risks for decades and continue to help our clients find out what happened in their own yards.

We use historical information, military records, and medical research to seek compensation for veterans and civilian workers who became ill as a result of asbestos exposure in shipyards around the country.

How Navy Shipyards Used Asbestos

Between the 1930s and the 1970s, almost all U.S. naval shipyards used asbestos to build and repair ships. This inexpensive mineral had excellent heat and fire-resistant properties, which made it ideal for insulating boilers, turbines, and pipes.

Shipyard workers commonly handled asbestos-containing materials like cloth, cement, and insulation every day, often without any protection. Florida naval facilities that used asbestos extensively include Jacksonville Naval Shipyard and the Pensacola Naval Air Station.

In addition to Navy veterans, sailors, mechanics, and civilian contractors who worked at these facilities also developed high-risk asbestos exposure while repairing ships.

Jobs and Shipyard Roles With the Highest Exposure Risk

Asbestos was present in dozens of different trades performed in every shipyard. The most dangerous tasks were those involving high heat, especially in enclosed spaces below deck, where ventilation was poor. Jobs with the highest risk of exposure included:

• Welders and machinists’ mates working in engine rooms
• Boilermakers and pipefitters working near insulation and steam pipes
• Electricians performing repairs on electrical systems insulated with asbestos
• Insulators who applied asbestos coatings to different surfaces
• Painters and shipfitters are sanding surfaces filled with asbestos

Air could remain contaminated for hours after asbestos-containing materials were disturbed, which is why even workers who did not have direct contact with the products could be at risk of inhaling deadly fibers.

Health Risks Linked to Shipyard Exposure

Symptoms of asbestos exposure typically do not appear for many years. Navy veterans and civilian workers in shipyards are still at risk for mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer because of their time working on ships. Common warning signs include:

• Shortness of breath or chest pain
• A persistent cough
• Fatigue and unexplained weight loss
• Fluid buildup in the lungs and chest area

Many workers who develop these illnesses are misdiagnosed, as the symptoms can be attributed to other diseases. Former shipyard workers should let their doctor know about their naval service so they can be screened for asbestos-related diseases.

Pursuing Justice for Navy Shipyard Workers

A Navy shipyard asbestos exposure lawyer can help veterans and shipyard workers establish the time and place of exposure. These claims are usually supported by historical Navy records, maintenance logs, and product information verifying that asbestos-containing materials were used on different ships.

While a claim against the Navy is not possible, compensation may be available through VA benefits, asbestos trust funds, and civil lawsuits against the manufacturers. Attorneys help families get the justice and financial compensation they deserve for the devastating illnesses caused by years of service in naval shipyards.

FAQs About Navy Shipyard & Asbestos Exposure Risks

Why Was Asbestos So Widely Used in Navy Shipyards?

Asbestos used to be known as a “miracle material” because of its ability to resist heat and even fire. The Navy used it on board ships to insulate pipes, boilers, and engines. Shipyards also kept on hand tons of asbestos-containing products to quickly build and repair vessels.

Every time it was handled, asbestos released microscopic toxic fibers into the air. These workers and thousands of sailors were exposed over decades, not knowing the long-term health consequences until many years later.

Which Florida Shipyards Had the Highest Asbestos Exposure Risks?

Some of the largest shipyards in Florida, such as Jacksonville Naval Shipyard, Pensacola Naval Air Station, and Port Everglades, were hazardous places to work because of asbestos exposure. Ship repairers worked with insulation, paint, and gaskets that contained the material.

Dry docks, engine rooms, and other tight areas also put workers at higher risk of airborne exposure. Office workers and supply clerks also faced the threat of secondhand exposure when dust was inadvertently carried home on work clothes and equipment.

How Many Veterans Are Diagnosed With Mesothelioma Each Year?

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that veterans account for about one-third of all mesothelioma cases in the United States. Of these, Navy veterans are the largest occupational group because of the common use of asbestos on ships and in shipyards. Florida has a large number of veterans, so the state continues to have one of the highest numbers of asbestos-related disease diagnoses in retired sailors, naval engineers, and shipyard contractors.

Can Family Members of Exposed Shipyard Workers File Claims?

Family members who contract mesothelioma as a result of secondhand asbestos exposure are also eligible for compensation. In many cases, spouses and children were exposed to asbestos fibers from washing the work clothing or living near the shipyards where asbestos fibers were blown into the air.

In Florida, both personal injury and wrongful death claims are available. A Navy shipyard asbestos exposure lawyer can help determine eligibility for both.

Contact an Asbestos Exposure Lawyer

Veterans and former shipyard workers exposed to asbestos in Navy shipyards continue to face serious health consequences. While it may take decades for mesothelioma to appear, former Navy workers still have legal options.

The attorneys at Wallace & Graham, P.A., have spent over 30 years helping veterans and civilian workers exposed to asbestos in naval shipyards and facilities throughout the country. When you hire an asbestos exposure lawyer from our firm, you have a chance to pursue justice and compensation. Schedule a consultation to learn more about how we can help you and your family.