Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (also known as Philadelphia Navy Yard), located at League Island at the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers in South Philadelphia, operated from 1868 until its closure in 1995. One of the nation’s largest naval shipyards, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard built and overhauled battleships, aircraft carriers, cruisers, and destroyers throughout both World Wars and the Cold War era, employing tens of thousands of workers across all shipbuilding trades. Publicly filed asbestos litigation records document the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard with direct testimony, named asbestos product records (including Dunham Bush valve documentation), internal shipyard correspondence about asbestos, and specific boiler room exposure records — establishing it as a thoroughly documented asbestos exposure venue in the national litigation record.

Who Was Exposed at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard

Workers and Navy personnel at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in the following capacities may have asbestos exposure claims:

  • Insulation workers who removed and replaced asbestos boiler insulation and pipe lagging during ship overhaul
  • Boilermakers who overhauled main propulsion boilers and auxiliary steam systems
  • Pipefitters who cut asbestos gaskets and worked in asbestos-insulated pipe spaces
  • Machinists and Electricians who performed overhaul work in asbestos-containing machinery spaces
  • Navy Supship and inspection personnel present during capital ship overhaul operations

VA Claims and Legal Options — Philadelphia Naval Shipyard PA Workers

Veterans assigned to Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and civilian workers who performed trades there, who subsequently developed mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, or pleural disease may qualify for:

  • VA presumptive service connection under 38 CFR § 3.309(d) for Navy personnel assigned to Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
  • Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) for civilian Philadelphia Naval Shipyard workers
  • Civil claims against Dunham Bush (asbestos valves) and other manufacturers of asbestos-containing insulation and mechanical products used at the yard

Key documents for a Philadelphia Naval Shipyard claim:

  • Employment records — Philadelphia Naval Shipyard employment records documenting trade, department, and dates
  • DD-214 or orders — documenting Navy Supship or inspection assignment at League Island
  • Diagnosis — mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, or pleural disease

Free, confidential case evaluation: Speak with O’Brien Law Firm — (314) 936-2956

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Exposure documentation derived from publicly filed asbestos litigation records including personal exposure testimony, Dunham Bush valve product attribution, internal shipyard correspondence, main boiler asbestos documentation, and the national asbestos MDL docket identifying Philadelphia Naval Shipyard as a primary asbestos exposure venue. This does not constitute legal or medical advice.