US Navy Shipyards — Asbestos Exposure Records

Shipyard workers — including pipe fitters, laggers, boilermakers, electricians, and painters — who worked at US Navy and commercial shipyards reportedly faced prolonged exposure to asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, pipe lagging, and refractory materials during ship construction, overhaul, and repair operations. Civilian shipyard workers may qualify for civil lawsuit recovery; veterans may additionally qualify for VA disability benefits.

The records below draw from NARA military archives, EPA NESHAP notifications, OSHA inspection logs, and publicly filed asbestos litigation. Nothing here constitutes legal advice.

Navy Veterans: Two Ways to Recover — Use Both

VA Disability Benefits: Navy veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may qualify when evidence shows asbestos exposure during service and a medical connection to the current disease. Medical records, service records, and a doctor's nexus statement are generally required. Monthly, tax-free compensation is based on the assigned rating and the VA's current rate tables. A Veterans Service Organization (DAV, VFW, American Legion) can help with a VA claim at no cost.

Civil Lawsuit (concurrent — not exclusive): VA benefits do not bar a separate civil claim against asbestos product manufacturers. The federal maritime statute of limitations is 3 years from diagnosis (46 U.S.C. § 30106). Both tracks run simultaneously. An experienced maritime asbestos attorney can pursue the civil claim, while the VA claim is filed directly with the VA.

Action: Gather your DD-214 and other service records, medical records, and occupational history. Seek free help from an accredited Veterans Service Organization for the VA claim, and consult a qualified attorney separately about any civil claim.

Naval Shipyard / Govt Yard

Commercial Shipyard

Map shows major US shipyards with documented asbestos exposure records from EPA NESHAP notifications, OSHA inspections, and public asbestos litigation.

Shipyard Trades Most Commonly Exposed

Pipe Fitters / Pipe Laggers Boilermakers Insulation Workers Electricians Machinists Painters Sheet Metal Workers Welders Carpenters Laborers / General Workers

Naval & Government Shipyards (41)

Asbestos Exposure — Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine

Bath, ME

Bath Iron Works (BIW) — located in Bath, Maine — has been a primary United States Navy destroyer and …

Asbestos Exposure — Bethlehem Steel Shipbuilding and the United States Navy

Bethlehem, PA

Bethlehem Steel Company’s Shipbuilding Division was one of the largest naval shipbuilders in …

Asbestos Exposure — Brooklyn Navy Yard (New York Naval Shipyard)

Brooklyn, NY

The Brooklyn Navy Yard — officially the New York Naval Shipyard — was one of the United States …

Asbestos Exposure — Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco

San Francisco, CA

Hunters Point Naval Shipyard — located on the southeastern San Francisco waterfront — was the United …

Asbestos Exposure — Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California

Vallejo, CA

Mare Island Naval Shipyard — located on Mare Island in Vallejo, California — was the United States …

Asbestos Exposure — Newport News Shipbuilding, Virginia

Newport News, VA

Newport News Shipbuilding — located in Newport News, Virginia — is the largest private shipbuilder …

Asbestos Exposure — Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Hawaii

Pearl Harbor, HI

Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard — located on Oahu, Hawaii — is the United States Pacific Fleet’s …

Asbestos Exposure — Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (League Island)

Philadelphia, PA

The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard — located on League Island in the Delaware River — was one of the …

Asbestos Exposure — Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Chester, Pennsylvania

Chester, PA

Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company — located in Chester, Pennsylvania on the Delaware River — was …

Asbestos Exposure — Todd Shipyards and the United States Navy

Galveston, TX

Todd Shipyards Corporation was one of the largest independent shipbuilding and ship repair …

Asbestos Exposure at Avondale Shipyards, New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans, LA

Avondale Shipyards, located on the west bank of the Mississippi River near New Orleans, Louisiana, …

Asbestos Exposure at Bethlehem Steel Shipyards

Baltimore, MD

Bethlehem Steel Corporation operated one of the largest networks of shipbuilding and ship repair …

Asbestos Exposure at Bethlehem Steel's Fore River Shipyard — Quincy, Massachusetts: Navy Veterans' Rights to VA Claims and Maritime Lawsuits

Workers Who Built America’s Navy Are Dying From It Pipe laggers, boilermakers, pipefitters, …

Asbestos Exposure at Boston Naval Shipyard, Charlestown, Massachusetts

Charlestown, MA

Boston Naval Shipyard, historically known as the Charlestown Navy Yard, located on the Charlestown …

Asbestos Exposure at Charleston Naval Shipyard, South Carolina

Charleston, SC

Charleston Naval Shipyard, located in Charleston, South Carolina, operated from 1901 until its …

Asbestos Exposure at Charleston Naval Shipyard: What Workers and Families Need to Know

Your Exposure at Charleston Naval Shipyard May Have Caused Your Disease — Act Within 3 Years of …

Asbestos Exposure at Electric Boat — Groton, Connecticut

Groton, CT

Electric Boat, located in Groton, Connecticut, is the United States’ primary builder of …

Asbestos Exposure at Electric Boat Groton, Connecticut: Submarine Construction Workers and Navy Asbestos Litigation

Why Former Electric Boat Groton Workers Are Filing Navy Asbestos Exposure Claims Now Workers who …

Asbestos Exposure at Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock, Kearny, New Jersey

Kearny, NJ

Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, located in Kearny, New Jersey at the confluence of the …

Asbestos Exposure at General Dynamics Quincy Shipyard, Massachusetts

Quincy, MA

The Quincy Shipyard in Quincy, Massachusetts — operating as Fore River Shipyard under Bethlehem …

Asbestos Exposure at Lockheed Shipbuilding, Seattle, Washington

Seattle, WA

Lockheed Shipbuilding Company, formerly known as Puget Sound Bridge and Drydock Company, operated in …

Asbestos Exposure at Long Beach Naval Shipyard — California

Long Beach, CA

Long Beach Naval Shipyard (LBNSY) was a United States Navy shipyard located in Long Beach, …

Asbestos Exposure at Marinette Marine, Marinette, Wisconsin

Marinette, WI

Marinette Marine Corporation, located in Marinette, Wisconsin on the Menominee River at the Michigan …

Asbestos Exposure at NASSCO (National Steel and Shipbuilding), San Diego, California

San Diego, CA

National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO), located in San Diego, California, is the largest …

Asbestos Exposure at New York Shipbuilding Corporation — Camden, New Jersey: Navy Veterans' Rights to VA Benefits and Mesothelioma Lawsuits

New York Ship Allegedly Exposed Thousands of Workers to Asbestos Over Six Decades VA evaluates …

Asbestos Exposure at New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey

Camden, NJ

New York Shipbuilding Corporation (New York Ship), located in Camden, New Jersey across the Delaware …

Asbestos Exposure at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (Portsmouth, Virginia): Navy Veteran Mesothelioma Attorney Guide

If you worked at Norfolk Naval Shipyard and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or …

Asbestos Exposure at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia

Portsmouth, VA

Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY), located in Portsmouth, Virginia across the Elizabeth River from …

Asbestos Exposure at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (also known as Philadelphia Navy Yard), located at League Island at the …

Asbestos Exposure at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine

Kittery, ME

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, located on Seavey Island in Kittery, Maine — across the Piscataqua River …

Asbestos Exposure at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington: Drydock Overhaul Records, Worker Exposure, and Legal Rights

What Former PSNS Workers Need to Know If you worked at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton and …

Asbestos Exposure at Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company — Chester, Pennsylvania: Navy Veterans & Civilian Workers' Rights

Act Now If you worked at Sun Shipbuilding in Chester, Pennsylvania and have been diagnosed with …

Asbestos Exposure at Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock, Chester, Pennsylvania

Chester, PA

Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, located in Chester, Pennsylvania on the Delaware River, was …

Asbestos Exposure at Todd Shipyards, Seattle and San Pedro

Seattle, WA

Todd Shipyards Corporation operated major shipbuilding and ship repair facilities at Seattle, …

Ingalls Shipbuilding Pascagoula Mississippi Asbestos Exposure: Navy Veteran Mesothelioma Claims & VA Benefits

If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma after working aboard ships built, overhauled, or repaired at …

Mesothelioma Lawyer for Philadelphia Naval Shipyard Asbestos Exposure: Your Legal Rights

Critical Filing Deadline Warning If you worked at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and have been …

Mesothelioma Lawyer Guide: Mare Island Naval Shipyard Asbestos Exposure and Your Legal Rights

If you worked at Mare Island Naval Shipyard and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, …

Navy Asbestos Exposure at Bath Iron Works: Destroyer and Frigate Construction Workers

Bath Iron Works and Navy Asbestos Exposure Bath Iron Works (BIW) has operated on the Kennebec River …

Navy Shipyard Asbestos Exposure: Todd Shipyards Seattle, Destroyer Frigates & Mesothelioma Rights

If you worked at Todd Shipyards in Seattle — or any U.S. naval or commercial shipyard — and …

Newport News Shipbuilding Asbestos Exposure and Navy Veteran Mesothelioma Claims

You just got a mesothelioma diagnosis. If you worked at Newport News Shipbuilding—whether as a Navy …

Shipyard Asbestos Exposure: What Workers and Families Need to Know

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a …