Veterans Guide

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 presumptive 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 Presumptive Benefits (38 CFR § 3.309): Navy veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, or asbestos-related lung cancer may be entitled to VA disability compensation with no statute of limitations — file at any age after discharge. Your DD-214 plus a diagnosis is typically sufficient to establish a presumptive service connection. No causation burden. Approval timeline: 6–18 months. Potential lump sum: $500,000–$1M+.

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 both.

Action: Locate your DD-214, enroll in the VA Asbestos Medical Surveillance Program, and consult a maritime asbestos attorney about the civil track — all in parallel.

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

Shipyard articles are being generated. Check back soon.

Major Shipyards with Documented Asbestos Exposure

Norfolk Naval Shipyard — Portsmouth, VA
Asbestos exposure records documented in OSHA, EPA, and public litigation files
Newport News Shipbuilding — Newport News, VA
Asbestos exposure records documented in OSHA, EPA, and public litigation files
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard — Bremerton, WA
Asbestos exposure records documented in OSHA, EPA, and public litigation files
Mare Island Naval Shipyard — Vallejo, CA
Asbestos exposure records documented in OSHA, EPA, and public litigation files
Philadelphia Naval Shipyard — Philadelphia, PA
Asbestos exposure records documented in OSHA, EPA, and public litigation files
Bath Iron Works — Bath, ME
Asbestos exposure records documented in OSHA, EPA, and public litigation files
Electric Boat (Groton) — Groton, CT
Asbestos exposure records documented in OSHA, EPA, and public litigation files
NASSCO — San Diego, CA
Asbestos exposure records documented in OSHA, EPA, and public litigation files
Brooklyn Navy Yard — Brooklyn, NY
Asbestos exposure records documented in OSHA, EPA, and public litigation files
Todd Shipyards — Multiple Locations
Asbestos exposure records documented in OSHA, EPA, and public litigation files
Bethlehem Steel Shipbuilding — Multiple Locations
Asbestos exposure records documented in OSHA, EPA, and public litigation files
Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard — Pearl Harbor, HI
Asbestos exposure records documented in OSHA, EPA, and public litigation files

Civilian Shipyard Workers: Civil Lawsuit Is Your Primary Path

Unlike Navy veterans, civilian shipyard workers do not qualify for VA presumptive benefits. However, civil lawsuits against asbestos product manufacturers and shipyard owners remain available. Statute of limitations: 3 years from diagnosis under the federal maritime statute (46 U.S.C. § 30106) or applicable state law — consult an attorney about which applies to your situation.

Numerous asbestos trust funds also remain open to shipyard workers regardless of when the shipyard closed. Babcock & Wilcox, Combustion Engineering, Johns-Manville, and Owens-Illinois all operated trusts relevant to Navy shipyard exposure claims.