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Shipyard Asbestos Exposure

asbestos shipyardAsbestos was historically a very useful substance for the shipbuilding industry: it’s remarkably resistant to heat and fire, lightweight, resistant to corrosion, and could be used in countless applications. The problem is, the fibrous mineral can cause mesothelioma and other serious health problems when the microscopic fibers are inhaled. While shipbuilders (both military and civilian) now commonly use safer alternatives, even those who haven’t worked in a shipyard in many decades still may be at risk and not even know it.
 

Asbestos Exposure Risks of Shipyard Workers  

Prior to the 1980s and 1990s, when the U.S. government took measures to phase out the use of asbestos, the material was used to insulate water and steam pipes; boilers; furnaces; and other components. In addition, ships regularly used gaskets and packing, as sealing materials on pipes, valves, pumps and other high-heat equipment throughout the ship. While ship crew members (particularly those working below deck in the engineering spaces) had their own asbestos exposures, shipyard workers such as asbestos insulators, pipefitters, electricians, shipfitters, millwrights and even those who didn’t personally use this dangerous material also were at risk.

Workers who built new ships, repaired existing ships, participated in ship overhauls or worked to remove asbestos from ships – and even individuals coming into contact with shipyard workers, such as family members (commonly referred to as second-hand exposure) – could be at risk for asbestos exposure. Even today, work to remove asbestos from existing ships continues, although regulations are currently in place requiring the use of respirators and other safety gear. Asbestos exposures commonly occurred at shipyards on a wide variety of vessels including commercial ships as well as Navy ships including, destroyers and aircraft carriers.
 

Asbestos Hotspots: U.S. Shipyards with High Rates of Asbestos Exposure

Exposure to asbestos occurred at shipyards of all sizes, but some of the largest shipyards naturally have had the greatest impact. These include the following:

Brooklyn Naval Shipyard: Based on the East River, this shipyard employed roughly 70,000 workers during World War II and comprised of more than 200 acres.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard: Still in use today, this shipyard was founded in 1891 and serves as the largest naval shore facility in the Pacific Northwest.

Philadelphia Shipyard: Founded at the birth of the nation in 1776, this shipyard – once used by the Navy – now serves as an industrial park and the site of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard.

Avondale Shipyard: This independent shipyard dates back to 1938 and was originally used to build and repair river barges; it closed in 2014.

Mare Island Naval Shipyard: Located just north of San Francisco in Vallejo, California, this shipyard was most active during World War II and is now a registered historical landmark.

Newport News Shipbuilding: This massive facility spans more than 550 acres and is the largest industrial employer in Virginia; founded in 1886.

Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation: Based in Portland, this shipyard built more than 1,000 military ships for the war effort between 1941 and 1945.
 
The highly skilled legal professionals from MesoLawyersCare have recovered more than $10 billion for people diagnosed with mesothelioma. Our firm has successfully represented many clients suffering from mesothelioma as the result of exposure to asbestos from working in shipyards. The MesoLawyersCare attorneys have represented shipyard workers from all major shipyards in the United States, including those listed above. For more information or a free consultation, fill out the form on this page, have a live chat now with one of our representatives, or call our offices.
 

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Asbestos Exposure Information

 

Did You Know?

  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    The highest award of compensatory damages ever upheld on appeal in a mesothelioma case is $30.3 million.
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    The largest punitive damages verdict ever upheld on appeal in a mesothelioma case is $18 million.
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    There are over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds to compensate victims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    There are more than 50 bankruptcy trusts accepting claims to compensate victims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    There are many “asbestos dockets” that permit living mesothelioma patients to obtain a jury verdict in less than 1 year.
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    In 2015, more than 2000 mesothelioma cases were filed in the United States.
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    In some mesothelioma cases, settlements can be obtained in less than 1 year.
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    Thousands of different companies have been defendants in mesothelioma cases over the past 40 years.
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    According to a 2015 study of 77 peritoneal mesothelioma cases, the average life expectancy (median survival period) was 75.7 months, or over 6 years.
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    According to a 2015 study of 77 peritoneal mesothelioma patients, 73.8% were living after 3 years, and 65.3% were living after 5 years.
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    According to a 2015 study of 77 peritoneal mesothelioma patients, 64% were treated with HIPEC and cytoreductive surgery.
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    According to a 2015 study of 303 pleural mesothelioma patients, the average life expectancy (median survival period) was 18.4 months.
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    According to a 2015 study of pleural mesothelioma patients, 73.1% were still living after 1 year, and 22.9% were still living after 3 years.
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    In 2015, the largest number of mesothelioma cases were filed in the following 10 courts: (1) Madison County, IL; (2) Cook County, IL; (3) St. Louis, MO; (4) Los Angeles, CA; (5) New York, NY; (6) Philadelphia, PA; (7) New Castle County, DE; (8) Middlesex County, MA; (9)Middlesex County, NJ; (10) Kanawha County, WV.
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    The states with the largest number of diagnosed mesothelioma cases are: New York, New Jersey, California, Washington, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virginia, Florida, Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    There are about 3000 mesothelioma cases diagnosed in the United States each year.
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    About 1 in 100,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with mesothelioma each year in the United States.
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    More than 80% of all mesothelioma cases occur in the pleura (pleural mesothelioma).
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    Less than 20% of all mesothelioma cases occur in the peritoneum (peritoneal mesothelioma).
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    About 22% of all mesothelioma cases occur in women.
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    A history of asbestos exposure can be found in more than 80% of mesothelioma cases.
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    More than 30% of all mesothelioma patients in the United States were exposed to asbestos in the military.
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma can be caused by laundering, or other household contact with, work clothing contaminated with asbestos.
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma can be caused by work with (direct exposure) or around (bystander exposure) asbestos-containing products.
  • Mesothelioma Facts
    Mesothelioma Facts
    The average time between a person’s first exposure to asbestos and the development of mesothelioma (latency period) is more than 40 years.
 

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Learn More About MesoLawyersCare

Watch the video below to learn why MesoLawyersCare is the best choice to represent you and your family after a mesothelioma diagnosis.


 

Contact MesoLawyersCare Now

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please contact us to see if we can help you get the compensation you deserve from the billions of dollars in asbestos trust funds available now for qualified asbestos victims. With just one call, you can put all our experience and success to work for you.

We have represented thousands of victims of mesothelioma and their families in virtually every State in the country and in decades of work have recovered billions of dollars in financial compensation for our clients.

Call us now at 1-888-568-1177, fill out the form on this page or chat with a live person. The consultation is free and it costs nothing upfront to hire the lawyers behind MesoLawyersCare. We only get paid if you collect a settlement or verdict and you will never receive a bill from us.

 

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