Boston Naval Shipyard Asbestos Exposure
At Risk Occupations
Boston Naval Shipyard
Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Claims
Boston Naval Shipyard
Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma Claims
The Boston Naval Shipyard (also known as Charlestown Navy Yard) operated from 1800-1974 and exposed thousands of workers to deadly asbestos fibers during critical wartime operations.
At its WWII peak, the facility employed 50,000 workers who faced widespread asbestos exposure from shipbuilding materials between the 1920s and 1980s.
Shipyard-related asbestos exposure accounts for approximately 33% of all mesothelioma cases today, with victims eligible for substantial compensation through specialized legal representation.
Historical Background of the Shipyard and Asbestos Use
Shipyard Operations (1800-1974)
The Boston Naval Shipyard was established in 1800 as one of the first U.S. Navy yards, located where the Charles and Mystic Rivers meet in Boston’s Inner Harbor. Originally called the Charlestown Navy Yard, the facility served as a cornerstone of American naval defense for 174 years.
During World War II, the shipyard became a massive industrial operation, building, maintaining, and repairing naval vessels crucial to the war effort. The facility constructed more than 200 warships and serviced thousands of others throughout its operational history.
Widespread Asbestos Use
From the 1920s through the 1980s, asbestos was extensively used throughout the Boston Naval Shipyard for its fire-resistant and insulating properties. The U.S. Navy mandated asbestos use in hundreds of ship components, making exposure virtually inevitable for workers.
Primary asbestos applications included:
Insulation for pipes, boilers, and turbines
By 1939, Navy medical officers at the Boston Naval Shipyard were already recommending safety controls for asbestos handling, acknowledging known health hazards. However, asbestos use continued for decades due to military specifications requiring the material for national defense purposes.
Common Job Duties That Led to Exposure (1940s-1970s)
High-Risk Occupations
Workers in specific trades faced the greatest asbestos exposure risk due to direct contact with contaminated materials. Research from Italian shipyard studies shows that insulation workers had the highest mortality rates.
Explore all MOS codes with asbestos risk
High-exposure job categories included:
Occupation | Primary Exposure Sources | Risk Level |
Direct handling of asbestos insulation, cutting and fitting materials | Extremely High | |
Working in boiler rooms with asbestos-lined equipment | High | |
Installing and repairing asbestos-wrapped pipes | High | |
Cutting and welding through asbestos materials | High | |
Working around asbestos-insulated electrical components | Moderate-High | |
Welders | Disturbing asbestos during metalwork operations | Moderate-High |
Machinists | Operating equipment in asbestos-contaminated areas | Moderate |
Historical Background of the Shipyard and Asbestos Use
Shipyard workers face dramatically elevated cancer risks compared to the general population. International research demonstrates the severe health consequences:
- Mortality studies show 575 times higher pleural cancer rates among shipyard workers compared to expected levels
- In a 55-year cohort study of 3,984 male shipyard workers in Genoa, Italy (follow-up 1960-2014), Merlo et al. estimated that 22.6% of the 399 lung-cancer deaths were attributable to occupational asbestos exposure.
- Mesothelioma latency period averages 33.7 years from first exposure to diagnosis
- 33% of all U.S. mesothelioma cases trace back to shipyard work or Navy service [source- study overview + pdf]
Specific Health Conditions
Workers exposed at the Boston Naval Shipyard face increased risk for multiple asbestos-related diseases:
- Pleural Mesothelioma – Cancer of lung lining (most common form)
- Peritoneal Mesothelioma – Cancer of abdominal lining
- Lung Cancer – Significantly elevated rates among exposed workers
- Asbestosis – Progressive lung scarring disease
- Laryngeal Cancer – Increased rates documented in shipyard studies
Notable Lawsuits, Verdicts, and Settlements
Recent Massachusetts Cases
Several significant Boston Naval Shipyard-related cases have resulted in substantial compensation for victims and families:
National Shipyard Verdicts
Recent verdicts demonstrate substantial compensation potential:
- $11.5 million – U.S. Navy Machinist Mate – Mesothelioma
- $4.3 million – U.S. Navy Seaman, Boiler Operator, Laborer – Mesothelioma
Trust Fund Compensation
Many former asbestos manufacturers have established trust funds exceeding $30 billion to compensate victims. Boston Naval Shipyard workers may be eligible for multiple trust fund claims based on specific product exposures during their employment.
Statute of Limitations Considerations
Massachusetts State Law
Massachusetts follows a 3-year statute of limitations for asbestos-related personal injury claims. The countdown begins from the date of diagnosis under the “discovery rule,” not the date of initial exposure.
Key timing considerations:
- Personal injury claims: 3 years from mesothelioma diagnosis
- Wrongful death claims: 3 years from date of death
- Multiple jurisdiction options may extend filing opportunities
Maritime and Federal Claims
Boston Naval Shipyard workers may have additional legal options under maritime law. The Jones Act provides special protections for seamen, with different limitation periods than state law. Federal jurisdiction may apply to cases involving:
- Active-duty Navy personnel
- Federal contractor employees
- Maritime workers under admiralty law
- Claims against the federal government (limited circumstances)
Step-by-Step Overview of Filing Claims
Step 1: Contact Specialized Counsel
- Schedule free consultation with experienced Boston Naval Shipyard asbestos attorney
- Bring medical records, employment history, and military service documentation
- No upfront costs – attorneys work on contingency fee basis
Step 2: Case Investigation
- Attorney reviews exposure history and identifies responsible companies
- Medical records analysis to confirm asbestos-related diagnosis
- Research into specific ships, work areas, and products involved
Step 3: Comprehensive Evidence Collection
- Detailed work history documentation
- Military service records and ship assignments
- Medical records linking diagnosis to asbestos exposure
- Witness statements from co-workers or family members
- Historical shipyard and product records
Step 4: Expert Medical and Industrial Evaluation
- Independent medical confirmation of diagnosis
- Industrial hygiene expert analysis of exposure levels
- Occupational history reconstruction
Step 5: Strategic Claim Filing
- Depending on unique facts of the case, file lawsuit in optimal jurisdiction (may not be Massachusetts)
- Pursue asbestos trust fund claims
- Coordinate with VA disability benefit applications
Step 6: Discovery and Settlement Negotiations
- Exchange of evidence with defendant companies
- Depositions and testimony as required
- Settlement negotiations (most cases resolve without trial)
The Critical Importance of Boston Naval Shipyard Asbestos Law Firm Expertise
Asbestos litigation requires highly specialized knowledge and resources that general personal injury attorneys lack.
The complexity of these cases – involving decades-old exposure, multiple defendants, and intricate medical causation – demands attorneys experienced in Boston Naval Shipyard mesothelioma representation.
Unique Advantages of Specialized Representation
Industry-Specific Knowledge
- Deep understanding of Navy specifications and shipyard operations
- Extensive databases of asbestos-containing products used at the facility
- Knowledge of specific exposure locations and job hazards
Proven Track Record
- SWMW Law has recovered more than $750 million for asbestos clients
- Experience with complex shipyard cases and Navy veteran claims
- Multiple seven- and eight-figure settlements for mesothelioma victims
Comprehensive Resource Network
- Access to medical experts specializing in asbestos diseases
- Industrial hygiene specialists familiar with shipyard conditions
- Extensive evidence and identification databases
Multi-Avenue Compensation Strategy
- Simultaneous pursuit of lawsuit settlements and trust fund claims
- Coordination with VA benefits without affecting legal compensation
- National filing capabilities to maximize recovery potential
No Financial Risk
- No fees unless successful recovery – aligned incentives with clients
- No upfront costs for investigation, expert witnesses, or case development
- Free consultation and case evaluation nationwide
Step-by-Step Overview of Filing Claims
How do I know if I was exposed to asbestos at the Boston Naval Shipyard?
If you worked at the facility between 1940-1980, exposure was likely inevitable. The shipyard used asbestos in hundreds of applications throughout ships and buildings. Even office workers and support staff faced exposure risk due to airborne fibers in enclosed spaces.
Can I file a Boston Naval Shipyard asbestos lawsuit decades after working there?
Will filing a Boston Naval Shipyard asbestos lawsuit affect my VA benefits?
What if I smoked cigarettes - can I still recover compensation?
Why should I choose SWMW Law for my Boston Naval Shipyard mesothelioma settlement case?
SWMW Law combines specialized expertise with a proven track record:
- Over $750 million recovered for asbestos clients
- 100+ years combined litigation experience
- Free consultation with no fees unless you win
Contact SWMW Law today for your free consultation. Because when it comes to Boston Naval Shipyard asbestos claims, experience matters – and people matter most.
Free Consultations Available 24/7
Because Justice Matters.
Whether you have questions or you’re ready to get started, our legal team is ready to help. Complete our form below or call us at (855) 744-1922.