HUNTERS POINT NAVAL SHIPYARD 
Asbestos Exposure

Naval Shipyard Asbestos Toxic Exposure

Before the toxicity of asbestos was well known, it was often used in the shipbuilding industry. Asbestos is effective at resisting corrosion and high temperatures and as such was seen as an ideal material for industry. Shipbuilders used asbestos to insulate boilers, incinerators, and various internal pipes. When asbestos is disturbed it creates dust that can build up in the ships, leading to dangerous human exposure.

Now, the dangers of being exposed to asbestos and asbestos inhalation have been well-documented for decades. Illnesses from asbestos exposure may take many years to develop so it is difficult to pinpoint the full extent of the damage done to those who were exposed at Hunters Point Shipyard. Delayed symptoms and long latency periods of asbestos-related diseases have resulted in many shipyard workers being diagnosed many years after being exposed.

It may take up to 50 years after exposure for symptoms of mesothelioma or asbestosis to present themselves. This is a concern for all shipyard workers, whether they built and maintained ships designed for military or civilian use. For many years, asbestos has been in the process of being removed from ships, but the material remains on many vessels, and health problems persist.

Are Hunters Point Workers at a Heightened Risk?

Up until the 1970s, the U.S. Navy authorized the use of over 300 asbestos-containing products for shipbuilding. Hunters Point workers unknowingly inhaled asbestos dust and fibers as they built and maintained ships.

Almost anyone who worked in the shipbuilding industry in the 20th century could be at risk for asbestos exposure. Asbestos was used almost everywhere, including heavily in boiler rooms, engine rooms, and sleeping quarters. It was used as insulation, pipe covering, and used in the paint that covered ships. It is estimated that in some years about 1 in 500 shipyard workers were handling and installing asbestos insulation on a daily basis.

Exposure to asbestos at the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard was not limited to those who spent great amounts of time working on the ships. Even workers who loaded and unloaded materials at ports and dry docks may have been exposed to asbestos. Boxes, crates, pallets, packing materials, and other shipping materials often contain asbestos fibers.

Navy Shipyard Asbestos

At the height of World War II, the estimated number of naval shipyard workers could have been as high as 1.7 million. Because asbestos was a critical element in the shipbuilding industry at the time, military veterans, particularly Navy Veterans, have been especially hard-hit by exposure-related diseases.

Many veterans are eligible for disability compensation, handled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). However, veterans must prove that their condition is asbestos-related exposure and was caused during active military service. This can be difficult. Fortunately, our law firm has experience in these matters and is standing by to help veterans who may have been exposed to asbestos.

In addition to applying for government benefits, military veterans and former shipyard workers in California can file lawsuits against negligent companies, including the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products. An estimated 30 percent of all mesothelioma lawsuits are filed by military veterans.

The Dangers of Hunters Point Asbestos Exposure

At Hunters Point Shipyard, workers performed tasks on any number of vessels. Researchers suggest the worst exposure occurred in engine rooms, mess halls, and on painted decks. Further exposure occurred in shipways and dry docks. The following jobs also put Navy servicemen and civilians in direct contact with asbestos:

• Shipfitters
• Machinists
• Pipefitters and plumbers
• Electricians
• Boilermakers
• Painters

Welders and painters who worked at Hunters Point Shipyard may have held the most hazardous jobs of all. During welding operations, hazardous vapors are produced from the heating of base metals. Other fumes are released from metal coatings, finishes, and welding rods. Dangerous exposures increase greatly if welding or painting is performed in a confined space.

Asbestos-Related Illnesses and Symptoms

The potential dangers of asbestos inhalation have been known for several decades now, though the full extent of the damage to the lives and families of former workers has yet to be seen. Many former Hunters Point servicemen are treated for asbestos-related illnesses including:

• Mesothelioma (a cancer of the tissue surrounding the lungs and other organs)
• Lung cancer and possible cancers in other organs
• Asbestosis (scarring of lungs)
• Esophageal Cancer
• Kidney Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Leukemia

The signs and symptoms of these conditions may include the following:

• Pain in the side of the chest or lower back
• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Fever
• Excessive sweating
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Trouble swallowing

If you or someone you know has worked at Hunters Point Shipyard at any point and now experience any of these illnesses or symptoms, you may have reason to bring a lawsuit for damages. Many have experienced asbestos exposure at Naval bases. The government may have failed to warn you of the serious health risks of the job. 

Contact an Experienced Asbestos Attorney

You want to ensure that you are hiring an attorney who is well-versed and experienced in handling the type of case you are bringing. Joe Lyon and associates at the Lyon Firm have achieved incredible success for their clients, including a $2.7 million dollar settlement for a woman whose husband died after being wrongfully exposed to asbestos and a $2.3 million dollar settlement for a family affected by an asbestos and mesothelioma matter.

Why Hire the Lyon Firm

Joe Lyon and the associates at the Lyon Firm have twenty years of experience in successfully representing individuals in a variety of toxic exposure claims. Asbestos lawsuits can be complicated and require industry experts to determine the root cause of the accident, illness, or injury.

Joe Lyon and the Lyon Firm are dedicated to building the strongest case possible for you and for your critical interests. When you are ready to pursue legal action, reach out to the Lyon Firm online or by calling (513) 381-2333. We are standing by to help you begin the legal process and help you achieve the justice you are entitled to under the law.