Norfolk Naval Shipyard Mesothelioma Lawsuit [2026 Update]

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Norfolk Naval Shipyard may have used asbestos products in its shipyard and on its vessels from the 1930s to the 1980s. Some shipyard workers and their family members would develop mesothelioma decades later because of asbestos exposure at Norfolk Shipyard.

These lawsuits accuse the asbestos product manufacturers who supplied products to Norfolk of not warning shipyard workers that the asbestos in their products was dangerous.

This page explains the history of Norfolk Naval Shipyard, how it may have used asbestos, and which workers may have been exposed to asbestos. This page also provides updates on lawsuits related to asbestos exposure at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. You can also find information about who can file an asbestos claim involving Norfolk Naval Shipyard, what compensation they might receive, and what the deadline is to sue.

About the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Norfolk Naval Shipyard Mesothelioma Lawsuit Timeline & Updates

The updates below can help people understand what claims are being brought by former Norfolk Naval Shipyard workers and their families. Some Norfolk Naval Shipyard employees and contractors say they regularly worked with asbestos-containing materials. They believe they should have been warned that the asbestos in those products could harm them.

October 23, 2020: Man Who Cleaned Decommissioned Ships at Norfolk Naval Shipyard Secures Compensation for Asbestosis

A Navy veteran received VA compensation because he was exposed to asbestos while in the Navy and while cleaning decommissioned ships at Norfolk Naval Shipyard . The veteran served in the Navy from 1971 to 1975 and was diagnosed with asbestosis around 2015. The Department of Veterans’ Affairs determined that his diagnosis was related to his time serving in the Navy.

September 7, 2018: Pipefitter with Mesothelioma Sues Companies that Supplied Asbestos Products to Norfolk Naval Shipyard

A man and his wife sued several asbestos-product manufacturers after he developed mesothelioma. He believes he was exposed to asbestos while he worked at Norfolk Naval Shipyard and at least one other shipbuilding company.

While at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, he said he had several roles, including a pipefitter, pipefitter’s apprentice, and nuclear mechanical systems inspector. His wife joined his lawsuit and requested compensation for how her husband’s mesothelioma has impacted their relationship (i.e., loss of consortium). His lawsuit was filed against companies like Buffalo Pumps, Aurora Pump Company, Crane Co, and Gould’s Pumps.

May 8, 2014: Boilermaker at Norfolk Naval Shipyard Sues Asbestos Product Makers, Secures Mesothelioma Settlement

A man and his wife filed a lawsuit against companies that made asbestos products used at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. The man was a boilermaker at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in 1969 and most of the 1970s. He says he was exposed to asbestos at the shipyard and claims that this asbestos exposure led to his mesothelioma diagnosis in 2014. The man and his wife secured a settlement.

January 28, 2013: Family Secures Wrongful Death Settlement After Shipyard Machinist Dies of Mesothelioma After Working at Norfolk Naval Shipyard

The family of a former shipyard machinist who worked at Norfolk Naval Shipyard won a mesothelioma settlement against several asbestos product manufacturers. The man was a shipyard machinist in the late 1950s through the mid-1960s, and he died of mesothelioma in 2012, shortly after being diagnosed. His family says he was exposed to asbestos-containing materials (like gaskets and valves) while working at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

1979: Man Wins Asbestos Settlement After Working as a Pipe Coverer and Insulator at Norfolk Naval Shipyard

A man who was exposed to asbestos when he was a pipe coverer and insulator at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard received workers’ compensation after developing an asbestos-related disease. He said he developed asbestosis after working with asbestos at Norfolk Naval Shipyard from 1940 to 1975. He filed a workers’ compensation claim, and he sued the companies that manufactured the asbestos-containing products he worked with. He claimed the companies should have warned him that the asbestos products could make him sick, and he received a settlement from those companies.

About the Norfolk Naval Shipyard and Its History of Asbestos Exposure

The Norfolk Naval Shipyard was founded in 1767 and was called the Gosport Shipyard until 1862. Norfolk Naval Shipyard is the Navy’s oldest shipyard, established more than 30 years before the U.S. Navy was created. The Norfolk Naval Shipyard is located in Portsmouth, Virginia, and was a key shipbuilding and repair center during World War II, the Korean War, and the Gulf War.

Asbestos-containing gaskets, valves, insulation, pipe lagging, and fire-proofing materials were heavily used by the U.S. Navy from the 1930s onward. The US Navy started to transition away from asbestos-containing materials in the 1970s. However, asbestos may still have been used and was already present in older installations.

Because of this, it is likely that Norfolk Naval Shipyard used asbestos-containing materials and that some parts of the shipyard contain legacy asbestos products. As such, people who were employed at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard as full-time, part-time, temporary, or contract-based workers may have been exposed to asbestos.

When Did the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Contain Asbestos Materials?

Norfolk Naval Shipyard may have used asbestos from the 1930s to 1980s, as that was the period when the United States Navy used asbestos the most. Asbestos use at military bases is well documented.

In some situations, the U.S. Navy may have required people to use asbestos-containing products on shipyards and ships. For example, according to a December 1951 U.S. Navy document, specific types of asbestos-containing insulation may have been allowed  or required. Norfolk Naval Shipyard workers who were performing repairs, installations, renovations, demolitions, or other on-site tasks may have encountered asbestos in gaskets, valves, turbines, insulation, and other locations.

Some reports suggest the U.S. Navy discouraged or banned people from using new asbestos-containing materials in the 1970s. Even so, a July 1999 EPA report  indicates that asbestos was present on the shipyard, including at land waste sites. Later reports have also confirmed that asbestos waste was found at some parts of Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

Which Asbestos Materials Were Commonly Used at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard?

Norfolk Naval Shipyard may have relied on asbestos-containing materials for fireproofing and heat-resistant properties. Additionally, using asbestos-containing materials aligned with previous U.S. Navy policies. For decades, standard U.S. Navy practices required or encouraged the use of asbestos products. Subsequent EPA reports indicate that asbestos waste and materials have been found at Norfolk Naval Shipyard and are likely present in older buildings. People who worked at Norfolk Naval Shipyard may have been exposed to asbestos fibers that were released during routine work.

Here are some of the materials that possibly exposed people stationed at Norfolk Naval Shipyard to asbestos:

• Boilers
• Bulkheads
• Cement
• Decking
• Engine room equipment
• Fireproof equipment/textiles
• Gaskets
• Insulation
• Metal sheeting
• Packing
• Pipe insulation and lagging
• Steam traps
• Turbines
• Valves
• Water pumps and expulsion systems

Asbestos Pipe Insulation and Lagging

Asbestos pipe insulation and lagging may have been used at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. A 2019 report suggests that asbestos insulation was used on steam lines at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Asbestos-based insulation may have been wrapped around steam lines, exhaust systems, pipes, and in other places at the shipyard. Asbestos-containing insulation may also have been used in ceiling tiles, flooring, and electrical panels. Norfolk Naval Shipyard workers may have released asbestos fibers in the air when they cut, applied, stripped, replaced, or serviced asbestos-containing insulation.

Boilers, Turbines, and Other Engine Room Equipment

Norfolk Naval Shipyard may have also used asbestos-containing materials in boilers, turbines, and other equipment in engine and boiler rooms. Naval operations used to use asbestos because it is resistant to heat and fire, which are essential to keep people and equipment safe in engine rooms. Boilermakers at Norfolk Naval Shipyard may have encountered asbestos in gaskets, boilers, turbines, pumps, propulsion systems, valves, and other materials. People who overhauled existing systems at Norfolk Naval Shipyard may have disturbed existing asbestos fibers.

Industrial Gaskets, Valves, and Packing With Asbestos

Gaskets, valves, and packing materials used on Naval ships and in shipyards are used to contain asbestos. Norfolk Naval Shipyard may have used these materials at its sites. If so, workers who packed, scraped, ground, used, replaced, or serviced these materials may have come into contact with asbestos fibers. Once released into the air, asbestos fibers may have also traveled through the ship’s ventilation system or collected on surfaces in its rooms.

Structural Bulkheads, Decking, and Fireproofing Materials

Norfolk Naval Shipyard may have also used asbestos in structural bulkhead panels, deck coverings, wall insulation, cement, floating floors, and spray-on fireproofing. These materials could have been used on the Norfolk Naval Shipyard or in the vessels its workers built.

How Did Workers at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard Typically Encounter Asbestos?

Norfolk Naval Shipyard workers may have breathed in disturbed asbestos fibers in the air at the shipyard, including on vessels they were building, inspecting, decommissioning, or servicing. EPA studies have also shown that asbestos waste was found at least one disposal area on the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. People who were on or near the disposal area at Norfolk Naval Shipyard may have encountered this asbestos waste and breathed in the fibers.

A 1980 study of 286 ship repair workers found that 86% of them had evidence of asbestosis. At the time of the study, the participants had started working in ship repair at least 30 years prior. The study’s authors noted that asbestos was widely used in shipbuilding and repair before 1975. Workers at Norfolk Naval Shipyard were building and repairing ships prior to 1975, as well, and there is a good chance that asbestos-containing materials were used on-site.

People who repaired ships at Norfolk Naval Shipyard may have been at risk of inhaling asbestos fibers or carrying them home on their skin, hair, or work clothes. At least one study has suggested that a shipyard worker’s family members may have an increased risk of developing asbestos-related diseases, like mesothelioma.

Where Did Asbestos Exposure Occur Most Often at NNSY?

Asbestos exposure may have occurred in the following places at Norfolk Naval Shipyard:

• Engine rooms
• Boiler rooms
• Pipe chases
• Machinery spaces
• Dry docks
• Overhaul bays
• Shipyard shops
• Landfill and waste-handling areas

Multiple studies have suggested that people who served in the Navy may have higher rates of mesothelioma than those who did not. Many researchers believe that onboard asbestos exposure may have contributed to those findings. Many members of the Navy have filed lawsuits against asbestos companies after they developed asbestos-related diseases.

Which Norfolk Naval Shipyard Workers Faced the Highest Asbestos Exposure?

Many Norfolk Naval Shipyard workers may have been exposed to asbestos fibers. Some of shipyard occupations with highest risk include insulators (e.g., sprayers and laggers), pipefitters, welders, boilermakers, mechanics, machinists, and pipe coverers. According to a 2017 CDC study of NIOSH occupational mortality data, people in the dataset who worked in ship and boat building and repairing had the highest rates of death from mesothelioma from 1999 to 2015.

Insulators and Pipe Coverers

People at Norfolk Naval Shipyard who applied asbestos-containing insulation may have had a high risk of asbestos exposure. These workers may have sprayed asbestos-containing insulation onto surfaces or wrapped pipes with friable insulation. They may have handled the asbestos directly and breathed in disturbed fibers that were in the air.

Boilermakers and Engine Room Mechanics

Boilermakers and engine room mechanics at Norfolk Naval Shipyard may have encountered asbestos in the insulation in boilers, turbines, and other machinery. These rooms may have been poorly ventilated, allowing asbestos fibers to build up and remain in the room for longer.

Pipefitters, Welders, Machinists, and Maintenance Crews

Pipefitters and welders at Norfolk Naval Shipyard may have had direct exposure to asbestos in the pipes, valves, gaskets, and other materials they handled each day. Once the asbestos fibers were disturbed and released into the air, they may have lingered there or collected in workspaces.

Other High-Risk NNSY Workers

Other workers at Norfolk Naval Shipyard may have been exposed to asbestos. These include electricians, shipfitters, crane operators, and laborers, as well as people charged with cleaning decommissioned ships. People who worked in office or administrative positions may also have been exposed to asbestos, as the substance was used in many areas of the shipyard.

Asbestos Waste Disposal and Environmental Contamination at Norfolk Naval Shipyard

Asbestos contamination has been found at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. In 1999, Norfolk Naval Shipyard was designated as an EPA superfund site due to high levels of asbestos and other substances. The site is periodically being monitored and evaluated as cleanup efforts continue.

Multiple EPA reports have shown that asbestos waste was found at disposal sites at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. One report indicated that about 320 cubic yards of asbestos were disposed of per month at Norfolk Naval Shipyard from 1954 to 1983. An EPA report published in 2018 also indicated that asbestos was likely to be found in older buildings at Norfolk Naval Shipyard and that operations on the site could release asbestos fibers in contaminated waste.

Is There Evidence of Asbestos Exposure at Norfolk Naval Shipyard?

There is evidence of asbestos exposure at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Federal assessments (including those conducted by the EPA) have shown that asbestos waste may be found at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Media reports about asbestos lawsuits have also suggested that asbestos exposure occurred at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

1979 GAO Asbestos Control Report

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a 1979 report about its assessment of asbestos contamination and safety protocols at Norfolk Naval Shipyard and one other shipyard. According to the report, Norfolk Naval Shipyard had comprehensive asbestos protocols on record. However, the report indicates that there were insufficient staff and training in place to make sure those protocols were put into practice.

For example, according to the GAO report, the asbestos program coordinator also supervised the pipe shop, removed asbestos insulation, and performed other duties. As a result, he was not only focused on making sure asbestos protocols were implemented. Moreover, the report indicated that people responsible for collecting air samples and measuring airborne asbestos levels were not properly trained or supervised.

So, the GAO consultant said they did not know if “enough samples were being taken in the right place at the right time” to know if the asbestos levels were safe. The consultant also cited at least one instance in which a worker did not wear a respirator.

Media Investigations

Norfolk Naval Shipyard has also been mentioned in several media stories about asbestos exposure and litigation. For instance, The New York Times reported on a case brought by a former pipe coverer at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

The pipe coverer had sued Johns-Manville and many other asbestos product manufacturers, accusing them of failing to warn him of how dangerous asbestos was. Several companies reached a settlement with him and sued the government, claiming the U.S. Navy should bear all the responsibility for failing to protect the pipe-coverer. The court decided that the companies were still liable for creating the contaminated product and not warning people about the risks, even though the Navy could have done more to protect workers, too.

Years later, Johns-Manville filed for bankruptcy due to the number of asbestos lawsuits being brought against it, including those involving former workers at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. The bankruptcy court determined that Johns-Manville could file for bankruptcy for this reason. However, it would still be liable to future asbestos victims who may have been harmed by its products. This strategy has been used by dozens of asbestos manufacturers in the years since.

Mesothelioma and Asbestos-Related Diseases Linked to Norfolk Naval Shipyard

Studies have suggested that asbestos exposure at Naval shipyards and on ships has been linked to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. Because of this, people who were exposed to asbestos at Norfolk Naval Shipyard may also be at risk of developing an asbestos-related disease.

Someone may not be diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease until up to 10 to 40 years or more after they are exposed to asbestos (called a latency period). The latency period for mesothelioma can be up to 40 years or more. So, someone who encountered asbestos at Norfolk Naval Shipyard may not be diagnosed with mesothelioma until a decade or more has passed.

Who Can File a Norfolk Naval Shipyard Mesothelioma Lawsuit?

People may qualify to file a lawsuit if they worked at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard and were diagnosed with mesothelioma. Mesothelioma patients who lived with someone who worked at Norfolk Naval Shipyard may also be eligible to file a lawsuit. People may also bring a wrongful death claim if they lost a loved one to mesothelioma and they believe their loved one was exposed to asbestos at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

Can Family Members of NNSY Workers File a Claim for Secondhand Asbestos Exposure?

Family members of people who worked at Norfolk Naval Shipyard may be eligible to file an asbestos claim if they were diagnosed with mesothelioma. Several studies have suggested that family members may develop asbestos-related diseases from asbestos fibers brought home on a loved one’s body or clothing. As such, spouses, children, or other close relatives who were diagnosed with mesothelioma and lived with someone who worked at Norfolk Naval Shipyard may be eligible for compensation.

What Proof Is Needed to File a Norfolk Naval Shipyard Mesothelioma Lawsuit?

Some of the evidence people can use to support their Norfolk Naval Shipyard mesothelioma case includes the following:

• Employment records showing they worked at Norfolk Naval Shipyard
• Military service records proving they served at Norfolk Naval Shipyard
• Medical documents showing they were diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease
• Job description showing they may have been exposed to asbestos-containing materials directly or indirectly while at Norfolk Naval Shipyard

Mesothelioma patients may not have to locate evidence on their own. Instead, they can work with an attorney to help them build their lawsuit involving proving asbestos exposure at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

How Can I File a Norfolk Naval Shipyard Mesothelioma Lawsuit?

The steps to file a Norfolk Naval Shipyard mesothelioma lawsuit include the following:

• Schedule a free consultation with a mesothelioma attorney at King Law.
• Work with your lawyer to gather evidence that you worked at Norfolk Naval Shipyard and were diagnosed with mesothelioma.
• Your attorney reviews your records to determine how and when you may have been exposed to asbestos at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
• Your attorney prepares and files an asbestos trust fund claim, lawsuit, or VA disability benefits case involving your time at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
• Your legal team negotiates a fair asbestos settlement to compensate you for your losses from Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

Your attorney can guide you through the legal process and take on much of the responsibility during your Norfolk Naval Shipyard asbestos case. They can also file multiple types of claims, if possible, to maximize your chance of securing a comprehensive settlement for your mesothelioma diagnosis.

How Long Does a Norfolk Naval Shipyard Mesothelioma Case Normally Take?

A mesothelioma case involving asbestos exposure at Norfolk Naval Shipyard can take up to a year or more to reach a resolution. Factors that can affect how long the case takes include:

• The type of asbestos claim being filed (e.g., lawsuit, trust fund claim, or VA claim)
• The strength of the evidence
• The number of trust fund filings in the claim
• The number of asbestos product manufacturers being sued

The time it takes to settle a mesothelioma claim varies from client to client. However, King Law takes the urgency of each claim seriously. We balance getting the best compensation for our clients with the urgency each client indicates.

What Is the Deadline to File a Norfolk Naval Shipyard Mesothelioma Lawsuit?

The deadline to file a Norfolk Naval Shipyard mesothelioma lawsuit depends on factors like the applicable state statute of limitations and the type of case being filed. Some claims have a deadline that is measured from the time of diagnosis or death, but that is not true for all mesothelioma case types.

Talk to a lawyer to learn what your deadline is to file an asbestos lawsuit, trust fund claim, or VA disability case involving asbestos exposure at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Filing your case on time may help you safeguard your legal rights.

How Much Is a Norfolk Naval Shipyard Mesothelioma Lawsuit Worth?

Norfolk Naval Shipyard mesothelioma lawsuit settlements reflect the individual patient’s circumstances. Factors that can influence the final payout include the severity of the person’s diagnosis, whether they have a strong case to prove they were exposed to asbestos at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and if they filed their case on time. Some asbestos compensation packages may include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses.

King Law Is Investigating Norfolk Naval Shipyard Asbestos Claims

The seasoned legal team at King Law is actively investigating mesothelioma claims involving asbestos exposure at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Our team has extensive experience fighting for people who have been harmed by asbestos while working at shipyards, manufacturing plants, nuclear power plants, and other organizations. We are committed to helping Norfolk Naval Shipyard workers and their families hold asbestos manufacturers accountable for failing to warn them about the risks of asbestos.

Contact a Norfolk Naval Shipyard Asbestos Attorney Today

Give us a call at (585) 496-2648 if you think you were harmed by asbestos exposure at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Our intake specialists can help you schedule a no-obligation consultation with an experienced asbestos attorney. We provide free case evaluations, and we take Norfolk Naval Shipyard asbestos cases on contingency, so you do not have to pay any upfront legal fees to hire us.

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