Boston Naval Shipyard Asbestos Claims

What to Know About Boston Naval Shipyard Asbestos Risks

Boston Naval Shipyard is located in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest naval shipyards in U.S. Navy history. From its inception in 1800, it was used for 174 years as a major hub for shipbuilding and repairs.

Shipbuilding activities peaked at Boston Naval Yard during World War II. Over 50,000 shipyard workers built 300 Navy ships and serviced 4,600 vessels through 1945.

However, anyone who worked at Boston Naval Shipyard between the 1930s and its closure in 1974 could have been exposed to a toxic substance called asbestos. Exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer with no known cure.

Boston Naval Shipyard & Asbestos Exposure Quick Facts

Also known as: Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown Navy Yard
Ships serviced: Destroyers, escort ships, submarines, supply ships, and more
Health risks: Asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer
Asbestos use periods: 1930s to 1974
Who is at risk: Navy veterans, shipyard workers, civilians, and loved ones

If you or someone you love worked at Boston Naval Shipyard decades ago and is now suffering from mesothelioma, we may be able to help you pursue benefits, treatments, and compensation. Get our Free Veterans Packet now to learn more.

How Boston Naval Shipyard Workers Were Exposed to Asbestos

Through the end of the 1970s, government mandates required the use of asbestos-containing materials aboard U.S. Navy ships. Working to build or repair these vessels could release fibers into the air on an everyday basis.

Daily work at Boston Naval Shipyard often took place in dry dock areas, engine rooms, and boiler rooms. These environments in shipyards frequently contained asbestos dust from insulation and machinery components.

Boston Navy Yard workers risked asbestos exposure through:

Boiler systems
Engines
Fireproofing materials
Gaskets
Insulation
Lagging
Paneling
Pipe coverings
Turbines
Wires

During maintenance or overhaul work, old asbestos materials were often removed or disturbed. This released asbestos fibers into the air, which workers could breathe in or swallow. Over time, these fibers could become lodged in the body and lead to serious illness.

Repeated exposure over time increased the risk of asbestos-related diseases for many shipyard workers. The dangers weren’t fully understood because manufacturers of asbestos-containing materials hid the dangers for decades.

List of Ships Built or Repaired at Boston Naval Shipyard

From the 1930s until the yard’s closure in the mid-1970s, thousands of Navy ships that relied on asbestos-containing materials were built or serviced at Boston Naval Shipyard.

Ships constructed or serviced at Boston Navy Yard include:

Destroyers: This included the USS Bennion (DD-662), USS Charrette (DD-581), USS Deede (DE-263), USS Guest (DD-472), and USS McDonough (DD-351), among many more.
Destroyer escorts: The USS Cloues (DE-265) and USS Harold J. Ellison (DE-545) were just a few of many vessels that had asbestos aboard.
Submarines: Notable submarines built at Boston Naval Shipyard include the USS Amberjack (SS-522), USS Grampus (SS-523), USS Lancetfish (SS-296), and USS Ling (SS-297).
Tank landing ships: Various unnamed landing ships, including LST-301 through LST-310 and LST-984 through LST-1003, were built at Boston Naval Shipyard during World War II.
Other vessels: Seaplane tenders, harbor tugs, dock landing ships, barracks, and other vessels were all built with asbestos throughout World War II and beyond at this shipyard.

It’s believed that tens of thousands of shipyard workers risked exposure to asbestos-containing products used in these ships before the dangers were fully understood.

Call (877) 450-8973 now to get help filing asbestos VA claims, exploring treatments, and recovering compensation if you or a veteran you love has mesothelioma after serving or working at Boston Naval Shipyard.

Jobs at Risk of Asbestos Exposure at Boston Naval Shipyard

Many roles at Boston Naval Shipyard carried a risk of asbestos exposure. Some jobs faced higher exposure levels due to direct contact with asbestos-containing materials.

Jobs with a very high risk of exposure at the Boston yard included:

Boilermakers
Dry-dock workers
Electricians
Engineers
Insulators
Ironworkers
Machinists
Maintenance and repair crews
Pipefitters
Plumbers
Welders

Family members could also face secondary asbestos exposure. Workers sometimes brought asbestos dust home on clothing, exposing loved ones.

Even though the Boston Naval Shipyard closed in 1974, those exposed while working there could still be in jeopardy. Since mesothelioma takes 10-50 years to develop after exposure, former shipyard workers could only be just getting diagnosed today.

Boston Naval Shipyard Mesothelioma Claims

If you developed mesothelioma after working at the Boston Naval Shipyard, you may be able to file different types of claims to get resources and compensation. Boston Naval Shipyard asbestos lawsuits, trust fund claims, and VA benefits packages can all offer significant support.

VA Benefits for Mesothelioma

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a wide range of benefits to veterans with mesothelioma. Most veterans with this cancer are considered 100% disabled, granting them access to the highest disability payments and inexpensive medical care.

Mesothelioma VA benefits include:

Disability compensation worth $4,158.17 a month as of 2026
Free or low-cost mesothelioma treatment with VA health care
More resources for surviving loved ones

Major Jonathan Nelson (Ret) can guide you or your family through the VA benefits process for free, making it much less stressful for your family.

Boston Naval Shipyard Asbestos Lawsuits

U.S. veterans, families, and civilians could qualify for mesothelioma lawsuits to demand compensation from manufacturers of asbestos-containing products.

Mesothelioma lawsuits usually award $1 million or more. The Mesothelioma Veterans Center’s legal partners take on the legal legwork for you — without suing the military or government.

Our partner attorneys have secured millions for Massachusetts veterans:

$9.3 million to the family of a U.S. Navy veteran
$3.67 million to a U.S. Marine Corps veteran
$3 million to a U.S. Navy veteran and fireman
$3.69 million to a U.S. Army veteran
$4 million to a U.S. Navy veteran

Get a free case review now to learn if you or a loved one can file a Boston Naval Shipyard mesothelioma lawsuit.

Asbestos Trust Funds

Asbestos trust funds are sums of compensation put aside by bankrupt companies that made asbestos-containing materials. Right now, there’s over $30 billion available across dozens of asbestos trust funds.

With help from a Boston Naval Shipyard mesothelioma law firm, you may be able to recover money from some of these trusts depending on which products you were exposed to during your shipyard or Navy career. You’ll still be able to access VA benefits and lawsuit payouts.

Connect With Boston Naval Shipyard Asbestos Attorneys

If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma and worked at the Boston Navy Yard, compensation and support are available.

By working with dedicated asbestos lawyers and our VA-accredited staff, you may be able to receive legal payouts, VA benefits, and other financial assistance. Our team is ready to help you get started.

Work with us to:

Find experienced asbestos lawyers near you
Learn how shipyard work could cause mesothelioma
Pursue Boston naval shipyard asbestos claims

Call (877) 450-8973 or get a Free Veterans Packet now to explore all of our offerings and learn how we work to assist veterans with mesothelioma.

Boston Navy Yard & Mesothelioma FAQs

How was I exposed to asbestos at Boston Naval Shipyard?

Asbestos was widely used in practically every vessel built or serviced at Boston Naval Shipyard from the 1930s through 1974 when the yard closed. It could be found in anything from boilers and engine rooms to insulation to electrical components like panels and wiring.

Tens of thousands of workers who made a living at this shipyard could be in danger of developing mesothelioma due to this exposure.

A Boston Naval Shipyard mesothelioma lawyer can help determine your exposure and build a case with the companies that made the products that harmed you.

How much are Boston Naval Shipyard mesothelioma settlements worth?

The average mesothelioma settlement for those exposed to asbestos at Boston Naval Shipyard varies depending on the circumstances in each case.

With that said, mesothelioma settlements are generally worth $1 million or more, helping families to afford treatments, basic living costs, and other expenses associated with the diagnosis.

Call (877) 450-8973 now to get a better idea as to how much your case could be worth. Our partner Boston Naval Shipyard asbestos lawyers can assess your situation and recommend next steps.

What should I do after Boston Navy Yard asbestos exposure?

The best thing to do if you’re worried that you were exposed to asbestos at Boston Navy Yard is to consult with your doctor. This is particularly true if you have potential mesothelioma symptoms like a cough or shortness of breath.

You can also reach out to asbestos attorneys to help you understand your legal options. Dealing with mesothelioma can be financially taxing, but you may be able to recover compensation by working with an attorney.

How do I choose a Boston Naval Shipyard asbestos law firm?

Ideally, you want to work with a nationally regarded law firm that has t decades of experience handling mesothelioma and asbestos claims. The Boston Naval Shipyard mesothelioma attorneys on staff should be professional and well-versed in asbestos litigation.

The Mesothelioma Veterans Center has partnered with asbestos law firms Sokolove Law and Simmons Hanly Conroy, which have been assisting families for decades. They have warehouses’ worth of evidence related to the asbestos industry and have secured billions of dollars for other claimants.

Get a free case review now to find out your eligibility to work with a Boston Naval Shipyard mesothelioma law firm.

Boston Naval Shipyard Asbestos Exposure