For decades, service members and shipyard workers at Long Beach Naval Shipyard were exposed to asbestos. Building and repairing Navy vessels could release asbestos fibers into the air, putting anyone nearby at risk of mesothelioma later in life. We can help Navy veterans with mesothelioma pursue benefits and compensation.
What to Know About Long Beach Naval Shipyard and Asbestos Exposure
Long Beach Naval Shipyard, located on Terminal Island in Los Angeles, played a significant role in U.S. Navy operations for much of the 20th century.
Established in 1943 during World War II, it was instrumental in maintaining and repairing naval ships for decades — but thousands were exposed to a cancer-causing mineral called asbestos during this time.
Until the early 1980s, all U.S. Navy ships built and repaired at Long Beach Naval Shipyard contained asbestos. Shipyard workers and veterans exposed could go on to develop mesothelioma 10-50 years later.
Quick Facts on Long Beach Naval Shipyard & Asbestos Use
- Ships serviced: Aircraft carriers, submarines, destroyers, and more
- Asbestos products: Gaskets, insulation, fireproofing, and many other products
- Health risks: Mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other serious illnesses
If you or someone you love served at Long Beach Naval Shipyard and later developed mesothelioma, we may be able to help you pursue military benefits, cancer treatments, and compensation.
Get a Free Mesothelioma Kit now to see how we can assist you or a loved one.
Long Beach Naval Shipyard Asbestos Use
Asbestos was widely used in shipbuilding for its durability and fireproofing characteristics. As a result, virtually all vessels serviced at Long Beach Naval Shipyard prior to the early 1980s used this material.
Long Beach Naval Shipyard workers risked asbestos exposure from:
- Boilers and engine rooms: Asbestos insulation was used in high-temperature areas to prevent overheating.
- Pipes and gaskets: Asbestos-lined gaskets helped seal pipes and prevent leaks.
- Fireproofing materials: Bulkheads, walls, and ship decks were coated with asbestos for fire resistance.
- Electrical insulation: Wiring and electrical panels contained asbestos to reduce fire hazards.
- Dry dock repairs: During ship repairs, workers often disturbed old asbestos insulation, releasing asbestos fibers into the air.
A 1979 report from the Comptroller General of the United States focused on asbestos contamination at Long Beach Shipyard. Inspectors found asbestos dust aboard two ships, stray fibers on pipes stripped of asbestos insulation, and pipe ends with exposed asbestos materials in one ship’s fire room.
Long Beach Naval Shipyard workers risked exposure to asbestos on an everyday basis without proper protective gear.
This is because manufacturers of asbestos-containing materials hid the health risks for decades, letting proud service members and hardworking shipyard employees get sick in the name of profit.
List of Ships Built or Repaired at Long Beach Naval Shipyard
The Long Beach Naval Shipyard mainly served as a repair station for U.S. Navy ships, according to the Press-Telegram. Between 1943 and 1945 alone, over 400 vessels were serviced there. All of these ships and many more used asbestos due to government mandates.
Some notable ships that were repaired at this navy yard included:
- Aircraft carriers: Many key aircraft carriers, including the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), USS Bennington (CVS-20), and USS Yorktown (CVS-10), were serviced at Long Beach Naval Shipyard.
- Battleships: The USS New Jersey (BB-62), USS Missouri (BB-63), and USS Wisconsin (BB-64) were just a few of many battleships that made their way to the shipyard.
- Other vessels: Destroyers, tankers, cargo ships, and cruisers were among the many other types of ships repaired by Long Beach Naval Shipyard workers.
Any Navy veterans or shipyard workers who worked on vessels serviced by Long Beach Naval Shipyard could have been exposed to asbestos, putting them at risk of mesothelioma 10-50 years later.
Get a Free Veterans Packet to explore benefits, treatments, and compensation options if you or a loved one developed mesothelioma after working at Avondale Shipyard.
Jobs at Risk of Asbestos Exposure in Long Beach Naval Shipyard
There’s no safe level of asbestos exposure, so any Navy veterans or shipyard workers stationed at Long Beach Naval Shipyard could be at risk of mesothelioma today.
With that said, some jobs meant that shipyard workers and service members were exposed to asbestos on a daily basis. More exposure increases the chances of developing mesothelioma later in life.
Known high-risk jobs included:
- Boilermakers who handled asbestos-lined boilers and insulation
- Electricians who worked with asbestos-insulated wiring and electrical panels
- General shipyard laborers exposed during maintenance and dry dock repairs
- Pipefitters who installed and maintained asbestos-insulated pipes
Welders who cut and welded asbestos-coated metal components
At its peak in 1945, over 16,000 civilians were employed at Long Beach Naval Shipyard. The number of employees was about 7,500 on average between the 1950s and 1980s. This meant that tens of thousands of people risked exposure to asbestos.
A 1979 Comptroller General’s report also noted that workers at Long Beach Naval Shipyard sometimes used compressed air to clean job sites that used asbestos, sending fibers into the air.
There’s no way to lower the risk of cancers like mesothelioma following asbestos exposure. Those exposed should keep a close watch on their health and see a doctor promptly if they develop chest pain, a cough that won’t go away, or other potential mesothelioma symptoms.
Compensation for Long Beach Naval Shipyard Asbestos Victims
If you or a loved one worked at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard and later developed an asbestos-related disease, you may be eligible for benefits and compensation.
Explore different mesothelioma compensation options below.
VA Benefits
Navy veterans who developed mesothelioma from serving at Long Beach Naval Shipyard may qualify for benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Top mesothelioma VA benefits include:
- Disability compensation worth $4,044.91 or more a month
- Free or inexpensive VA health care
- Resources to help surviving family members
We can help you file for or maximize your mesothelioma VA benefits. Get started right now.
Long Beach Naval Shipyard Asbestos Lawsuit
Navy veterans or former shipyard workers with mesothelioma may be able to pursue compensation through asbestos lawsuits. Mesothelioma lawsuits award $1 million or more on average.
The U.S. military and government aren’t sued as part of these lawsuits, and veterans can still access VA benefits too.
A Long Beach Naval Shipyard asbestos attorney can help you or a loved one file a lawsuit right now if eligible.
Asbestos Trust Funds
Asbestos trust funds were established by the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products and contain over $30 billion today.
You may qualify to file asbestos trust fund claims to receive compensation without going to court with the help of a mesothelioma lawyer.
Get a free case review now to find out which compensation options you qualify for after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Help for Long Beach Naval Shipyard Workers With Mesothelioma
U.S. Navy veterans and shipyard workers stationed at Long Beach Naval Shipyard never deserved to develop aggressive cancers like mesothelioma.
Yet, many veterans and civilians continue to develop this preventable cancer every year since they were exposed to asbestos before the health risks were fully understood.
The Mesothelioma Veterans Center stands ready to assist veterans and families affected by mesothelioma.
Work with our team to:
- Access mesothelioma VA benefits
- Connect with skilled cancer specialists
- Pursue compensation for medical expenses
Get a Free Mesothelioma Kit or call (877) 450-8973 to explore all the ways we can assist you or a veteran that you love.
Long Beach Naval Shipyard & Asbestos Exposure FAQs
Is Long Beach Naval Shipyard still open?
No, Long Beach Naval Shipyard closed in 1997. While the shipyard played a key role in repairing the U.S. Navy’s fleet of ships for 50 years, many of those stationed there have since developed severe asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma.
Thousands of former workers and Navy personnel were exposed to asbestos at the yard. Resources are available if you or a loved one is now sick.
Can you sue Long Beach Naval Shipyard for asbestos exposure?
You can’t sue Long Beach Naval Shipyard, the military, or the government if you developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos there.
However, you may qualify to file lawsuits against manufacturers of asbestos-containing products, which hid the health risks for decades. Mesothelioma lawsuits typically award $1 million or more, allowing families to cover the expenses of a diagnosis.
Connect with a Long Beach Naval Shipyard asbestos law firm for help pursuing a lawsuit.
What happened to Long Beach Naval Shipyard?
Long Beach Naval Shipyard shuttered in 1997 because it was no longer needed by the U.S. Navy. The site was bulldozed and turned into a commercial container port, according to the U.S. Naval Institute.
Many U.S. Navy veterans and shipyard workers remain proud of their time at Long Beach Naval Shipyard. However, those who worked there are in danger of mesothelioma today if they were exposed to asbestos while repairing or renovating Navy ships.
How long does it take to get sick from asbestos exposure?
Asbestos-related diseases often take 10 to 50 years to develop and show symptoms after asbestos exposure. This can make it hard for asbestos victims to track their first moment of exposure and to get early health care.
However, with the right legal help, you can identify who was responsible for your asbestos exposure and take legal action to hold them financially accountable.
Call (877) 450-8973 now for help if you or a loved one got sick with mesothelioma after serving at Long Beach Naval Shipyard.
