National Steel and Shipbuilding Company and Asbestos

What to Know About NASSCO and Asbestos Exposure

National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, a division of General Dynamics, built and repaired hundreds of vessels for civilians, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

However, many vessels serviced at this shipyard relied on asbestos-containing products. This put NASSCO shipyard workers at high risk for serious asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma.

NASSCO shipyard workers were unaware that asbestos was dangerous. Manufacturers of asbestos-containing products hid the health risks for decades to make huge profits.

Key Facts on National Steel and Shipbuilding and Mesothelioma

Location: San Diego
Ships serviced: Combat store ships, hospital ships, cruisers, destroyers, and more
Health risks: Mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other asbestos-related illnesses
Who is in danger: Shipyard workers, U.S. Navy veterans, and family members

If you or a loved one suffered shipyard asbestos exposure and later developed mesothelioma, you may qualify for military veterans benefits and financial compensation.

Get a Free Veterans Packet to explore benefits you may qualify for.

How Was Asbestos Used by National Steel and Shipbuilding?

Asbestos was present in many components used on ships due to its heat resistance and durability.

At National Steel and Shipbuilding, asbestos was commonly used in:

Boilers
Electrical wiring
Engines
Insulation
Panels
Pipes
Pumps
Turbines

These asbestos-containing materials were a hazard to all NASSCO employees. When these products were handled or replaced, dust contaminated with asbestos fibers was released.

Did you know?

There is no safe limit of asbestos exposure, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

National Steel shipyard workers who suffered occupational exposure to asbestos could go on to develop cancer like mesothelioma decades later.

List of Ships Built or Repaired by National Steel and Shipbuilding

National Steel and Shipbuilding has been responsible for building and repairing a wide range of U.S. Navy ships and civilian vessels.

Types of ships serviced by NASSCO include:

Cruisers: Many Navy cruisers that contained asbestos, including the USS Jouett (CG-29) and USS Gridley (DLG-21), received renovations at NASSCO.
Combat store ships: These vessels were used by the U.S. Navy to store and transport supplies. Vessels like the USS Concord (AFS-5), USS San Diego (AFS-6), and USS San Jose (AFS-7) all contained asbestos.
Destroyers: Vessels like the USS Hewitt (DD-966) were built and renovated at National Steel’s shipyard. Working on these ships could have released asbestos fibers into the air.
Hospital ships: NASSCO helped construct two hospital ships in the mid-1970s: the USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) and the USNS Comfort (T-AH-20). Asbestos was still in use aboard U.S. Navy ships during this time.
Other vessels: Merchant marine ships, tankers, dry docks, and more were built and repaired at NASSCO.

Our team can help find out if a ship you served or worked on exposed you to asbestos and contributed to a mesothelioma diagnosis. Get started with a Free Veterans Packet.

High-Risk National Steel and Shipbuilding Asbestos Jobs

Employment at National Steel and Shipbuilding peaked in the mid-1970s with over 6,500 employees. However, virtually all of these workers were at risk of asbestos exposure.

National Steel shipyard workers had to install, repair, and replace asbestos materials on Navy ships every day.

Jobs at NASSCO with the highest risk for asbestos exposure include:

Boilermakers
Electricians
Engineers
Insulators
Machinists
Maintenance workers
Mechanics
Pipefitters
Plumbers
Welders

Family members of these workers were also at risk of secondary exposure to asbestos fibers unknowingly brought home on work clothing and gear.

A woman filed a mesothelioma lawsuit against NASSCO and two other companies following her diagnosis. She claimed she was exposed to asbestos from fibers her husband brought home while working at the shipyard.

Compensation for National Steel and Shipbuilding Mesothelioma Victims

If you or a shipyard worker you love got sick from asbestos, you may be eligible to pursue several legal options for compensation. Learn about financial compensation options below.

National Steel and Shipbuilding Mesothelioma Lawsuits

It's possible to file mesothelioma lawsuits against the companies that made and sold products used by NASSCO.

Mesothelioma lawsuits award an average of $1 million or more, allowing you to cover expenses related to your diagnosis. Loved ones of those who passed away may also qualify for wrongful death lawsuits.

Our legal partners have secured key shipyard lawsuit payouts, including:

$3.34 million for a shipyard worker from San Diego
$1.4 million for the family of a San Diego shipbuilder
$1.6 million to a shipbuilder and U.S. Army veteran from San Diego

Veterans can rest assured that these lawsuits don't involve the U.S. military or government. The manufacturers of the asbestos-containing products you were exposed to will be sued.

Get a free case review now to see if you may qualify for mesothelioma lawsuit compensation.

VA Benefits

Veterans with mesothelioma who served on ships built or renovated by NASSCO could be eligible for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA).

Mesothelioma is considered a 100% disability by the VA, allowing veterans to get the highest payouts possible.

Mesothelioma VA benefits include:

Disability compensation worth $4,158.17 a month
Free or low-cost health care from top doctors
Resources for surviving family members

We can help you file for or increase your mesothelioma VA benefits and pursue compensation from a lawsuit, maximizing the amount of money you may receive.

National Steel and Shipbuilding Asbestos Trust Funds

Former shipyard workers with mesothelioma may also qualify for compensation from asbestos trust funds, which were set up by bankrupt companies to avoid lawsuits.

There's over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds. You may qualify for compensation from multiple trusts, depending on which asbestos products you worked with in a shipyard.

Contact us now to find out if you can access NASSCO asbestos compensation. Our partner mesothelioma law firm can help you pursue a payout from a lawsuit and trust fund claims, if eligible.

Get Help for NASSCO Asbestos Exposure Today

Thousands of former NASSCO employees were likely exposed to asbestos since this toxic substance was used from the 1930s to the early 1980s in shipbuilding.

As a result, both military and civilian shipyard workers, as well as anyone who served on Navy ships serviced by NASSCO, could be in danger of mesothelioma today.

The Mesothelioma Veterans Center stands ready to assist veterans, civilians, and family members after a diagnosis.

If you’re eligible, we can help you:

File for or maximize your VA benefits
Get top treatments from cancer specialists
Seek compensation often worth $1 million or more

Call (877) 450-8973 or get a Free Veterans Packet now to explore potential benefits available to you.

NASSCO and Mesothelioma FAQs

Is NASSCO a federal contractor?

Yes, National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) is a federally contracted shipyard that builds vessels for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard.

NASSCO has been constructing Navy ships for decades. However, between the 1930s and early 1980s, virtually all Navy ships relied on asbestos-containing products.

National Steel shipyard workers are at a high risk of mesothelioma today since this asbestos-caused cancer can develop 10-50 years after exposure.

What ships does NASSCO build?

NASSCO has built and serviced hundreds of ships, such as the USS Jouett (CG-29), USS Concord (AFS-5), and USNS Comfort (T-AH-20).

However, prior to the early 1980s, almost all ships relied on products containing asbestos. As a result, NASSCO shipyard workers may have been exposed to this toxic substance, putting them in danger of mesothelioma.

Are shipyard workers at risk of mesothelioma?

Yes, NASSCO shipyard workers are at a high risk of mesothelioma as asbestos-containing products were used to build ships between the 1930s and early 1980s. Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma.

Other shipyards across the country, including Todd Shipyard, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Long Beach Naval Shipyard, and Avondale Shipyard, put workers at risk of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma.

We can help shipyard workers and family members suffering from mesothelioma pursue VA benefits, treatment, and compensation. Contact us now to learn more.