Tampa Shipbuilding Mesothelioma Risks

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What to Know About Tampa Shipbuilding & Mesothelioma

Tampa Shipbuilding Company (TASCO) in Tampa, Florida, played a critical role in supporting the U.S. Navy for decades.

Founded in 1917, this shipyard was active for over 30 years, crucially supporting the U.S. Navy’s fleet throughout World War II. The yard closed in 1948, just a few years after the war ended.

During peak wartime years, asbestos was standard on all U.S. Navy vessels built or repaired at Tampa Bay. Exposure to insulation, wires, cables, and other asbestos-containing components put shipyard workers at risk of mesothelioma later in life.

Tampa Shipbuilding & Asbestos Quick Facts

• Also known as: Tampa Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, Tampa Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Tampa Bay Shipbuilding & Repair Company
• Ships serviced: Destroyer escorts, minesweepers, ammunition ships, landing ships, pontoons, and more.
• Health risks: Asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and lung cancer
• Asbestos use timelines: 1930s to 1948
• Who is at risk: U.S. Navy veterans, shipyard workers, civilians, and family members

At the Mesothelioma Veterans Center, we stand ready to help veterans and families impacted by this cancer. Get our Free Veterans Packet to learn more about shipyard asbestos exposure and resources that may be available to you.

How Was Asbestos Used by Tampa Shipbuilding Company?

Tampa Shipbuilding Company was heavily involved in the construction, repair, and overhaul of vessels — and asbestos use was common across nearly every part of shipyard operations.

Asbestos-containing materials were used throughout Navy ships to protect equipment from heat and fire as part of government mandates.

Asbestos products used by Tampa Shipbuilding Company included:

• Fireproofing packed or sprayed throughout ships
• Gaskets and seals in mechanical systems
• Insulation used in pipes and machinery
• Protective linings in high-heat environments

When building new ships or repairing existing ones, shipyard workers may have had to sand down, grind, remove, or otherwise manipulate asbestos-containing materials, releasing dust into the surrounding air.

This would create clouds that hung in the air for days on end. Workers had to breathe it in every day, meaning asbestos fibers could get trapped in their bodies and cause long-term damage. Over decades, this could lead to mesothelioma.

List of U.S. Navy Ships Built With Asbestos by Tampa Shipbuilding

A wide range of U.S. Navy ships that were built or renovated by Tampa Shipbuilding relied on asbestos-containing materials.

Notable ships serviced by Tampa Shipbuilding Company include:

• Destroyer escorts: These included USS Cates (DE-763), USS Earl K. Olsen (DE-765), USS Neal A. Scott (DE-769), and USS Sutton (DE-771), among others.
• Minesweepers: The USS Admirable (AM-136), USS Agent (AM-139), USS Cruise (AM-215), and USS Diploma (AM-221) were among dozens of minesweepers built or serviced by Tampa Shipbuilding Company.
• Freighters: The USS Raven (AK-20), USS Meteor (AK-21), and USS Sweepstakes (AK-19) all relied on asbestos-containing products.
• Other vessels: Tampa Shipbuilding Company helped construct and service pontoons, tugboats, troopships, ammunition ships, and many more.

This is just a partial list of the ships served at Tampa Bay — many more contained asbestos, putting shipyard workers and Navy veterans at risk of mesothelioma later in life.

High-Risk Tampa Shipbuilding Mesothelioma Jobs

At its peak, Tampa Shipbuilding employed 16,000 workers during World War II. These shipyard workers regularly worked in spaces where asbestos could linger in the air for hours.

Because asbestos use was widespread, occupational exposure was a risk for many Tampa shipyard workers. Some positions involved direct contact with asbestos-containing materials.

High-risk asbestos shipbuilding jobs included:

• Boiler room work
• Dry dock work
• Electricians
• Engine room work
• Insulating
• Pipefitting

Family members could also be affected by secondhand exposure, which occurred when shipyard workers brought asbestos fibers home on clothing, tools, hair, and skin.

Tampa Bay Shipbuilding Mesothelioma Claims

You may be able to file different types of Tampa Bay asbestos claims to get justice and financial compensation for mesothelioma. Lawsuits, asbestos trust fund claims, and VA benefits can all support U.S. veterans and families during this uncertain time.

VA Benefits for Mesothelioma

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides many benefits to veterans with mesothelioma. In a majority of cases, U.S. veterans receive a 100% VA disability for mesothelioma, giving them maximum monthly compensation and quality health care at a lower cost.

Key mesothelioma VA benefits include:

• Disability payouts worth $4,158.17 per month
• Free or inexpensive cancer treatment
• Additional resources for surviving family

Major Jonathan Nelson (Ret) can help you or somebody you love file for the mesothelioma VA benefits you deserve. Get started right now with his help.

Tampa Bay Shipbuilding Mesothelioma Lawsuits

U.S. veterans, former shipyard workers, and loved ones could be eligible to file Tampa Bay asbestos lawsuits after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

These legal claims demand payouts from asbestos companies, which hid the health risks from the public for decades to make money.

The average mesothelioma lawsuit pays out $1 million or more. The Mesothelioma Veterans Center has legal partners who can file lawsuits on your behalf without involving the government or military.

Our partner lawyers have recovered millions for Florida veterans:

• $6.74 million to a U.S. Army veteran and mechanic
• $3.61 million to a U.S. Air Force veteran
• $1.43 million to a U.S. Marine Corps veteran
• $2.08 million to a U.S. Army veteran and laborer
• $5.82 million to a U.S. Navy veteran and HVAC worker

Asbestos Trust Funds

Bankrupt manufacturers of asbestos-containing products were forced to put large sums of compensation into trust funds if they wanted to stay in business. There’s currently over $30 billion available across all asbestos trust funds.

With help from a Tampa Bay Shipbuilding mesothelioma law firm, you may be able to secure compensation from multiple trusts depending on the products you were exposed to during your shipyard work or Navy service. You can still get VA benefits and lawsuit payouts, too.

Connect With Tampa Bay Shipbuilding Asbestos Attorneys

If you or a loved one is facing mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos at Tampa Shipbuilding Company, support is available. You didn’t realize that asbestos could have led to your cancer.

The Mesothelioma Veterans Center helps Navy veterans and families explore all of their options after a diagnosis. Our team of VA-accredited attorneys, fellow U.S. veterans, and nursing support staff are ready to stand by you.

We can connect you with:

• Information on top treatments
• Legal support through partner attorneys
• VA benefits assistance at no cost to you

Call (877) 450-8973 or get a Free Veterans Packet now to find out all of the ways we can assist your family as you face mesothelioma.