Naval Shipyard

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard

Bremerton, Washington

Workers at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard faced significant asbestos exposure during the height of American shipbuilding. As a naval shipyard, both military personnel and civilian workers were exposed while building and maintaining naval vessels.

Asbestos Exposure at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard

From the 1940s through the 1980s, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard was a major employer in Bremerton. Like all shipyards of that era, asbestos was used extensively throughout the facility. Workers who built, repaired, or maintained vessels at this shipyard were regularly exposed to asbestos fibers that can cause mesothelioma 20 to 50 years after exposure.

Sources of Exposure

Workers at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard encountered asbestos in numerous applications:

  • Pipe insulation throughout vessels
  • Boiler and engine room insulation
  • Fireproofing materials on bulkheads and decks
  • Gaskets and valve packing
  • Electrical insulation and wiring
  • Combat system compartments
  • Nuclear propulsion spaces (if applicable)
  • Crew quarters and berthing areas

Confined Space Exposure

Shipyard work is particularly dangerous because much of it occurs in confined spaces below decks. When workers cut, ground, or installed asbestos materials in engine rooms, boiler rooms, and other enclosed spaces, the fibers accumulated in the air at extremely high concentrations. Without modern ventilation or respiratory protection, workers inhaled massive quantities of asbestos over the course of their careers.

Veterans and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard

Navy veterans who served at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard face elevated mesothelioma risk. Both active-duty personnel and civilian employees working alongside them were exposed. Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma may qualify for:

  • VA disability benefits — Compensation for service-connected illness
  • VA healthcare — Treatment at VA medical facilities
  • DIC benefits — Survivor benefits for family members
  • Asbestos trust funds — Claims against bankrupt manufacturers
Learn about veterans benefits →

At-Risk Occupations

Multiple trades worked at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and faced asbestos exposure. If you held any of these positions at this facility, you may have been exposed:

Pipefitters Boilermakers Insulators Shipyard Workers Welders Electricians Sheet Metal Workers Laborers

Mesothelioma Risk

Former workers at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard are at increased risk for asbestos-related diseases, including:

  • Mesothelioma — Cancer of the lung, abdominal, or heart lining
  • Lung cancer — Risk increases significantly with asbestos exposure
  • Asbestosis — Scarring of lung tissue causing breathing difficulty
  • Pleural disease — Thickening and scarring of the lung lining

These diseases typically appear 20 to 50 years after initial exposure. Workers who were employed at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard during the 1940s through 1980s are now in the peak diagnostic period for mesothelioma.

Legal Options

If you worked at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, you may be entitled to compensation. Options include:

  • Asbestos trust funds — Over $30 billion available from bankrupt manufacturers
  • Personal injury lawsuits — Claims against companies that supplied asbestos materials
  • VA benefits — For veterans and civilian DOD employees
  • Workers' compensation — In some states, additional benefits may be available
Learn about asbestos trust funds →

What to Do If You Were Exposed

  1. Document your work history — Record your dates of employment, job titles, and specific work locations at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
  2. Inform your doctor — Share your asbestos exposure history at all medical appointments
  3. Monitor for symptoms — Watch for persistent cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, or unexplained weight loss
  4. Consider legal consultation — An attorney can evaluate your compensation options based on your specific exposure