Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and the asbestos exposure risk

The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard is one of the oldest shipyards in the United States. It began operations in 1801 and shortly thereafter, moved from the Southwark District in Philadelphia to the meeting point between the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers.

Philadelphia Naval Shipyard experienced a high level of operations at the start of the Civil War, with 1,700 employees at work there.

Operations slowed, however, by 1876, and, in 1903, the site became the home of the 4th Naval District.

You might consider World War I to be the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard's golden age.

In that time, the shipyard built barracks, a new dock, a lab, and shipways, as well as a naval aircraft manufacturing plant.

During World War II, the shipyard was responsible for building acclaimed battleships, includings the Wisconsin destroyer and the Princeton carrier.

In fact, the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard was so efficient, it was responsible for having built two destroyers in less than 5 months.

During this peak time, the shipyard had over 45,000 workers.

The shipyard ultimately closed its doors in 1996 after completing aircraft carrier refurbishing in the 1980s.

During the time the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard was generating work, thousands of employees were exposed to a deadly material, asbestos, which used to be a primary ingredient for the shipbuilding industry.

Asbestos was heat- and fire-resistant and was useful for insulation purposes.

Unfortunately, many Philadelphia Naval Shipyard employees and those in similar facilities, have been affected by asbestos exposure, developing mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

Mesothelioma, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard workers & Justice
Our firm has fought for the rights of thousands of families affected by asbestos illness. Complete the form below to discuss your situation and get important legal information.