Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Asbestos Exposure Claims

For decades, asbestos was part of everyday work at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. However, workers had no idea that exposure could lead to serious illnesses years later, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

A diagnosis like this brings difficult questions about treatment and your future. You may also be wondering how your family will manage financially and what will happen to the people who depend on you. 

The Lyon Firm helps workers and families understand their legal options and pursue claims against companies responsible for asbestos exposure. We help you understand your legal options and pursue a claim while keeping your health and family’s needs at the center of every decision. Call (513) 381-2333 or fill out our online form to discuss a Bremerton Shipyard asbestos claim with our team.

“I have nothing but positive things to say about this law firm and Mr. Lyons. I am the kinda person who has tons of questions, and they were amazing at answering them all. I am very grateful for all the hard work they have done and consider them a trusted resource at this point. If I could give 10 stars, I would!”

- Michael H. | Client

Why Choose The Lyon Firm for Your Bremerton Asbestos Claim?

The Lyon Firm has spent over two decades focused on complex injury cases, mass torts, and corporate negligence across all 50 states. Founder Joseph Lyon has represented thousands of individuals and families who were harmed by unsafe products and careless business practices. 

Here is what sets our practice apart:

• Proven National Record: Our work has helped secure over $550 million in recovered value for clients and class members.
• Resource and Industry Reach: We work alongside medical experts, industrial hygiene specialists, and national co-counsel networks to build clear, evidence-backed claims for shipyard workers.
• Focus on Lasting Impact: Beyond financial recovery, our work helps drive industry reforms and corporate accountability so workplaces become safer for future generations.
• No Upfront Cost: We handle asbestos claims on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no legal fees out of pocket unless we successfully secure financial recovery for you.

What Kind of Settlement Can an Asbestos Exposure Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Lawyer Secure for You?

A lawyer may be able to recover the following for you:

• Compensation for Medical Expenses: A shipyard asbestos toxic exposure lawyer can help you secure financial compensation to cover your past and future medical expenses related to asbestos-related illnesses, including diagnostic tests, treatments, and ongoing care.
• Lost Wages and Income: If your asbestos-related condition has led to missed work, diminished earning capacity, or disability, an attorney can help you recover lost wages and potential future income losses through a settlement.
• Pain and Suffering: Experienced lawyers can advocate for compensation to address the physical and emotional pain and suffering endured due to asbestos-related diseases, helping you find some measure of relief and justice.
• Wrongful Death Settlement: In cases of asbestos-related deaths, a lawyer can secure settlements to provide financial support for surviving family members, helping to ease their economic burdens.
• Punitive Damages: In some instances, punitive damages may be sought to punish negligent parties and deter similar behavior in the future, potentially resulting in a more substantial settlement.

With the knowledge and dedication of an experienced attorney, you can navigate the complexities of asbestos-related cases, ensuring that you receive the compensation and justice you rightfully deserve.

What Does a Bremerton Shipyard Asbestos Toxic Exposure Lawyer Do for Your Case?

When facing the challenges of shipyard asbestos toxic exposure, a dedicated lawyer plays a pivotal role in safeguarding your rights and pursuing rightful compensation.

• Case Evaluation: A shipyard asbestos toxic exposure lawyer assesses the specifics of your case, including the extent of exposure, associated health issues, and responsible parties.
• Legal Guidance: They provide experienced legal advice on your rights, potential claims, and the best course of action to pursue compensation.
• Evidence Gathering: Lawyers collect and analyze relevant evidence, such as medical records, work history, and exposure sources, to build a strong case on your behalf.
• Negotiations: They negotiate with liable parties and insurance companies to secure a fair settlement that covers medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or wrongful death compensation.
• Litigation Support: If necessary, your attorney can represent you in court, ensuring your case is presented effectively and advocating for your rights during legal proceedings.

Through comprehensive case evaluation, experienced legal guidance, evidence gathering, skillful negotiations, and litigation support, a shipyard asbestos toxic exposure lawyer stands as a steadfast advocate on your journey to justice and compensation.

Asbestos Use at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington, has served the U.S. Navy since 1891. Over the decades, the facility became a major center for ship construction, maintenance, and repair. 

Asbestos was used extensively in naval vessels and shipyard facilities because it resisted heat, fire, and corrosion. These qualities made it especially useful in the demanding conditions aboard military ships.

Workers could encounter asbestos in many parts of the shipyard, including:

• Boiler and engine rooms: Asbestos insulation protected equipment and surrounding areas from extreme heat.
• Pipes and steam lines: Asbestos wraps and insulation covered pipes carrying hot water and steam throughout ships.
• Gaskets and seals: Asbestos-containing materials helped seal valves, pumps, and other machinery against heat and pressure.
• Building materials: Roofing, wall panels, ceiling materials, and fireproofing products in shipyard buildings could contain asbestos.
• Dry docks and repair areas: Removing old insulation, replacing equipment, and repairing ship components could release asbestos fibers into the air.
• Protective equipment: Some gloves, aprons, and welding blankets used in high-heat work were made with asbestos-containing materials.

The greatest exposure risks often came during hands-on work. Cutting pipe insulation, removing old gaskets, sanding materials, or tearing out damaged components could release tiny asbestos fibers. These fibers could remain airborne in enclosed ship compartments and workshops, putting not only the workers handling the materials but also nearby coworkers at risk.

At the time, many workers had no reason to suspect that routine maintenance or repair work could expose them to a substance linked to cancer. Unfortunately, manufacturers allegedly had information about the dangers of asbestos long before many workers received warnings.

At its peak during World War II, the shipyard employed 32,500 people, many of whom worked to repair Pacific Fleet warships damaged in battle. When the yard's name changed to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in 1945, its mission shifted from repairing ships to deactivating them. 

Through these changing operations, generations of civilian workers and Navy personnel spent time around ships and materials that may have contained asbestos.

Ships Built or Repaired at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard handled a wide range of Navy vessels over its long history, from battleships and aircraft carriers to destroyers, submarines, and support ships. 

Some were built at Bremerton, while others arrived for major repairs, upgrades, and overhauls. 

Examples of vessels associated with the shipyard's construction and repair history include:

• Aircraft carriers: The USS Essex (CVA-9), USS Kearsarge (CVA-33), USS Hancock (CVA-19), USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42), USS Lexington (CV-2), USS Enterprise (CV-6), USS Midway (CV-41), and USS Ranger (CV-61).
• Battleships: The USS Washington (BB-56), USS Tennessee (BB-43), USS California (BB-44), and USS West Virginia (BB-48).
• Cruisers: The USS Reeves (DLG-24), USS Louisville (CA-28), and USS Astoria (CA-34).
• Destroyers: The USS Halford (DD-480), USS Leutze (DD-481), USS Howorth (DD-592), USS Killen (DD-593), and USS Hart (DD-594).
• Destroyer escorts: The USS Greiner (DE-37), USS Wyman (DE-38), USS Lovering (DE-39), and USS Donaldson (DE-44).
• Other naval vessels: Submarines, submarine tenders, seaplane tenders, and amphibious assault ships also formed part of the Navy's fleet serviced by major naval shipyards like Puget Sound.

For many shipyard workers, the damage from asbestos exposure didn't become clear until decades after they left the job. By then, the ships had sailed, the work was long behind them, and a life-changing diagnosis had taken its place.

You shouldn't have to piece together decades-old exposure records on your own. The Lyon Firm can investigate your work or military service history and help determine whether you have a claim. Call (513) 381-2333 or fill out our online form to learn what options may be available to you and your family.

Jobs at High Risk of Asbestos Exposure at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard

Asbestos exposure at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard wasn't limited to workers who installed insulation. Other occupations also carried a particularly high risk:

• Insulators and pipe coverers
• Pipefitters, plumbers, and steamfitters
• Boilermakers
• Electricians
• Machinists and mechanics
• Welders, burners, and shipfitters
• Sheet metal workers
• Carpenters and joiners
• Painters
• Dry dock laborers and general laborers
• Maintenance crews and ship repair technicians
• Riggers and other shipyard workers

Navy personnel faced similar risks aboard ships undergoing construction, maintenance, and overhaul. Engineering personnel, boiler operators, machinist's mates, and damage control crews could encounter asbestos while maintaining equipment, repairing pipes, or working in engine and boiler rooms.

Why Are Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Asbestos Cases So Important?

These cases serve two vital purposes: taking care of real families and holding negligent corporations accountable.

First, these cases bring financial stability when health crises strike. An asbestos illness like mesothelioma often requires costly specialist care, frequent travel to medical centers, and specialized equipment. Seeking financial recovery ensures your care costs do not drain your family’s hard-earned savings.

Second, these claims shine a light on corporate wrongdoing. Asbestos product manufacturers knew for decades that breathing their dust caused deadly lung diseases. Instead of warning workers or making safer products, many companies kept quiet to protect their bottom line. 

Filing a claim sends a clear message that worker health matters and that companies must answer for the harm they cause.