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Avondale Shipyard

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Avondale Shipyard
Louisiana's largest shipyard (1938-2014)
Location New Orleans, LA
Peak Employment 26,000 (WWII)
Current Status Closed (2014)
Vessels Built 2,500+ ships
Asbestos Use Up to 90% content
Risk Level Extreme
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Executive Summary

Avondale Shipyard, located on the Mississippi River in Louisiana approximately 20 miles upstream from New Orleans, exposed an estimated 30,000 workers to deadly asbestos fibers over 44 years of heavy use from 1938 through the early 1980s. The facility produced over 2,500 vessels during its 76-year operation, including 20 Knox-class frigates and 6 San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks for the U.S. Navy. Workers handled materials containing up to 90% pure asbestos in conditions so hazardous they reported dust so thick they "couldn't see across the room." Shipyard workers face a 5-fold increased mesothelioma risk compared to the general population, with welders showing 34% increased lung cancer rates and machinists demonstrating 60% increased risk.

The legal landscape for Avondale workers has produced substantial compensation. Legal verdicts have reached $5.57 million for workers with as little as two weeks of exposure, while the landmark Chaisson secondary exposure verdict awarded $3.91 million to a worker's spouse who developed mesothelioma from laundering contaminated clothing. Over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds remain available for eligible claimants, with individual payouts averaging $300,000-$400,000 from multiple trusts. Louisiana maintains a one-year prescriptive period from diagnosis, making prompt legal consultation essential for affected workers and families.

Key Facts
  • Avondale operated from 1938 to 2014 on the Mississippi River near New Orleans
  • Peak employment reached 26,000 workers during World War II
  • An estimated 30,000 workers were exposed to asbestos over 44 years
  • Workers handled materials containing up to 90% pure asbestos
  • Shipyard workers show a 5-fold increased mesothelioma risk vs. general population
  • Welders showed 34% increased lung cancer risk; machinists showed 60% increased risk
  • Legal verdicts have reached $5.57 million (Jones v. Huntington Ingalls, 2016)
  • Secondary exposure affected 11% of workers' wives who showed lung damage
  • Over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds available for eligible claimants
  • Average trust fund payouts total $300,000-$400,000 from multiple trusts

What Was Avondale Shipyard?

Founded in 1938 by James Viavant, Harry Koch, and Perry Ellis as Avondale Marine Ways with just 200 employees, the facility transformed from a modest Mississippi River barge repair operation into Louisiana's largest private employer with 26,000 workers at its World War II peak. The shipyard's ownership evolved through multiple corporate transitions: Ogden Corporation acquired it for $14 million in 1959, employees gained 70% ownership through one of America's largest ESOPs in 1985, Litton Industries absorbed it in 1999, and finally Northrop Grumman (later Huntington Ingalls) operated it until closure in 2014.

The facility expanded from its original Westwego location to encompass 254 acres with 8,000 feet of deep-water Mississippi River frontage, featuring an 81,000-ton drydock, a 600-ton floating crane, and 388,000 square feet of enclosed steel fabrication facilities. Between 1970 and 1992 alone, the shipyard invested over $258 million in facility improvements.

"In our experience representing Louisiana shipyard workers, facilities like Avondale represent some of the most severe occupational[1] exposure cases we encounter," explains Rod De Llano, Founding Partner at Danziger & De Llano. "The combination of heavy asbestos use and confined workspaces created extraordinarily dangerous conditions."

The end came swiftly after defense budget cuts: employment plummeted from 6,000 in 2001 to 644 by December 2013, with final closure in October 2014 when USS Somerset—the last Navy ship—departed that February.

What Vessels Did Avondale Build?

Avondale's naval defense contributions began with four tugboats for the U.S. Maritime Commission in 1941, rapidly expanding during World War II to produce 14 M3 coastal cargo ships, eight V4-M-A1 tugboats, and various destroyer escorts. The facility's most significant Cold War contribution was building 20 Knox-class frigates (FF-1078 through FF-1097) between 1967 and 1974, representing the final ships of this 46-vessel program and the largest class of U.S. naval combatants constructed since World War II.

The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock program delivered six vessels from 2000 to 2014:

  • USS San Antonio (LPD-17) commissioned January 2006
  • USS New Orleans (LPD-18) commissioned March 2007
  • USS New York (LPD-21), incorporating 24 tons of World Trade Center steel, commissioned November 2009
  • USS San Diego (LPD-22) commissioned May 2012
  • USS Anchorage (LPD-23) commissioned May 2013
  • USS Somerset (LPD-25), the final delivery

Each San Antonio-class ship measured 684 feet long, displaced 25,000 tons, and cost approximately $1.6 billion. Beyond these flagship programs, Avondale constructed all 12 Hamilton-class Coast Guard cutters (1967-1972), five Whidbey Island-class dock landing ships, all four Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ships, 14 of 16 Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet oilers, and over 1,000 LASH (Lighter Aboard Ship) barges that revolutionized global intermodal cargo transport.

What Asbestos Products Were Used at Avondale?

Workers at Avondale handled materials containing up to 90% pure asbestos, including Kaylo insulation manufactured by Owens-Illinois, lagging cloth for steam pipes, gaskets, floor tiles, adhesives, and fire-resistant blankets. Major asbestos suppliers to Avondale included:

  • Johns-Manville
  • Raybestos-Manhattan
  • Eagle Asbestos and Packing Company
  • McCarty Corporation
  • Owens-Illinois

These companies knew of asbestos dangers since the 1940s but failed to warn workers until the 1970s-1980s. Workers manufactured their own asbestos lagging on-site using only cloth rags for protection while working in ship compartments with virtually no ventilation.

"The evidence typically shows that these manufacturers had decades of internal research documenting the deadly effects of asbestos exposure[2]," notes David Foster, Client Advocate at Danziger & De Llano. "Their failure to warn workers forms the foundation for successful compensation claims."

The exposure conditions were catastrophic. Workers reported dust so thick they "couldn't see across the room." Insulators, pipefitters, and boilermakers worked in confined ship spaces where asbestos fibers accumulated to dangerous concentrations far exceeding any safe threshold.

Who Faced the Greatest Exposure Risk at Avondale?

Highest-Risk Occupations

Insulators faced the highest risk through direct handling of raw asbestos materials. They mixed asbestos powder, cut asbestos cloth, and applied insulation in confined ship compartments where fiber concentrations reached hazardous levels.

Pipefitters installed and repaired asbestos-insulated steam lines throughout vessels. The cutting, fitting, and removal of pipe insulation released massive quantities of airborne fibers.

Welders showed a 34% increased lung cancer risk according to occupational studies. Heat from welding operations caused nearby asbestos materials to release fibers, while welders frequently worked in proximity to insulation installation and removal.

Machinists demonstrated a 60% increased risk of lung cancer. Their work with asbestos-containing gaskets, brake materials, and equipment insulation created persistent exposure throughout their careers.

Boilermakers maintained and repaired high-heat equipment lined with asbestos insulation. Boiler work required disturbing aged asbestos materials, releasing millions of respirable fibers.

Electricians handled asbestos-containing wiring insulation and electrical components throughout ship construction and repair operations.

Secondary Exposure

A 1981 study found that 11% of workers' wives, 7.6% of sons, and 2.1% of daughters showed asbestos-related lung damage from fibers brought home on contaminated work clothes. This take-home exposure created an entire secondary victim population among Avondale workers' families.

"We've observed that family members often developed mesothelioma 30 to 40 years after their loved one worked at the shipyard," explains Anna Jackson, Client Advocate at Danziger & De Llano. "These secondary exposure cases remain fully compensable under Louisiana law."

What Are the Health Consequences of Avondale Asbestos Exposure?

The health statistics among Avondale workers are devastating. Shipyard workers show a 5-fold increased mesothelioma risk compared to the general population, 26-29% increased lung cancer rates, and asbestosis mortality 16 times greater than other occupations.

Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive cancer of the tissue lining the lungs and organs. The median latency period is 42.8 years, meaning workers exposed in the 1970s and 1980s continue developing fatal disease today.

Lung cancer occurs at significantly elevated rates among shipyard workers, particularly those exposed to both asbestos and tobacco smoke. The combination creates a multiplicative rather than additive risk increase.

Asbestosis is progressive lung scarring that worsens over time. Once diagnosed, the condition cannot be reversed and typically progresses even after exposure ends.

"The cruel latency period of asbestos diseases means that workers often don't realize they're sick until decades after their exposure ended," notes Rod De Llano, Founding Partner at Danziger & De Llano. "The good news is that Louisiana law recognizes this reality, and compensation remains available even for exposures that occurred 40 or 50 years ago."

The legal landscape surrounding Avondale asbestos litigation has produced landmark precedents and multi-million dollar verdicts:

Major Verdicts

Jones v. Huntington Ingalls (2016) resulted in a $5,570,000 judgment for Reginald Jones, who worked at Avondale for less than two weeks. This verdict demonstrated that even brief asbestos exposure can result in mesothelioma and substantial compensation.

Chaisson v. Avondale Industries (2006) established secondary exposure liability with a $3,910,580.50 verdict affirmed by Louisiana's Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal. Mrs. Chaisson developed mesothelioma from washing her pipefitter husband's contaminated work clothes.

The Latiolais v. Huntington Ingalls decision (951 F.3d 286, 5th Cir. 2020) fundamentally altered federal jurisdiction rules for government contractors. The Fifth Circuit adopted a broader "relating to" standard that expanded contractors' ability to remove cases to federal court.

Recent cases like LeBoeuf v. Huntington Ingalls (2025) continue testing government contractor immunity boundaries, with courts finding that Avondale had complete discretion regarding worker safety warnings that the Navy never prohibited.

"These verdicts demonstrate that Louisiana courts take asbestos exposure seriously," explains Paul Danziger, Founding Partner at Danziger & De Llano. "Even workers with relatively brief exposure have recovered multi-million dollar judgments when they develop mesothelioma."

What Compensation Is Available for Avondale Workers?

Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts

Over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds remain available from bankrupt asbestos manufacturers whose products were used at Avondale. Key trusts include:

  • Johns-Manville Trust - $2.5+ billion in assets
  • ASARCO Trust - $735+ million in assets
  • Owens-Illinois Trust - available for Kaylo insulation exposure
  • Raybestos-Manhattan Trust - available for gasket and friction product exposure

Individual trust claim values vary widely from $7,000 to $1.2+ million depending on exposure circumstances and disease severity. Average combined payouts from multiple trusts total $300,000-$400,000 for workers with documented mesothelioma.

Personal Injury Lawsuits

Workers may pursue lawsuits against asbestos manufacturers, equipment suppliers, and in some cases, the shipyard itself. Verdicts have reached over $5 million, while settlements typically range from $1 million to $1.4 million for mesothelioma cases.

Workers' Compensation

The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act provides workers' compensation coverage for shipyard workers. Recent Fifth Circuit precedent in Barrosse v. Huntington Ingalls created "twilight zone" exceptions allowing certain state law tort claims in addition to workers' compensation benefits.

"We help Avondale families pursue all available compensation sources simultaneously," notes Larry Gates, Client Advocate at Danziger & De Llano. "Trust fund claims can begin paying within 90 days while litigation proceeds, providing financial relief during a difficult time."

How Do Avondale Workers File Compensation Claims?

Louisiana maintains a one-year prescriptive period (statute of limitations) from the date a plaintiff knew or should have known of the injury and its connection to asbestos exposure. For wrongful death claims, the period runs from the date of death.

Required Documentation

Successful claims require:

  • Medical records confirming asbestos-related disease diagnosis
  • Employment history at Avondale with dates and job titles
  • Evidence of specific asbestos products encountered
  • Witness statements from coworkers if available
  • Documentation of the specific ships or projects worked on

Multi-Track Strategy

The optimal approach pursues multiple compensation sources:

  1. File trust fund claims immediately—these can pay within 90 days
  2. Pursue personal injury litigation against solvent defendants
  3. Claim workers' compensation benefits under LHWCA
  4. Apply for VA benefits if eligible as a veteran

"Time is critical in asbestos cases," emphasizes Rod De Llano, Founding Partner at Danziger & De Llano. "Louisiana's prescriptive period is shorter than many states, so families should consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible after diagnosis."

What Happened to the Avondale Site?

Following the 2014 closure, the economic impact devastated the regional economy: 5,000 direct jobs lost with average wages of $62,000 annually, triggering 10,000 additional indirect job losses for a total employment impact of 15,000 positions. The state lost $50 million annually in tax revenue.

The transformation into Avondale Global Gateway offers economic renewal. T. Parker Host and Hilco Redevelopment Partners purchased the site for $60 million in 2018 and invested $150 million in improvements. The Port of South Louisiana acquired it for $445 million in 2023. Projections show 4,500+ new jobs by 2027, $32 billion in total economic output, and nearly $1 billion in new tax revenue.

The site currently operates with 300 workers and 50 clients as a multimodal logistics hub connecting maritime, rail, and highway transport. While the environmental legacy includes pervasive asbestos contamination throughout the 254-acre site, private remediation efforts during redevelopment have addressed historical contamination.

How Does Secondary Exposure Affect Avondale Families?

Secondary or take-home exposure created thousands of additional victims beyond Avondale's direct workforce. Workers carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing, hair, and skin, exposing family members who never set foot in the shipyard.

The landmark Chaisson verdict confirmed that family members can pursue compensation for secondary exposure mesothelioma. Mrs. Chaisson received $3.91 million after developing the disease from washing her husband's work clothes during his tenure as an Avondale pipefitter.

"We've represented numerous spouses and children of Avondale workers who developed mesothelioma decades after their loved one's employment ended," notes Yvette Abrego, Client Advocate at Danziger & De Llano. "Louisiana courts have consistently recognized that these secondary exposure victims deserve full compensation."

Studies show that even household members with no direct shipyard contact faced measurable asbestos exposure. The 1981 study documenting lung damage in 11% of workers' wives demonstrates the widespread nature of take-home contamination from Avondale.

See Also

References

Page Author: Rod De Llano, Founding Partner, Danziger & De Llano, LLP

  1. ↑ Asbestos, CDC/NIOSH
  2. ↑ Maritime Industry, OSHA
  3. ↑ VA Asbestos Exposure, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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