Hunters Point Naval Shipyard
Executive Summary
Hunters Point Naval Shipyard stands as one of the most severe cases of occupational asbestos exposure in American industrial history, where over 18,000 workers built and repaired the Pacific Fleet's vessels while unknowingly inhaling lethal doses of asbestos that would claim their lives decades later. Operating on San Francisco Bay from 1867 through 1974, this 979-acre facility served as the backbone of American naval power in the Pacific, repairing over 600 vessels during World War II, loading the atomic bomb components onto the USS Indianapolis for Hiroshima, and housing the nation's largest nuclear research laboratory. According to epidemiological studies, shipyard workers at this facility experienced asbestosis mortality rates 16 times higher than workers in other occupations, with mesothelioma cases continuing to emerge today among former workers and their families.
The scale of asbestos contamination at Hunters Point was staggering. Surveys revealed that 139 of 145 buildings contained asbestos materials, and naval vessels contained between 30 and 500 tons of asbestos insulation each.[1] Industrial hygiene measurements documented exposure levels of 40 to 150 fibers per cubic centimeter during insulation work, representing concentrations up to 1,500 times current OSHA permissible exposure limits of 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter. Workers in virtually every trade faced catastrophic exposure: insulators, pipefitters, electricians, welders, boilermakers, and even laborers performing general maintenance breathed deadly fibers throughout their shifts.
The workforce composition at Hunters Point created a distinct demographic impact that continues affecting communities today. During World War II, the shipyard recruited over 6,000 African American workers from Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas as part of the Second Great Migration, expanding San Francisco's Black population by 665.8 percent between 1940 and 1945.[2] These workers, comprising over one-third of the peak workforce, faced housing discrimination that concentrated them in Hunters Point projects and the surrounding Bayview neighborhood. Their descendants continue experiencing elevated rates of respiratory disease, with a 2006 San Francisco Department of Public Health survey finding that 86 percent of babies born in Bayview developed severe asthma before kindergarten.
The legal and financial consequences of Hunters Point's asbestos crisis have generated settlements and verdicts ranging from $1 million to $34 million per individual case, drawing from over $30 billion currently available across 60-plus asbestos trust funds.[3] Former Hunters Point workers and their families can pursue multiple compensation pathways including trust fund claims averaging $300,000 to $400,000 in total recovery, mesothelioma lawsuits against surviving companies, VA benefits for military personnel, and wrongful death actions for surviving families. The 2008 case of Ulysses Collins, a welder at Hunters Point from 1960 to 1973 who died from mesothelioma, resulted in a $10.038 million verdict against Plant Insulation Company, demonstrating that substantial compensation remains available for victims willing to pursue their legal rights.
At a Glance
- 96% building contamination rate — 139 of 145 buildings surveyed at Hunters Point contained asbestos-containing materials
- 1,500x above OSHA limits — airborne fiber concentrations during insulation work reached 40-150 fibers per cubic centimeter versus the current 0.1 f/cc standard
- 16x asbestosis mortality — shipyard workers died from asbestosis at sixteen times the rate of the general working population
- 30-500 tons per vessel — every naval ship serviced at the yard contained massive quantities of asbestos insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing
- 6,000+ African American workers — recruited from Southern states during WWII, comprising one-third of the peak workforce and disproportionately exposed
- $10 million Collins verdict — the 2008 jury award for a Hunters Point welder confirmed ongoing legal viability for former workers decades after exposure
- $97 million cleanup fraud settlement — Tetra Tech falsified radiation testing data across entire site parcels between 2006 and 2012
- 866-acre Superfund site — EPA designation since 1989 covers virtually the entire former shipyard property
- 20-40 year latency — mesothelioma diagnoses continue emerging among workers who left the shipyard in the 1960s and 1970s
Key Facts
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Peak Workforce | 18,235 workers at height of WWII operations (August 1945) — U.S. Navy historical records |
| Operating Period | 1867-1974; Navy ownership from December 29, 1939 through 1974[4] |
| Asbestosis Mortality | Workers experienced death rates 16 times higher than other occupations — epidemiological cohort studies[5] |
| Airborne Exposure Levels | 40-150 fibers per cubic centimeter during insulation work (400-1,500x OSHA PEL) — industrial hygiene surveys[6] |
| Building Contamination | 139 of 145 buildings surveyed contained ACM (96%) — EPA site assessment[4] |
| WWII Vessel Repairs | Over 600 combat-damaged vessels repaired during Pacific Theater operations |
| African American Workforce | Over 6,000 workers recruited from Southern states, comprising one-third of peak workforce[2] |
| Available Compensation | $30+ billion across 60+ active trust funds; individual verdicts reaching $10-34 million[3] |
| EPA Superfund Designation | Listed 1989, covering 866 acres of contaminated land — EPA National Priorities List[4] |
| Cleanup Fraud Settlement | $97 million paid by Tetra Tech (January 2025) after falsifying radiation data 2006-2012[7] |
| On-Site Asbestos Inventory | 30,000 pounds of asbestos materials stored on-site; 220,000+ sq ft removed during 1990 cleanup — Navy remediation records[4] |
| Latency Period | Mesothelioma cases continue emerging 20-40 years after initial exposure[8] |
What Types of Asbestos Exposure Occurred at Hunters Point?
Asbestos contaminated virtually every aspect of Hunters Point Naval Shipyard operations from the 1930s through the 1970s, creating exposure conditions that rank among the most hazardous in American industrial history.[6] The facility stored 30,000 pounds of asbestos materials on-site, while the naval vessels serviced there contained between 30 and 500 tons of asbestos insulation each. During 1990 cleanup operations alone, crews removed over 220,000 square feet of asbestos-containing materials from buildings, illustrating the massive scale of contamination that workers encountered daily for decades.
Asbestos insulation was used extensively throughout the shipyard in thermal insulation for piping and boilers, mechanical insulation for turbines and pumps, thousands of gaskets throughout ships, fireproofing for hulls and bulkheads, and electrical system components.[5] Plant Insulation Company served as the exclusive Northern California supplier of thermal insulation products manufactured by companies including Pabco/Fibreboard and Johns-Manville, delivering materials that would eventually generate billions in liability claims against those manufacturers.
Workers across all trades faced significant exposure risks. Insulators handled raw asbestos materials directly, pipefitters cut and fitted asbestos-wrapped piping, welders burned through asbestos insulation during repair work, and boilermakers operated inside confined boiler spaces lined with asbestos blankets.[9] Even workers not directly handling asbestos products breathed airborne fibers generated by nearby operations in the enclosed ship compartments.
Secondary exposure extended the health impact beyond the shipyard itself. Workers carried asbestos fibers home on their clothing, hair, and skin, exposing family members to the same deadly materials.[10] Wives who laundered work clothes and children who greeted their parents at the door inhaled fibers that have been linked to mesothelioma diagnoses decades later.
What Compensation Is Available for Hunters Point Workers?
The legal aftermath of Hunters Point's asbestos crisis has generated substantial compensation for victims and their families, with settlements and verdicts ranging from $1 million to $34 million per individual case.[11] Former workers can access multiple compensation pathways simultaneously, and pursuing one type of claim does not reduce eligibility for others.
Primary Compensation Sources:
Asbestos trust funds currently hold over $30 billion across 60-plus active trusts established by bankrupt asbestos companies.[3] Trust fund claims typically process within 90 days and average $300,000 to $400,000 in total recovery across multiple trusts. Major manufacturers linked to Hunters Point through litigation include Armstrong, Babcock & Wilcox, Fibreboard, Owens Corning, Pittsburgh Corning, and Western MacArthur, many of which established bankruptcy trusts paying median claims of $180,000.
Mesothelioma lawsuits against surviving companies have produced substantial verdicts for Hunters Point workers. The 2008 case of Ulysses Collins, a welder at Hunters Point from 1960 to 1973 who died from mesothelioma, resulted in a $10.038 million verdict against Plant Insulation Company.[11] California juries have awarded numerous multi-million dollar verdicts in shipyard asbestos cases.
| Veterans Benefits: Navy veterans and civilian workers at Hunters Point may qualify for VA benefits including disability compensation exceeding $3,700 per month, healthcare through VA medical facilities, and Aid & Attendance benefits for those requiring assistance with daily activities. These benefits are separate from and in addition to trust fund claims and civil lawsuits.[12] |
Wrongful death actions allow surviving family members to pursue compensation after a loved one's mesothelioma death. California law permits recovery for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost income, and loss of companionship.[13] Workers' compensation claims provide another avenue for those who developed mesothelioma during their employment at Hunters Point.
Why Is the Superfund Cleanup at Hunters Point Controversial?
The EPA's 1989 Superfund designation of Hunters Point reflected contamination extending far beyond asbestos to include radioactive materials from nuclear operations, chemical contamination from decades of industrial activity, and naturally occurring serpentine asbestos in soil.[4] The Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory's operations left widespread radioactive contamination, while routine shipyard operations deposited petroleum fuels, pesticides, heavy metals, PCBs, and volatile organic compounds throughout the 866-acre site.
The cleanup process became mired in scandal when Department of Justice investigations revealed that Tetra Tech EC Inc., the primary remediation contractor, had falsified radiation data between 2006 and 2012. Two supervisors received prison sentences in 2018, and Tetra Tech paid a $97 million settlement in January 2025 after whistleblowers exposed that up to 97 percent of data from certain parcels was fraudulent.[7] Tetra Tech had been paid more than $250 million in Navy contracts for its remediation work at the site, and the fraud destroyed community trust in the cleanup process.[14]
CalEnviroScreen 4.0 ranks Bayview-Hunters Point among California's most pollution-burdened communities, with PM 2.5 levels at the 89th percentile and asthma rates at the 96th percentile, as documented by community air monitoring organizations.[15] Residents experience higher rates of cancer, lung disease, and cardiovascular conditions alongside lower life expectancies.[16] Current remediation continues with underwater Parcel F work scheduled for 2027 at over $30 million, while rising sea levels from climate change threaten to mobilize buried contamination that could affect future generations.
How Can Hunters Point Workers and Families Pursue Claims?
If you or a family member worked at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard between 1939 and 1974, you may be eligible for substantial compensation even decades after exposure occurred.[17] The prolonged latency period for mesothelioma means that workers who left the shipyard in the 1970s are now entering the peak risk period for diagnosis, and claims remain viable many years after employment ended.
Documents That Strengthen Your Claim:
Employment records from Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, including dates of service, job titles, and work locations, provide the foundation for establishing exposure history. Veterans can request military service records including DD-214 discharge papers through the National Archives.[18] Medical records including pathology reports with mesothelioma diagnosis, imaging studies, and treatment documentation establish the connection between exposure and disease. Coworker testimony from others who worked alongside you can corroborate exposure conditions when written records are incomplete.
| "When families first contact us after a mesothelioma diagnosis, they're often overwhelmed by medical decisions and don't know where to begin with legal questions. We start by gathering employment records and building a complete picture of exposure history — work that helps identify all the companies whose products contributed to the disease and whose trust funds may provide compensation." |
| — Paul Danziger, Founding Partner, Danziger & De Llano |
Experienced mesothelioma attorneys work with industrial hygienists and medical experts to document exposure patterns and establish the connection between workplace conditions and disease development.[19] Legal representation typically operates on a contingency basis, meaning families pay no upfront costs and attorney fees come only from successful recoveries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What asbestos-related diseases have been linked to Hunters Point Naval Shipyard?
Workers at Hunters Point have been diagnosed with mesothelioma (cancer of the lung lining), asbestosis (progressive lung scarring), lung cancer, and other asbestos-related respiratory diseases. The 16x higher asbestosis mortality rate documented among shipyard workers reflects the extreme exposure levels present at the facility. Mesothelioma cases continue to appear 20-40 years after original exposure due to the disease's long latency period.[8]
Can family members of Hunters Point workers file asbestos claims?
Yes. Family members who developed mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases through secondary exposure — typically from laundering contaminated work clothes or living with a shipyard worker — have successfully pursued legal claims.[10] Wrongful death claims are also available to surviving family members when a former worker dies from an asbestos-related disease.
How long do I have to file a claim after a mesothelioma diagnosis?
California's statute of limitations for personal injury asbestos claims is generally one year from the date of diagnosis, though wrongful death claims have a two-year filing window from the date of death.[13] Because these deadlines are strictly enforced, contacting an experienced mesothelioma attorney promptly after diagnosis is critical to preserving your legal rights.
What compensation can Hunters Point workers expect to receive?
Compensation varies based on diagnosis, exposure history, and the number of responsible companies identified. Individual verdicts for Hunters Point workers have ranged from $1 million to $34 million, while trust fund claims across multiple trusts typically total $300,000 to $400,000.[3] Veterans may also receive VA disability benefits exceeding $3,700 per month in addition to trust fund and lawsuit recoveries.
Is it too late to file a claim if I worked at Hunters Point decades ago?
No. The statute of limitations does not begin running until you are diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, not from when exposure occurred. Workers who left Hunters Point in the 1960s and 1970s are now entering the peak diagnostic period for mesothelioma, and claims remain fully viable regardless of how long ago employment ended.[17]
Does the Superfund cleanup affect my ability to file an asbestos claim?
The EPA Superfund cleanup at Hunters Point addresses environmental contamination of the site itself and does not affect individual workers' rights to pursue personal injury or wrongful death claims against asbestos product manufacturers and suppliers.[4] These are separate legal processes, and workers can pursue compensation through trust funds, lawsuits, and VA benefits regardless of the cleanup status.
What evidence do I need to prove I worked at Hunters Point?
Useful evidence includes employment records, pay stubs, union membership records, Social Security earnings records, and coworker affidavits. Veterans can also request DD-214 military discharge papers through the National Archives.[18] Experienced mesothelioma law firms maintain databases of Hunters Point contractors and product manufacturers that can help establish exposure even when personal records are incomplete.
Quick Statistics
- 30,000 pounds of bulk asbestos materials stored on-site throughout the shipyard's operational period[1]
- 220,000+ square feet of asbestos-containing materials removed during 1990 remediation efforts alone — Navy remediation records
- 665.8% increase in San Francisco's African American population between 1940 and 1945, driven largely by Hunters Point recruitment[2]
- 86% of babies born in the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood developed severe asthma before kindergarten (2006 SFDPH survey)
- $250 million in Navy remediation contracts awarded to Tetra Tech, whose cleanup data was later found to be fraudulent[7]
- 2 prison sentences handed down to Tetra Tech supervisors for falsifying radiation safety data in 2018
- $34 million — highest reported individual mesothelioma verdict for a California shipyard asbestos case[11]
- 90-day average processing time for asbestos trust fund claims once documentation is submitted[3]
- 0.1 f/cc — current OSHA permissible exposure limit, compared to 40-150 f/cc measured at Hunters Point during operations[6]
Get Help
If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, experienced attorneys can help you explore your legal options.
- Free Case Evaluation — Contact Danziger & De Llano or call (855) 699-5441
- Find a Mesothelioma Attorney — Mesothelioma Lawyers Near Me
- Patient Resources — Mesothelioma.net
Related Pages
- Shipyard Exposure Index — Complete database of documented shipyard asbestos exposure sites across the United States
- Long Beach Naval Shipyard — California naval facility with similar WWII-era asbestos exposure patterns
- Mare Island Naval Shipyard — Bay Area sister facility operating across San Pablo Bay from Hunters Point
- Norfolk Naval Shipyard — East Coast counterpart with 43,000 peak WWII workers and extensive asbestos contamination
- Insulation Workers — Highest-risk occupation at Hunters Point with 46x elevated mortality rate
- Boilermakers — Extreme-risk trade working in confined asbestos-lined boiler compartments aboard naval vessels
- Welders — High-risk trade exposed when cutting through asbestos insulation during ship repair operations
- Asbestos Trust Funds — Overview of 60+ active bankruptcy trusts holding $30+ billion for mesothelioma victims
- Veterans Benefits — Complete guide to VA disability, DIC payments, and Aid & Attendance for veterans with mesothelioma
- Secondary Exposure — How family members of shipyard workers developed asbestos-related diseases from take-home fibers
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Learn About Asbestos, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Asbestos Toxicity: What Is Asbestos?, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Mesothelioma and Asbestos Trust Fund Payouts Guide, Danziger & De Llano
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, EPA Superfund Site Information
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Asbestos, CDC/NIOSH
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Asbestos, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Lawsuit in SF Hunters Point Shipyard Results in $97M Settlement, SF Standard, January 17, 2025
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Malignant Mesothelioma, StatPearls, National Library of Medicine
- ↑ Asbestos Exposure, Mesothelioma Lawyer Center
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Secondary Asbestos Exposure, Mesothelioma.net
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Mesothelioma Settlements, Danziger & De Llano
- ↑ 2024 VA Disability Compensation Rates, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Mesothelioma Lawsuits, Mesothelioma Lawyer Center
- ↑ Former Tetra Tech Workers Sentenced for Falsifying Records in Hunters Point Radiation Cleanup, NBC Bay Area, 2018
- ↑ About Us — Air Monitoring Program, All Things Bayview. Community environmental justice organization documenting PM 2.5 (89th percentile) and asthma rates (96th percentile) in Bayview-Hunters Point using CalEnviroScreen 4.0 data.
- ↑ Declaring a Public Health Crisis at the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, Doximity Op-Med, citing San Francisco Department of Public Health community health data
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 How to File a VA Disability Claim, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Get Your Military Service Records, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- ↑ Top-Rated Mesothelioma Lawyers, Danziger & De Llano