Ingalls Shipbuilding
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Executive Summary
Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi represents one of the most significant occupational asbestos exposure sites in American industrial history.[1] From its founding in 1938 to its current position as the nation's largest supplier of U.S. Navy surface vessels, the facility exposed tens of thousands of workers to dangerous asbestos levels, with documented fiber concentrations reaching 4-20 fibers per cubic centimeter — up to 200 times current safety limits.[2] The shipyard revolutionized global shipbuilding with the SS Exchequer in 1940, the world's first ship with an all-welded steel hull, while simultaneously creating ideal conditions for asbestos dust accumulation in confined compartments.
Employment peaked at 27,280 workers in 1977, with the shipyard delivering 60% of all U.S. Navy ships constructed between 1975-1980. Major construction programs included all 31 Spruance-class destroyers, 19 Ticonderoga-class cruisers, and the five massive Tarawa-class amphibious assault ships — all built during peak asbestos use periods. Workers are diagnosed with mesothelioma at rates 5-6 times higher than the general population, with median latency periods of 42.8 years ensuring new cases will emerge for decades among workers exposed during the 1960s through 1980s.
The legal landscape for Ingalls workers has produced significant compensation. A landmark verdict awarded $890,000 in the Overly v. Ingalls case, establishing premises liability for shipyard operators who knew or should have known about asbestos dangers. By 1991, approximately 3,100 asbestos claims had been filed against Ingalls, with recent cases continuing as latency periods expire. Over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds remain available for eligible claimants, with mesothelioma settlements averaging $1-1.4 million and trust fund payouts averaging $300,000-$400,000 from multiple trusts.[3] Mississippi provides a 3-year statute of limitations from diagnosis.
At-a-Glance
- Largest Navy surface ship builder — Ingalls has delivered 60% of all U.S. Navy surface combatants since 1975, making it the single largest source of shipyard asbestos exposure cases in the Gulf Coast region
- 27,280 workers at peak — Employment in 1977 was roughly triple that of comparable Gulf Coast yards, concentrating exposure across an enormous workforce over multiple decades
- Fiber levels 200x the legal limit — Documented asbestos concentrations of 4-20 fibers per cubic centimeter dwarf the current OSHA standard of 0.1 f/cc, placing Ingalls among the most hazardous industrial environments ever recorded
- Mesothelioma rate 5-6x the general population — Ingalls workers develop mesothelioma at rates far exceeding the national baseline, comparable to the most extreme shipyard cohorts studied
- 42.8-year average latency — Workers exposed during the 1970s peak are only now receiving diagnoses, meaning new cases will continue emerging through the 2020s and beyond
- $890,000 landmark verdict — The Overly v. Ingalls ruling established premises liability for shipyard operators, opening the door for thousands of subsequent claims
- 3,100+ claims filed by 1991 — Litigation volume exceeded that of most individual shipyard defendants, with cases still being filed more than 30 years later
- Over $30 billion in trust funds — Multiple manufacturer trusts remain available to Ingalls workers, with average combined payouts of $300,000-$400,000 per claimant
- Mississippi 3-year filing deadline — The statute of limitations begins at diagnosis, giving workers a defined but limited window to pursue compensation
Key Facts
| Metric | Finding |
|---|---|
| Years of Operation | 1938 to present (87 years) |
| Peak Employment | 27,280 workers (1977) |
| Vessels Built | Over 250 major naval vessels |
| Asbestos Fiber Levels | 4-20 f/cc (up to 200x current OSHA limit of 0.1 f/cc) |
| Mesothelioma Risk | 5-6x higher than the general population |
| Asbestosis Mortality | 15x higher than other occupations |
| Navy Production Share | 60% of all U.S. Navy ships constructed 1975-1980 |
| Asbestos Claims Filed | Approximately 3,100 by 1991 |
| Landmark Verdict | $890,000 (Overly v. Ingalls, 1996) |
| Statute of Limitations | 3 years from diagnosis (Mississippi) |
| Trust Funds Available | Over $30 billion nationally |
| Average Trust Payouts | $300,000-$400,000 from multiple trusts |
What Is Ingalls Shipbuilding?
Robert Ingersoll Ingalls Sr. founded Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation in 1938 on 160 acres along the Pascagoula River, revolutionizing global shipbuilding with the SS Exchequer in 1940 — the world's first ship with an all-welded steel hull. This innovation eliminated traditional overlapped and riveted construction, establishing a new industry standard while inadvertently creating ideal conditions for asbestos dust accumulation in confined spaces.[4]
Corporate Evolution
- 1938 - Robert Ingalls founded the company on 160 acres
- 1961 - Litton Industries acquired Ingalls for $8 million
- 1968 - Construction began on revolutionary "shipyard of the future" on west bank
- 2001 - Northrop Grumman acquired Litton Industries
- 2011 - Huntington Ingalls Industries spun off as independent company
The facility expanded rapidly during World War II, building over 60 ships while employing 10,000-15,000 workers who worked around the clock in three shifts. Pascagoula's population exploded from under 4,000 to nearly 38,000 during the war. Employment peaked at 27,280 workers in 1977 as Ingalls delivered 60% of all U.S. Navy ships constructed between 1975-1980.[5]
"Ingalls represents one of the largest concentrations of shipyard asbestos exposure in American history," explains Rod De Llano, Founding Partner at Danziger & De Llano. "The facility's 85-year operation means that tens of thousands of workers and their families remain eligible for compensation."
Today, Huntington Ingalls Industries operates Ingalls as Mississippi's largest manufacturing employer with 11,000+ workers building four ship classes simultaneously under $11.5 billion in Navy contracts awarded in 2024 alone.
What Vessels Did Ingalls Build?
Ingalls has produced over 250 major naval vessels, with construction concentrated during peak asbestos use periods.[6]
Destroyer Programs
All 31 Spruance-class destroyers (1972-1983) represented a $4.2 billion contract that coincided with peak asbestos use. These gas turbine-powered vessels required extensive insulation around propulsion systems, exposing workers to asbestos-lined compartments throughout construction.
19 Ticonderoga-class cruisers (1980-1994) represented the first surface ships with Aegis Combat Systems. Workers installing 400 miles of cable and 80 miles of pipe per vessel faced continuous fiber exposure in confined spaces.
35+ Arleigh Burke-class destroyers (1988-present) began after asbestos phase-out, though repair work on older vessels continues exposure risks.
Amphibious Vessels
The five Tarawa-class amphibious assault ships (1971-1980) each required 20,000+ tons of steel and extensive asbestos insulation throughout engine rooms, boiler compartments, and crew quarters. Workers described dust so thick it made them look "like a snowman" covered in white asbestos fibers.
Submarines
12 nuclear-powered attack submarines built between 1961-1980, including USS Sculpin and USS Snook as the first nuclear submarines, concentrated asbestos around reactor compartments.[7]
What Were Asbestos Exposure Levels at Ingalls?
Workers encountered asbestos through products from major manufacturers including Johns-Manville (Thermobestos, Superex insulation), Owens-Corning (Kaylo containing 20% asbestos), and W.R. Grace (Zonolite, Monokote brands).[8][9][10]
Documented Exposure Levels
Insulators faced the highest exposures at 4-20 f/cc while installing and removing materials — up to 200 times current OSHA limits of 0.1 f/cc.
Boilermakers worked in confined spaces with asbestos-lined systems at dangerous concentrations.
Pipefitters cutting and fitting insulation exceeded safe exposure levels by factors of 20-200.
Electricians pulled wire through asbestos-filled spaces in ship compartments.
Welders used asbestos protective equipment while working near insulation materials.
Court testimony in the Overly v. Ingalls case confirmed: "no one ever told him at Ingalls about the dangers of asbestos, nor were there any warning signs. Robert also said he was never offered protective gear, such as a respirator mask or safety clothing."
"The evidence shows that despite the U.S. Maritime Commission sending shipyards warnings about asbestos dangers in 1942, Ingalls provided no respirators, protective clothing, or hazard warnings through the 1970s," notes David Foster, Client Advocate at Danziger & De Llano.[11]
Who Faced the Greatest Exposure Risk at Ingalls?
Highest-Risk Occupations
Insulators faced exposures of 4-20 fibers per cubic centimeter while installing and removing asbestos materials — 40 to 200 times current safety limits.
Boilermakers worked in confined spaces with asbestos-lined boiler systems and minimal ventilation.
Pipefitters generated massive fiber releases while cutting, fitting, and maintaining asbestos-insulated piping systems.
Electricians pulled wire through asbestos-filled spaces throughout ship compartments.
Welders used asbestos protective equipment and worked near insulation materials that released fibers when heated.
Shipfitters worked throughout vessels where asbestos dust accumulated in confined spaces.[12]
Working Conditions
Ship compartments including double bottom tanks, cofferdams, engine rooms, and between-deck spaces operated without mechanical ventilation, allowing asbestos dust to accumulate at levels that "overloaded sampling devices" according to OSHA documentation.[2]
Industrial hygiene studies documented average fiber concentrations two-fold greater in U.S. shipyards compared to other industrial settings.
"Workers describe dust so thick it reduced visibility in ship compartments," explains Anna Jackson, Client Advocate at Danziger & De Llano. "The exposure was essentially inescapable in these confined spaces."
What Are the Health Consequences for Ingalls Workers?
A comprehensive study of 4,702 Coast Guard shipyard workers employed 1950-1964 with follow-up through 2001 found mesothelioma mortality more than 5 times the expected rate, increasing to more than 6 times for workers employed 10 years or longer. Lung cancer mortality was elevated by 26% among male shipyard workers, with machinists showing a 60% increase and shipfitters showing a 34% increase.
Shipyard workers proved 15 times more likely to die from asbestosis compared to other occupations according to NIOSH findings.[1] Mississippi recorded 281 mesothelioma deaths from 1999-2015, with the highest mortality rates concentrated along the Gulf Coast where Ingalls operates.
Latency Period
The median latency period of 42.8 years for mesothelioma (range: 9.3-50 years) ensures continuing diagnoses decades after exposure ceased. Workers exposed during the 1970s peak period are only now developing symptoms.
"The continuing emergence of mesothelioma cases four decades after exposure underscores why compensation remains available," notes Rod De Llano, Founding Partner at Danziger & De Llano.
What Legal Verdicts Have Ingalls Workers Received?
Landmark Cases
Overly v. Ingalls Shipbuilding (1996) resulted in an $890,000 verdict after Robert Overly developed mesothelioma from 1960-1964 exposure as a Westinghouse field engineer at Ingalls. The jury apportioned fault finding Ingalls 4% liable, Westinghouse 50%, Avondale Industries 10%, and other manufacturers 36%, establishing premises liability for shipyard operators who "knew or should have known about the dangers of asbestos."[13]
Yates v. Ingalls Shipbuilding reached the U.S. Supreme Court (519 U.S. 248, 1997) addressing Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act preemption issues after the shipfitter developed asbestosis during 10+ years at Ingalls.
Litigation Volume
By 1991, approximately 3,100 asbestos claims had been filed against Ingalls, with over 90% being "protective filings" by workers showing pulmonary changes but no current disability. Recent cases including LeBeau v. Huntington Ingalls (2023) and Cadiere v. Huntington Ingalls (2023) demonstrate ongoing litigation as latency periods expire for 1970s-1980s exposures.
Average Settlements
- Mesothelioma settlements average $1-1.4 million
- Verdicts average $2.4 million industry-wide
- Trust fund payouts average $300,000-$400,000 from multiple trusts[14]
What Compensation Is Available for Ingalls Workers?
Over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds exist nationally, with former Ingalls workers eligible for claims against multiple manufacturer trusts including:[15]
- Johns-Manville Trust - $2.5+ billion, Thermobestos and Superex products
- Owens-Corning Trust - Kaylo insulation products
- W.R. Grace Trust - Zonolite and Monokote brands
Workers can file claims against multiple trusts based on documented exposure to different manufacturers' products.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
Workers may pursue lawsuits against solvent defendants including equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and in some cases premises owners. Verdicts have exceeded $2 million for mesothelioma cases.
Veterans account for approximately 30% of all U.S. mesothelioma cases, with many exposed during service on Ingalls-built vessels. Veterans typically qualify for a 100% VA disability rating for mesothelioma, providing $4,044.91+ monthly plus full VA healthcare.[16][17]
"The optimal approach pursues multiple compensation sources simultaneously," explains Larry Gates, Client Advocate at Danziger & De Llano. "Trust fund claims can begin paying within 90 days while litigation proceeds."
How Do Ingalls Workers File Compensation Claims?
Mississippi Statute of Limitations
Mississippi provides a 3-year statute of limitations from diagnosis for personal injury claims. The discovery rule starts the clock at diagnosis rather than exposure date.
Required Documentation
Successful claims require:
- Medical records confirming asbestos-related disease diagnosis
- Employment records from Ingalls with dates and job titles
- Evidence of specific asbestos products encountered
- Documentation of specific vessels worked on
- Witness statements from coworkers if available
Multi-Track Strategy
- File trust fund claims immediately — these can pay within 90 days
- Pursue personal injury litigation against solvent defendants
- Apply for VA benefits if eligible as a veteran
- Claim workers' compensation benefits under Longshore Act
"Time is critical in asbestos cases due to statutes of limitations and the health challenges our clients face," emphasizes Paul Danziger, Founding Partner at Danziger & De Llano. "We work on contingency with no upfront costs."[3]
How Did Secondary Exposure Affect Ingalls Families?
Workers brought fibers home on clothing, causing secondary exposure that affected thousands of family members. A landmark Los Angeles County study of 274 shipyard worker families found radiologic signs of asbestos disease in 11.3% of wives studied, 7.6% of sons, and 2.1% of daughters.[18]
All developed disease solely from asbestos fibers brought home on work clothing, with elevated risks for both mesothelioma and lung cancer persisting decades after initial exposure.
"We've represented numerous family members who developed mesothelioma from secondary exposure," notes Yvette Abrego, Client Advocate at Danziger & De Llano. "These cases require documentation of the household exposure pathway, but they remain fully compensable under Mississippi law."
What Is the Current Status of Ingalls Shipbuilding?
Huntington Ingalls Industries operates Ingalls as Mississippi's largest manufacturing employer with 11,000+ workers building four ship classes simultaneously. The company hired 3,000 new workers in 2021 and broke ground on nuclear submarine facilities in 2023.
Ships constructed today contain no asbestos, with OSHA compliance programs and mandatory safety protocols for any remaining legacy materials. However, legacy asbestos remains in pre-1980s buildings requiring containment protocols during maintenance and renovation.
Ongoing Health Impacts
New mesothelioma cases continue emerging among workers exposed during the 1938-1980s period. Southern Mississippi's Gulf Coast shows the state's highest mortality rates. Environmental contamination from historical disposal practices necessitates ongoing monitoring by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
OSHA cited Huntington Ingalls for 50 violations in 2011, proposing $176,444 in fines including $150,300 for 37 serious safety violations.
Community Impact
The health impact of Ingalls asbestos exposure extends throughout Mississippi's Gulf Coast communities. Workers from across the region commuted to Pascagoula for the well-paying shipyard jobs, bringing asbestos fibers home to families throughout southern Mississippi and neighboring Alabama and Louisiana. Mississippi recorded 281 mesothelioma deaths from 1999-2015, with the highest mortality rates concentrated along the Gulf Coast where Ingalls operates.
The economic transformation of Pascagoula — from a fishing village of under 4,000 residents before World War II to a shipbuilding center of nearly 38,000 during the war — created a concentrated workforce that faced common exposure risks and now shares common legal remedies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Ingalls Shipbuilding and why is it significant for asbestos exposure?
Ingalls Shipbuilding, founded in 1938 in Pascagoula, Mississippi, is the largest U.S. Navy surface vessel builder and one of the most significant asbestos exposure sites in American industrial history. The facility employed up to 27,280 workers at peak and built over 250 major naval vessels using extensive asbestos insulation, exposing tens of thousands of workers to fiber levels up to 200 times current OSHA safety limits.
How high were asbestos exposure levels at Ingalls?
Documented fiber concentrations at Ingalls reached 4-20 fibers per cubic centimeter, compared to the current OSHA permissible exposure limit of 0.1 f/cc. Insulators faced the highest levels, but boilermakers, pipefitters, electricians, welders, and shipfitters all worked in confined compartments where asbestos dust accumulated to dangerous concentrations that sometimes overwhelmed air sampling equipment.
What health risks do former Ingalls workers face?
Ingalls workers develop mesothelioma at 5-6 times the rate of the general population and are 15 times more likely to die from asbestosis than workers in other industries. Lung cancer rates are also significantly elevated, particularly among machinists and shipfitters. With a median latency period of 42.8 years, workers exposed during the 1960s-1980s continue receiving new diagnoses today.
Can family members of Ingalls workers file claims?
Yes. Secondary exposure through asbestos fibers carried home on work clothing has caused disease in workers' family members. Studies found radiologic signs of asbestos disease in 11.3% of shipyard workers' wives, 7.6% of sons, and 2.1% of daughters. These secondary exposure cases are fully compensable under Mississippi law.
What is the statute of limitations for Ingalls asbestos claims in Mississippi?
Mississippi provides a 3-year statute of limitations from the date of diagnosis for personal injury claims related to asbestos exposure. The discovery rule means the clock starts when the disease is diagnosed, not when the exposure occurred, which is essential given the 20-50 year latency period for asbestos diseases.
What compensation is available for former Ingalls workers?
Former Ingalls workers may pursue compensation through multiple channels: asbestos trust fund claims averaging $300,000-$400,000 from multiple trusts, personal injury lawsuits with mesothelioma settlements averaging $1-1.4 million, VA benefits providing $4,044.91+ monthly for veterans, and workers' compensation under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act.
What was the Overly v. Ingalls verdict?
In 1996, a jury awarded $890,000 to Robert Overly, a Westinghouse field engineer who developed mesothelioma after working at Ingalls from 1960-1964. The verdict established premises liability for shipyard operators, finding that Ingalls "knew or should have known about the dangers of asbestos" and failed to provide respirators, protective clothing, or hazard warnings.
Are asbestos claims still being filed against Ingalls?
Yes. Due to the 42.8-year median latency period, new mesothelioma cases continue to be diagnosed among workers exposed during the 1960s-1980s. Recent cases such as LeBeau v. Huntington Ingalls (2023) and Cadiere v. Huntington Ingalls (2023) demonstrate that litigation remains active, and over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds remain available for eligible claimants.
Quick Statistics
- 27,280 — Peak number of employees at Ingalls Shipbuilding in 1977[5]
- 250+ — Major naval vessels built at Ingalls over 87 years of operation
- 200x — Factor by which documented asbestos levels exceeded the current OSHA limit[2]
- 5-6x — Elevated mesothelioma risk for Ingalls workers compared to the general population
- 15x — Increased asbestosis mortality rate for shipyard workers versus other occupations[1]
- 42.8 years — Median latency period between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma diagnosis
- 3,100 — Approximate number of asbestos claims filed against Ingalls by 1991
- $890,000 — Landmark Overly v. Ingalls verdict establishing premises liability (1996)
- $30+ billion — Total asbestos trust fund assets remaining nationally for eligible claimants[15]
- 3 years — Mississippi statute of limitations from diagnosis for asbestos personal injury claims
Get Help
If you or a loved one worked at Ingalls Shipbuilding and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, experienced attorneys can help you pursue compensation at no upfront cost.
- Free case evaluation: Danziger & De Llano — Call (855) 699-5441 for a confidential consultation
- Find an attorney: Mesothelioma Lawyers Near Me — Nationwide attorney directory and case evaluation quiz
- Patient resources: Mesothelioma.net — Treatment information, support resources, and veteran assistance
Related Pages
- Avondale Shipyard — Gulf Coast shipyard also operated by Huntington Ingalls Industries
- Alabama Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company — Gulf Coast shipyard with similar exposure history
- Tampa Bay Shipbuilding Company — Gulf Coast commercial shipyard
- Todd Shipyards — Major commercial shipbuilder
- Norfolk Naval Shipyard — Major Navy shipyard with extensive asbestos use
- Electricians and Asbestos Exposure — High-risk occupation at shipyards
- Plumbers and Pipefitters — Occupational exposure profile
- Asbestos Trust Funds — Compensation from bankrupt asbestos manufacturers
- Veterans Benefits — VA benefits for asbestos-related diseases
- Secondary Exposure — Family member exposure from contaminated work clothing
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Asbestos, CDC/NIOSH
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Maritime Industry, OSHA
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Mesothelioma Compensation, Danziger & De Llano
- ↑ Mesothelioma Risk: Shipyard, Oil & Construction Workers, Danziger & De Llano
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Legal Support for Ingalls Shipbuilding Workers, Mesothelioma Lawyer Center
- ↑ Shipyards & Dockyards Explained, Mesothelioma Lawyer Center
- ↑ Johns-Manville: Asbestos Use, Lawsuit and Trust Fund, Mesothelioma Lawyer Center
- ↑ Owens Corning Corporation: Asbestos Products and Trust Fund, Mesothelioma Lawyer Center
- ↑ W.R. Grace & Co.: Asbestos Exposure, Lawsuits, Trust, Mesothelioma Lawyer Center
- ↑ Asbestos Exposure Lawyers, Danziger & De Llano
- ↑ Shipyard Workers and Asbestos Exposure, Mesothelioma.net
- ↑ Nationwide Mesothelioma Lawyers, Danziger & De Llano
- ↑ Mesothelioma Settlements, Danziger & De Llano
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Mesothelioma and Asbestos Trust Fund Payouts Guide, Danziger & De Llano
- ↑ VA Asbestos Exposure, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- ↑ Mesothelioma and Veterans: VA Benefits and Healthcare, Mesothelioma.net
- ↑ Secondary Exposure to Asbestos: Risks and Legal Rights, Danziger & De Llano
Page Author: Anna Jackson, Client Advocate, Danziger & De Llano, LLP