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Ingalls Shipbuilding

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Ingalls Shipbuilding
Largest U.S. Navy surface vessel builder (est. 1938)
Location Pascagoula, MS
Peak Employment 27,280 (1977)
Current Status Active (Huntington Ingalls)
Navy Share 60% of ships (1975-80)
Exposure Level 200x OSHA limit
Risk Level Extreme
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Executive Summary

Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi represents one of the most significant occupational[1] asbestos exposure[2] sites in American industrial history. 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. 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. Mississippi provides a 3-year statute of limitations from diagnosis.

Key Facts
  • Ingalls Shipbuilding has operated since 1938 in Pascagoula, Mississippi
  • Peak employment reached 27,280 workers in 1977
  • Built over 250 major naval vessels across 85 years
  • Asbestos concentrations reached 4-20 f/cc—up to 200x current OSHA limits
  • Workers face mesothelioma rates 5-6x higher than general population
  • Shipyard workers are 15x more likely to die from asbestosis than other workers
  • Delivered 60% of all U.S. Navy ships constructed 1975-1980
  • Approximately 3,100 asbestos claims filed by 1991
  • Landmark Overly v. Ingalls verdict awarded $890,000
  • Mississippi has 3-year statute of limitations from diagnosis

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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 standardized mortality ratio of 5.07 (95% CI: 1.85-11.03)
  • Increasing to 6.27 for workers employed ≥10 years
  • Lung cancer SMR reached 1.26 (95% CI: 1.12-1.41) among male shipyard workers
  • Machinists showed SMR of 1.60
  • Shipfitters showed SMR of 1.34

Shipyard workers proved 15 times more likely to die from asbestosis compared to other occupations according to NIOSH findings. 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.

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."

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

What Compensation Is Available for Ingalls Workers?

Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts

Over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds exist nationally, with former Ingalls workers eligible for claims against multiple manufacturer trusts including:

  • 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.

VA Benefits

Veterans account for approximately 30% of all U.S. mesothelioma cases, with many exposed during service on Ingalls-built vessels. Veterans receive automatic 100% disability ratings for mesothelioma, providing $4,044.91+ monthly plus full VA healthcare.

"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

  1. File trust fund claims immediately—these can pay within 90 days
  2. Pursue personal injury litigation against solvent defendants
  3. Apply for VA benefits if eligible as a veteran
  4. 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 Michelle Whitman, Attorney at Danziger & De Llano. "We work on contingency with no upfront costs."

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 (31 of 274)
  • 7.6% of sons (6 of 79)
  • 2.1% of daughters (3 of 140)

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. Many affected families have known each other for generations, connected by their shared employment at the yard and, tragically, by their shared diagnoses.

See Also

References

Page Author: Anna Jackson, Client Advocate, 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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