Todd Shipyards

Todd Shipyards
	America's largest independent shipbuilder (1916-2011)
Location	12+ U.S. facilities
Peak Employment	57,000 (WWII)
Current Status	Bankrupt (1987)
Vessels Built	1,000+ ships
Asbestosis Risk	22x higher
Risk Level	Extreme
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Executive Summary

Todd Shipyards Corporation exposed tens of thousands of workers to deadly asbestos fibers across its century-long operations (1916-2011), operating 12+ major shipyards nationwide from Brooklyn, New York to Seattle, Washington and building over 1,000 vessels while using 24-465 tons of asbestos per ship. Founded through William H. Todd's 1916 acquisition of multiple existing yards, including the historic Erie Basin facility in Brooklyn where the USS Monitor's engines were built, Todd became America's largest independent shipbuilder with facilities spanning both coasts and the Gulf of Mexico. During World War II, Todd employed 57,000 workers at peak, building over 1,000 vessels including 45 destroyers, 56 escort carriers, and 208 Liberty ships while repairing 23,000 additional ships, ranking 26th among U.S. corporations in wartime production value.

Workers face devastating health consequences from Todd exposure. Epidemiological studies document a 22-fold increased risk of asbestosis death and 6-fold increased risk of mesothelioma among shipyard workers. Insulators faced fiber concentrations of 2-20 fibers per cubic centimeter—up to 200 times current OSHA limits—while even laborers tasked with cleanup faced the highest exposures among non-specialist trades at 2-10 fibers/cc. The company's 1987 bankruptcy filing demonstrated the massive financial impact of asbestos liabilities, with the company facing almost 500 asbestos claims by 2010 and eventual acquisition by Vigor Industrial for $130 million in 2011.

Multiple compensation pathways remain available for Todd workers. VA benefits provide up to $4,044.91 monthly for mesothelioma, while asbestos trust funds exceeding $30 billion offer average total recoveries of $300,000-$400,000 from multiple trusts. Third-party lawsuits average $1-5 million for mesothelioma cases, with the landmark George Kraemer case resulting in a $10 million award for secondary exposure from a father's work clothes at Todd Seattle during the 1940s. Maritime workers can pursue Jones Act claims if they spent 30%+ time on vessels, accessing full damages without compensation caps.

Key Facts
Todd Shipyards operated 12+ major facilities nationwide (1916-2011) Peak employment reached 57,000 workers during World War II Built 1,000+ vessels and repaired 23,000 ships during WWII WWII destroyers contained 24-30 long tons of asbestos; battleships up to 465 tons Workers face 22x increased risk of asbestosis death (SMR 2,277) 6x increased risk of mesothelioma (SMR 575) Insulators faced 2-20 f/cc exposure—up to 200x current OSHA limits Filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1987 due to asbestos liabilities George Kraemer case: $10 million for secondary exposure Over $30 billion available in 60+ bankruptcy trusts

What Was Todd Shipyards Corporation?

Todd Shipyards Corporation emerged as America's largest independent shipbuilder through William H. Todd's strategic 1916 acquisition of multiple existing yards, including the historic Erie Basin facility in Brooklyn where the USS Monitor's revolutionary engines were built during the Civil War.

The 12+ Facilities

Brooklyn, New York (1916-1986)
Hoboken, New Jersey (1916-1980s)
Seattle, Washington (1916-present as Vigor)
Tacoma, Washington (1917-1952)
Los Angeles, California (1917-1989)
San Francisco, California (1940-1956)
Houston, Texas (1941-1987)
Galveston, Texas (1934-1990)
New Orleans, Louisiana (1934-1987)

During World War II, Todd employed 57,000 workers at peak, ranking 26th among U.S. corporations in wartime production value.

"Todd Shipyards represents one of the most geographically widespread asbestos exposure^[1] events in American history," explains David Foster, Client Advocate at Danziger & De Llano. "Workers at facilities from Brooklyn to Seattle all faced similar deadly exposures."

The geographic diversity of Todd's operations created unique challenges for workers seeking compensation, as statutes of limitations and legal requirements vary significantly between states. However, this also means that workers may have options to pursue claims in jurisdictions with more favorable laws, depending on where their exposure occurred and where they currently reside.

Financial pressures mounted through the 1980s, and the company filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy on August 17, 1987. Vigor Industrial acquired the remnant company for $130 million in 2011, continuing operations at the Seattle facility under modern safety protocols.

What Vessels Did Todd Build?

Todd constructed virtually every class of naval vessel during its operations:

WWII Production

45 destroyers - Gleaves, Fletcher, and Gearing-class ships
56 escort carriers at Tacoma
208 Liberty ships at Houston
All four Klondike-class destroyer tenders
Three of four Vulcan-class repair ships

Post-War Production

18 Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates at Los Angeles
Coast Guard icebreakers
Washington State ferries
Commercial tankers and cargo vessels
Even Disneyland's Mark Twain riverboat hull (1955)

What Asbestos Products Were Used at Todd Shipyards?

Todd Shipyards used asbestos-containing materials extensively from the 1930s through the early 1980s, with peak usage during World War II when naval specifications mandated asbestos in virtually every ship system.

Scale of Use

WWII destroyers - 24-30 long tons of thermal insulation per ship
Iowa-class battleships - nearly 465 long tons

Major Suppliers

Johns-Manville - $2.5 billion trust
Owens-Corning - $3.42 billion trust (with Fibreboard)
Babcock & Wilcox
Combustion Engineering
Fibreboard Corporation

Where Asbestos Was Found

Boiler and engine rooms contained the highest concentrations—steam pipe lagging, turbine insulation, valve gaskets, and pump packings. Living quarters proved equally contaminated: steam pipes ran inches above sailors' bunks, mess halls featured asbestos-lined walls and ceilings, and vinyl asbestos floor tiles covered administrative areas.

"The evidence shows that workers applied asbestos through multiple hazardous methods including mixing loose fibers with water to create cement, spray-applying materials to hulls, and mechanically fastening pre-formed blocks," notes Anna Jackson, Client Advocate at Danziger & De Llano.

Who Faced the Greatest Exposure Risk at Todd?

Highest-Risk Occupations

Insulators faced the highest risks, experiencing fiber concentrations of 2-20 fibers per cubic centimeter—up to 200 times current OSHA limits. A Puget Sound Naval Shipyard study found 21% of pipe coverers showed pulmonary abnormalities, the highest rate among all trades.

Boilermakers and pipefitters formed the second tier, regularly encountering 2-8 fibers/cc in confined boiler compartments. Recent measurements showed boilermaker slag removal operations generated 1.171 fibers/mL—exceeding OSHA's limit by tenfold.

Electricians drilling through asbestos panels encountered 0.5-2 fibers/cc during short-duration peaks.

Welders using asbestos-coated welding rods faced 0.5-3 fibers/cc from coating breakdown.

Laborers tasked with cleanup faced particularly high exposures of 2-10 fibers/cc—the highest among non-specialist trades—as sweeping re-suspended settled fibers.

Even supervisors and inspectors accumulated substantial exposures of 0.01-0.8 fibers/cc through decades of walking through contaminated areas.

What Are the Health Consequences for Todd Workers?

Epidemiological studies of Todd Shipyards workers demonstrate catastrophic health impacts:

22-fold increased risk of asbestosis death (SMR 2,277)
6-fold increased risk of pleural mesothelioma (SMR 575)
54% increased lung cancer risk (SMR 154)
22.6% of lung cancer deaths resulted directly from asbestos exposure

Latency Period

Mesothelioma cases show typical latency periods of 34-42.8 years, with some cases emerging over 70 years after initial exposure. The disease remains universally fatal—median survival is 6-18 months without treatment.

Synergistic Smoking Risk

Workers who both smoked and experienced asbestos exposure showed 25-90 times higher lung cancer risk than unexposed non-smokers, following a multiplicative rather than additive model.

"The devastating statistics confirm that Todd Shipyards workers faced some of the highest occupational^[2] asbestos exposure risks in American industrial history," explains Paul Danziger, Founding Partner at Danziger & De Llano.

How Did Secondary Exposure Affect Todd Families?

Secondary Exposure created an additional victim population never employed by Todd Shipyards.

The George Kraemer Case

The landmark case exemplifies this tragedy—exposed as a toddler to asbestos on his father's work clothes from Todd Seattle (1941-1945), George Kraemer developed mesothelioma in 2021 at age 79 and received a $10 million award against Lone Star Industries.

Family Studies

Los Angeles County studies documented:

11% of shipyard workers' wives showed asbestos-related lung changes
7.6% of sons showed changes from household exposure

NIOSH documented four deaths from pleural mesothelioma among 115 household contacts studied, demonstrating that family members faced measurable mortality risk despite never entering a shipyard.

"We've represented numerous family members who developed mesothelioma from secondary exposure," notes Yvette Abrego, Client Advocate at Danziger & De Llano. "These cases are fully compensable."

What Did Todd Know About Asbestos Dangers?

Todd Shipyards operated with knowledge of asbestos dangers that the broader industry possessed by the 1940s-1950s, yet continued extensive use through the 1970s:

1930 - UK Parliament report conclusively connected asbestos to lung disease
1940s - U.S. Navy correspondence acknowledged health risks
1950s-1960s - Medical experts issued specific warnings about shipyard dangers

Despite this evidence, Todd provided:

No warning labels
No respiratory protection
No training programs
No decontamination procedures

OSHA documented four citations between 1973 and 1993 for violations of asbestos guidelines, demonstrating workers continued facing dangerous exposures years after regulations became mandatory.

What Compensation Is Available for Todd Workers?

VA Benefits

Veterans exposed on Todd-built vessels can access:

$4,044.91 monthly for mesothelioma (100% rating)
Additional amounts for dependents
Free VA medical care at specialized treatment centers
Aid & Attendance benefits

Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts

Over $30 billion available across 60+ active trusts. Key trusts for Todd workers include:

Johns Manville - $2.5 billion
Owens Corning/Fibreboard - $3.42 billion
U.S. Gypsum - $3.96 billion
Armstrong World Industries - $2.1 billion

Average total recoveries from multiple trusts range from $300,000-$400,000, with high-end cases reaching $1-2.4 million.

Third-Party Lawsuits

Mesothelioma verdicts average $1-5 million
Lung cancer settlements reach $500,000-$2 million
Asbestosis claims settle for $100,000-$500,000

Maritime workers can pursue Jones Act claims if they spent 30%+ time on vessels, accessing full damages without compensation caps.

"Workers can pursue multiple compensation sources simultaneously," explains Rod De Llano, Founding Partner at Danziger & De Llano. "Trust fund claims can pay within 90 days while litigation proceeds."

Do Todd-Built Vessels Still Pose Exposure Risks?

Yes. Todd-built vessels continue creating asbestos exposure risks in 2025, with ships constructed before 1983 still containing original asbestos materials.

High-Risk Vessels

Older aircraft carriers
Destroyers and frigates built 1940s-1970s
Support vessels
Submarines with extensive engine room insulation

Current At-Risk Workers

Ship repair and maintenance workers
Navy boiler technicians, hull maintenance technicians, machinist's mates
Demolition and shipbreaking workers
Museum ship maintenance volunteers

Museum ships like the USS Intrepid in New York contain significant asbestos materials requiring special protocols.

Asbestos Management in Museum Ships

The preservation of Todd-built vessels as museum ships creates ongoing challenges for managing legacy asbestos contamination. These ships, constructed during eras when asbestos was mandatory in naval specifications, contain original insulation materials that pose risks to maintenance workers, volunteers, and potentially visitors if disturbed. Museum operators must balance historical preservation with modern safety requirements, often at considerable expense.

The USS Intrepid, maintained as a museum on the Hudson River in New York City, exemplifies these challenges. The aircraft carrier's extensive asbestos materials require continuous monitoring and periodic abatement when deterioration occurs. Similar challenges face the SS Lane Victory in San Pedro and the SS Jeremiah O'Brien in San Francisco—both Liberty ships that contain original asbestos insulation from their 1940s construction.

Geographic Diversity of Todd Claims

The nationwide distribution of Todd facilities means that workers from coast to coast faced similar exposures but may pursue claims under different state laws. Each state where Todd operated has its own statute of limitations, procedural requirements, and legal precedents that affect compensation outcomes. This geographic complexity requires experienced legal counsel who understand the variations between jurisdictions and can identify the most advantageous venue for each worker's specific situation.

Workers who transferred between Todd facilities—a common practice during the company's century of operations—may have exposure claims spanning multiple states. These multi-state exposure histories can strengthen claims by demonstrating consistent exposure patterns across facilities while also creating opportunities to pursue claims in jurisdictions with more favorable laws.

How Do Todd Workers File Compensation Claims?

Statutes of Limitations

Vary by state where exposure occurred or where worker resides. Most states provide 2-3 years from diagnosis.

Required Documentation

Medical records confirming asbestos-related disease diagnosis
Employment records from Todd facilities with dates and job titles
Evidence of specific asbestos products encountered
Documentation of vessels worked on
Witness statements from coworkers if available

Multi-Track Strategy

VA benefits - No statute of limitations for veterans^[3]
Asbestos bankruptcy trusts - 60+ trusts available
Third-party lawsuits - Against solvent manufacturers
Jones Act claims - For maritime workers (30%+ time on vessels)
Longshore Act benefits - For dock workers and shipyard employees

"Time is critical in asbestos cases," emphasizes David Foster, Client Advocate at Danziger & De Llano. "Strict statutes of limitations require immediate action upon diagnosis."

The combination of VA benefits, multiple trust fund claims, and potential lawsuits means that Todd workers can pursue comprehensive compensation through multiple channels simultaneously. Trust fund claims often pay within 90 days, providing immediate financial relief while longer-term litigation proceeds. Veterans additionally benefit from VA's automatic presumption of asbestos exposure for shipyard work, eliminating the burden of proving specific exposure incidents.

Families of deceased Todd workers can pursue wrongful death claims, which often result in substantial compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, and the loss of companionship. These claims remain available even after the worker's death, providing a pathway for surviving spouses and children to receive compensation for their loved one's exposure.

References

Page Author: David Foster, Client Advocate, Danziger & De Llano, LLP

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

[1] Maritime Industry, OSHA

[2] Asbestos, CDC/NIOSH

[3] VA Asbestos Exposure, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

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