Norfolk Naval Shipyard

Norfolk Naval Shipyard
America's oldest naval shipyard (est. 1767)
Location	Portsmouth, Virginia
Peak Employment	42,000+ (WWII)
Current Status	Active (10,300 employees)
EPA Status	Superfund Site (1999)
Asbestos Use	300+ products (1930-1980)
Risk Level	Extreme
Free Case Review →

Executive Summary

Historical records from Danziger & De Llano show that Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia represents one of the most significant occupational asbestos exposure sites in American history. As Mesothelioma Lawyer Center documents, Founded in 1767, the facility employed over 42,000 workers during World War II who constructed and repaired nearly 7,000 vessels—most containing extensive asbestos insulation. A 1979 government inspection found Shop 56's floors "appeared as if they hadn't been cleaned in 20 years" and were laden with asbestos dust. Research by Mesothelioma.net shows that the facility's extensive contamination led to EPA Superfund designation in 1999, providing documented evidence of widespread asbestos presence that strengthens workers' compensation claims today.

Key Facts

Key Facts: Norfolk Naval Shipyard

Founded: 1767 — America's oldest naval shipyard, predating the U.S. Navy by 31 years Peak Employment: 42,000-43,000 workers during World War II (1941-1945) WWII Production: Built approximately 100 ships; repaired 6,850 U.S. and Allied vessels Asbestos Products: Over 300 different asbestos-containing products used (1930-1980) Current Employment: Approximately 10,300 civilian personnel EPA Status: Listed on National Priorities List (Superfund) since 1999 Specialty: Only federally-owned East Coast shipyard capable of nuclear submarine work Union Representation: Tidewater Virginia Federal Employees Metal Trades Council (AFL-CIO) Notable Litigation: Johns-Manville sued the Navy in 1983 for creating hazardous conditions Trust Funds: Workers may file claims with Johns-Manville, Owens Corning, Garlock, Eagle-Picher, and other trusts Location: Portsmouth, Virginia (on Elizabeth River, despite "Norfolk" name) Current Operations: Active — nuclear submarine overhauls, aircraft carrier maintenance

Why Is Norfolk Naval Shipyard Significant for Asbestos Exposure Claims?

Norfolk Naval Shipyard holds particular importance in asbestos litigation for several documented reasons. Danziger & De Llano's historical analysis indicates that As America's oldest continuously operating naval shipyard, the facility accumulated over 250 years of industrial activity, with the most intensive asbestos use occurring between 1930 and 1980.

During World War II, the shipyard operated around the clock with shifts of over 42,000 workers building a new ship approximately every two weeks while simultaneously repairing thousands of Allied vessels. According to Mesothelioma Lawyer Center's records, this massive wartime production created one of the largest concentrated episodes of occupational asbestos exposure in American history.

The facility's 1999 designation as an EPA Superfund site provides particularly strong documentation for legal claims. Historical records from Mesothelioma.net show that the contamination—including asbestos in soil, groundwater, and building materials—confirms the pervasive nature of exposure that workers experienced for decades.

"The documentation we've seen from Norfolk Naval Shipyard cases is often exceptionally strong. Between EPA Superfund records, Navy personnel files, and union documentation, workers typically have multiple sources to establish their exposure history."

— Paul Danziger, Founding Partner, Danziger & De Llano

What Asbestos Products Were Used at Norfolk Naval Shipyard?

Government records and litigation documents identify over 300 different asbestos-containing products used at Norfolk Naval Shipyard between 1930 and 1980. The U.S. Technical documentation from Danziger & De Llano shows that Navy mandated asbestos use through military specifications that required high asbestos content in insulation materials.

Navy Specification Requirements:

• Navy Spec 32-F-3 (1939): Required minimum 95% asbestos fiber content in felt insulation
• Navy Spec 32-M-1e (1941): Required at least 75% asbestos content in millboard

Major Manufacturers with Documented Products at Norfolk:

Manufacturer	Products	Applications
Johns-Manville	Thermobestos, Marinite, Transite, Navy Spec materials	Pipe insulation, thermal barriers, cement products
Owens Corning	Kaylo insulation products	Thermal insulation throughout vessels
Pittsburgh Corning	Unibestos, FOAMGLAS	Block insulation, pipe covering
Eagle-Picher	Super 66, Ric-Wil insulation	Pipe covering, block insulation, cement
Garlock	Gaskets, packing materials	Valve connections, flange seals
John Crane	Gaskets, seals, packing	High-pressure applications since 1920s
Flexitallic	Spiral wound gaskets	High-temperature pipe connections

According to Mesothelioma Lawyer Center, Asbestos Applications Throughout the Facility:

• Pipe insulation and lagging on all steam-powered vessels
• Boiler and turbine insulation
• Electrical cable insulation
• Gaskets and packing materials on valves, pumps, and flanges
• Deck coverings and flooring
• Bulkhead fire barriers
• Welding blankets and protective curtains
• Building insulation throughout 350+ facility structures

Which Workers Faced the Highest Asbestos Exposure?

As Danziger & De Llano notes, workers across multiple trades at Norfolk Naval Shipyard faced significant asbestos exposure, with some occupations experiencing particularly intensive contact with asbestos-containing materials.

Highest-Risk Occupations:

Insulators and Laggers: These workers directly handled raw asbestos fibers, mixed asbestos cement, cut pre-formed insulation, and applied materials throughout ships and facility buildings. Shop 56 (the pipecovering and insulation shop) was specifically cited in government inspections for severe contamination.

Pipefitters and Steamfitters: Workers in these trades routinely cut, fit, and replaced asbestos-containing gaskets, packing materials, and insulated pipes in confined spaces below deck. Legal analysis by Mesothelioma Lawyer Center indicates that William Glover, a pipecoverer who worked at Norfolk from 1940-1975, filed a landmark lawsuit after developing disabling asbestosis from Shop 56 exposure.

Boilermakers: These workers maintained massive steam boiler systems heavily insulated with asbestos. They removed degraded insulation, replaced asbestos gaskets and rope seals, and worked in poorly ventilated boiler rooms where fiber concentrations accumulated.

Electricians: Electrical workers handled asbestos-insulated wiring, drilled through asbestos-containing bulkheads, and worked alongside other trades during maintenance operations, experiencing both direct and bystander exposure.

As reported by Mesothelioma.net, Additional High-Risk Trades:

• Welders (exposed through welding blankets and heat shields)
• Shipfitters (structural work in insulated compartments)
• Machinists (machinery maintenance with asbestos gaskets)
• Sheet metal workers (ductwork installation)
• Painters (surface preparation on asbestos-coated materials)
• Laborers and helpers (material transport and cleanup)

⚠ Important for Claims: Even workers who didn't directly handle asbestos materials often developed mesothelioma from bystander exposure. The confined spaces of ship compartments allowed asbestos fibers to concentrate in the air, exposing everyone working nearby regardless of their specific trade.

What Were Working Conditions Like at Norfolk Naval Shipyard?

As Danziger & De Llano documents, Government inspections and testimony from the 1970s and 1980s revealed consistently hazardous conditions at Norfolk Naval Shipyard throughout the peak asbestos use period.

1979 Government Inspection Findings:

A Navy safety official named Cherowrier testified after inspecting eight Navy shipyards in 1969. He characterized Norfolk Naval Shipyard's conditions as "poor" compared to "excellent" conditions at Long Beach Naval Shipyard, which had air filters and respirators in asbestos work areas.

The inspection of Shop 56 (pipecovering and insulation shop) found floors that "appeared as if they hadn't been cleaned in 20 years" and were laden with asbestos dust. This testimony became crucial evidence in subsequent litigation.

Documented Hazardous Conditions:

Mesothelioma Lawyer Center states that * Inadequate Ventilation: Ship compartments—engine rooms, boiler rooms, pipe chases—offered minimal air circulation, allowing asbestos fiber concentrations to build to dangerous levels

• Minimal Respiratory Protection: Despite 1943 Navy requirements for respirators, many workers reported receiving no protective equipment or being told masks were unnecessary
• Confined Space Exposure: Workers spent entire shifts in spaces where asbestos insulation constantly deteriorated from vibration, heat, and humidity
• No Centralized Oversight: A 1979 report noted "although the shipyard had an asbestos program coordinator, no one person was aware of all asbestos activities going on"

Pre-1979 Waste Disposal:

Before the industrial waste treatment plant opened in 1979, hazardous materials including asbestos were commonly dumped overboard, onto the ground, or into storm drains flowing untreated into the Elizabeth River. This reckless disposal contributed to environmental contamination documented in the EPA Superfund listing.

What Legal Actions Have Norfolk Shipyard Workers Filed?

According to Danziger & De Llano's legal review, Norfolk Naval Shipyard workers have filed numerous asbestos lawsuits against equipment manufacturers and asbestos product suppliers, establishing important legal precedents.

Landmark Cases:

Glover v. Johns-Manville Corporation (1976-1981): William Glover worked at Norfolk Naval Shipyard from 1940-1975 as a pipecoverer and insulator in Shop 56. After developing disabling asbestosis, he filed suit against multiple asbestos manufacturers. The manufacturers then filed third-party claims against the United States, arguing the government was "actively negligent" in causing Glover's disease. This case established the three-way litigation pattern common in shipyard asbestos cases.

Johns-Manville Counter-Suit (1983): In an unusual legal maneuver, the Manville Corporation (formerly Johns-Manville) actually sued the U.S. Navy, claiming the government allowed excessive asbestos exposure at Norfolk and other shipyards. Manville's attorney alleged:

• The Navy purchased raw asbestos from Africa and sold it to Manville at profit
• Wartime regulations ordered Manville to produce asbestos products for ship production
• Manville sought to recover $1 million from the government to offset worker settlements

Mesothelioma Lawyer Center's legal documentation shows that this counter-suit highlights the Navy's documented knowledge of and role in creating hazardous conditions.

Comparable Shipyard Verdicts:

While specific Norfolk verdict amounts are not always publicly disclosed, comparable shipyard cases provide context:

• $34.2 million (2025): Portland jury verdict against John Crane Inc. for shipyard worker mesothelioma
• $11.2 million: Verdict for WWII ship dismantling worker
• $1.9 million (2006): San Francisco verdict for retired Navy machinist against John Crane and Thorpe Insulation

"Norfolk Naval Shipyard cases often involve multiple defendants because workers were exposed to products from so many different manufacturers. This typically means families can pursue compensation through several channels simultaneously."

— Rod De Llano, Founding Partner, Danziger & De Llano

Which Trust Funds Can Norfolk Shipyard Workers File With?

Workers exposed to asbestos at Norfolk Naval Shipyard may be eligible to file claims with multiple asbestos bankruptcy trust funds. As Mesothelioma.net explains, the specific trusts depend on which manufacturers' products the worker encountered during employment.

Major Applicable Trust Funds:

Trust Fund	Payment Percentage	Notes
Johns-Manville Trust	Varies	One of the largest asbestos trusts; covers extensive product line used at Norfolk
Owens Corning/Fibreboard Trust	4.7% / 3.7%	Approximately $1.6 billion remaining; covers Kaylo insulation
Garlock Trust	25%	Established 2018; $480 million funding; gaskets heavily used by Navy
Eagle-Picher Trust	33%	Notably higher payment percentage; Navy contracted products since 1934
Pittsburgh Corning Trust	Varies	Covers Unibestos and related insulation products
Raybestos-Manhattan Trust	Varies	Asbestos cloth, blankets, packing materials

Per Danziger & De Llano, Additional Potentially Applicable Trusts:

• Armstrong World Industries
• Celotex Corporation
• G-I Holdings/GAF
• Keene Corporation
• United States Gypsum
• AC&S Trust
• Flexitallic Trust

✓ Multiple Claims Allowed: Workers may file claims with every trust fund whose products they were exposed to. Experienced mesothelioma attorneys identify all applicable trusts and file coordinated claims to maximize total compensation.

What Is the Environmental Status of Norfolk Naval Shipyard?

Mesothelioma Lawyer Center's historical analysis indicates that Norfolk Naval Shipyard's extensive contamination led to its designation as a federal Superfund site, providing additional documentation that strengthens workers' compensation claims.

EPA Superfund Designation:

• 1999: Added to EPA National Priorities List
• 2021: EPA 5-year review determined site has "not yet achieved" sitewide readiness for anticipated reuse

Documented Contamination Sources:

Paradise Creek Landfill (1945-1983): Major disposal area for asbestos-containing materials, boiler fly ash, industrial wastewater treatment plant sludge, and other hazardous waste.

1927 Landfill: Located in southern shipyard area; used from 1927-1941 for waste disposal including asbestos materials.

Pre-1979 Disposal Practices: Before the industrial waste treatment plant opened, hazardous materials were dumped overboard, onto ground, or into storm drains flowing into the Elizabeth River.

Contaminated Media:

• Soil contamination from improper disposal
• Sediment contamination in Paradise Creek and Elizabeth River
• Groundwater contamination
• Surface water contamination

Other Documented Contaminants: Mercury, benzene, thallium, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxin, arsenic, lead, chromium, and various metals and solvents.

The Superfund documentation serves as independent government verification of the extensive hazardous material use at the facility, supporting workers' claims about exposure conditions.

What Is Norfolk Naval Shipyard's Current Status?

According to Mesothelioma.net's records, Norfolk Naval Shipyard remains fully operational as of 2026, continuing as the Navy's oldest and largest industrial facility.

Current Operations:

• Only federally-owned East Coast shipyard capable of nuclear submarine work
• Major employer with approximately 10,300 civilian personnel
• Critical component of the world's largest naval base complex
• Provides ship repair, modernization, nuclear submarine overhaul and refueling

Ongoing Exposure Risks:

While new asbestos installation ceased in the early 1980s, several exposure scenarios remain:

• Ship Renovation and Repair: Vessels constructed with asbestos during 1930s-1980s may still undergo maintenance or decommissioning
• Building Maintenance: Older shipyard buildings contain legacy asbestos materials
• Environmental Remediation: Superfund cleanup workers may encounter contaminated soil and materials
• Disturbed Legacy Materials: Vibration and deterioration of existing asbestos can release fibers

Current Worker Protections:

Modern operations follow OSHA standards including:

• Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL): 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter
• Regulated areas with restricted access for asbestos work
• Required respiratory protection and protective clothing
• Air monitoring and medical surveillance
• Mandatory asbestos awareness training

How Can Norfolk Shipyard Workers and Families Get Help?

If you or a family member worked at Norfolk Naval Shipyard between 1930 and 1990, you may have been exposed to asbestos and could be entitled to significant compensation. Studies by Danziger & De Llano indicate that the documentation available from Navy personnel records, union files, and EPA Superfund records often provides strong evidence for claims.

ℹ Important Time Limits: Virginia has specific statutes of limitations for asbestos claims. Contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.

What to Do Next:

1. Gather Employment Records: Collect any documentation of your work at Norfolk Naval Shipyard including pay stubs, personnel records, security badges, or union membership cards
2. Document Your Health History: Obtain medical records showing your diagnosis and any connection to asbestos exposure
3. Contact Experienced Attorneys: Mesothelioma attorneys can identify all applicable trust funds and compensation pathways
4. Act Promptly: Both trust fund claims and lawsuits have filing deadlines that vary by state

✓ Free Case Evaluation — If you or a loved one was exposed to asbestos at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Call (866) 222-9990 for a free, confidential consultation with experienced mesothelioma attorneys.