⚙️ Puget Sound / Bremerton Naval Shipyards

Asbestos Exposure History

The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, located in Bremerton, Washington, has been a cornerstone of U.S. naval repair and maintenance since 1901. Like many major shipyards, it relied heavily on asbestos insulation, gaskets, and fireproof materials in ships and facility buildings for more than five decades. Sailors, Marines, and civilian workers stationed here were routinely exposed to airborne asbestos fibers during ship overhauls and refits — exposures that continue to cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis today.

This guide explains how exposure occurred at Puget Sound, which workers and veterans were affected, and how they can recover VA, trust-fund, and legal compensation for asbestos-related diseases.

📞 Need help proving exposure at Puget Sound? Call 800.291.0963 for free case assistance.

🧭 Step 1: Asbestos Use at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard

From World War II through the Cold War, asbestos was used throughout Puget Sound shipyard facilities for heat resistance and durability.

Common asbestos materials:

• ⚙️ Boiler and turbine insulation on ships.

• 🧱 Pipe wrapping and valve gaskets.

• 🔧 Engine-room heat shields and lagging.

• 💨 Duct insulation and ceiling tiles.

• 🏗️ Spray-on coatings in shops and hull compartments.

Goal: Understand that nearly every vessel repaired or built at Puget Sound contained asbestos materials.

📁 Step 2: Who Was Exposed

Tens of thousands of people were exposed during daily work in ships and repair facilities.

Commonly affected groups:

• ⚓ Shipfitters, boilermakers, and machinists.

• 🧰 Electricians, pipefitters, and welders.

• 🪖 Navy personnel stationed on docked vessels.

• 🧾 Civilian contractors and shipyard maintenance crews.

• 🧱 Engineers, painters, and laborers in dry docks.

Goal: Identify your occupation and role to link your asbestos exposure to Puget Sound service.

🏗️ Step 3: High-Risk Locations in Bremerton and Puget Sound

Asbestos was present across shipyard operations and nearby facilities.

Key exposure sites:

• 🛠️ Dry docks and ship-repair bays.

• ⚙️ Boiler and engine shops.

• 🧱 Pipefitting and electrical workshops.

• 🏠 Base housing and administrative offices.

• 🚢 Ship decommissioning and recycling zones.

Goal: Document your duty station or worksite for compensation claim evidence.

💼 Step 4: Navy and Civilian Worker Exposure Scenarios

Both active-duty personnel and civilian tradesmen encountered asbestos during routine maintenance and construction.

Typical exposure activities:

• ⚙️ Replacing or scraping old insulation.

• 🧾 Sanding asbestos panels and tiles.

• 💬 Cleaning dust from ventilation ducts and engine spaces.

• 🧱 Working below deck in confined environments.

Goal: Identify daily tasks that caused direct or secondary asbestos exposure.

🩺 Step 5: Health Conditions From Puget Sound Exposure

Asbestos exposure can take 20–50 years to manifest as serious disease.

Common conditions:

• 💀 Mesothelioma (pleural or peritoneal).

• 🫁 Asbestosis and lung fibrosis.

• 💬 Pleural plaques and effusions.

• 🩺 Lung and gastrointestinal cancers.

Goal: If you worked at Puget Sound and now have respiratory illness, seek medical evaluation immediately.

⚖️ Step 6: VA Benefits for Puget Sound Veterans

Veterans exposed at Puget Sound qualify for full VA disability compensation once service connection is proven.

VA benefits include:

• 💰 100% tax-free disability payments for mesothelioma.

• 🏥 Treatment at VA mesothelioma specialty centers.

• 🕊️ Survivor benefits through DIC programs.

• ⚖️ Additional payments from asbestos trust funds.

Goal: File both VA and trust-fund claims for full compensation access.

🧱 Step 7: Civilian Worker Legal Rights

Civilian shipyard employees can recover through multiple legal pathways.

Options include:

• ⚖️ Asbestos trust-fund claims (over $32 billion available).

• 💵 Civil lawsuits against negligent product manufacturers.

• 🧾 Workers’ compensation or Social Security Disability claims.

• 🕊️ Wrongful-death claims for surviving families.

Goal: Explore all legal options for financial and medical recovery.

🧠 Step 8: Proving Exposure With Shipyard Documentation

Puget Sound’s long operational history provides ample records for proving exposure.

Evidence sources:

• 🧾 Employment and service records.

• ⚙️ Navy BuShips technical manuals confirming asbestos use.

• 💬 Witness and coworker statements.

• 🧱 Environmental cleanup reports from the Department of Defense.

Goal: Compile these materials to support both VA and trust-fund claims.

🌈 Step 9: Ongoing Cleanup and Environmental Impact

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard continues to manage asbestos abatement due to decades of contamination.

Current issues:

• 🏗️ Removal of asbestos-laden insulation and panels in older shops.

• ⚙️ Soil and air contamination near decommissioning docks.

• 🧾 EPA and Navy oversight confirming ongoing remediation.

Goal: Use abatement documentation as supporting exposure proof for older service years.

💬 Step 10: Getting Legal and VA Assistance

Experienced asbestos lawyers and veteran advocates can help gather shipyard records and file coordinated claims.

Next steps:

• 🧭 Verify service or work history at Puget Sound.

• ⚙️ Gather pathology and diagnostic reports.

• 🧾 File VA and asbestos trust-fund claims together.

• 📞 Call for free claim support today.

Goal: Ensure no benefit or claim opportunity is missed.

🤝 Where to Get Help

Our advocates help Puget Sound veterans and shipyard workers file complete asbestos claims with the VA and trust funds.

📞 Call 800.291.0963 for a free case review today.

🧭 Summary

From World War II through the Cold War, the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton exposed thousands of sailors and workers to asbestos. Today, those who served or worked there can receive VA disability, trust-fund, and legal compensation for asbestos-related diseases.

Early filing preserves evidence and ensures families are financially protected.
800.291.0963