Alabama Dry Dock & Shipbuilding Alabama Dry Dock & Shipbuilding Company (ADDSCO) in Mobile, Alabama, was one of the major Gulf Coast shipbuilding and ship repair facilities. Workers were extensively exposed to asbestos during naval and commercial ship construction and repair from the 1940s through the 1970s.
Last verified: 2026-03-09Alabama Dry Dock & Shipbuilding was established in 1916 and became a vital wartime production facility during WWII, employing over 30,000 workers to build Liberty ships, tankers, and naval vessels. The yard was notable for being one of the first in the South to employ African American workers in skilled trades during the war. Asbestos was a standard material in all vessels built and repaired at the yard for decades.
Workers at ADDSCO handled asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing materials during both new construction and ship repair operations. The yard's Gulf Coast location meant that extreme heat and humidity conditions in ship interiors made respiratory protection particularly uncomfortable. Insulators, pipe fitters, and boilermakers worked in below-deck spaces where asbestos dust accumulated in poorly ventilated compartments.
The following job categories at Alabama Dry Dock & Shipbuilding had the highest risk of asbestos exposure:
Former ADDSCO workers have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis at elevated rates. The Mobile, Alabama area has seen significant asbestos-related disease claims linked to the yard. Thousands of former workers have filed legal claims identifying asbestos product manufacturers whose materials were used at the facility during its decades of shipbuilding operations.
Health information is based on established medical research on asbestos exposure. Asbestos is classified as a known human carcinogen by the National Cancer Institute, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Consult a physician for medical advice specific to your situation.
Workers exposed to asbestos at Alabama Dry Dock & Shipbuilding may be entitled to compensation through asbestos trust funds, personal injury lawsuits, or veterans benefits. Mesothelioma patients and their families have recovered billions in compensation from companies that manufactured or used asbestos products.
2 asbestos trust funds have been identified as potentially related to exposure at this site. Many mesothelioma patients qualify to file claims with multiple trusts simultaneously.
Find Out If You QualifyWorkers who were employed at Alabama Dry Dock & Shipbuilding between 1940s–1970s may have been exposed to asbestos-containing materials. If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may have legal options including trust fund claims and lawsuits.
Workers exposed to asbestos at Alabama Dry Dock & Shipbuilding may be eligible to file claims with the following trust funds:
Yes. Asbestos-containing pipe insulation, boiler lagging, gaskets, and fireproofing materials were used extensively at ADDSCO during ship construction and repair from the 1940s through the late 1970s.
Insulators, pipe fitters, boilermakers, welders, and general laborers had the highest exposure levels, particularly those working in enclosed engine rooms and boiler spaces of ships under construction or repair.
Yes. Former ADDSCO workers diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis may be eligible for compensation through asbestos trust funds and personal injury lawsuits against asbestos product manufacturers.
Alabama Dry Dock & Shipbuilding in Mobile, AL is a documented asbestos exposure site. Workers in the naval & commercial shipbuilding & repair industry were exposed to asbestos-containing materials from the 1940s through the 1970s. Former workers diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases may be eligible for compensation.
If you or a loved one worked at Alabama Dry Dock & Shipbuilding and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis, our attorneys can help you explore your legal options. There is no cost, no pressure, and no obligation.
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