General Dynamics Electric Boat General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut, is a primary builder of U.S. Navy nuclear submarines. Workers were heavily exposed to asbestos during submarine construction from the 1940s through the 1970s, with the confined nature of submarines intensifying exposure levels.
Last verified: 2026-03-09Electric Boat was founded in 1899 and built the U.S. Navy's first modern submarine. The company became the nation's leading submarine builder during World War II and transitioned to nuclear submarine construction in the 1950s, building the USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear-powered submarine. Asbestos was an essential insulation material in all submarine classes built at the yard through the 1970s.
Submarine construction at Electric Boat involved the heaviest concentration of asbestos exposure of any shipbuilding environment. The extremely confined interior spaces of submarines meant that workers installing asbestos insulation, gaskets, and valve packing were surrounded by asbestos dust with minimal air circulation. Pipe fitters, insulators, and electricians worked inches apart in compartments barely large enough for their bodies, creating an intensely hazardous atmosphere.
The following job categories at General Dynamics Electric Boat had the highest risk of asbestos exposure:
Former Electric Boat workers have experienced high rates of mesothelioma and asbestosis directly linked to submarine construction exposure. The confined nature of submarine interiors concentrated asbestos fibers to levels far exceeding those found in surface ship construction. Studies of Electric Boat workers have documented significantly elevated asbestos-related mortality rates.
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 General Dynamics Electric Boat 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.
3 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 General Dynamics Electric Boat 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 General Dynamics Electric Boat may be eligible to file claims with the following trust funds:
Yes. Asbestos-containing pipe insulation, reactor compartment insulation, gaskets, valve packing, and cable insulation were used extensively in submarines built at Electric Boat from the 1940s through the late 1970s.
Insulators, pipe fitters, electricians, and nuclear technicians had the highest exposure due to the extremely confined spaces of submarine interiors where asbestos dust accumulated to dangerous levels.
Yes. Former Electric Boat workers diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis may be eligible for compensation through asbestos trust funds and legal claims against asbestos product manufacturers.
General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, CT is a documented asbestos exposure site. Workers in the nuclear submarine construction 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 General Dynamics Electric Boat 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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