Ingalls Shipbuilding Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, is the largest manufacturing employer in Mississippi and a major builder of U.S. Navy surface combatants. Workers were exposed to extensive asbestos during ship construction from the 1940s through the 1970s.
Last verified: 2026-03-09Founded in 1938 by Robert Ingalls, the shipyard grew rapidly during World War II and became a major Navy contractor. Now a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, the yard has built amphibious assault ships, destroyers, cruisers, and Coast Guard cutters. Asbestos was used in all classes of vessels constructed at the yard through the late 1970s, exposing generations of Gulf Coast workers.
Workers at Ingalls Shipbuilding installed asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and fireproofing throughout warships during construction. The yard's Gulf Coast location meant workers in poorly ventilated ship interiors faced extreme heat, making it difficult to wear respiratory protection. Insulators, pipe fitters, and welders worked in direct contact with asbestos materials in engine rooms, boiler rooms, and throughout ship superstructures.
The following job categories at Ingalls Shipbuilding had the highest risk of asbestos exposure:
Former Ingalls Shipbuilding workers have experienced elevated rates of mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. The combination of heavy asbestos use and the region's limited occupational health infrastructure delayed diagnosis for many workers. Numerous lawsuits have been filed by former Ingalls employees against asbestos product manufacturers.
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 Ingalls 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 Ingalls 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 Ingalls 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 in ships built at Ingalls Shipbuilding from the 1940s through the late 1970s.
Insulators, pipe fitters, welders, sheet metal workers, and boilermakers had the highest exposure levels, particularly during construction work in enclosed below-deck ship compartments.
Yes. Former workers diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis from asbestos exposure at Ingalls Shipbuilding may pursue compensation through asbestos trust funds and legal claims.
Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS is a documented asbestos exposure site. Workers in the naval & commercial shipbuilding 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 Ingalls 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.
Or call us 24/7: 1-800-400-1805
Sources:
