Asbestos Exposure Sites in Virginia
Virginia has 4 documented asbestos exposure sites spanning 3 industries. Workers at these facilities were exposed to asbestos-containing materials — often in shipyards, power plants, refineries, and manufacturing plants — and may be eligible for compensation through trust fund claims and lawsuits.
Asbestos Exposure in Virginia
Virginia has a major asbestos exposure legacy driven by its massive naval shipbuilding industry, military installations, and the concentration of federal facilities across the state. The Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth and the Newport News Shipbuilding facility, the nation's largest private shipyard, built and repaired aircraft carriers, submarines, and other warships using enormous quantities of asbestos materials. Together, these two shipyards employed hundreds of thousands of workers over decades, making the Hampton Roads area one of the most significant clusters of asbestos exposure in the nation. Military installations including the Pentagon, Fort Belvoir, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Naval Station Norfolk, and Joint Base Langley-Eustis all contained asbestos in their buildings and facilities. The Virginia Electric and Power Company (now Dominion Energy) operated power plants with asbestos insulation throughout the state. Federal government buildings in Arlington, Alexandria, and the Washington, D.C. suburbs contained asbestos. Industrial operations in Richmond, Roanoke, and the Shenandoah Valley also used asbestos products. The former uranium processing facility at Babcock & Wilcox in Lynchburg involved both asbestos and radioactive materials. Virginia applies a two-year statute of limitations from discovery, and the state's naval and military exposure history means many mesothelioma cases involve complex occupational exposure patterns.
Major industries linked to asbestos exposure in Virginia: Naval shipbuilding, Military installations, Power generation, Federal government facilities, Tobacco processing, Industrial manufacturing.
Notable exposure sites: Newport News Shipbuilding; Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth; Naval Station Norfolk; The Pentagon, Arlington; Dominion Energy power plants.
Frequently Asked Questions: Asbestos Exposure in Virginia
What is Virginia's statute of limitations for mesothelioma claims?
Virginia has a two-year statute of limitations from the date of diagnosis or discovery for personal injury claims. Wrongful death claims must also be filed within two years of the date of death.
Were Newport News Shipbuilding workers exposed to asbestos?
Yes. Newport News Shipbuilding, the nation's largest private shipyard, extensively used asbestos in ship construction and repair. Hundreds of thousands of workers were exposed during the construction of aircraft carriers, submarines, and other vessels over many decades.
How significant is the Hampton Roads area for asbestos exposure?
The Hampton Roads area, with both Newport News Shipbuilding and the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, represents one of the most concentrated areas of asbestos exposure in the United States. The naval shipbuilding industry there exposed more workers to asbestos than almost any other region.
Can veterans exposed at Virginia military bases file claims?
Yes. Veterans and civilian workers exposed at the many Virginia military installations can file claims against asbestos product manufacturers. Virginia's concentration of military facilities means many mesothelioma cases originate from military service in the state.